Barney88PDC
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Ok I have been hearing about the range near Franklin and I finally decided to go check it out and here is what I found out. I talked with the RO I think he said his name was Troy. He said that the range is his full time job and he is there every weekday from about 9am until about 4pm. The range is open to the public. The range shuts down at 3:45 for everyone to police their brass and pick up their targets. Some times the range may be closed for police use but just call 337-350-0086 or 337-828-1960 before you go and they should be able to let you know if it is or not.
They have 3 bays. One bay is a 150 yard rifle range. They have a cement walkway down the middle of the bay so you do not have to walk in the water / mud if it has rained recently. The range is marked at 25 yard increments. They provide target stands and target frames but you have to bring your own targets. They had IIRC 6 benches under a covered awning with chairs and a few sandbags. Looked like the white "hurricane" sandbags, I just bring my own. The range was quiet today only one other guy there with his 2 kids shooting some .22's. Looked like they were having a good time. The benches are wood and not cemented to the ground but the bench I shot off of was very sturdy and did the job fine. I inquired about any caliber restriction and was told not really but no 50 BMG
.
The pistol bay had several firing lines and was a 50 yard range. They had a cement walk way down the center and several cement firing lines at standard distances.
The third bay was bascily just an open bay that the SWAT team uses mostly and is pretty much closed to the public kinda. I explained that I shoot USPSA matches and inquired if I could set up some of my stands and move and shoot as long as everything was set up down range. He did not say no but didnt really say yes either. I am not sure if he knew exactly what I meant. I think if I go a few times and he sees that I am not a JBT Urban Ninja I might be able to (fingers crossed). I told him that I might become a regular because it is just about 10minutes further down the road than the range I currently go to but that is only open 7 hours a week to the public. He stated that he had a few regular's. They had a few picnic tables under the covered portion of the pistol bay along with a BBQ pit. He said there are guys that show up and shoot all day when the weather is right. He said I would be welcome to use the pit if I ever wanted to. I am sure it would cost me a burger though LOL.
Summary:
Price: FREE!
Hours: 9-4, Mon - Fri (they did change it last year during hunting season to Tues - Sat)
You MUST police your own brass. You cannont leave it. They do have buckets you can put it in and leave it there but you can not leave it on the ground.
Bring your own targets. They do have target stands and card board for you to staple your targets to.
Of course eye and ear protection is required.
Directions:
Take HWY 90 to the Franklin exit and head north towards town. At the first stop sign, a 4 Way stop, (Franklin Hospital is on the corner) take a right on to Chatsworth Dr. Continue down Chatsworth drive for 1 mile until you cross the draw bridge this road will take you back to HWY 90. Just after you cross the draw bridge turn right and go under the overpass. This will put you on the service road of HWY 90 East bound on the south side of the road. Go about 1/2 mile and turn right at SO Range sign onto Black Bear Ln and continue down gravel drive to range.
Rifle bay:
Pistol Bay:
3rd Bay
They have 3 bays. One bay is a 150 yard rifle range. They have a cement walkway down the middle of the bay so you do not have to walk in the water / mud if it has rained recently. The range is marked at 25 yard increments. They provide target stands and target frames but you have to bring your own targets. They had IIRC 6 benches under a covered awning with chairs and a few sandbags. Looked like the white "hurricane" sandbags, I just bring my own. The range was quiet today only one other guy there with his 2 kids shooting some .22's. Looked like they were having a good time. The benches are wood and not cemented to the ground but the bench I shot off of was very sturdy and did the job fine. I inquired about any caliber restriction and was told not really but no 50 BMG
.The pistol bay had several firing lines and was a 50 yard range. They had a cement walk way down the center and several cement firing lines at standard distances.
The third bay was bascily just an open bay that the SWAT team uses mostly and is pretty much closed to the public kinda. I explained that I shoot USPSA matches and inquired if I could set up some of my stands and move and shoot as long as everything was set up down range. He did not say no but didnt really say yes either. I am not sure if he knew exactly what I meant. I think if I go a few times and he sees that I am not a JBT Urban Ninja I might be able to (fingers crossed). I told him that I might become a regular because it is just about 10minutes further down the road than the range I currently go to but that is only open 7 hours a week to the public. He stated that he had a few regular's. They had a few picnic tables under the covered portion of the pistol bay along with a BBQ pit. He said there are guys that show up and shoot all day when the weather is right. He said I would be welcome to use the pit if I ever wanted to. I am sure it would cost me a burger though LOL.
Summary:
Price: FREE!
Hours: 9-4, Mon - Fri (they did change it last year during hunting season to Tues - Sat)
You MUST police your own brass. You cannont leave it. They do have buckets you can put it in and leave it there but you can not leave it on the ground.
Bring your own targets. They do have target stands and card board for you to staple your targets to.
Of course eye and ear protection is required.
Directions:
Take HWY 90 to the Franklin exit and head north towards town. At the first stop sign, a 4 Way stop, (Franklin Hospital is on the corner) take a right on to Chatsworth Dr. Continue down Chatsworth drive for 1 mile until you cross the draw bridge this road will take you back to HWY 90. Just after you cross the draw bridge turn right and go under the overpass. This will put you on the service road of HWY 90 East bound on the south side of the road. Go about 1/2 mile and turn right at SO Range sign onto Black Bear Ln and continue down gravel drive to range.
Rifle bay:
Pistol Bay:
3rd Bay
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it when that happens. Got to work for a living Friday but I'm sorely tempted to check out the St. Mary range Thursday to finish up with the .308 so I can save Saturday at IPSO for some pistol practice.
