Where to shoot around Colorado Springs?

Is there some public land around Colorado Springs that is available to shoot on? I don't want to deal with range rules. Any suggestions?

No idea after Rampart range closed three years ago. I moved up North so I haven't shot down there since.

I hear there may be a new range coming down by Fort Carson.

Range rules are there to protect you from other shooters, and other shooters from you. What problem do you have with range rules?

Dragonman isn't bad for an organized range.

The indoor range on the east side is nice, but expensive.

Only thing within about an hour, unless you know someone with private land, is up in the national forest, well away from roads, and with a clear field of fire and proper, solid backstop.

There are actually a number of suitable sites off the various forest roads, unfortunately usually indicated by mounds of trash and shell casings left behind by inconsiderate casual shooters who've been there before you. Head up rampart range road from the woodland park side, and it's probably ten to fifteen minute's drive in to one of the suitable spots.

Range rules or not, be safe, be sure of your backstop, and be considerate to others. Bring trash bags with you and pack out more than you took in, if you please.

From my perspective it is the poor quality of ranges here and a specific example that comes to mind for me is Cherry Creeks idiotic un-case weapons at the window rule (their place their rules I'm not complaining in that sense). If there were quality puplic ranges here it would be great. The only one that comes Close it out at CRC (private membership).

I am use to ranges that presume knowledgeable and safe handling of weapons by the users and will kick someone off for being individually stupid and not punish the majority with idiotic overbearing rules. I prefer ranges that will not allow cases anywhere near the firing line.
If I had the following I would gladly utilize a local range.

I prefer to setup my own targets and do what I want. Not being confined to a small area shooting 1 target.

National Forest north of Woodland Park. Check out the forest maps on Rampart Range/Old Stage Road to see exactly where. Lots of 4x4 traffic (like me and my family), so be sure of your backstop.

I know for me it depends on the rules. I have to practice for my work qual. One of the iterations is to start at the 100 and run to the 200, shoot 2 rounds from prone, then run to 100, shoot 2 rounds kneeling, run to 50, shoot 2 rounds standing, run to 25 shoot 2 head shots and then run to 7 shoot 2 head shots in under 2 minutes on IPSC targets. If I can't do this type stuff then the range is worthless.

Dragonman's is usually pretty full on the weekends, to the point where it's obnoxious to shoot there.

As circuit's said, you can shoot out in the national forest if you follow their guidelines. There are numerous small information stations with all the regulations and guidelines. The closer you stay to the city the more crowded it generally is though.

Since I have been in CS area I have just saved my ammo. Not really anywhere to shoot around here.

I spend most of my time at the Pueblo West Sportsmans Assn or NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM.

Frontier Sportsman's Club here in the Springs has 2 ranges, and membership is required, but fees are low. The informal pits allow for run and gun type drills as described.

Gromit

Find a better range. Ben Lomond is around an hour from springs. IIRC Black Powder range to 4 or 500 yards. Eleven bermed areas. Two or three are rifle/pistol the rest are Pistol/rimfire. Some have facades for Cowboy action shooting. 5 or 600 yard rifle range. Shotgun ranges. Club house. The rifle range and The western most rifle/pistol berm have covered ranges. On weekends you may wait for a rifle berm or shoot with others. During the week I (and the GF) are usually the only ones there or there are one or two other people. Firday afternoons or holidays tend to be some where in between the two. The only time I have not been able to shoot with a short wait are the occassional boy scout weekends (kids camping and shooting). There may have been open pits I just choose not to shoot on the one or two weekends that happens.

Oh 8 times a year the local SO will be qualifying on a wednesday or thursday. Six of those they use two berms 2 of them they use 4 or 5 (shooting with the IPSC guys).


In the metro area Aurora Gun CLub is not bad at all. Though they have a waiting list.

Finally, BLGC.com is the website for Ben Lomond. You have to go to a meeting to apply. Don't freak over the price the initial one includes a background check fee ( one time). I heard they may be getting full and having to start a waiting list.

BLGC also hosts Appleseeds with one coming up, so you could get some range time and check it out fairly cheaply. I believe they also do an open day the second weekend in June.

National Forest about 10 miles north of WP on 67. Lot's of area with roads and good backstops. About a 40 min drive from the east side of the Springs.

^^^^It was perfect up there Monday.

You have a lat/long or anything on that? I would like to check it out.

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