Ranges That Don't Allow Reloads

[Greenday4537]

Does anyone else run into this issue? Most indoor ranges near me don't allow them. My home range basically just doesn't ask me questions (They just check to make sure you don't use steel core ammo but stopped checking mine since they know me now). The regular RSO's don't question me saving my brass nor do they care if I'm using reloads. But there's a couple of the older guys who think it's a big deal. And with this rifle league we started, they score as we go. One was asking me why I'm saving my brass: for reloading or just to count rounds. I said both, giving the excuse that I save the brass I shoot there to reload for elsewhere, but the questioning just bugs me. Then 2 of my cases rolled off the bench beyond the shooting line. Normally when there's a pause in fire, if it's close the line they'll let me reach over and kick it back but with this guy acting like a hawk and asking questions, I decided not to which sucks since this group of brass is working really well for me.

It's ridiculous. I just want to ensure I'm shooting high quality ammo without paying an arm and a leg so I reload. 99% of the staff at my range are awesome. Two pistol ranges and a 100 yard indoor range which is perfect for zeroing and just practicing. My wife loves it there and it's super close. I just hate these indoor range policies.

 

[Codiekfx400]

My indoor range once the brass touches their floor it’s their brass. That is why I shoot outside on my own land.

 

[Greenday4537]

My indoor range once the brass touches their floor it’s their brass. That is why I shoot outside on my own land.

My property is about 1/3 of an acre. Shooting on my own property would be illegal. Which is a shame because Loading, shooting thru the chrono, then coming back in and loading more is my dream.

 

[Ryridesmotox]

I mark and pick up my brass at an indoor. Had the range staff say something once. Told them what I was doing and they were alright with it. Pistol I may not care... but rifles I'm not losing my prepped brass.

Maybe look into a brass catcher. I have one for my rifles. Love not having to chase brass out, or run the action slow to catch em.

 

[Bayoubigcat]

This product from MPA may be of some help. I haven’t seen or used one to know how effective it is but thought I’d share:

MPA Brass Catcher - MasterPiece Arms, Inc.

Tired of losing brass at your PRS, NRL or Club/Regional Series event? The MPA Brass Catcher is designed for you…. Attaches via the scope base pic rail on your bolt gun. The wire frame that holds the pouch is adjustable “front to back”and “up and down.” Subtle adjustments can also be made to the...

masterpiecearms.com

I think Caldwell also has a rail mount brass catcher that is a good bit less expensive.

 

[cdeiglmeier]

To answer your question, I wouldn't go back to those ranges if they gave me shit about shooting reloads. But, just curious what are you reloading for and how many rounds you reload a year for these guns? with the ammo availability of today for most semi-automatic pistols (9mm/45acp) and semi-automatic rifles (223/308), IMO, reloading for pistols and ARs or other semi-automatics; unless its a precision oriented rifle, is pointless. You have to reload tens of thousands of rounds to make it worthwhile, money-wise, because you can buy bulk 223/5.56/308/9mm/45acp etc for so cheap. I personally don't think my time is worth it to spend reloading for these guns. I only reload for precision bolt guns.

 

[Arc Light]

I've run into this at a few private ranges that are attached to a gun shop. You can't bring in any outside ammo, whether factory or reloads. They want you to buy their ammo at 2X the price you can find it online. Thankfully I can now shoot whatever I want by just walking out my back door.

 

[Greenday4537]

To answer your question, I wouldn't go back to those ranges if they gave me shit about shooting reloads. But, just curious what are you reloading for and how many rounds you reload a year for these guns? with the ammo availability of today for most semi-automatic pistols (9mm/45acp) and semi-automatic rifles (223/308), IMO, reloading for pistols and ARs or other semi-automatics; unless its a precision oriented rifle, is pointless. You have to reload tens of thousands of rounds to make it worthwhile, money-wise, because you can buy bulk 223/5.56/308/9mm/45acp etc for so cheap. I personally don't think my time is worth it to spend reloading for these guns. I only reload for precision bolt guns.

I reload .223 for my Ruger American Ranch in 5.56 and more recently 6.5 creedmoor for my TC LRR. Only semi-auto rifle I have is my M&P 15-22.

 

[Strykervet]

My brass is my brass, fuck them.

And reloads are none of their business as long as you ain't using 'em in their weapons. Which is where all this shit started.

 

[EN2722]

You’re correct, however, let me shed some light into the why. Maybe you know, and allow it to fall on deaf ears.

Tens of thousands of rounds is literally what it takes to “make” money or simply pay off your investment of a complete reloading set-up. Simply, I purchased my reloading stuff 15 years ago and I invested in a life long hobby of shooting and learning to make my own ammunition. Honestly, do I really care about the performance of my 9mm, 45 ACP, 357 Mag, 38 Special, 44 Mag or 44 special...absolutely not. Shit, even 223 “paper puncher” rounds but where it all comes to play is pure volume and due to living in California...I won’t allow the DOJ to track how much ammunition I’ve purchased over the years.

It’s not for everyone that’s a fact. Over 20+ years of making ammunition and depending on how often you shoot it’ll pay off.

To answer your question, I wouldn't go back to those ranges if they gave me shit about shooting reloads. But, just curious what are you reloading for and how many rounds you reload a year for these guns? with the ammo availability of today for most semi-automatic pistols (9mm/45acp) and semi-automatic rifles (223/308), IMO, reloading for pistols and ARs or other semi-automatics; unless its a precision oriented rifle, is pointless. You have to reload tens of thousands of rounds to make it worthwhile, money-wise, because you can buy bulk 223/5.56/308/9mm/45acp etc for so cheap. I personally don't think my time is worth it to spend reloading for these guns. I only reload for precision bolt guns.

 

[EN2722]

To the OP, I’ve shoot at a few ranges that didn’t allow you to pick up brass. It literally blows my mind...

Did you ever ask them what they do with it?

My bet goes to scrape metal?

 

[dj_taboo]

The indoor ranges I've been to love when you clean up after yourself (just ask before sweeping up others' brass). They just won't allow you to cross the line, so any brass that passes the firing line is gone.

 

[Muley Buck]

My property is about 1/3 of an acre. Shooting on my own property would be illegal. Which is a shame because Loading, shooting thru the chrono, then coming back in and loading more is my dream.

My dream too!

 

[Dthomas3523]

To the OP, I’ve shoot at a few ranges that didn’t allow you to pick up brass. It literally blows my mind...

Did you ever ask them what they do with it?

My bet goes to scrape metal?

Some ranges use it for scrap. Some use it to load and sell their own ammo to customers.

Keep in mind that ranges aren’t exactly cash cows. You don’t make a ton of money off the usage fees most of the time.

 

[mark5pt56]

County range, a sign that states you clean up after yourself, keep your brass or place in the buckets which funds the range, helps anyways.

 

[clcustom1911]

My brass is my brass. I bought it and shoot it through my guns. They can fuck off if they tell me I cant keep what I purchased. I've never had an issue at any indoor range. One time a range guy asked if I was picking up my casings, and I said, "yes". I was shooting 45 and everyone else was shooting 9. I showed him I had nothing but 45 brass. He left.

 

[EN2722]

I’m sure. Looking at it through the business lens you would have to have a very busy range to continue to make money after paying employees and range maintenance.

Some ranges use it for scrap. Some use it to load and sell their own ammo to customers.

Keep in mind that ranges aren’t exactly cash cows. You don’t make a ton of money off the usage fees most of the time.

 

[Gatorshark]

My dream too!

I'm afraid I'd be broke and divorced if I could shoot on my own range any time I wanted...

Many indoor ranges sell your brass as "once fired" on the web. As long as people continue to patron an establishment with Bernie rules, said establishment has no motivation to change. It's their house.

 

[DaveM]

Find a private gun club and pay to join.

 

[Muley Buck]

I'm afraid I'd be broke and divorced if I could shoot on my own range any time I wanted...

Oh I'd definitely put a dent in the finances with components but my wife would love it if I didn't have to leave every time I go shoot.

 

[M8541Reaper]

I hate public ranges, especially indoor ranges.
That being said, I get why so many indoor ranges have the rules they have.
-No reloads cuts down on Joe idiot from having an issue while on their property
-No reaching forward of the firing line cuts down on Joe idiot having an issue on their property.
-No collecting brass allows for the range to sell/reload their own brass (or the RSOs to do so).

Spend some time as an RSO and you’ll see why it’s the worst duty out there & why there are so many stupid rules.