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Beware: Alpine Gun Range

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  • TX69

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    Last year I had a good friend come in from GA and took him to several ranges throughout DFW. I took him to Alpine where we shot at just about every range they had and had a great time.

    This year he came back bc of wanting to do what we did last year so it only made sense to go back. It isn't close at all for us to go from my place as the trip takes 1.5 hours to get there so three round trip. Packed everything up and when we got there I didn't bother to look at any signs that is until I got right up to the rifle range. Plain as day a new sign says NO FMJ!

    WTF!? When we went there last year there were no restrictions on ammo as long as it wasn't a tracer or incendiary or other type more dangerous ammo. So all I had packed for the long guns was well... FMJ!

    I was livid to say the least after all of the effort and now wasted time it took up to get there. So we shot pistols, bought nothing else and left pissed off. Had to drive all the way back to my area to go to Eagle just to run the AK's and function test and fire the AR-10. We didn't have enough time to get to another FMJ range to then get there, set up and shoot before it got to be traffic hell.

    I got to tell you guys I am so tired of the changes, BS rules, and shitty RO's at ranges in the DFW area. Why is it that we cannot have a good and normal place to go to exercise our rifles with ordinary ammo is beyond me. Each and every one has some bizarro rule or more that hinder the use of our firearms. IF they don't some assholes will get them shut down for a whole variety of reasons.

    So now I have added Alpine to my list of to avoid bc I would have to invest in ammo I don't use in these rifles and refuse to pay extra just to shoot there. Plus they charge far too much for paper...damn. I really liked that place and was going to make it my go to bc they had a couple trap setups.

    So watch out for Alpine and their FMJ rules and whatever else they decide to add to keep paying customers from going.
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    ed308

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    Most ranges in the DFW area restrict FMJ ammo on the rifle ranges. Not a big problem since I reload. But some days I'd rather just grab some blasting and have fun. Whenever I've inquired for the reason it's not allowed, I've been told it does to much berm damage or it ricochets. When shooting FMJ in my rifle, I usually go to Elm Fork where it's allowed on the 25 and 50 yard ranges.
     

    Recoil45

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    I've never seen FMJ not allowed at an outdoor rifle range until I moved to this area. Very odd that most places don't allow it.




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    Double Naught Spy

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    Sounds like a good lesson learned. If you haven't been to the range in a while, check before you go. This is especially true if you are the type of shooter than only goes to a range once a year.
     

    Bozz10mm

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    I had been going to Stan's monthly for almost 2 years and there was no restriction on fmj. When I bought my first AR, I went to sight it in, and guess what....a no FMJ sign on the rifle range. When I asked why, was given some ambiguous answer about some young guys acting irresponsibly.

    Anyway, new owner took over and the sign is gone.
     

    TX69

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    TX69

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    Sounds like a good lesson learned. If you haven't been to the range in a while, check before you go. This is especially true if you are the type of shooter than only goes to a range once a year.

    Terribly sad but true. We would not have gone all the way out there had we known they had a FMJ restriction. But now I am warning everyone I can find so that they can go to a different range that allows it., For a while there we were making progress with the ranges allowing FMJ and now this. Whatever it isn't the end of the world of course. Its just another big red circle with a line through on my map of Texas. :(
     

    zincwarrior

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    The last time I was at Eagle Peak in CenTx, which was a long, long time ago, FMJ was not allowed.

    Yep, still is: http://www.eaglepeakshootingrange.com/rules.html

    No such rule at ARC.

    Edited to add: It is probably best to check the rules before you head out to any range you haven't been to in a while.

    One argument is that FMJ might spark a fire. Wildfire hazards are a real thing in central Texas.
     

    zincwarrior

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    Wonder if there are any stats regarding how many wildfires have been started by shooting full metal jacketed bullets? :green:

    No clue. I have been to three fires on ranges (two of them indoor). Indoor ranges tend to restrict some ammo for that reason. Just surmising its the same but could be something completely different.
     

    Texasjack

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    I've never seen FMJ restrictions in the Houston area. Covering the tip with copper does not change what happens to a bullet when it hits dirt. There's gotta be some sort of pressure on the ranges in the DFW area - maybe insurance? These vague reasons given at the range don't make sense.
     

    Mikewood

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    Some of the FMJ is steel core and some is tungsten. By removing all FMJ you do a couple things. You revive the AP steel core and that can spark on a piece of chert up on the berm and start a fire and secondly you remove the Buba blaster. The guy that goes to the range and shoots up the target stand the baffles and sometimes the roof. Sure this can still happen with bolt action Fuds but it's less likely than a gang banger shooting his AK.

    My question is did they check? Usually I have a plastic "MCM" box of hand loads and it takes me an hour and a half to shoot those 50 rounds. I might also have a mag or three of ball that gets sent down range afterward.


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    Mikewood

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    I've never seen FMJ restrictions in the Houston area. Covering the tip with copper does not change what happens to a bullet when it hits dirt. There's gotta be some sort of pressure on the ranges in the DFW area - maybe insurance? These vague reasons given at the range don't make sense.

    Baylies house of guns use to have a restriction on FMJ. But they had tire berms and were afraid of a AP or API sneaking in and hitting a steel belt and setting the whole place on fire. Well that's what Ma said and you know how she is. I stopped going after I was accused of almost shooting too fast. That and I didn't like single loading my semiautomatic rifle.


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    Recoil45

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    No clue. I have been to three fires on ranges (two of them indoor). Indoor ranges tend to restrict some ammo for that reason. Just surmising its the same but could be something completely different.

    It's a real issue at indoor ranges depending on the backstop. I really don't see how it's an issue at an outdoor range. I think it has more to do with trying to keep the rapid fire AR guys away. But that's just my personal guess.


    Edit: I can also see the steelcore angle posted by MW.

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