Any ranges/clubs in North Arkansas?

[TexasTightwad]

I am considering buying a piece of land that is near Mammoth Spring (by the Missouri border) and opening a shooting range. The longest range would probably be 1200-1500 yards. I'm just trying to find out if there is anybody else in the area that has a similarly long range, and if there are any clubs. I want to get an idea of what is already there, and what value I could provide the folks in that area.

 

[bschneiderheinze]

There's three or four ranges in southern Missouri

 

[101stinfantry]

I live half way between Mammoth and Hardy, there are no "local" ranges. There is a new range in Melbourne that is supposed to have 1000K, but I haven't been there yet. The other range that is semi close is Big Piney in Rolla, MO, those are the ones I'm aware of anyway.

 

[101stinfantry]

Hmmm, edit button isn't working. Here is all I could find out about the range in Melbourne https://www.areawidenews.com/story/2329118.html

Anyway, since I'm local if I can help let me know.

 

[bschneiderheinze]

There is one on West Plains Shield Solutions, Big Biney, Cedar Fork, and Silver Barn which is down by Cape. Check out the MOST Missouri Steel Tactical Match Series.

 

[101stinfantry]

I thought Sheild was just a training venue, I didn't know they offered range services. Thanks!

 

[bschneiderheinze]

We shoot matches there out to 1000 yards

 

[TexasTightwad]

@bschneiderheinze
Thanks for that list! It looks like the only one close to Mammoth Spring is Shield, which I was unaware of. I don't see anything on their website about range membership, which I guess they might not have if they run a lot of classes. Do you know if it is offered?

@101stinfantry
I didn't know about that place. I couldn't find anything else online either. My Brother-in-Law lives in Melbourne, so I'll have to ask him if he has heard of it. I'm guessing it didn't make it, and the owner might be a very valuable source of information. He might be willing to tell me what didn't work for him and other good info. By the way, where I am looking to do the range is half-way between Mammoth Spring and Hardy! Since you are VERY local, what is your opinion of the viability of a range there? I am also thinking of doing a paintball park on another section of the property.

 

[101stinfantry]

To be honest, I'm not sure. What I do know, is it is difficult to find a place to shoot more than 3-400 yards in this area, due mostly to terrain. A few years ago the MSPD had some guys come in for a class, and the only place we could find to shoot only had 400 yds, and it was rough as a cob getting out to put targets up and retrieve them.
This area is huge on tourism in the summer, so the paint ball thing might be good seasonally.
I know most of the guys around Mammoth/Thayer that shoot, so I could put the word out for you, and to a lesser degree the shooters around Hardy, Highland, Ash Flat, and Cherokee Village.

 

[TexasTightwad]

I really appreciate that info! As my name suggests, I live in Texas, but I'd love to have a piece of the Ozarks to call home. There are a lot of moving pieces though that have to come together first.

I have only seen the property on the internet, and checked out the topography on google earth. I'll be heading to Melbourne for Thanksgiving though, so I'll check out the land while I am up there. I also will have to go to a county office to look at property records. There is some adjacent property that I would need for the long range, so I've got to find out who owns it, if they are willing to sell, and if I can afford it. I would do that all now, but Fulton County does not have a plot map online. Lastly, I have to get approved for a mortgage. I have excellent credit and $110k cash, but I would be quitting my job and moving to start a business that could fail. I might have to refer to it as an "investment property".

If everything works out, I would be very grateful for helping me to get plugged in with the shooters in the area. If we move up there, we'll need friends!

 

[101stinfantry]

Yeah, Fulton Co. is still a bit behind the times. Though they have plat books available for IIRC, $45. I'm pretty sure my Dad picked one up the other day. I'm assuming the property is located on the East side of Hwy 63, if so I have a good friend that lives over there that might have an insight to who owns, what, and if they have an inclination to sell. Property values have gone up a bit in the last 10 years or so, but is still relatively "affordable" compared to other areas of the country. If I can help, just let me know, and I'll see what I can do.

 

[TexasTightwad]

It's on the west side of 63. Many Islands Road (CR 71?). If by some chance you know who owns the land in the aerial photo I've attached, let me know. The red area is what I would need to buy for the long range, and the land that is already for sale is to the north.

$45 is kind of steep! If they would mail it to me though, that might make it worth it. Otherwise, I'll probably just look at the public maps and take pictures and notes.

 

[101stinfantry]

Well, hell! That is less than 2 miles from where I live! When I get back from voting in the morning I'll check my Dad's plat book, I think I know who owns that, but I'm not 100%.

 

[TexasTightwad]

That would be extremely helpful! Thank you so much!

 

[Rerun7]

Still thinking about opening a range?

You need to come to Northwest Arkansas. We’ve got nothing around close to shoot more than 300 yards. There was a 1k range about an hour away but it got shut down due to construction popping up near it.

 

[TexasTightwad]

No, the land I had my eye on didn't work out. I'm going to be moving to Melbourne, but won't be opening a range anytime soon :'(

 

[Ozarkcop]

Hope you like Melbourne I live 20 mins away in Sharp county. Maybe we can get with airborne and go shoot.

 

[TexasTightwad]

I would love to!

 

[Ozarkcop]

Forgot to mention turkeypen shooting range in ash flat. They have been doing some medium range competitions I haven’t been out there yet

 

[TexasTightwad]

When I was checking online a while back to see what ranges were in the area, I came across Turkey Pen. I watched a video of a couple minutes of a gun safety class they did there, and to my surprise there were 3 of my nephews in the video!

 

[45cal4life]

Tagged so i can find the thread later. In the Harrison area and looking for rimfire competitions

 

[PAYDIRT]

Nothing in NWA, I'm in NEO and thought I'd look around in case I ever wanted to go to a match for something different.

 

[t_brooks]

I thought Sheild was just a training venue, I didn't know they offered range services. Thanks!

Not sure if they do open range days or anything of the sort but they do host MOST and Border Wars matches.

 

[Magnumitis]

Forgot to mention turkeypen shooting range in ash flat. They have been doing some medium range competitions I haven’t been out there yet

You been out yet? They have anything further than 500 yet? I'm south of Batesville and may check it out next week.

 

[101stinfantry]

Anyone with a link to Turkeypen? I'm about 20 minutes from there.

 

[Magnumitis]

Anyone with a link to Turkeypen? I'm about 20 minutes from there.

https://www.facebook.com/Turkeypenrange/

 

[Rerun7]

Anyone know the scoop on Waldrop’s range in Lincoln?

Used to offer 1000yds once a month but I heard it got shut down due to construction nearby or something.

No idea if he plans to open it back up at some point.

 

[PAYDIRT]

Anyone know the scoop on Waldrop’s range in Lincoln?

Used to offer 1000yds once a month but I heard it got shut down due to construction nearby or something.

No idea if he plans to open it back up at some point.

Haven't heard anything about it lately. I never went there but I heard a bunch used to shoot there. It amazes me how many people in NWA and you can't find a PRS match anywhere in Arkansas.

 

[Rerun7]

I agree. There are virtually no places within 4 hours to shoot further than 300 yards unless you own the land. Waldrop’s was it.

I’ve started back to defensive carbine and pistol. At least we have places to do that.