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Why not just join a range?
There are a lot of ranges that only charge like $35/year.
List please.
I've never seen any in MA for this cheap. Basic places like MFS and the new Weston facility are several hundred a year. Most regular clubs are anywhere from $150-$200ish (with many offering work hours).
Supposedly there is a place near Uxbridge that is nothing more than a glorified sandpit where you can get a "membership" for about $50/year, but I could never find out who to contact..
List please.
I've never seen any in MA for this cheap. Basic places like MFS and the new Weston facility are several hundred a year. Most regular clubs are anywhere from $150-$200ish (with many offering work hours).
Supposedly there is a place near Uxbridge that is nothing more than a glorified sandpit where you can get a "membership" for about $50/year, but I could never find out who to contact..
Norwootuck in Amherst ma 35 a year
Gun clubs and there reasonable prices aside I think part of the OPs point is the lack of places to just go shoot. In effect the laws coupled with long standing tradition have created a network of gun clubs where you almost HAVE to shoot. And what if I want 300 or 400 yards? What than? What if I'm a new shooter or i am interested in becoming one do I now have to join a club? Or drive 45 minutes away? see where I'm going...
In a nutshell barriers of entry for shooting in MA are higher than most places.
westminster rod and gun club offers a 50 yard range, with 100 yards available if you close the gate for $40 a year. first year also includes a $40 initiation fee. generally quiet, or youll run into a few pro 2a people. club is at 175 knower rd in westminster, meetings are optional on the first wednesday of the month at 7pm. only basic rules apply, like keep all your bullets in the backstop, clean up after yourself and dont be a douche.
I think its population density and topography more than anything. Even in central ma there arent many places you can shoot 3-400 yards. You just cant see that far with the woods. I only can think of a few spots near my house. Around Boston and metro west pretty much forget it. Guys out there are stuck with joining clubs. West of me, there are plenty of sand pits and private land to shoot on.
I will admit shooting on public land is highly discouraged. But if i wanted to take few shots on public land near me. It would not be a problem. If i made it a habit and shot there all the time/left a mess. It would be. I just came across a bunch of clays scattered all over public land where my son and i did some coyote hunting. Not impressed by that. Nor will a non shooter or non hunter be either that uses that spot to walk their dog or something.
50 dollars a year for a club is cheap money to me for the yearly access, meeting like minded people, having hunting and fishing opportunities that are miles above public land, skeet and trap ranges to use any time.
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