Hitting the Mark: Your Local’s Guide to the Best Shooting Ranges in Austin

Welcome to Austin, Texas – a city bustling with live music, mouth-watering food, beautiful beaches, and thrilling outdoor sports. If you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping action, then the city’s fantastic array of shooting ranges is sure to meet your needs. This Local’s Guide to the Best Shooting Ranges in Austin explores top-tier shooting destinations, providing details about their unique offerings and why they’ve earned a spot on our must-visit list. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced shooter, we’ve got you covered. So, buckle up, and let’s dive into Austin’s thriving shooting range scene.

Disclaimer: Always remember safety first. Handle all firearms responsibly and under the supervision of professionals.

Red’s Indoor Shooting Range

Red’s Indoor Shooting Range has cemented its reputation as one of Austin’s top shooting practice grounds. Family owned and run since 1989, Red’s is dedicated to leading patrons towards excellence in firearms usage, giving both beginners and seasoned pros a unique shooting range experience.

An Overview of Red’s Indoor Shooting Range:

• Operates two spots in the area: Red’s North at Pflugerville and Red’s South in Oak Hill. Convenient to most in Austin, you’re never far from a session at Red’s.
• Provides twenty lanes on the North and an additional twenty lanes in the South. The lanes support both handguns and small bore rifles up to .223 caliber.
• The facility is well-lit, clean, and maintained by a skilled crew of staff. Red’s understands the importance of safety regulations and guidance for a satisfying shooting experience.
• Boasts an expansive range of equipment rentals and ammunition – whether it’s rimfire, centrefire, or shotguns, you’ll find your pick.
• The knowledgeable team of staff members can guide you through your firearms journey, right from safety instructions to targeting skills.

The Range at Austin

The Range at Austin is an upscale shooting range catering to diverse shooting preferences. This modern and chic 52,000 sq ft complex stars a state-of-the-art shooting range and a premium firearms showroom.

Key Features of The Range at Austin:

• Houses a swanky premium firearms showroom featuring over 5,000 different firearms and accessories. Expect to find a mix of local brands, top-tier manufacturers, and even a collection of rare and collectible firearms.
• Sports 37 lanes for shooting. Consisting of three bays varying from 15 to 100 yards, this facility caters to rifle, pistol, and rimfire shooters.
• The advanced system at The Range allows you to set and alter distances, gain insights about your shot placement, and enjoy lanes designed to accommodate wheelchairs.
• Their well-structured programs, designed to cater to varying skill levels, spills knowledge on various firearms, sharing insights on their usage, maintenance, and safety precautions.
• To top it all, The Range has a VIP club lounge with benefits like private lanes, complimentary gun cleanings, lounge access, guest passes, and discounts.

Shady Oaks Gun Range

Shady Oaks Gun Range located in the countryside surroundings of Cedar Park, Austin, provides an experience filled with tranquility and excitement.

Dive into the Offering of Shady Oaks Gun Range:

• Consists of 9 rifle ranges and 10 pistol ranges, providing plenty of room and choice for your training sessions.
• Offers a variety of courses to extend your knowledge in gun handling – from personal protection classes to advanced level shooting programs.
• A pioneer in providing women-friendly shooting environments, Shady Oaks conducts ladies-only classes, promoting gender inclusivity in the shooting world.
• The facility features the latest electronic target retrieval system, drawing targets closer or pushing them further away, depending on your preference. Going green, the complex also recycles brass.
• A well-stocked pro-shop compliments your shooting experience with ammunition, firearms for rent or purchase, and a broad inventory of shooting accessories awaits.

Best of the West Shooting Range

Best of the West in Liberty Hill extends its gates to an amicable outdoor shooting experience. With a variety of ranges on offer, Best of the West has a natural serenity to engage shooters of all capabilities.

Finer Details of Best of the West Shooting Range Experience:

• With integrated rifle, pistol and archery ranges, Best of the West balances diversity and focus in their offerings.
• Unique to this facility is its “Running Game” target – a moving target system posing a fun challenge to shooters and developing their moving-target shooting skills.
• Housing practical and realistic training areas like a shoot house, a simulated roadway, and a SWAT tower for exhilarating tactical training exercises under expert guidance.
• A guided hunting experience or a fishing trip in Texas’s hill country is a great addon for outdoor enthusiasts. However, this is subject to weather conditions and availability.

Lone Star Gun Range

On the outskirts of Austin, in the city of Lockhart, lies the open and welcoming Lone Star Gun Range. Here, shooters can experience the iconic charm of an outdoor Texas shooting range.

Delve into the Lone Star Gun Range Delights:

• Sports multiple pistol and rifle ranges including a .50 caliber sniper range. Fire away under the vast Texan open skies for a unique and liberating experience.
• You can indulge in a shooting spree without bringing your firearms. Their armory features an assortment of rental firearms, and all rental fees cover eye and ear protection.
• In addition to the individual shooting experience, Lone Star conducts structured classes covering Basic Handgun, License to Carry, Private Lessons, and more, all under the supervision of professional instructors.
• To quench your post-shoot thirst and hunger, there are local eateries in proximity to the range. Enjoy the best of Texas barbecue at Black’s BBQ, the oldest BBQ joint in the state.

Conclusion

This comprehensive guide to the best shooting ranges in Austin presents you with a local’s insights into exploring the city’s shooting range scene. Each venue offers unique features and a wide range of options – from state-of-the-art indoor facilities at Red’s and The Range to the scenic outdoor environment at Shady Oaks, Best of the West, and Lone Star. The common thread running through each facility is dedicated staff and a strong emphasis on safety. Remember that while shooting can be a thrilling sport, proper protocol and respect for the sport and fellow shooters add to the overall experience. So suit up and explore these shooting venues, keeping safety at forefront. Pull the trigger on an adventure in Austin!