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Rainbow Shooting Range is in Fallbrook, in San Diego County. This is a rustic outdoor range kinda locked in the 70s or 80s, like if Knott's Berry Farm was a gun range, and I mean that in the best way possible. It's outdoor, so less noise from sound bouncing off walls. Downside? It can be hot or cold, and I even shot in a light drizzle once.
The website is a bit out-of-date and states that no jacketed rounds can be used. This is false, and could have been a dealbreaker for myself and nearly everyone. No steel jackets? Sure, most ranges have this rule, but the common FMJ (full metal jacket) rounds are just fine. They've angled some of their steel targets to deflect into the dirt if they're not far enough out. I use 124gr Sellier and Bellot in my CZ SP-01 and it's just fine.
This range is private, so you'd have to be a member to shoot there or go with a member and shoot for a $35 guest fee. Membership is $280 per year, which may change over time. It's very reasonable compared to other private outdoor ranges in the area which are MUCH more expensive. Range members can come and go as they please during business hours (shorter in winter, longer during longer summer days) and they're open EVERY day of the year! I've gone on Thanksgiving and Christmas just because I could.
There are occasional 'Appleseed' events which take over some of the pistol ranges, so it's good to take a picture of the bulletin board as a reminder.
Parking is decent, but the best thing is being able to drive right up to the upper ranges (such as range D or E) and park adjacent to them but out of the firing line. Then it's a short walk with gear to the benches. Each range is supplied with carboard and stakes which fit in slots buried in the firing line. You can also set up your own targets if you want to shoot at a different level or closer (or farther). Range E (where I shoot) is set to about 15-16 yards unless you're shooting the steel targets behind that.
The access road is rutted dirt before the paved portion, so a low-slung sports car isn't ideal. I have to be super careful in my Model 3 Performance. The road is paved at and beyond the RSO office.
The general attitude is welcoming, no rapid-fire prohibitions, but safety is enforced and is paramount. Members (who are also RSOs) are expected to help enforce the rules for their own safety and the safety of others. However, the managers are often patrolling and will stop people who are breaking the rules or being potentially unsafe. The managers don't interrupt you unless you're doing something silly. Walk *behind* the berm to place your target. Get behind the white line when range is cold, etc.
The usual range rules apply; unbox guns at the range stall (not on the bench behind), keep guns pointed in safe direction, open action when range is cold, the usual. Don't carry a gun from one stall to another, etc.
Every member upon joining is given a tour, the rules, and is considered an RSO (range safety officer) so anyone has the authority to stop the firing line if something is amiss. This also means you have to ask the group to 'go cold' if you need to place/remove/edit your target, and make sure the range is cold before going out. Announce 'hot' when it's time to go hot. Everyone being deputized as an RSO means more eyes and ears to observe. Range managers will occasionally remind us of the rules if things start to get sloppy.
When I first went to sign up for a Rainbow I was brand new to shooting, so I was asked to take a beginner's shooting class before signing up. I did that and am glad I did. Every new shooter should do the same.
This range is private, so it's not retail-focused, they don't do PPTs, and they don't rent guns. They do sell snacks at the RSO office for a very reasonable price, and one can buy a variety of targets there too and bullets as well ($38 for 100). The fact that it's private means fewer people and they have skin in the game because of their membership which can be suspended or revoked at any time for bad behavior. Fewer randoms=better time, more trust. Members are friendly and often let each other try their firearms. This is how I shot my first Atlas, .45, 10mm, and a host of others.
This range has rifle and pistol ranges, and also trap and archery ranges. For pistols the range is ideal, and there's a separate plinking range only for .22 caliber. This is great for shooting lots of metal discs and flappers, and there's no larger bore boomsticks going off next to you. It makes for a pleasant, peaceful experience.
Range E is the pistol range up to 50 yards, with Range D being a private one-person range...first-come, first-served. If you get there first, it's just you or your group.
Target cardboard on stakes are supplied, and the board goes into slots buried in the range. All brass must be collected and put into white buckets for recycling.
I'm a big fan of Rainbow Range and am glad to be a member.
The website is a bit out-of-date and states that no jacketed rounds can be used. This is false, and could have been a dealbreaker for myself and nearly everyone. No steel jackets? Sure, most ranges have this rule, but the common FMJ (full metal jacket) rounds are just fine. They've angled some of their steel targets to deflect into the dirt if they're not far enough out. I use 124gr Sellier and Bellot in my CZ SP-01 and it's just fine.
This range is private, so you'd have to be a member to shoot there or go with a member and shoot for a $35 guest fee. Membership is $280 per year, which may change over time. It's very reasonable compared to other private outdoor ranges in the area which are MUCH more expensive. Range members can come and go as they please during business hours (shorter in winter, longer during longer summer days) and they're open EVERY day of the year! I've gone on Thanksgiving and Christmas just because I could.
There are occasional 'Appleseed' events which take over some of the pistol ranges, so it's good to take a picture of the bulletin board as a reminder.
Parking is decent, but the best thing is being able to drive right up to the upper ranges (such as range D or E) and park adjacent to them but out of the firing line. Then it's a short walk with gear to the benches. Each range is supplied with carboard and stakes which fit in slots buried in the firing line. You can also set up your own targets if you want to shoot at a different level or closer (or farther). Range E (where I shoot) is set to about 15-16 yards unless you're shooting the steel targets behind that.
The access road is rutted dirt before the paved portion, so a low-slung sports car isn't ideal. I have to be super careful in my Model 3 Performance. The road is paved at and beyond the RSO office.
The general attitude is welcoming, no rapid-fire prohibitions, but safety is enforced and is paramount. Members (who are also RSOs) are expected to help enforce the rules for their own safety and the safety of others. However, the managers are often patrolling and will stop people who are breaking the rules or being potentially unsafe. The managers don't interrupt you unless you're doing something silly. Walk *behind* the berm to place your target. Get behind the white line when range is cold, etc.
The usual range rules apply; unbox guns at the range stall (not on the bench behind), keep guns pointed in safe direction, open action when range is cold, the usual. Don't carry a gun from one stall to another, etc.
Every member upon joining is given a tour, the rules, and is considered an RSO (range safety officer) so anyone has the authority to stop the firing line if something is amiss. This also means you have to ask the group to 'go cold' if you need to place/remove/edit your target, and make sure the range is cold before going out. Announce 'hot' when it's time to go hot. Everyone being deputized as an RSO means more eyes and ears to observe. Range managers will occasionally remind us of the rules if things start to get sloppy.
When I first went to sign up for a Rainbow I was brand new to shooting, so I was asked to take a beginner's shooting class before signing up. I did that and am glad I did. Every new shooter should do the same.
This range is private, so it's not retail-focused, they don't do PPTs, and they don't rent guns. They do sell snacks at the RSO office for a very reasonable price, and one can buy a variety of targets there too and bullets as well ($38 for 100). The fact that it's private means fewer people and they have skin in the game because of their membership which can be suspended or revoked at any time for bad behavior. Fewer randoms=better time, more trust. Members are friendly and often let each other try their firearms. This is how I shot my first Atlas, .45, 10mm, and a host of others.
This range has rifle and pistol ranges, and also trap and archery ranges. For pistols the range is ideal, and there's a separate plinking range only for .22 caliber. This is great for shooting lots of metal discs and flappers, and there's no larger bore boomsticks going off next to you. It makes for a pleasant, peaceful experience.
Range E is the pistol range up to 50 yards, with Range D being a private one-person range...first-come, first-served. If you get there first, it's just you or your group.
Target cardboard on stakes are supplied, and the board goes into slots buried in the range. All brass must be collected and put into white buckets for recycling.
I'm a big fan of Rainbow Range and am glad to be a member.
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happening everyday.
