NRA Range in Raton

[cleaner72]

Not sure how many of you know this is here...i saw it in the latest Soldier of Fortune mag.,...not a bad price although a ways off from most of us, but to go down for a weekend camping trip it ouldnt be bad


http://www.nrawc.org/

even has a 1000 yard rifle for those looking for long range stuff

[StagLefty]

It's been a few years but I stopped and checked it out. Great extended family weekend for some shooting. Camping or fancier lodging available. I think it was just over 2 hours from here.

[rondog]

It's been a few years but I stopped and checked it out. Great extended family weekend for some shooting. Camping or fancier lodging available. I think it was just over 2 hours from here.
2 hours from Westminster???? Are you insane???? Either you drive 150 mph or you have a helicopter. A big, fast helicopter.

[brokenscout]

I have a place in the Mountains(not many zombies)(exit 27 and I25) 30 minutes from there,great range.
I'm still going to build my own range, does anyone know of any good places to buy stuff to st one up,cheaply?Thank you

[StagLefty]

2 hours from Westminster???? Are you insane???? Either you drive 150 mph or you have a helicopter. A big, fast helicopter.

I said it had been a few years-probably 15 yrs. I was on the way back from Philmont Scout Camp [Beer]

[BlasterBob]

I have a place in the Mountains(not many zombies)(exit 27 and I25) 30 minutes from there,great range.
I'm still going to build my own range, does anyone know of any good places to buy stuff to st one up,cheaply?Thank you

brokenscout, not to be funny/critical but you must drive a "little" over the posted speeds to make it down to Whittington in about 30 minutes from Exit 27.[Driver][PoPo]

I'm at Exit 11 and it still takes me over 35 minutes to get down to the front gate at the NRA Center. Sounds like your place must be around the Aguilar area??

[brokenscout]

I tend to drive a little fast,Hows the weather in Trinidad today?Any rain coming in?[PoPo][PoPo][PoPo]

[henpecked]

Any of you guys seen this "Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest" when your down there?

[rellik74]

Been dry and hot down here. Its a nice range lots of upgrades over the last few years

[BlasterBob]

I tend to drive a little fast,Hows the weather in Trinidad today?Any rain coming in?[PoPo][PoPo][PoPo]

Weather here in beautiful Trinidad is on the HOT side today. At 6PM is was about 93 degrees but LOW humidity of course. No rain in sight YET. Rain is certainly needed but then it causes the weeds to grow and that becomes the forest fire danger threat. We can't win.

[BlasterBob]

Been dry and hot down here. Its a nice range lots of upgrades over the last few years

rellik74, Sounds like we are almost neighbors. Did you ever conduct a CCW class?
Just curious. Thanks.

[cowboykjohnson]

I've always wanted to check this range out... someday I'll make it.

[BlasterBob]

I've always wanted to check this range out... someday I'll make it.

If you do ever have the opportunity to get down to Whittington to shoot, grab the chance but be sure to check their calendar first to make certain the ranges that you want to use are not being tied up with some registered shoot.
You won't be disappointed with the various ranges down there.

[BlasterBob]

rellik74, Sounds like we are almost neighbors. Did you ever conduct a CCW class?
Just curious. Thanks.

Hello rellik74. You still around?

[k2peaker]

One good excuse for getting down to the Whittington Center are the organized shoots. For example, the Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship is there the first week in August. This year's match is full but keep it in mind for next year -- it's become one of the top 3-gun matches in the country. A great match put on JJ & Denise Johnson and a ton of CO/WY/NM shooters. All levels of shooters but definitely one of the more challenging 3-gun matches.
Precision Rifle more to your liking? The Raton Sporting Rifle Match (monthly, see www.sportingriflematch.com (http://www.sportingriflematch.com)) is held on the North range. Next match is August 8th.
This is only two of many events -- pretty much every discipline is supported.
This is seriously beautiful country and I can't believe that I only started taking advantage of the Whittington Center the past two years.

[Jer]

Did the Sporting Rifle Match start of the month and plan to go again this coming month.

[testify4]

Going to the Whittington Center is a great shooting experience. I was just there last month.

We checked the shoots and they just had something on the 1000 high power range, so no problems there. (We're all irons.)

They had this really interesting BPCR (Black Powder Cartridge Rifle) shoot going on which was fun to watch.

We usually enjoy some pistol shooting and hit the silhouette range and hope it hasn't been picked over by the time we get there.

[jerrymrc]

I was the director for Fal fest for the last 5 years held down there. I have posted about it in the events section in the past. Very informal 2-1/2 day event. I do know that next year there may be a change of events since I have stepped down.

A target shoot 200-600 yards a three gun shoot and a pop-up mover event. They have always been geared to the amateur shooter and all guns are welcome.

I will say that if you have a discipline they have a range. Always fun to shoot the buffalo at 1200 yards or so.

Next years event will be the 20-22 of may

[Mykidsdad]

OK folks:

Let's get something straight from the beginning...YOU NEED TO GET TO THE WHITINGTON CENTER. 3.5 hours from Denver. Easy drive so long as no one does anything stupid on the road.

Just took my youngest there for a weekend of camping and shooting. Reserved a primitive camping spot and had an awesome weekend. The camp spots are a bit close to each other but you can stagger your tent to the back of several of the sites for a bit more privacy. Some of the spots are shaded and some are full sun. Be sure to reserve a shaded spot or bring a canopy. Chem toilets are clean and the water from the spigot was clean and cold. Also of note, a few of the sites will accommodate a pop up. There are a few spots that do not have a fire pit. For those that don't want to camp there are cabins, lodges, and dorm style rooms available and they are clean and affordable with cooking facilities. RV camping as well.

The variety of ranges is great. From rimfire to high power to shotgunning they have it all. See the website for details. Range fees are $20 per day per shooter or $50 for an annual family membership. Clays are extra.

The kid got himself all worked up over shooting silhouettes. Ringing and knocking down chickens, pigs, ducks and rams from 40 yds to 100 yds. with iron sighted 10/22 (Bring black paint...targets get dusty and hard to see quickly).

There are several open IPSC pits that are multi-purpose. Bring your own targets and stands. Steel is fine. They also have falling plates that you can check out with a deposit.

You can even ring the famous White buffalo at 1025 meters on the big bore silhouette range . There is a 75 position 1000 yard range as well.

Ranges are self regulated and folks are pretty easy going. Just call a cease fire and go cold to reset targets. Just communicate respectfully and clearly and all is well. They do bring out RO's when things get really busy.

This place is massive and despite it being a summer weekend we never had to wait at any range for a spot. In fact,we had the range to ourselves several times.

Camping, shooting great scenery and great people all a few hours from Denver and at a bargain price.....YUP headed back in two weeks !

[Chaffee2]

Great classes too. Did a carbine class there a few years ago. Excellent instructor and a very neat range layout. Learned a lot about the proper setup of ARs and other rifles. My older bone stock Bushmaster and a couple other stock carbines are the only ones that made it through without a failure of one form or another. Instructor kept using my carbine as his prop, wasn't sure if he was going to give it back or keep it:) Have a friend that goes down there for the weekend once or twice a year. Museum and library was really neat also.

[stevenc23]

Ringing and knocking down chickens, pigs, ducks and rams from 40 yds to 100 yds. with iron sighted 10/22 (Bring black paint...targets get dusty and hard to see quickly).

Last time I was down there the rimfire silhouette range was closed and they said they would have to call someone in to open it up. Did you have to do anything special to shoot on that range?

[Mykidsdad]

They are fine with 22lr on the hunter's pistol silhouette range at West end of range road. Huge area with chickens at 40,pigs at 50,ducks at 77and rams at 100.

[jslo]

Wife and I spent 3 nights down there over last Thanksgiving. We stayed in the shared cabins, $60/day, included range fees. While it was cold and snowy, had no phones or TV we got in our share of range time and had a relaxing great time. Elk, muleys, pronghorn and turkey all outside our front door. Definitely going back.

[Mykidsdad]

Just came back from another trip down there. Summer in Raton... HOT!

Awesome time again and the ranges were pretty desolate mid week. If you Satu in the accommodations there, be sure to bring a portable fan. Made all the difference in the world.

Other good items to pack include gloves for handling the steel targets. Lots of sharp edges, lead and they are hot as hell to handle from laying out in 100 degree sunshine.

Rattle cans of flat black paint. Makes targets more visible when they get dirty and dusty.

Great times. Definitely worth the trip.