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Don't know if this has been discussed before but has anyone visited Gardeners guns range. I have been invited to visit I believe the ranges go out to two miles. Any one been there.

Yes, three of us from my club did a site visit just over 2 years ago (before the hut on the range etc. was built), £50 each to shoot on the (then) 1 mile range. Middle of nowhere in one of the wettest places in the UK (Eskdalemuir)!!.

Since then I believe it's been offered at £40 to Pigeon Watch members and others or with with a minimum cost of £800 to hire the range.

Mark is a very nice chap, give him a ring and see what's on offer.

Or alternatively just pop along with a local club to Catterick or Ponteland to get it sighted in etc..

We shoot there regularly. It's a great range, targets out to 2 miles, and Marc always lays on blazing sun for us when we go. Targets are steel plates that begin at 100 yards and go out in increments of 100 yards out to 1,000, then at greater increments all the way out to the 2 mile mark. You can shoot prone from a firing point in front of a club house and, if it rains when you go, there are 6 covered firing points built onto the front of the clubhouse. Tea and biscuits are available. Marc and his staff are friendly and very helpful, always willing to spot for you through a pair of enormous telescopes and their advice and firing corrections are spot on.

Is it basically a pay and play range? If so, how much is the fee? I've heard several costs, but they vary wildly!

No, it's not a "pay and spray" range. We're a member there and thus pay a reduced fee for range use. Membership is £100 per annum. Clubs can also hire the range for use at a day rate. Best thing to do is contact Marc directly and get the latest info direct from him.

https://www.gardnersguns.co.uk/contact

Its approx £800 a day to hire the range for club use if you are not a member.

As a member do you get invited to range days or just book and turn up on days of your choosing?

BamBam wrote:As a member do you get invited to range days or just book and turn up on days of your choosing?

Sorry I dont know I am not a member.

Our club recently booked it for a day and there was mixed feedback - just because the targets are steel plates. If you miss, there is no indication of where your shot went so some felt it was partly a waste of time and ammunition. On the other hand, it is somewhere different to shoot and given MoD are looking like they don't want public on military ranges, it may be the future.

I am shocked at some of the feedback I have had from club members regarding booking this range for a club Shoot.
One guy, for instance, thinks that the long-distance shooters are catered for by the Clubs two weekends a year trips to Bisley and the Club should not support it.
I'm speechless I can not believe some of the replies I have received no wonder shooting is dying.
The club has over 140 members owns its own indoor range premises has an outdoor range a clay range no debt and over £40,000 in the bank. It beggars belief. It makes me more determined than ever to make this shoot happen.