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rrg47

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm been looking for a public range to pattern a couple of guns. EM Shotgun doesn't have a pattern plate; EM Gun Range is supposed to have one but their voice mail says they are still shut down due to high water, Alpine says they have plates on the 50 yard rifle range but I don't see them, I think I see where they used to be. I thought of the LBJ Grasslands, thinking if you can shoot clays surely I could pattern a gun there if I brought my own target stand. I called the grasslands abot something else and just happened to ask about patterning the guns, they said no could not do it, just shoot clays.

I'm going to Houston next weekend. Called several ranges down there, no pattern plates.

Does anyone know of a public range that has a pattern plate? This is driving me nuts.
 
Why do you need a pattern plate? Make your own! Old Christmas wrapping paper, butcher paper, anything 30" or wider will do! If the range won't let you fire a round or two to pattern your gun, I personally wouldn't go there at all.
 
rrg, Ft. Worth has a pattern board, and Bob has a good idea with the christmas paper.

I finaly patterned my gun... bought a roll of heavy brown paper at home depot, 2 short pieces of rebar and a good size cardboard box. Stuck the rebar through the box while it was still flat, and put the roll of paper at the top... behind the cardboard and ran it down the face of the cardboard. Use masking tape to hold it in place. Was able to patten 3 O/U's, still have plenty of paper, masking tape, and the cardboard is good for a lot more. In total I think it cost me $10.

Bel_dad
 
I suspect the grasslands guys didnt have a clue what you meant... cant see any reason at all that patterning would be a problem. Less shot "downrange" than clays and no broken target remains..Just dont leave any trash behind.
 
There used to be a lot of gunfire coming out of East Dallas..... oops, sorry, I couldn't resist!!!

I used to live in Fort Worth, the slogan that the Railhead BBQ used to have on the back of their shirts was, "Life is too short to live in Dallas...." Boy do I miss "real" BBQ!!

Back on topic...There were a couple of places just north of Grapevine.

Smitty
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
bel_dad said:
rrg, Ft. Worth has a pattern board, and Bob has a good idea with the christmas paper.

I finaly patterned my gun... bought a roll of heavy brown paper at home depot, 2 short pieces of rebar and a good size cardboard box. Stuck the rebar through the box while it was still flat, and put the roll of paper at the top... behind the cardboard and ran it down the face of the cardboard. Use masking tape to hold it in place. Was able to patten 3 O/U's, still have plenty of paper, masking tape, and the cardboard is good for a lot more. In total I think it cost me $10.

Bel_dad
My problem isn't the board, it is a place to do it. Where in Ft Worth is a pattern board?
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
NuClayGuy said:
I suspect the grasslands guys didnt have a clue what you meant... cant see any reason at all that patterning would be a problem. Less shot "downrange" than clays and no broken target remains..Just dont leave any trash behind.
It was a woman, the one who answered the phone. I think I'm gonna call the Lufkin office tomorrow and see what they say.
 
RRG
See my post below on "Public Land"...Thats the grasslands. when I spoke to them they said only shotguns allowed. Didnt say anything about shooting clays only Only request was policing the trash (shell boxes, soda cans, food wrappers etc.).

This is not a monitored site with anyone present to keep track of you...its an open space at the end of a turnaround. Use Google earth and you can zoom in and eyeball it.

Treat it right, pick up your junk (shell casings, scraps etc.) and I think you will be fine.

My $.02 from actually talking to a male ranger there.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
NuClayGuy said:
RRG
See my post below on "Public Land"...Thats the grasslands. when I spoke to them they said only shotguns allowed. Didnt say anything about shooting clays only Only request was policing the trash (shell boxes, soda cans, food wrappers etc.).

This is not a monitored site with anyone present to keep track of you...its an open space at the end of a turnaround. Use Google earth and you can zoom in and eyeball it.

Treat it right, pick up your junk (shell casings, scraps etc.) and I think you will be fine.

My $.02 from actually talking to a male ranger there.
I talked with Ranger Jim of the grasslands this morning and he said the rule was only clays. He called the enforcement staff at the grasslands and they told him they DID enforce the clays only policy. The reason is, of course, all the assholes that would leave shot up targets after using them. He sounded like that was part of the decision when it changed to shotguns only (that and the occasional stray bullet).
 
The pattern boards at Alpine are just to the right of the gate to walk in to the fenced shootin range. They are hinged on the concrete wall there so you might just walk by them without noticing them cause they are up against the wall when not in use.
 
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