I'm trying to find some outdoor matches for the above types of shooting. Most of what I have found is up north at Custer, and I'm hoping to find something within an hours drive (approximately) of Tacoma/Gig Harbor. I used to do lots of this type of shooting at Tri-county Gun Club in Sherwood, Oregon (about 10 mi S. of PDX), but can't seem to find much up this way.

I heard that Paul Bunyan had a 3 gun match about a month or so ago, so that got me sorta excited. I'm not really interested in matches where the targets are mostly placed at handgun distances (50 yards or so).

Hopefully, the practical rifle matches would have a blend of distances from 15-400 yards, the tactical rifle 15-150, and the precision tactical rifle from 40-1000 yards. The ranges I have listed are of course approximations.

I used to do lots of 3-gun matches, but for the past few years have enjoyed the rifle matches much more.

Any info about matches like this near the Puget sound, Tacoma/Gig Harbor area will be greatly appreciated. I found some really neat matches over by Ellensburg, Wenatchee, but the driving time there makes all but occasional participation difficult.

I don't even mind helping start out a group doing this type of shooting if someone has a location available. I have run lots of rifle matches, so I know how to do all that stuff, but don't have a portable computer scoring system now.

So there has been one started more for multigun, tactical shooting out of Renton Fish and Game Club www.rfgc.org

I'm sure they would love your help...

Please contact Albert via email at albertbrosas@gmail.com

Also here's their website for multigun out of Renton Fish and Game Club.
http://www.steamsloth.com/psmultigun/?page_id=2

Email sent to albertbrosus@gmail.com. Thanks for the lead!

The Renton Tactical Rifle match just started up. It runs on the 4th Saturday of the month. All the targets are close, less then 30 yards because its all set up in the action bays and the USPSA match runs on the next day with minor tweaks on the stages.

Custer is probably the only rifle match that has targets out to 150+ yards during a stage.

welcome genin glad you made it over!!
happy to have you

Are you shooting the tac rifle matches??? I did the safety check, but have yet to attend a match. I know Bibs was doing it and if you are doing them too, I would feel more comfortable getting in there.

The matches that could be shot with a pistol don't hold much interest for me. I understand that many ranges simply don't have the distance available to put on other types of matches. That was the primary reason I joined Upper Nisqually Sportsman's Club. They have a 550 yard range, and a 180 yard rifle range. If I can get the board there to allow me to start up a practical rifle group there, I would be very happy.

The matches at Tri-county gun club usually have around 60-70 shooters at every match. I don't see any reason why the Puget sound area wouldn't have at least that much participation. With all the military bases (Lewis-McChord, Trident, Whidbey Island, etc) it would seem that there would be a great deal of interest.

If anyone has contacts at a club that has a range where we could shoot 200 or 300 yards, I would be happy to help out getting a program started. I don't have a computer scoring system, but lots of IPSC, IDPA shooters have computers with the scoring systems used by their discipline. It would be easy to adapt such a program to rifle shooting.

I haven't done one their matches yet. I'm safety checked so I that's out of the way. But I'm committed to SO'ing the IDPA matches at Paul Bunyan and that conflicts with the Tac Rifle in Renton. I made the commitment before the schedule for the Renton Tac rifle matches was released. I plan on skipping a match or two at PB but not sure which ones yet. Maybe April or May....





You are right about the problem of have the longer distance available at most ranges. I don't think there are many ranges with in an hour drive from Seattle that can do 200 or 300 yards. But I'm not a big rifle person, not that I don't want to be, its just because of the issue we are discussing, the lack of matches close by.

I think many ranges that could be used are a bit afraid of "black rifles". It might be a worthwhile idea to find ranges that have F class high power shooting, and ask those ranges if we could do some precision practical bolt action rifle shooting. Once they get used to the idea of multiple targets, movement, reloads, and see that the shooters are being safe, we could suggest that based on interest from competitors, we introduce a semi-auto class.

For many clubs, the almighty dollar speaks very loudly. If the clubs realize that they are reaping a direct benefit (say half of the entry fees, the other half going for match supplies), then they might want the matches expanded as long as they are safe, and don't generate bad public perception.

One of the things that many "traditional" clubs fear is that people in camo will show up and behave like they are mercenaries in a training camp. If match rules preclude all competitors from showing up in camo gear, and act like gentlemen (women are rarely a problem), this perception can be changed, but all the competitors who want this kind of shooting will have to "get with the program" and help change the perceptions of the "old timers" who are afraid of the dreaded "assault" or black rifles.

Tacoma rifle and pistol, Upper Nisqually, Paul Bunyan and at least one club in the Seattle all have ranges that would work. Any range where they have high power rifle matches at 200 yards could be made to work.

Yeah I just moved here and I'm looking to continue doing precision rifle matches but I'm kind of surprised that I haven't been able to find much. I figured there would be more.

I just ordered some Steel targets, so pretty soon I will be able to set up a practice place if I can find a legal shooting venue within an hour or so of the Tacoma area. If anyone wants to share some steel to shoot on and has a place, let me know, and I'll bring the steel...

You mean shooting old Chevy's in the "Hilltop" area of Tacoma isn't allowed? Or is that only allowed at night?

Be careful when shooting in the "hilltop" area of Tacoma... they shoot back and more times than not... they can out gun most police departments...

"Bandit" type shooting ranges are the sorts of places I try to avoid. They are the ones recognized by the shot up cars and appliances, empty beer cans, and are often frequented by crank freaks and people who have been drinking more than they should. They seem to be places where someone is just asking for trouble simply by showing up...and also a good place to get hurt by poor firearms safety, the crank freaks, broken glass, and other stuff I would rather read about than participate in.

The board at Upper Nisqually Sportsman's club just gave me the go ahead to do a trial run on having a practical rifle match there. This will be so they can have a look at how these matches will be run. Prior to the matches, they want to know that all participants understand safety and rules for such a match. They also want to keep this first "demo" match small, so there will be 9 other people in addition to myself.

On Saturday April 21st, there will be an orientation at Upper Nisqually sportsman's club for people who want to shoot in a match. Part of the deal with the club is that we supply our own supplies. As time goes on, we will use match fees ($15) to buy supplies. To begin with though, participants will each need to supply at least 3 steel targets for us to shoot on, or a timer we can use (probably no more than 2 timers). SHOOTERS WILL RETAIN OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION OF THEIR STEEL between matches. That way the amount of steel available is directly proportional to how many shooters we have.

Like I said, this is a trial run, and once the orientation is a one time requirement for all participants. There is no cost for the orientation, and it is first come first serve. If you want to participate, please send me an email, and I'll keep a record of who to expect.

One of the things I used to get the club to allow us to start up this group was to make a proposal that had no financial impact on the club. Hence the need for us to supply our own targets. Once the group gets some money left from entry fees, we can start buying targets to enhance supply. The cheapest steel I have found was through JCsteeltargets that I found on snipershide. They have targets as cheap as $13 each, then you build your own stands or hangers..also cheap and easily done with 2x4's and a piece 3/4 inch pipe.