Knob Creek Gun Range?

[BoilerUP]

Question about the range itself and not the famous machine gun shoot...

Knob Creek is about half the drive time from my house to my family's farm in central KY, which makes it attractive for an easy half-day shooting trip during the week. I see its $10 per day with no memberships required and the best of my Google-Fu says they have up to 350 yards available.

Is this a pretty decent place to go do some 200-300yd shooting? Is everything off a bench, or do they allow prone shooting? Any issues setting up a chronograph?

Thanks..

 

[macthknife]

Re: Knob Creek Gun Range?

On the very end of the firing like, there is a place for prone shooting. It is a concrete slab though.

The range is actually about 410 yards at it's longest point, if I remember correctly. I laser verified that years ago, but My memory sucks.

There used to be some pretty unsafe gun handling going on there years ago. They seemed to have taken care of that by employing a rangemaster. I haven't been in over a year, so not sure if that is still true.

The range does flood during certain times of the year & is inaccessible.

 

[SturmHead]

Re: Knob Creek Gun Range?

I'm a life member of Knob Creek Range (KCR), and to answer your questions: 200-300 yds is not an issue, but wear boots because it gets kind of muddy down range, going prone is not an issue as long as you stay between the benches, and using a chronograph is not an issue either.
A few things you may want to consider. Go during the week if you can (they are closed on Tuesday), the weekend crowds are nerve racking and the R.O.s get grouchy; Wednesday and Thursday are best. You can get cardboard target stands, but they need weights to keep them from blowing down (you can usually find some rocks for that), and they run 1.00-2.00 bucks depending on height. The tall stands are better for 200yds. Don't be affraid to talk to the R.O. and tell him what you want to do. They have an are on the left side of the range that is uncovered and bare ground if you prefer that for prone, but a shooting mat or ground cloth is recommended. You can actually get 400yds, but running a target to the top of the hill is a pain (if you go, you will see what I mean), and there are some plates up around 500yds.
I think it's a decent place, but I'm a hillbilly redneck, who is a friend and neighbor of the family that owns the place.
If by central Kentucky, you mean the cave area (Mammoth Cave), then you may also want to check out Rock Castle Shooting Facility in Park City, Ky. They are a developing facility with ranges in excess of 1,000yds, but I've never shot there.
Hope this helps.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Knob Creek Gun Range?

It does help quite a bit, thanks.

My folks' farm is in Washington County...about 1+40 drive from my house on "sunny side". I can shoot up to 600yd there, but its an all-day affair when I go.

I do have time off during the week and heading to KCGR on a Wed/Thurs during the day for 2-3 hours would be pretty easy.

I typically use a metal real estate sign to hold paper targets...would that work or does Knob Creek have their own setup? You say they have steel plates @ 500?

 

[SturmHead]

Re: Knob Creek Gun Range?

Just a few more things that M.t.k brought up.
KCR lost their bridge over the creek to a trucking/logging accident and currently have a temporary bridge until the new bridge is built, which should solve the access problem even in flood season. It may be a good idea to call ahead especially if we've had much rain, since the current bridge will flood with as little as 1" of rain.
Safety has improved with a R.O. being there all the time, but weekend gunslingers in a big crowd are always issues on public ranges, so weekdays are better when the crowds are gone and the RO is more at ease. Oh, the ROs have also been called Range Nazis for their strict enforcement of safety rules.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Knob Creek Gun Range?

After dealing with some of the folks at the Clark State Forest "range", including two NDs (one of which was a dumbass damn near shooting himself in the head looking down the barrel of a Mosin that misfired), I can deal with hardcore range officers.

 

[SturmHead]

Re: Knob Creek Gun Range?

The real estate signs will work, but if it's dry, bring a hammer.
There are some plates of different shape and sizes at various ranges between 400-500yds. They are a little hard to spot, and they are not always there. They also disappear just before MG shoots.

 

[macthknife]

Re: Knob Creek Gun Range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After dealing with some of the folks at the Clark State Forest "range", including two NDs (one of which was a dumbass damn near shooting himself in the head looking down the barrel of a Mosin that misfired), I can deal with hardcore range officers.</div></div> I always wonder what goes through the mind of the winners that fill the pit toilet there full of bullet holes. I guess that murder never figures into the plan.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Knob Creek Gun Range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mac the knife</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I always wonder what goes through the mind of the winners that fill the pit toilet there full of bullet holes. I guess that murder never figures into the plan. </div></div>

I've packed up and left twice when Billy Bob and his posse show up and start indiscriminately blasting away with their commie surplus crap.