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Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
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Author:  Jaejin0417 [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:02 am ]
Post subject:  Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
Hi all!

Built my first AR15 about a month ago. Been dying to shoot it but realized location is the most difficult thing for me.
I'm a student at UW (graduating in June!). I live in Seattle on the weekdays and go home down to Spanaway on the weekends - which is primarily when I go shooting.

Most ranges around (indoors) don't allow you to shoot rifles unless you're a member, which runs around $350.

The two ranges I've narrowed down to was Tacoma Sportsman and Paul Bunyan and was wondering if any of you have been there and could tell of your experience. Tacoma Sportsman is open to the public so I plan on going this weekend but Paul Bunyan is not.

Tacoma Sportsman is a bit closer to me - about 10 minutes but is only open till 4pm while Paul Bunyan is open till the evening.
Also, IIRC Paul Bunyan allows you to shoot steel targets while Tacoma Sportsman does not - please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm inclined to get a membership at Paul Bunyan but as a college student, dropping $200+ is not exactly easy to do. Tacoma Sportsman is about $50 cheaper and dues are only $50 if you volunteer 20 hours I believe, which makes me strongly consider Tacoma Sportsman.

So back to my original point, do any of you have experiences with either range?
Thanks!

- Jae
Author:  dreadi [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 2:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
Public land use is already covered in your taxes. So why not use it instead?
Author:  golddigger14s [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
Indoor sucks. Evergreen Sportsman Club. $15 for all day.
Author:  lamrith [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
I was a member of Tacoma. WAS being the key term, I was not impressed with way they operate and they jacked prices up from $100 to 150/yr. It took them years to get a members pistol range completed, AFTER they had broken ground. Seems like most or all of revenue gets poured into the public rangeI greatly appreciate RSO's, but in general their group tend to be a bit overbearing and aggressive in nature and tends to reduce the enjoyment of being at the range. No lighting on anything but shotgun range so Sept-April it is unusable after work as they close @ 4pm, so weekends the members range tends to get packed. No guests allowed in members ranges at all. I did not get out to shoot much last year so I let my membership lapse when they jacked up prices from 100 to $150 with no notice other than a higher price on my renewal card. Now it is $175 1st year, $150/yr after that. Looks like the work credit is after the 1st year, still not a bad thing, I do not recall that being offered before. Not been a member in 1-2years, maybe things have made a turn for the better.

The downside to Bunyan is that they hold a large number of events that can close the certain ranges depending on the event. However they are open until 9 or 10pm with lights, so you can shoot at night after work year round. $110 application fee, $96/yr

My recommendation would be to go Bunyan. Right now I am on waiting list for Cascade, quite a bit farther away and not feasible during the week, but a top notch facility, action bays, can bring own steel once approved, etc. I am strongly considering joining bunyan while I wait.
Author:  MadPick [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
I understand that range memberships are expensive, but too many folks try to avoid that expense, and end up not shooting as a result. Look at it as one of the necessary expenses, just like ammo, and then get out there and enjoy your gun.

You could also simply pay by the range visit. As already mentioned, you can pay $15 at Evergreen; it’s a longer drive, but it’s a nice range. You could also go to Cascade for $10 on “public days,” which happen twice a month.
Author:  AR15L [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
MadPick wrote:
I understand that range memberships are expensive, but too many folks try to avoid that expense, and end up not shooting as a result. Look at it as one of the necessary expenses, just like ammo, and then get out there and enjoy your gun.

You could also simply pay by the range visit. As already mentioned, you can pay $15 at Evergreen; it’s a longer drive, but it’s a nice range. You could also go to Cascade for $10 on “public days,” which happen twice a month.

Steve, I just checked Cascade's website.
Quote:
They are generally scheduled at the outdoor range twice a month on Fridays and Saturdays. It is open primarily for rifle shooting only on the up to 200 yard C Range. Public shooting days are from 10AM to 3PM and costs $10 per shooter.

No pistol range open?
That doesn't make sense to me. :timeout:
Author:  MadPick [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
True story, it’s generally rifle only. If there are two RSOs on duty, they may (at their discretion) send one to open up the pistol range for public shooting.
Author:  DSynger [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 7:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
BP is good for the events, I haven't shot at their range yet. I'm not sure on that. I went once to Tacoma Sportsman and was amazed that at the number of grumpy, bitter rsos. I'm glad they skipped the body cavitiy search for my nfa items...

I have been tempted to trek down to Evergreen. Only been to one New Years shoot there, but keep hearing good things about it.
Author:  AR15L [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 7:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
MadPick wrote:
True story, it’s generally rifle only. If there are two RSOs on duty, they may (at their discretion) send one to open up the pistol range for public shooting.

Next question.
Do know what the wait time is to join?
Quote:
Membership at Cascade Shooting Facilities (CSF) is capped at 1,250 members. Currently, the club is at that cap and is utilizing a waiting list for individuals who are interested in joining. When there are openings, individuals will be invited in the order they joined the waitlist. Openings usually happen sometime in late summer/early fall when the membership levels drop if people do not renew their membership.
Author:  sreyemj [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 7:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
I've been a member at both. PB is hands down better with nicer ranges and lights that allow you to shoot until 10pm (last time I was there). I moved right before they completed the new clubhouse.
Author:  Arisaka [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
If you are a shot gunner and only a shotgunner, then TSC. The rangemasters at the TSC rifle and pistol ranges are pretty much all assholes.
Author:  Duke EB [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 9:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
Arisaka wrote:
If you are a shot gunner and only a shotgunner, then TSC. The rangemasters at the TSC rifle and pistol ranges are pretty much all assholes.

:plusone: :plusone:
I really like the rifle range at TSC, but then I think about the rangemasters and I won't go back.
Author:  moktor [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 9:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
I'm a Paul Bunyan member, and haven't ever been to TSC so can't really compare. The biggest issue I have with Paul Bunyan is that on weekends it can be almost impossible to shoot...especially when the weather starts getting nicer, as they have so many events that they shut down the ranges for. Even during weekdays it can be difficult. I was looking at going sometime this week after work to the pistol range, but Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday all have events scheduled where the pistol range is closed in the evening. Wednesday might work, but the Ladies Shooting League is going on, so I would consider it closed as well, even though it isn't technically labelled as closed.
Author:  BadKarma [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
I prefer PB over TSC. Both have their advantages but having a public range at 200 yards but the members range is only 150 sucks. If you pay for a membership you should get the better range.
Author:  Jaejin0417 [ Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tacoma Sportsmans Club Vs Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club
moktor wrote:
I'm a Paul Bunyan member, and haven't ever been to TSC so can't really compare. The biggest issue I have with Paul Bunyan is that on weekends it can be almost impossible to shoot...especially when the weather starts getting nicer, as they have so many events that they shut down the ranges for. Even during weekdays it can be difficult. I was looking at going sometime this week after work to the pistol range, but Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday all have events scheduled where the pistol range is closed in the evening. Wednesday might work, but the Ladies Shooting League is going on, so I would consider it closed as well, even though it isn't technically labelled as closed.


Thanks for bringing this up as I haven't thought of it.
Just took a look at their calendar and 2/4 Saturdays are closed for March and April pretty much every Saturday is closed for matches.
Saturdays are the only days I'm able to shoot.. This is rather unfortunate. Looks like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard spot.

Their calendar is full pretty much every day starting April.. How do people shoot there if not in matches?!
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