Improving or maintaining your marksmanship level is something that everyone should do. Of course, with anything, there is a cost associated with it.
Typical shooting range fees for adults are between $12 and $30 per hour or session. However, costs may be higher if you need to rent a firearm or purchase ammunition. Range practice is sometimes hourly and sometimes daily, while skeet is charged by the round.
The following is a table of popular ranges from a few places across the US. These ranges represent a good cross-section of what you can expect when going out to shoot in different states. Some ranges have more amenities, and some have strict membership requirements.
| Range | Fees | Gun Rental Cost | Notes |
| The Range at Ballantyne, NC | $20/day for an individual, $15/day for a second shooter | $10 for single gun rental, $18 for unlimited weapon rentals | Simulator available for $19.99 per 1/2 hour or $29.99/hr |
| Royal Range USA Nashville, TN | $20/hr for pistol range, $30/hr for rifle range | $20 pistol/rifle rental with $10 for each additional rental | Tactical range available |
| Lake Windermere Rod & Gun, BC Canada | Included in membership cost; $10 day pass for non-members | N/A | Campground and ice fishing are also available |
| HW Range Cypress, TX | $14 per person range fees or $12 per round for skeet shooting | No gun rentals; “Try before you buy” lesson “Includes a variety of pistols” | Members-only |
| Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office PSTC, OR | $18 per visit for non-members | $12 for non-members; $10 for members | Must have a working firearm with you to rent one |
| Nassau County Pistol & Rifle Range, NY | $12/hr resident adult, $5 resident youth; double price for non-residents | N/A | Leisure pass available |
As you can see, the exact costs will depend on your area, as well as the amenities available at the range.
Keep reading to see a breakdown of the typical costs for gun rentals, range fees, and ammunition costs. There are many different ranges across the US, and prices depend on local supply and demand.
Related Are Shooting Gloves Worth It? (Pros and Cons).
Typical Shooting Range Costs
Most shooting ranges will have discounts for members and local law enforcement. Some ranges will require a membership, and some memberships will need character references or sponsorship by an existing member. Most ranges will not let you use your own ammo for rental guns, and you will be required to purchase ammo from them.
Ammunition costs can vary depending on the caliber and type of ammunition. It is best to check out Ammo Prices Now for up-to-date ammunition prices. These are only examples of typical range prices in a variety of states.
Helpful Link: For a comprehensive list of public shooting ranges in your area, you can check out Where To Shoot.
Ranges that have membership options will usually have discounts for gun rentals and range fees for members. Some members-only gun clubs will also include the range fees in their membership fees, which can be a great deal if you plan on attending the range frequently.
Many members-only ranges will also require NRA membership, so be prepared with all the necessary paperwork if you want to apply.
Membership fees for shooting ranges are typically charged annually in a lump sum. However, some ranges, particularly indoor ranges, may have monthly payment options available. Some ranges have lower fees for people who live locally but charge higher fees for out-of-county visitors.
Can You Rent Guns at a Shooting Range?
You can rent guns at a shooting range. However, this is not true of every range. Ranges that have gun rentals will usually have prices listed at the range and on their website.
Some ranges do not allow gun rentals for a number of reasons. It can be expensive to keep and maintain guns for public use, and some places just don’t want to shoulder those costs. Allowing customers to use rental guns can also cause liability issues depending on the state and the types of guns being rented.
Most ranges that offer gun rentals also have stipulations on the types of ammunition that can be fed through their guns. Because some ammo can be corrosive, some ranges will require shooters to purchase ammo directly from them for shooting with rental guns.
How Much Does Ammo Cost at a Gun Range?
Ammo costs around $20-$40 at a gun range. These rates are fairly consistent between ranges but will vary depending on the place. Most ranges will offer factory ammunition for purchase and use at their facilities. This ammo can be quite expensive compared to bulk or surplus ammo.
While many ranges offer discounts on fees for members and/or law enforcement, these discounts typically do not extend to the ammunition sold at the range. The reason for this is that ammo suppliers deal in fixed prices depending on the current market, and ranges expect to make a profit on ammunition sales.
Shooters may be expected to purchase ammunition from the range if they expect to use rental firearms. The exact policies on this will vary depending on the range. Since ammunition prices are subject to frequent change, it is difficult to give a ballpark estimate of costs. For a comprehensive list of up-to-date ammunition prices, you can check out Ammo Prices Now.
Related How Much Does Ammo Cost? | Detailed Price Analysis.
How Much Does a Pistol Cost at a Gun Range?
A pistol costs around $15 at a gun range. Renting a pistol is generally cheaper than renting a rifle. However, legal regulations on handguns are typically more stringent than for long guns, and ranges will require you to show the appropriate licenses and membership cards where applicable.
Pistol ranges are also generally shorter than rifle ranges, and this will be reflected in the cost to rent a space at the range. Some ranges charge by the hour, whereas others will charge per firearm or per individual shooter. All of these factors will affect the cost to shoot a pistol at a range.
Pistol Rentals
Rental costs for pistols will usually be a flat rate that gives the shooter access to a wide range of guns. Some ranges charge higher fees for certain calibers and action types. Many ranges also have more strict safety policies for handguns, so it’s essential to be aware of the expectations.
Some states, such as Maryland, have restrictions on handguns that do not apply to long guns. This means that renting pistols at a gun range will require additional proof of permission. In some areas, this also means that renting a range for firing pistols may be more expensive.
Pistol Ammunition
Common pistol calibers include 9mm and 0.45 ACP. These calibers are common due to their wide availability and relatively low cost. Shooting other calibers will generally be more expensive, but there are exceptions.
9mm rounds are usually very cheap and are used in a wide variety of handguns. Ranges that offer pistol rentals will also typically have ammunition available that is appropriate for all of their rental guns. Less common calibers or calibers that are difficult to obtain will be more expensive than more common calibers.
Pistol ranges will usually also have rules about projectile and casing composition. Steel casings and steel core ammunition are generally not allowed at most indoor ranges. These regulations are mostly for safety reasons. However, casing composition is usually limited to brass for the purpose of gathering and re-using casings after shooting.
Typical Costs for Rifles
Rifle ranges are typically longer than handgun ranges, and this will be reflected in the price of admission. Many ranges will limit the calibers and types of ammunition available to shoot. Common restrictions include bans on steel casing or steel-core ammunition.
Ranges that offer rifle rentals will usually have ammunition available for purchase. Some will also require you to purchase ammunition from them for firing through their rental guns. This cuts down on maintenance costs from people bringing in corrosive ammunition.
Admission fees are more commonly broken down into costs based on how many firearms you intend to shoot rather than the type, but there are exceptions. It is not uncommon for ranges to charge more for admission to a rifle shooting range versus one for handguns and vice-versa.
Rifle Rentals
The basic cost of a rifle rental is typically around $14, although this may vary from place to place. HW Gun Range charges this for a one-person and one-target setup.
Rifle rentals will be more expensive than pistol rentals depending on the region you are in and the exact policies of the range you are attending. Ranges that offer fully-automatic rifles for rental will also sometimes include a certain number of rounds in the rental price.
Many ranges will limit shooting to shotguns only, or even rifles only in some places. This will depend on the nature of the shooting range. For example, skeet shooting is typically limited to shotguns. These more specialized ranges may be more or less expensive, depending on local regulations and policies.
Rifle Ammunition
The most popular caliber of rifle ammunition is .22 LR. This type of ammunition is more expensive than 9mm but is still widely available for a generally low price. Other popular rifle calibers, such as 5.56x45mm NATO, are more expensive.
Ranges that offer fully automatic rifles will generally include a certain amount of ammo in the base rental price for the firearm. Some ranges will also limit the types of ammunition allowed.
Common restrictions include no tracer, armor-piercing, steel core, or steel-cased ammunition. These restrictions are for safety purposes, and it is important to understand range rules before attending a shooting range.
Related The Best Way To Pull the Trigger for an Accurate Shot.
How Much Does Skeet Shooting Cost?
Skeet shooting costs around $26-$46, and $15 for those under 18. It involves the use of clay pigeons to simulate hunting scenarios. There are a few different types that require various mechanisms and clay pigeons for operation.
Other types of shooting sports that involve clay pigeons include sporting clays and trap shooting. Some skeet shooting ranges will have options for these other activities, but most are limited to a single type. Almost all skeet shooting ranges limit the available firearms to shotguns only.
Shotgun Rentals
Shotguns used in skeet shooting are often very specialized, and the gauge of ammunition is also usually limited to ensure safety and fairness. Shotgun rentals will usually be cheaper than rifle rentals, but the ammunition will be more expensive.
Ranges that offer skeet shooting may have regulations about the specific types of choke used on your shotgun, and they will also generally have limitations on ammo types. For example, the HW Range in Cypress limits shells to “8 or 9 shots with a velocity under 1300 fps”.
It is essential to understand the regulations on shotgun types, ammo types, and other expectations before attending a skeet shooting range.
Shotgun ammunition is also generally more expensive than rifle ammunition, but there are exceptions. Some ranges might also have dress codes and other regulations depending on how high-end the range is. Skeet shooting is often offered as an activity by country clubs and other outdoor activity zones, which will have specific expectations and safety regulations.
Skeet Costs
When you go skeet shooting, you can expect to pay a premium on the number of skeets you want to shoot. Most ranges will have bulk deals, and some will include a certain number of “rounds” in their general admission fees. At Coyote Clays, for example, the price is $0.49 per target.
Most skeet ranges purchase and use thousands of clay pigeons every year, and so the price per skeet is typically quite cheap. However, the pricing structure is most commonly centered around “rounds” of 25 shells. This accounts for an entire box of shotgun ammo, and prices will vary depending on the region and the current market prices.
In general, you should be prepared to pay for your shotgun rental, any required ammunition, and the number of rounds of skeet you intend to shoot. These prices are fairly consistent between different types of clay pigeon shooting.
Parting Shot
Going out to shoot can be expensive, but it is a worthwhile activity that teaches discipline, awareness, and safety. Many ranges offer family packages that include children and spouses, and this can be a great option for getting your whole family involved in firearms training and usage.
There are also many activities and amenities offered by some ranges, including campsites and hunting services. Some ranges also offer fishing, as well as things like volunteer opportunities for those willing to help out around the range.
For more, check out Are Shooting Gloves Worth It? (Pros and Cons).
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.