New to Airgunning in CT

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So now that I now I’m not going to land in jail for this thing as long as I’m smart about it, where do I go to shoot around the Southington area?

Are there any airgun clubs or events around I should know about?
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Unfortunately I am down on the Shoreline East so I can’t be much help with ranges in Southington. Most of my shooting is actually done at home. Occasionally I feel the need to stretch things out to 100 yards plus and I’ll go to one of the gun clubs I am a member of (Guilford and Niantic) but that’s pretty infrequently unless I am shooting a firearm.
 
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I wish I had the space/land to do some shooting at home, and maybe I do when I get a smaller caliber barrel kit which I probably will soon. I went... big
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I’m sure I’ll find something around here before long. I went big in the first place to kind of force myself to learn long range, I think I’d enjoy competing at some point!
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Even the big calibers (.30) are fine if you have a good backstop. I bought a couple from Airgun Target Systems (airguntargetsystems.com) and the big one has been perfect for my Impact .30 cal at 25 yards. I use the smaller one indoors (basement) but mostly for my .177, .22 and .25. I have shot it with the Impact .30 cal (at 14 yards) and it was fine.

Chris
 
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Even the big calibers (.30) are fine if you have a good backstop. I bought a couple from Airgun Target Systems (airguntargetsystems.com) and the big one has been perfect for my Impact .30 cal at 25 yards. I use the smaller one indoors (basement) but mostly for my .177, .22 and .25. I have shot it with the Impact .30 cal (at 14 yards) and it was fine.

Chris
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Well, perhaps I shoulda said WAY big...

I visited the website and I see those are rated up to 90fpe. Until I grab a different barrel kit, know any that can hang with 150fpe???

😵😵😵
 
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Even the big calibers (.30) are fine if you have a good backstop. I bought a couple from Airgun Target Systems (airguntargetsystems.com) and the big one has been perfect for my Impact .30 cal at 25 yards. I use the smaller one indoors (basement) but mostly for my .177, .22 and .25. I have shot it with the Impact .30 cal (at 14 yards) and it was fine.

Chris
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Well, perhaps I shoulda said WAY big...

I visited the website and I see those are rated up to 90fpe. Until I grab a different barrel kit, know any that can hang with 150fpe???

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Holy Crap! You got the .35 😬

OK. You’ve got me beat. And yes, you need to find a range!
 
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Since you are shooting a big bore air rifle and you want to shoot out to 50 or 100 yards in CT, go to Blue Trail Range in Wallingford. They are open to the public. Otherwise, do a search for and join a private gun club. There is Bell City Rifle club in Southington but they have a 3 year wait list. I shoot 100 yard prone small-bore matches there during the summer.
 
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Of course, you could try this guy...

It’s my standing, offhand (not rested) 50 yard headshot target made of AR550 steel. I’ve shot it (at the range) with .308 Win and >270 Win, not to mention little calibers like 5.56 NATO. It will have no problem with 153 FPE.

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Lol, yup, I think we found a winner! 😃

Only thing is I think the percussion from the very powerful impacts on that steel across my little back yard is still likely to make my neighbors none too pleased with me! 😠😤🤬
 
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Since you are shooting a big bore air rifle and you want to shoot out to 50 or 100 yards in CT, go to Blue Trail Range in Wallingford. They are open to the public. Otherwise, do a search for and join a private gun club. There is Bell City Rifle club in Southington but they have a 3 year wait list. I shoot 100 yard prone small-bore matches there during the summer.
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Thanks a lot! I’ll definitely start with the Blue Trail Range and start searching for private ones around here. I’ve heard about crazy waitlists and from what I understand 3 years isn’t even too bad...! 

I think I need to make friends with some big landowners in these parts 🤔

For the Bell City Rifle club, are those matches open to non-members? I have a changeable caliber gun and I’d like to work up to competing.
 
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Holy Crap! You got the .35
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OK. You’ve got me beat. And yes, you need to find a range!
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Yeah, waited around 4 months for it to show up on my doorstep and the thing’s a monster!

Range it is until I decide on a smaller barrel kit and get it here. I need a range to sight in a scope anyway.

Speaking of which, any recommendations on a rangefinder? I’ve heard Matt Dubber talk about Sig’s BDX ones having good integration with phone app ballistics calculators.
 
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For the Bell City Rifle club, are those matches open to non-members? I have a changeable caliber gun and I’d like to work up to competing.
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Yes, their matches are open to non-members. You must follow their range rules. I am not a member as well. You can shoot from a bench if you cannot shoot prone 40 shots for score at 100 yards. I do not know if they will allow airguns at their rimfire match. Just as long as you can safely shoot 40 shots within 45 minutes I think they will have no problem. Hope your impact can do at least 50 shots in one air tank fill.
 
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Of course, you could try this guy...

It’s my standing, offhand (not rested) 50 yard headshot target made of AR550 steel. I’ve shot it (at the range) with .308 Win and >270 Win, not to mention little calibers like 5.56 NATO. It will have no problem with 153 FPE.

3981101E-5907-4C85-BBE3-48246BEA4DDC.1604088306.jpeg
Click to expand...

Lol, yup, I think we found a winner!
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Only thing is I think the percussion from the very powerful impacts on that steel across my little back yard is still likely to make my neighbors none too pleased with me!
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Well, it definitely makes a sound when I hit it with the >30 cal Impact, so the .35 would be epic 😂

I second the recommendation for Blue Trail in Wallingford, if that’s not too far a drive for you. I believe they only go out to 100 yards though. I haven’t been there for a few years, but their 200 yard range was closed for the last 5 or 6 years before I ever went there due to some issues with rounds escaping the property and ending up in residences 😳
 
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I second the recommendation for Blue Trail in Wallingford, if that’s not too far a drive for you. I believe they only go out to 100 yards though. I haven’t been there for a few years, but their 200 yard range was closed for the last 5 or 6 years before I ever went there due to some issues with rounds escaping the property and ending up in residences
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Holy crap! Know your limits, people! If you can consistently hit a target at 125, 150, 175 yards, THEN you get to try your hand at 200 because you’re less likely to put lead into Mrs. Johnson’s living room! 🤦🏻‍♂️


I’m not likely to be ready for anything past 50 yards for a little while anyway. Blue Trail it is! 😆👍🏻
 
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Yes, their matches are open to non-members. You must follow their range rules. I am not a member as well. You can shoot from a bench if you cannot shoot prone 40 shots for score at 100 yards. I do not know if they will allow airguns at their rimfire match. Just as long as you can safely shoot 40 shots within 45 minutes I think they will have no problem. Hope your impact can do at least 50 shots in one air tank fill.
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I’ll do some inquiring about the outdoor range competitions come spring and summer. We’ll see what they have to say about rimfires and airguns mingling, and I’ll have to let you know.

From what I’ve heard and read, the Impact can do over 200 shots per fill at .22. I look forward to testing and counting myself at some point 😁👍🏻


 
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