View Full Version : cherry creek family shooting center
hey all, i searched the forums some for info but couldn't find a clear answer. whats everyone take on the shooting center? i know $15 sucks, but its literally right across the street from me so i am considering it. is it well kept, have benches, decent people, etc? i used to go to rampart range but it was such a drive and well...you know...its rampart range, you have to say your prayers when you go. thanks for the info
Fal Grunt
03-18-2009, 11:44
It is a nice range. Very well kept, very orderly and well run. Too strict for me though. That added with the $7 to get into the park, and $15 to shoot...
-myers
mightymouse
03-18-2009, 12:14
Yeah, the range nazis are nice and helpful, but still range nazis.
The cost is steep for what you get, plus they pretty much demand your brass, But for a close, easy place to zero with minimal distraction, its ok for that. I don't use it for anything else.
StagLefty
03-18-2009, 12:35
Great safe place to shoot but the guys are right about too strict- 1 second between shots so if your an AR guy forget about mag dumps.They are AR friendly though so that's good. I've been friends with the owner and one of the nazi's for years and a fellow NRA instructor but I still struggle with some of the rules. That said I still like the safety factor for a public range.I haven't run into the brass problem but if it's in front of your position forget it ! If you live close and are going to go a lot get a year parks pass and some discount multiple range cards. [Beer]
ChunkyMonkey
03-18-2009, 13:24
It is a great range during the weekdays only... and $22 fee is abit on the high side. I got into it w/ one of the safety officers when he grabbed my piece out of my bag without my permission. I dont think I ll ever come back. Typically, I go to Kelsey nowdays (20-30 min away from SW Denver) and its free![SP]
ive never heard of the kelsey one before, whats the info on that one? i went to the cherry creek on the other day, its not too bad. i have a parks pass anyway, $15 isn't great but considering when you compare it to rampart i don't mind too much as its a nice set up and safe. the instructors were actually quite nice and answered some questions about reloading. also, its weird, but almost no one there collected brass so i got a ton of .223
Went there once and they had kittens when I ran some full max loads through the .300. Said they saw 1'+ of flame out of the barrel which "wasn't safe". I'll never go back.
at $15 its expensive
I like that the guys are strict
a lot of people need those guys to keep the rest of us safe
even with the tight range officers I have seen plenty of inapproprate firearms handling, its freaking scary what some people do
they even caught me once or twice - I thanked them for keeping "us" safe
yeah i noticed some of the range guys are nicer than others, but youre right about what some people do being scary. if it was people like most of us who respect the firearms for what they are, you wouldn't need the strict guys, but some people are plain stupid. even an older gentleman was being crazy when i was there, kept messing with his rifle trying to sight in the scope while people were on the range changing targets. then when they called him out on it and got into with them. the $15 does suck though, particularly if i take a few friends. can someone fill me in the kelsey one? ive never heard of it and looked it up but couldn't get much info, perhaps i spelled it wrong?
Pancho Villa
05-10-2009, 07:40
I was at rampart just the other day, during a "cold range" break to check our targets some kids ran up with their AY-KAY with tacticool folding stock, full mag in it, and pointed it downrange with finger on the trigger.
So yes, sometimes having strict range officers isn't a bad thing, depending on the quality of shooter you typically get.
There was some guy with what looked like an NFA uzi, though. That was pretty fun to watch.
IMO most of the range officers a whiny babies. They always seem to ignore the lighter calibers (up to about 30-30) but as soon as someone unleases something around an '06 or bigger they flip out and immediately go hassle them (which is an issue for me because I love the big boomers). I have been tempted to get a box the baddest production ammo I can for the .300 and go back there so when they start bitching me out about how unsafe it is I can just hand them the box. I've been to other ranges where they had "safety fits' because after every shot I would REMOVE THE BOLT then use a bore light and check for unburned powder on my test loads and record the result in a notebook. No bolt, no boom. duh. I personally would rather deal with the occasional blatantly unsafe individual at an open range than the whiny babies at the controlled range.
kidicarus13
05-10-2009, 10:10
Haven't been and at $22 per, won't be going.
GunTroll
05-10-2009, 10:22
^yep!
palepainter
05-25-2009, 20:04
I often times wonder which is the bigger risk or hassle. Driving up a spot in the hills where guys are drinking and firing a will, leaving a mess. Or, driving to a range, paying the money and having a bit of restriction to keep things safe. I really do not mind paying to have the safety, but do not want to be hassled with micromanagement. I had a good experience with Pawnee, but just a bit too far.
Our north spot is just east of 72 on 7 ...
MagicOPromotion
05-30-2009, 18:54
Newton creek and the clamerkin are nice, the creek by Yarmouth is also good - I once took a 36 foot fin keeler up to Newport - and have no idea how much further you could go in a canoe.
Have fun.
_______
=== XRumer 5.0 Palladium (http://www.botmasternet.com) RULEZ! ===
hurley842002
05-30-2009, 22:02
I know several of you Denver Metro area guys are farther up north and west, but if you are willing to drive or for those of you further south and east there is Golden Gun Club out in Watkins, its a pretty nice range and the guys there are really nice. We use that range to qualify for work. There is also one out around Kiowa that a friend of mine goes to, I don't have the details on it, but I plan to go out there with him next weekend. Both ranges are strict on firearm safety, as well they should be. However they let you do things like draw from a holster and some of the more tactical type shooting. Definately worth looking into. I'll get details on the Kiowa range.
I've been wanting to check it out, but I'm a member at Ben Lomond, which is absolutely perfect for my style. I'm not into "firing line" places with people all around me. But it's just so far away, and CC is much closer. I need to at least check it out, maybe for an hour or so.
Will they allow M1's there?
There is also one out around Kiowa that a friend of mine goes to, I don't have the details on it, but I plan to go out there with him next weekend.
Is it Ben Lomond? Great place! www.blgc.org (http://www.blgc.org)
hurley842002
05-31-2009, 15:19
Is it Ben Lomond? Great place! www.blgc.org (http://www.blgc.org)
Not sure of the name, but if Ben Lomond is near Kiowa then thats probably it. I can't imagine there are multiple ranges out in BFE lol.
Not sure of the name, but if Ben Lomond is near Kiowa then thats probably it. I can't imagine there are multiple ranges out in BFE lol.
It's a ways out past Kiowa, then south. Actually just north of Ramah. I "think" there might be another place closer to Kiowa, seems like I've heard of one. For a safe, quiet place to shoot by yourself all day long, BLGC is hard to beat. The only real "community" range is the high-power rifle range, 100-600 yards, with a dozen benches on the firing line. All the smaller bermed ranges, you can nearly always have one all to yourself. And that ROCKS!
hurley842002
05-31-2009, 20:51
It's a ways out past Kiowa, then south. Actually just north of Ramah. I "think" there might be another place closer to Kiowa, seems like I've heard of one. For a safe, quiet place to shoot by yourself all day long, BLGC is hard to beat. The only real "community" range is the high-power rifle range, 100-600 yards, with a dozen benches on the firing line. All the smaller bermed ranges, you can nearly always have one all to yourself. And that ROCKS!
That must be the same range my friend goes to, he did mention Ramah. I think we are going out there this coming sunday, so i'll get to check it out and fire the new AR for the first time.
I have just moved from Texas to Longmont and would like some information on joining a gun club. I am an avid hunter who needs some information on hunter safety courses, places to shoot my guns, and places to hunt and how to go about it. I currently have leases in Texas and Arkansas, but that is a little far for weekend driving.
Appreciate any help!!!!!!
ChunkyMonkey
06-06-2009, 19:31
I have just moved from Texas to Longmont and would like some information on joining a gun club. I am an avid hunter who needs some information on hunter safety courses, places to shoot my guns, and places to hunt and how to go about it. I currently have leases in Texas and Arkansas, but that is a little far for weekend driving.
Appreciate any help!!!!!!
You'll get more responses by posting an intro on the new member section. There are few ranges up North. Post a quick hello at http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=97 along w/ what you had posted here. Welcome! [Beer]
hurley842002
06-07-2009, 20:54
It's a ways out past Kiowa, then south. Actually just north of Ramah. I "think" there might be another place closer to Kiowa, seems like I've heard of one. For a safe, quiet place to shoot by yourself all day long, BLGC is hard to beat. The only real "community" range is the high-power rifle range, 100-600 yards, with a dozen benches on the firing line. All the smaller bermed ranges, you can nearly always have one all to yourself. And that ROCKS!
Went to Ben Lomond today with a friend who is a member, VERY nice range. We shot at the Hight power rifle lane, farthest to the left with the shelter, pretty much had it all to ourselves for the majority of the time, then another guy came but was very friendly. I will be getting a membership there ASAP
Went to Ben Lomond today with a friend who is a member, VERY nice range. We shot at the Hight power rifle lane, farthest to the left with the shelter, pretty much had it all to ourselves for the majority of the time, then another guy came but was very friendly. I will be getting a membership there ASAP
The grandson and I usually grab one of the longer pistol ranges, and we've always had it all to ourselves all day long. I've even thought about camping overnight there. The ONLY thing I don't like about the place is the wind, but whatcha gonna do......
keylay31
07-06-2012, 22:40
Went to the family shooting center this past week for the first time in a couple years it had been that long because my first experience was horrible. The range officer had been such a nazi that I swore I'd never go back. Well, I needed to blow off some steam so I decided I'd give it another go and I'm glad I did. The range officers were great, and I had a great time. Yes, it's pricey, but it's close. It'll do in a ping when I can't make it out to the gun club I'm a member Of about 90 mins away. I'd go there again in a heart beat. Btw, does anyone know what the pistol range is? 12 yards?
The grandson and I usually grab one of the longer pistol ranges, and we've always had it all to ourselves all day long. I've even thought about camping overnight there. The ONLY thing I don't like about the place is the wind, but whatcha gonna do......
I used to be a member out there but the drive just killed it for me. I can drive to Pawnee and shoot for free and it's about the same time to drive. If you live a bit more east though it would be worth it
KestrelBike
08-26-2012, 21:45
I looked for a place to shoot rifle and pistol and found Cherry Creek Family Shooting on the national shooting sports foundation's website. I went there, paid the $9 park-fee, paid $15.50 for the range, then began the wait. They told me it would be about 15min to get on either the rifle or pistol range, but I guess I got unlucky and had to wait over 45min.
The rifle range came first, and you wait until a ceasefire (every 30min) until they have you protocol-uncase your rifle on the bench. Very strict, but that's what safety demands with the general public, I suppose. I must say that every single RO was courteous and patient with me. One of the RO's really went out of his way to help me either trouble-shoot my ACR (the little rubber o-ring was keeping the bolt-pin from going all the way into the BCG-block, which prevented the BCG from going into the upper receiver.. quite a bit embarrassing as I've never had that happen before), to letting me borrow a front-site-tool to help me zero the rifle.
The strictness and the rigid staticness of the range makes it that I wouldn't really go back unless I had to zero a rifle. You can't keep a pistol holstered (concrete floors, they reasoned; fair enough). Every cease-fire they remind people that only 1-shot per second is allowed, and the rifle section is basically a small hole in the wall that requires you to sit on a bench-seat at an angle. Which means no prone, and no standing. Off-handed while sitting is awkward because of the construction of the "bench". The ranges for rifle were 50 and 100 yds, nothing inbetween or before. For pistol, it seemed to be about 15 yards? At least with those, the bench was open so you could either sit or stand.
Clean facility, the price wasn't too bad, the wait-times were not a nightmare but it sure wasn't fun, either (then again it was a sunday, I bet this was typical of any public range). I found the staff to be very agreeable (just doing their jobs) but maybe they were in a good mood that day with fewer than average idiots to piss them off. They were all over the place and I really didn't see any instances of people muzzling each other (and at other ranges I've had guns pointed at me as people try to rack the slide, holding the pistol against their hip with one hand for leverage) . I'll try another place before I go back, simply because all you can do is point at one or two distances and pull the trigger once.
Oh yeah, and it was very family friendly. I'd say it was 65% men 35% females and many kids inbetween.
Yeah old thread, but just curious about a few things.
The 50 and 100 yard rifle range, do they have target stands and just staple up your own paper? Do they have any steel to plink? Someone mentioned 30 minutes between target changes........can you set up multiple targets per lane? I want to sight in a new optic and i feel like i'll just be swimming up stream if i keep shooting rounds into the same target without being able to change/tape them up. I have some targets with the multiple areas to shoot at for sighting in, but if i can only use 1 per 30 minutes that could be a long day sighting in from scratch.
Seems all the decent places to get 100 yards and better are 1.5-2 hours away, and in winter who knows where i could even go. I haven't been to a public range in several years, so i'm just trying to figure out the best place to go.
Is Bluecore better for sighting in an optic at 100 yards? I haven't been there since the previous owner, and even then only shot in the pistol lanes. Seems an hour is a short span for the prices they charge.
Oh, and any ammo restrictions at Cherry Creek (Wolf)?
Any insight for someone on the front range looking to sight in an optic out to 100 yards?
Batteriesnare
01-18-2013, 19:16
The 50 and 100 yard rifle range, do they have target stands and just staple up your own paper?
Yes, each rifle position has 50 and 100 yard target backers and staple guns for you to use. You can fit 2 12x12" on each backer.
Do they have any steel to plink?
Not at this time for public shooters.
Someone mentioned 30 minutes between target changes........can you set up multiple targets per lane?
Yes to multiple targets as mentioned above. Target changes occur at the top and bottom of each hour, with between 20-25 minutes of shooting per live fire session, which is determined by how long it takes the rifle shooters to hang their targets.
I want to sight in a new optic and i feel like i'll just be swimming up stream if i keep shooting rounds into the same target without being able to change/tape them up. I have some targets with the multiple areas to shoot at for sighting in, but if i can only use 1 per 30 minutes that could be a long day sighting in from scratch.
Again, multiple targets can be hung, with the opportunity to repair or change them every 30 minutes.
Oh, and any ammo restrictions at Cherry Creek (Wolf)?
Steel case ammo is fine on the rifle and pistol ranges. AP, Tracer and Incendiary ammo is prohibited.
Any insight for someone on the front range looking to sight in an optic out to 100 yards?
Hope this helps, if you have any other questions, PM me.
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