Stones River Hunter Education center questions

[TN_Raven]

I wanted to get info on people’s experience at the Stones River Hunter Ed range. Reviews on Google are positive, but was hoping to get some thoughts from this forum. It’s on the other side of Nashville from where I live, but I wouldn’t mind trying out the 200 yd range.

Does it get pretty busy? It’s only open 3 days per week, so I imagine it does.
Any suggestions on times to avoid?

Is it more or less busy certain times of the year?

Can you use your own targets or must you buy theirs? What limits on target size, etc.?

Any other comments?

Thanks.

[The mailman]

They have one or two lanes for 200 yds and you have to shoot thru about an 8’ pipe to get to the 200 yd target.

There will be times when they do get busy and have a waiting list.  Sunday afternoons are probably the busiest times.  They can get busy on Saturday also but I would recommend Friday if you can.  Of course the nastier the weather the less busy it will be.

Probably gets the busiest just before a season opens like deer, turkey etc. or before muzzle loader season opens

You can use your own targets but they have decent prices on the ones they sall.  Not sure about the size nut you can probably use up to a 12 x 18 anyway.  Targets will be mounted with push pins.

It’s probably the cheapest show in town.

I think they have too many cold range times.  I prefer ranges without safety officers but they really do need them on a public range like that.

[TN_Raven]

Thanks! That’s helpful.

I’ve read they also have spotting scopes available, or would it be better to bring my own?

Do the shooting benches have seats or stools?

I’ve been going to the Cheatham WMA range and that has worked out well so far. No range officers, but the users have been good about going cold as needed. It hasn’t been very busy the few times I’ve gone, but that might change as the weather improves. The main downsides are having to haul all your stuff in (target stand, stool, scope, etc.), and no toilet facilities, but those are minor issues. And the limited hours (10 am - 2 pm).

My other spot is Royal Range, but I like shooting outdoors whenever possible. Especially for running my M14 .308.

 Cheers!

Edited Tuesday at 03:57 AM by TN_Raven

[monkeylizard]

Like The mailman, I think they have too many cold range cycles. It seems like I'm just starting to get in a rhythm when they announce "COLD!". But it's usually a pretty good place to shoot 100. I don't know if they allow just anyone to shoot on the 200 yard lanes. It used to be that you had to join with an annual membership but I don't know if that's still the case.

IMO, the handgun side is downright dangerous. Too many goobers who have no business being there sweeping the line or worse. The RSOs on that side used to be crazy strict (I assume they still are) but for good reason. Just look up and count the bullet holes in the roof. I don't plan to ever go back to that side.

It's the busiest range in the state by a large margin so the RSOs have to be on top of everything.

Edited Tuesday at 04:18 AM by monkeylizard

[10-Ring]

5 hours ago, monkeylizard said:

Like The mailman, I think they have too many cold range cycles. It seems like I'm just starting to get in a rhythm when they announce "COLD!". But it's usually a pretty good place to shoot 100. I don't know if they allow just anyone to shoot on the 200 yard lanes. It used to be that you had to join with an annual membership but I don't know if that's still the case.

IMO, the handgun side is downright dangerous. Too many goobers who have no business being there sweeping the line or worse. The RSOs on that side used to be crazy strict (I assume they still are) but for good reason. Just look up and count the bullet holes in the roof. I don't plan to ever go back to that side.

It's the busiest range in the state by a large margin so the RSOs have to be on top of everything.

It's been years since I shot there but used to you had to "qualify" at 100 to shoot on the 200. I can't remember the requirements but it wasn't anything crazy. Basically just a requirement to keep the same people off the 200 yard range that were destroying the roof on the pistol range. 

Another question on that range, do they still not let anyone use the skeet range? To my knowledge it's never been used, it at least publicly available. I have a group of guys that would wear it out. 

[monkeylizard]

I didn't know they ever had a skeet range. They have a neat little archery area beside the parking lot. Back in the day it had a multi-level tower to simulate different heights in a tree stand. Not sure if that's still there or not.

[TN_Raven]

@10-Ring

What about this place for skeet? https://www.nashvillegunclub.com/

It’s off Briley on the west side of Nashville.

[10-Ring]

21 minutes ago, TN_Raven said:

@10-Ring

What about this place for skeet? https://www.nashvillegunclub.com/

It’s off Briley on the west side of Nashville.

It's awesome, it's also quite pricey. 

[monkeylizard]

Hands down it's the best place for clays. Skeet, Trap, and Sporting Clays. $13/round for Skeet or Trap and $0.55/bird on the sporting clays courses. My 12 ga. works like a cost limiter . . . After about $30-40 worth of clays, my shoulder says it's quitin' time

[TN_Raven]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I’ll likely try out Stones River at some point, but based on this feedback, it won’t be a priority.