NRA Range in Raton

[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?