Posted: 2/12/2006 1:04:14 PM EDT
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I went to banner today in order to test some reloads. After shooting about 50 through the tube, I have decided that it will be a place of last resort. I hadn't been down there since the changes, and figured the range facelift didn't get rid of the tubes. Unfortunately, I was right. On the bright side, it is clean now. The concrete makes for much better footing than the prior dirt reinforced with old brass. |
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It is south of Des Moines just east of HWY69. It is the road that runs east/west just north of the middle river. It is fenced in and now has posted hours. IIRC it is closed Wed and Thur. You drive about 75 yards past the entrance gate and shack to the benches which point to the east. The benches are all on concrete slabs with a roof over them. The longest range is 100 yards. However, in order to shoot down range you must shoot through a 10 foot long concrete tube that runs through the berm. The tubes make for a fairly unpleasant experience. They are located at both sitting and standing heights, so you can feel the revebration while shooting from a variety of poses. It looked like there were 3 permanent clay throwers off to the south, but I didn't look closely and may be mistaken as to what they were. It looks like they are set up to collect money, and I am guessing they will collect a fee for range use in the future. When that happens I reckon I will save the money and test the reloads on trips to places where it is more fun to shoot. To their credit, they did put effort into making it a nicer place. The tubes sucked before they jazzed it up too. |
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When is the hourly fee supposed to start? I would guess that would to along way to decreasing patronage to zero (or close). I can't imagine it making enough money to pay for the guy collecting fees. A nice range with no tubes may be worth it. Paying a fee to shoot through a tube? Polk City just got a lot closer. |
| Anyone needing a range can join a club in jefferson. it has 25 and 50 yard ranges for rifle(I know that doesn't stretch the legs of long guns) an auto trap and free camping and shelter house and deer are pretty plentiful. Bad thing? Need to have own water supply and it may be far away from a lot of you. Good thing? It's cheap to join...$30.00 a year, and they sponsor black powder and trap shoots. They are trying to br-50 shoots if they can get the interest and also handgun shoots. Any one needing more info can mail me. BTW, I luv this site. |
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Welcome aboard Mrclean. A couple of us have been shooting to the south of you at the Bays range a couple of times this spring. We will probably be doing it a little more. You should meet up with us next time. You will like the hometown forum. The people here are pretty nice. |