NRA Range in Raton

[BlasterBob]

Been dry and hot down here. Its a nice range lots of upgrades over the last few years

rellik74, Sounds like we are almost neighbors. Did you ever conduct a CCW class?
Just curious. Thanks.

[cowboykjohnson]

I've always wanted to check this range out... someday I'll make it.

[BlasterBob]

I've always wanted to check this range out... someday I'll make it.

If you do ever have the opportunity to get down to Whittington to shoot, grab the chance but be sure to check their calendar first to make certain the ranges that you want to use are not being tied up with some registered shoot.
You won't be disappointed with the various ranges down there.

[BlasterBob]

rellik74, Sounds like we are almost neighbors. Did you ever conduct a CCW class?
Just curious. Thanks.

Hello rellik74. You still around?

[k2peaker]

One good excuse for getting down to the Whittington Center are the organized shoots. For example, the Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship is there the first week in August. This year's match is full but keep it in mind for next year -- it's become one of the top 3-gun matches in the country. A great match put on JJ & Denise Johnson and a ton of CO/WY/NM shooters. All levels of shooters but definitely one of the more challenging 3-gun matches.
Precision Rifle more to your liking? The Raton Sporting Rifle Match (monthly, see www.sportingriflematch.com) is held on the North range. Next match is August 8th.
This is only two of many events -- pretty much every discipline is supported.
This is seriously beautiful country and I can't believe that I only started taking advantage of the Whittington Center the past two years.

[Jer]

Did the Sporting Rifle Match start of the month and plan to go again this coming month.

[testify4]

Going to the Whittington Center is a great shooting experience. I was just there last month.

We checked the shoots and they just had something on the 1000 high power range, so no problems there. (We're all irons.)

They had this really interesting BPCR (Black Powder Cartridge Rifle) shoot going on which was fun to watch.

We usually enjoy some pistol shooting and hit the silhouette range and hope it hasn't been picked over by the time we get there.

[jerrymrc]

I was the director for Fal fest for the last 5 years held down there. I have posted about it in the events section in the past. Very informal 2-1/2 day event. I do know that next year there may be a change of events since I have stepped down.

A target shoot 200-600 yards a three gun shoot and a pop-up mover event. They have always been geared to the amateur shooter and all guns are welcome.

I will say that if you have a discipline they have a range. Always fun to shoot the buffalo at 1200 yards or so.

Next years event will be the 20-22 of may

[Mykidsdad]

OK folks:

Let's get something straight from the beginning...YOU NEED TO GET TO THE WHITINGTON CENTER. 3.5 hours from Denver. Easy drive so long as no one does anything stupid on the road.

Just took my youngest there for a weekend of camping and shooting. Reserved a primitive camping spot and had an awesome weekend. The camp spots are a bit close to each other but you can stagger your tent to the back of several of the sites for a bit more privacy. Some of the spots are shaded and some are full sun. Be sure to reserve a shaded spot or bring a canopy. Chem toilets are clean and the water from the spigot was clean and cold. Also of note, a few of the sites will accommodate a pop up. There are a few spots that do not have a fire pit. For those that don't want to camp there are cabins, lodges, and dorm style rooms available and they are clean and affordable with cooking facilities. RV camping as well.

The variety of ranges is great. From rimfire to high power to shotgunning they have it all. See the website for details. Range fees are $20 per day per shooter or $50 for an annual family membership. Clays are extra.

The kid got himself all worked up over shooting silhouettes. Ringing and knocking down chickens, pigs, ducks and rams from 40 yds to 100 yds. with iron sighted 10/22 (Bring black paint...targets get dusty and hard to see quickly).

There are several open IPSC pits that are multi-purpose. Bring your own targets and stands. Steel is fine. They also have falling plates that you can check out with a deposit.

You can even ring the famous White buffalo at 1025 meters on the big bore silhouette range . There is a 75 position 1000 yard range as well.

Ranges are self regulated and folks are pretty easy going. Just call a cease fire and go cold to reset targets. Just communicate respectfully and clearly and all is well. They do bring out RO's when things get really busy.

This place is massive and despite it being a summer weekend we never had to wait at any range for a spot. In fact,we had the range to ourselves several times.

Camping, shooting great scenery and great people all a few hours from Denver and at a bargain price.....YUP headed back in two weeks !

[Chaffee2]

Great classes too. Did a carbine class there a few years ago. Excellent instructor and a very neat range layout. Learned a lot about the proper setup of ARs and other rifles. My older bone stock Bushmaster and a couple other stock carbines are the only ones that made it through without a failure of one form or another. Instructor kept using my carbine as his prop, wasn't sure if he was going to give it back or keep it Have a friend that goes down there for the weekend once or twice a year. Museum and library was really neat also.