Shooting Range Guides
Range basics, gear, public land, clay sports and hunting. When you are ready to go, find a range near you.
Archery
Hunting
HuntingChoosing Binoculars and Rangefinders for HuntingHow to read binocular specs like 8x42 and 10x42, why exit pupil and field of view matter, and what to look for in a hunting rangefinder.
HuntingHunting Gear Checklist: What to Bring for a Day AfieldA practical hunting gear checklist covering documents, clothing, hunter orange, navigation, optics, field dressing, first aid and safety for a day hunt.
HuntingSighting In a Rifle Before Hunting SeasonA step-by-step method for sighting in a scoped rifle: bore sighting, 25-yard and 100-yard groups, MOA adjustments, and confirming zero with hunting ammo.
Range basics
Range basicsFirst Time at a Shooting Range: What to Expect and What to BringA plain guide to your first range visit: how check-in works, the safety rules, what to bring, what to leave at home and how to pick a beginner-friendly range.
Range basicsHow Much Does a Shooting Range Cost? Day Passes, Lane Fees and MembershipsHow shooting ranges charge: lane fees, day passes, memberships, clay rounds, rentals and state permits, what drives the price, and how to keep your range costs down.
Range basicsHow to Choose a Gun Club: Membership vs Day PassHow gun club memberships work, what they cost you in time and commitments, when a day pass makes more sense, and what to check before you join.
Range basicsIndoor vs Outdoor Shooting Ranges: Which Is Right for YouHow indoor and outdoor shooting ranges differ in distance, noise, weather, rules, cost structure and the kinds of shooting they support, so you can pick the right one.
Range basicsShooting Range Rules and Etiquette, Including Range CommandsThe universal safety rules, common range commands like cease fire and the line is hot, and the unwritten etiquette that keeps a shooting range safe and friendly.
Public land
Public landFree and Public Shooting Ranges: How to Find ThemHow to find free and public shooting ranges near you, who runs them, what they usually require, and what to expect when you get there.
Public landTarget Shooting in National Forests: Rules, Distances and EtiquetteTarget shooting is allowed in most national forests unless restricted. Learn the federal 150-yard rule, road and water limits, fire rules and local orders.
Public landTarget Shooting on BLM Land: Where It's Allowed and the Rules to KnowMost BLM public land is open to recreational target shooting. Learn where it is closed, the common rules on targets, backstops and fire, and who to ask.
Gear
GearGun Cases and Getting Your Firearms to the Range SafelyHow to choose a hard or soft gun case, lock and pack it, and transport firearms to the range by car or plane, with pointers to official rules.
GearGun Cleaning Basics: What Goes in a Cleaning Kit and How Often to CleanWhat belongs in a gun cleaning kit, a safe step-by-step cleaning routine, and how often to clean based on use, ammunition and storage.
GearGun Safes and Safe Storage at Home: A Buyer's PrimerHow to choose home gun storage, from cable locks and lockboxes to full safes, and what fire ratings, UL RSC labels and lock types actually tell you.
GearHearing Protection for Shooting: Passive vs Electronic, and What NRR MeansWhat NRR means, how passive and electronic hearing protection differ, when to double up with plugs and muffs, and how to get a good fit at the range.
GearRange Bag Checklist: What to Pack for a Day at the RangeA complete range bag checklist: safety gear, firearm and ammo items, targets, tools, first aid and comfort items, plus extras for outdoor, rifle and shotgun days.
GearShooting Glasses: How to Choose Eye Protection for the RangeHow to choose shooting glasses: ANSI Z87.1 impact ratings, coverage, lens colors, prescription options and fit with hearing protection.
GearShooting Targets Guide: Paper, Steel and Reactive TargetsHow paper, steel and reactive shooting targets compare, how to use steel targets safely, and what to check with your range before you set up.
