Ranges that allow .44 Magnum Rifle shooting

danb said:

7.62x54R should be fine at 100yds. The maximum rifle caliber at rated by energy is 30-06, and less that 3150 fps. Its not a diameter restriction.

Looking at ballistics tables, even 8mm Mauser (7.92x57) would be ok. 30-06 on the high end has 3300 ft-lbs.




Unfortunately, those rules are out of date. handgun-caliber rifles are not allowed on the pistol range any more.

I do think is odd that 308 on the Barnes range is fine (at 100 yds), but 44 Mag is not.

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You're 100% correct.....actually a copy of an older post from when those rules were in effect. I have edited/deleted to reflect, and thanks danb as I certainly don't wish to further confuse this issue!

just so I am not confusing the OP either, my post was about steel rules at AGC. For paper targets, 44 mag from rifles on the 100 yd Barnes yards range is fine (there are frame holders at 25, 50 and 100 yards, but with your own holder you can really do most any distance). Rules are here: https://associatedgunclubs.org/about/range-rules-and-target-frame-info/

Hey all,
I appreciate the feedback and suggestions. This helps me a bunch. Can’t wait to fire my .44 mag at the range!

Hmmm, I wonder if the allowance of 308 on steel is in deference to silhouette shooters. Way back when I shot IHMSA, there were specialty handguns in 308. I lost a match one time to someone shooting a Witchita 308. IIRC there where a couple Remington XP-100 pistols I encountered shooting 308 as well. The Encore also is available in 308. To be sure, most silhouette shooters back then were handloaders (quite a few of us shot wildcats...only available by reloading - I shot 30 Herrett and played around with 7mm TCU). At least a couple of those handloaders loaded the 308 to somewhat less than maximum pressures either to get best accuracy or to make the round a bit more tame....or both. There were likely also some Encores in 308 as well (those I knew shooting Encores when they became more popular were shooting other calibers).

Razorback_Walt said:

Hey everybody,

I live near Fort Meade and want to find a range where I can shoot my Henry .44 Magnum rifle. I just learned the AGC range and the Meade range don’t allow that round. Does anybody know where I can shoot this round?

Many thanks,

Walt

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ELK NECK STATE FOREST
SHOOTING RANGE REGULATIONS
1. All shooters must have a valid range permit in possession, or have paid the daily admission.
2. Annual Permit is valid from date of purchase through December 31 of the year issued.
3. All shooting must be done in a safe manner and only at designated areas.
4. All targets stands must be free-standing. Targets must not be fastened to or leaned against baffles or
support posts.
5. Center of target must be 54 inches off of the ground.
6. Only paper targets may be used on pistol and rifle ranges.
7. Targets must be in direct line with the shooter to avoid cross fire and errant rounds.
8. All target stands must be removed from premises after use.
9. Clay targets are restricted to the Skeet Range.
10. No shot shells for patterning. Shot shells may only be used at the skeet area.
11. No shooting at baffles or supports posts.
12. No automatic weapons.
13. Semi-automatic fire limited to one round per second.
14. Pistols and Revolvers of any type are restricted to use on the Pistol Range.
15. Users must shoot from the benches supplied at rifle range. No free standing or prone shooting.
16. Tracer rounds, Incendiary rounds and Explosive targets are prohibited.
17. Firearms are to remain at the firing line or in designated holders and may not be worn on person at
any time on the way to or from the ranges, and during use of the ranges.
18. A “cease fire” or line clear must be called prior to going down range. Mandatory “cease fires” will
be called at 25 and 55 past each hour.
19. When shooters are down range, all firearms are to be unloaded and all breeches open. Firearms are
not to be handled.
20. Children must not be left unattended.
21. Alcohol and all other controlled dangerous substances and their use are prohibited.
22. Pets are prohibited.
23. All hulls, brass, and spent cartridges must be picked up and removed by individual user.
ELK NECK STATE FOREST (410) 287-5675 Emergency 911 or 1- 800-825-PARK

Reading the AGC rules, I believe the intent was 'Magnum' rifles. Nothing to do with magnum pistol rounds.
Unfortunately, they wrote the rules in a very ambiguous way which just confuses people.
Rule II.4.B.d
Any round labeled “Magnum”. (C2)
It was probably meant to have been written: Any RIFLE round labeled “Magnum”. (C2)
This would ban rounds like 7mm Magnum, 300 Magnum, etc.

For Razorback , if you are going to a WMA shooting range , Myrtle Grove is 58mi , while Elk Neck is 75 mi . ( Distances from Ft Meade )

gwfrench said:

Reading the AGC rules, I believe the intent was 'Magnum' rifles. Nothing to do with magnum pistol rounds.
Unfortunately, they wrote the rules in a very ambiguous way which just confuses people.
Rule II.4.B.d
Any round labeled “Magnum”. (C2)
It was probably meant to have been written: Any RIFLE round labeled “Magnum”. (C2)
This would ban rounds like 7mm Magnum, 300 Magnum, etc.

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You are looking at STEEL rules, not those for paper targets.

Yes, for steel, they mean no magnum. No 357 mag 44 mag, etc. Bang the steel with those at 25 yards, they may bang you back.

My experience in shooting flat steel targets for over 25 years, including at 21 feet is that it never comes back at you. It flattens and spreads out around the periphery of the steel. The flat shards will inbed themselves in wood used as barriers but I have never seen a round come back from steel targets. On 550 plates, my .44 magnums act the same thing as a .45 ACP or 9x19.

Maybe I'm a statistical freak , but I have been hit by fragments . ( No , I don't obsess, as so far usually a mild sting that doesn't penetrate clothing , but I do make sure to use eye protection .)

I do not think you are a statistical freak. RSOs have told me that there have been "incidents" at AGC involving steel. Since I was not there, I cannot say whether they followed all safety precautions, including angling the steel down at 20 degrees, or maybe had bad steel.

If you go to an indoor or outdoor range often enough, stuff will happen, like hot brass down your shirt. Thankfully, I was covering up my moobs not wearing one of those low cut things letting it all hang out. The hot brass did not hurt as much as being objectified with everyone starting at my moobs.

There was one fatality from shooting steel at a USPSA match back in the 90s.

Jackets flattened and flew off like a sharp edged freisbee. Cut a child in the neck and he bled out. IIRC, the kid was on the next range from the shooter. Basically freak mishap.