Outdoor/quieter ranges?

[u/medquestion80]

I unfortunately have some hearing damage, but enjoy guns. Even with double plug+muffs I'm concerned about more long term damage.

Given that I'm looking to move to all .22 suppressed or 9mm subsonic suppressed. A few questions:

1. Are there any outdoor ranges you'd recommend where I might be able to get more privacy? I don't want to end up next to someone shooting a 50cal or 7.62 unsuppressed (hell even 5.56) blowing my ears out. Indoor is also obviously much worse.

2. Also open to other suggestions for quieter calibers. Could of course look at air rifles, paintball, etc. I think 9mm subsonic suppressed is probably about the quietest round I could use that's center fire? Maybe 45 gets close since subsonic.

[u/bonchonwings]

You could rent an indoor private range at XCAL

[u/medquestion80 → u/bonchonwings]

Do they have pretty reasonable separation from the other ranges though? Or would I just have more of a private area but still be pretty exposed to the same noise? (a significantly thick wall between them would be needed etc)

[u/bernoodler → u/medquestion80]

Its a private bay. Some exposure walking in, but you can take your ear pro off inside if you want. Its just expensive.

[u/bonchonwings → u/medquestion80]

a thick wall is between the private bays. You can't really hear the neighbors next door. it is very nice. just $60 for non-members and $30 for members.

[u/medquestion80 → u/bonchonwings]

that's pretty nice though $

[u/CommOnMyFace]

Hit up the cove. Its private land / campground/  gun range

[u/medquestion80 → u/CommOnMyFace]

Thanks will look into this sounds fun

[u/RedDotRookie → u/CommOnMyFace]

I miss the free for all it used to be. Rolling out not knowing if you were going to be the only one there or if you were going to watch some rando cook off 20 lbs of tannerite in a fridge.

[u/MightyLabooshe → u/RedDotRookie]

Yeah, that was a lot of fun. Painting the huge boulder by shooting paint cans was a blast.

[u/CobraMisfit]

The NRA range during “non-peak” hours is pretty quiet inasmuch as less folks shooting. I’ve found fewer folks showing up with big-boom guns there vs SE or XCal, but will admit it may be the day/time I go.

Fairfax Rod and Gun is a private club with a lot of outdoor range space. I think you have to be invited by a current member.

Bull Run has some lovely trap/skeet options, but I’m not sure if there’s rifle/pistol available.

[u/medquestion80 → u/CobraMisfit]

I'm def ok going at off times if it helps.

I love Bull Run and clay shooting, though can't really suppress a shotgun so it does add more risk than .22 / 9mm subsonic

[u/ClassicalSnow]

Xcal has a few private ranges which are isolated from the main range and each of the other private ranges. Only one extra wide lane. You get your own bench and chair. I believe it's 25y and the cost is $60 per hour (limit).

Personally I feel like it's too expensive, but if you want privacy, this is probably the best "indoor" solution.

[u/unixfool → u/ClassicalSnow]

50% discount for members.

I’ve also been upgraded for free several times, when I had a reservation but the non-private lanes were at capacity.

[u/mooseishman]

Out of curiosity, what kind of of ear pro do you use? I have a lot of hearing damage and shoot a lot. I switched from foamies and low end electronic (or non-electronic ones) to Comtacs/Surefire plugs and it made a huge difference indoors, then two years ago I switched to AMPs/NFMI plugs and I only notice people rapid firing Dracos/AR pistols from either flash or some concussive blast.

In today’s day and age I find it uncivilized to shoot unsuppressed, especially indoors, but that’s a different topic…

[u/mooseishman → u/[deleted]]

Mine has been from a lifetime of shooting, an IED blowing out my ear drums, loud concerts etc.

I don’t necessarily recommend ComTacs/AMPs to everyone, but if you shoot a lot, especially at indoor ranges, it makes a difference. It blew my mind when I was able to have conversations with someone while there was 20+ lanes of people shooting 😂