Best of the West Shooting Sports

That’s how a range should be!
Range and staff are great, business hours are great, you can even get a pretty good deal on ammo at the range — that’s a first! (though you should bring what you need for the day, there might be limited stock).
Plenty of range variety (static pistol/​rifle at various distances, tactical bays, skeet).
Feels very well run and safe. Optional annual membership makes $$ sense if you shoot as little as once a month.
If there’s high demand, you may (!) get kicked out of your tactical bay after two hours, no time limit on anything else.
Quick ride from Austin. Keep it up!

Never a bad experience? Are you kidding???
I took my son here today so he could do some shooting with his new ¹⁰⁄₂₂ Ruger. We only had .22’s so the short range would have been ideal. Except it sucked.
It seems you can only use the «Long Range» if you are «Long Range Qualified», which made sense and explained the military guys (thanks guys) who are most obviously Long Range Qualified, and their guns on the Long Range. It did not, however, explain the survivalist types with military style ordnance, assault rifles, machine guns and high power sniper rifles on the short range. When burning hot shells weren’t flying into my legs from the machine gun next to my son, the explosions coming from these weapons were splitting my head open. Not the best earphones or plugs could put a dent in the noise from those aren’t they illegal? guns.
Then the roving «Helper» guy comes over. I’m helping my son with his brand new gun that’s going back on Tuesday and Helpy guy comes over to me. I didn’t know anyone was behind me until I felt a hand on my back. I suppose that’s one way to let me know he’s there given the noise, but when the hand slid across my back heading for areas that are off limits, I turned around.
Though I wasn’t having any trouble with my gun (my hand is in a brace, I just had injections so maybe my aim was impaired, but I didn’t need any help. Mr. Helper suggested a higher block and brought me two blocks, one on top of the other and handed me yellow goggle/​glasses. Then he wanted me to aim at a stick which I couldn’t even see since he removed my scope. Lets see, hand in a brace, thumb in a brace hmm… could that have anything to do with my shooting? Then Mr. Helper adjusted my gun. This is my Ruger ¹⁰⁄₂₂ I’ve had for over 30 years. I just brought it along so my son wouldn’t have me hovering over him. And I had a new scope I wanted to try out. My gun’s not pretty, but it should have screamed «I know what I’m doing». Instead of helping my son, Mr. Helper continued to help me, hand on my back again and again. Then he declared my gun had the «wrong mount» — it’s the mount for a 30+ year old Ruger ¹⁰⁄₂₂ semi-​automatic long range rifle, and the wrong scope. How does one have ‘the wrong scope’?? I understand if the mount is wrong (it’s not). If the screws line up with the top of the gun — and it does — and I can get the scope onto the mount even if Mr. Helper can’t, that doesn’t make it ‘the wrong scope’ or ‘the wrong mount’.
Ultimately Mr. Helper was kind of moved to my son’s gun when I changed places with my son and tried to determine why his brand new gun kept jamming. It wasn’t the bolt, it was clearly a defect in the weapon itself, it would not hold the clip rightly. I’ve never seen a .22 bend before in my life. But that’s what I pulled out of the chamber of his gun. Yeah, definitely the gun.
It was difficult to hear what Mr. Helper was saying, and understand why he brought me higher and higher blocks (I don’t use blocks, maybe that’s why I only hit the target 3 times). Then after playing with my son’s gun and determining it to be defective, I took the clip that came with it and popped it into my gun. It worked fine. So Mr. Helper who declared the clip to be the problem, please know it’s not the clip.
I have to say that this was easily the worst range I’ve ever been to and I’m a novice by no means. I narrowed why this range sucked so bad down to allowing people with heavy duty machine guns, assault rifles and high power sniper rifles to use the ‘Short Range’ and not requiring them to get «Long Range Qualified». They allow people to use these freaking huge guns (and you can bring as many as you want apparently, the guy next to me seemed to have a half dozen exploding guns).
The range owes it to people who don’t want to lose their hearing and get head-​splitting headaches to ensure that people who want to shoot weapons like those get «Long Range Qualified» and make it mandatory that they use the Long Range. It’s not like they don’t know how to shoot. They’re just too lazy to bother and this range gives them no motivation to become Long Range Qualified. And they really need to!
This is my opinion and the opinion of my son. There’s just no reason that spending fun time with my son should be so unpleasant just because selfish, inconsiderate people don’t want to get ‘qualified’ to use the long range which is more suited to their heavy duty weapons. I kept waiting for one or the other on either side of us to blow the post holding their targets in half. It can’t be satisfying to shoot your macho machine gun on a range with a total range of 250 yards.

First visit. Very nice people. «Guy in the golf cart» was great. Very helpful and friendly, but also stern while enforcing the rules of the range. Drove down from Ft Worth. Hope to do it again soon.

I head out to Demolition Ranch every few months to knock the rust off my skills and have some fun. I typically head for a tac-​bay since I join up with a group of friends, but shooting some clays or taking the rifle over the the long-​range stations are equally fun. Overall great facility and host to the annual Texas Firearms Festival (which says enough on its own). High recommendations.

First visit — really nice people, very helpful… not overbearing at all… pretty far out for us but we were in the area anyway so we thought that we would try it… different model than some other ranges, one low fee and you can stay as long as you like… Had a bunch of different areas (rifles, handguns, paintball, skeet…) We really liked it…

We visited this shooting range today and was treated very well. The folks on the office were very friendly and helpful.
There were some friendly folks shooting at the static pistol range, one of whom gave us a box of .380 ammo!
The «guy in the golf cart» came by a few times to make sure we were ok. He even brought us a couple of chairs when my wife mentioned that she would like one. He was very friendly and helpful, not at all as described in previous reviews; might be a different guy.
All in all, a pleasant experience. I’ll be back.

I’ve left good reviews before for Best of the West. This isn’t one of those times. The last time I went I finally heard the rudeness of the range officer. I don’t have any problems with abruptly correcting anyone doing anything wrong with a firearm. But this guy was just a jerk when we walked in the door. I ask when I walked in if the rifle range was open. His reply was «well it is a G-​damn gun range and we are here so what do you think?» Just stopped in again today, the gate says they close at 6 the sign on the door says 6. But then at the desk said I had 20 minutes because they were locking the gate at 5:30. Done with this operation until the owners decide the have decent employees and not have whimsical hours of operation.

I’m a regular visitor to this facility but have never taken the time to write a review based on my experiences, the last one being a couple of days ago. This range is perhaps the best location in the Austin, Travis County region due to the many shooting options available to patrons. I would rate Lone Star Gun range a close second only because Best of the West has awesome tactical bays available for use by the public. These bays do vary in size but I believe the small one is about 50 yards deep. The tactical bays are the reason I love to go. For a non-​member fee of $ 16 you get two hours of time to shoot in the bays. But the awesome thing about this place is that if there is no wait list for the bays then they do not enforce the two-​hour time limit! I’ve not once been asked to vacate a bay due to people watiing. Granted if you go on a Saturday when everyone else in their brother wants to go shoot, this could happen.
A good tip for visitors about etiquette — I often see alot of people renting the tatical bays in order to just plink their handgun at a target with no particular «tactical» purpose to their visit. The bays are for shooting and moving and practicing other shooting techniques that you would not be able to do on a standard range with shooting lanes. So for the good of everyone, can those of you who just want to plink just go to the firing lanes instead of taking up an entire tactical bay and locking it up for hours?
Handguns — Bring your own! They DO NOT rent them. They only sell them. They sell ammo too.
A good tip for using the bays — While this range is awesome, I am underwhelmed by their target setup. You have this big bay with two small little target stands that appear to be old campaign signs. They post two new small targets for you to shoot at. If you’re a SERIOUS shooter using a tactical bay, I suggest making or buying your own target stands and targets yourself and bringing them. You can shoot steel targets too but be mindful of the 30 foot rule they have for shooting at them. I go there alot so I made my own stands and bought my own paper/​cardboard targets.
Something not widely talked about — they do have machine gun rentals (not handguns or rifles). I am not sure of the requirements to rent one or what the rules are but they do rent them. I think it’s a waste of good ammunition. It doesn’t take long to go through your ammo stash that way and you don’t really get any «training» out of it. But if you have the money and ammo, go for it.
Okay, the range officers — I’ve read alot about rude, arrogant, etc. range officers. I have not encountered this experience during any of my visits. A big complaint I see is that they do not post the range rules on the range. If you’re not sure, then ask them. The rules are also on the website. Could they have been jerks to some people? Probably. Could some people have been jerks to them? Probably.
I’ve read complaints about rude staff inside the check-​in office. I have yet to encounter this myself. Troy, the person I see at the desk most of the time, is always very friendly and polite and I’ve never seen him treat anyone disrespectfully. I cannot speak to any other folks that work the desk though, as I have only dealt with Troy.
Until something better comes along, this is my go-​to range. Follow the rules, don’t get bent if they correct you on the range rules, and you’ll have a great time!

This is a tough thing to do. This place is hands down the best place to go shoot in Austin. Take your guns and your kids and teach them. Or, take your buddies and have a great time. Usually wonderful people and a even better venue. I usually go during the week. The ONLY reason I did not rate this 5 stars is a person. It is really because of on one person. I brought a friend in law enforcement here on a weekend and the guy behind the counter was the rudest person I have ever met. He embarrassed me because I had been such an advocate of the place to my visiting friend. I am not speaking in hyperbole. This guy was really rude by interrupting me and talking down to both of us. The friend of mine that I had been so excited to introduce to BofTW was so mad he wanted to just leave. The person behind the counter on Sat-​Sun needs to find another job. My request to Best of The West is to please replace the gy you have there on the weekend with the really sour and rude attitude. I am a laid back guy and I was ready to get in the ring with him and teach him some respect. Seriously.

The range is good. I like the Tactical bays. I will say the range officer that drives around in a Golf cart. Specifically the one working on 10-​17-​2014. That guy was extremely rude. It ruined by his poor attitude every time i am up there. Any time this guy has to talk to you about anything even hanging your paper target. Just hope he leaves quickly so you can get back to your day. I still go to this range weekly although I would switch to any outdoor range that doesn’t have this Range Officer. If they would hire someone easier to work with I would have never complained about this range. I have never had any problems with strict and safe Range Officers. This is different. This guy just doesn’t care if he appears to be rude. He must know I have nowhere else to shoot outdoors.
That being said. The only reason that I am willing to tolerate so much from this cruddy guy that drives around in a Golf cart is the guy at the front desk is great. I wish he was the Range Officer. He is extremely polite and has excellent customer service skills. He would be able to fix any complaints I have about the service I have received while still enforcing the same policies they have in place. I am a customer service professional in the industry for over 8 years. The company I work for has been named #1 in Consumer Reports for over 11 years. I think I know good service as I was with this company for 6 of those years.
Enjoy the range if you don’t have anywhere else to go. Just hope the Range Officer doesn’t find any excuse to talk to you. That is how the whole experience goes downhill.

Went over the 4^th of July weekend to shoot long range as well as some trap. First time there so needed to do the qualification for the distances beyond 250. Easy process if you have the equipment and a basic understanding of ballistics (important when you start throwing at a 1000). Range officer (I think Eric but not definite) was very helpful. He was clear about rules as well as procedure during cease fires and transitions to and from the shooting area (bench or prone).
My sons girlfriend had never shot beyond 200yds but was able to qualify and ring the bell at a grand with no problem. Range master was very helpful and gave us some very good tips related to the wind in that particular location. This made it much easier to get our dope right with the least amount of wasted ammo.
The facility is very clean and there are a ton of stations so even on a busy weekend it should not be hard to get a spot.
The trap field was also nice and clean and set up well. I wish it had wobble option but it still was very well worth the time.
I would highly recommend this place. For those who have felt that the rules or staff were to strict please do go some where else, I don’t want to shoot around people who can’t or won’t follow the rules. Guns are great but very unforgiving to those who are careless.

Its pretty well known that in order to work at a gun shop or a shooting range, you have to be an arrogant prick right? It’s just part of the show apparently. I dont know why it just is. But THIS PLACE?! It takes the cake. I’ve been shooting for twenty years, served in the US Infantry, hunt about every season, and have guns you cant just go out n buy. So trust me, I’ve been to a few ranges in my day: I KNOW WHAT RIGHT LOOKS LIKE. This? Isnt.
Theres being firm about informing ppl of your rules, and then theres BEING JUST PLAIN RUDE. I honestly have no idea how these guys are even in business with how they treat people. First, the urban lumberjack who checked us in, acted like I was stupid for asking if their bays had a setup like a speed steel course, (he abruptly said no and scowled at me about it when it really kinda is but w paper targets) When I finally got to the zeroing range (call it what you will), all hell broke loose. I realize you have to be on stupid watch when you’re on a range, but scowling and belittling for having the militarily accepted downward direction rater than your range proprietary baby save upward only direction for dummies is absolutely un-fu@&ing-acceptible. Becoming personal and hostile isn’t okay in the military any more and for dang sure isn’t ok in the civilized world. Different places have different rules, you cant be so angry with ppl for not knowing exactly what to do at yours before even getting there. There were all of two people firing when we arrived, so its not like they had a long hard day or something. If you have an employee who has flashbacks to ‘nam every time someone doesnt hold their rifle in the exact way he wants them to, perhaps he should be the one in the office instead of out on the range w his weapons. Theres really no reason I can think of for them to be so rude except for maybe not already knowing us which is unfathomably ignorant considering how public business are supposed to work. Maybe this place should go completely, members-​only, IDK.
You’re not in the Corps any more, coach buzz-​cut. If you continue to be so hostile w people, you’ll go out of business. If that range goes under you’ll be out of a job too, because nobody wants to hire someone who acts like that in public.
They were complete pricks the entire time we were there but all smiles n friendly as we were leaving. like ppl are dumb enough to forget.
Show «worst of the west» we the ppl don’t forget how they treat us. Show them we know theres at least 5 other ranges within a reasonable distance. Show these pricks we don’t buy their ‘friendly as you leave; taking advantage of our natural memory development patterns’ act: GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Really liked this place.
The staff was friendly and helpful.
The shooting was a blast and the prices were decent. Would be nice if you could go longer than 2 hours on a Tactical bay or even move to a regular rifle/​pistol range afterwards for no additional cost, but otherwise ok.
Overall a nice place to go shoot. Can’t wait to go back.

Come on shooters, this is the place. Friendly staff, great facilities and good shooting. What do you guys want? Red’s with some A-​hole next to you ready to muzzle sweep you? Get out in the open and hit this range. Tactical bays allow you to move around without fear of never/​evers popping off, Never a bad experience here.

Went here to try out the boyfriend’s new shotgun. This was my first time shooting/​being at a gun range but bf’s a pro. We signed up for trap shooting and paid $ 26ish for two tokens worth of shooting, about 50 rounds. We took our own safety protection and ammo. The guy behind the counter was professional, the office/​lounge was clean, vending machines available, and tables to sit at. The skeet and trap areas were very clean and spacious, probably about 20 ft of space between neighbors. Each area had it’s own parking and a covered picnic area. I saw two trap and skeet areas each, so i can see there being a long wait during peak hours. We both had a great time, will definitely go back.

My first time at a gun range so not a whole lot to compare it to. This is an outdoor range. It is well set up. Good on safety. Helpful (and amusing) staff. You sign in, pay your fee and get shooting. Not sure if they offer shooting or gun safety lessons. No gun rentals, but they do sell guns and ammo at their store.

Pricey and the target stands were a joke– made out of campaign signs. Since we were first-​timers, I think we were given the crappiest bay, as three of the empty ones had shade. On the plus side, the ranger was helpful.

The guy working there could have just as easily told me about their rules with respect, rather than barking insults at me (for not holding an AK-​47 pistol up to my eyeball and instead firing it from the chest). Or better yet, post the rules or inform the customers when they check in that there are unposted rules. I don’t read minds. With an attitude like that, it’s no surprise that the range was mostly empty on a beautiful Saturday morning. It also explains why the guy next to me turned around and said «this is exactly why I hate coming to this place.» One and done for me. Keep up the good work, I’m sure your 3 customers love it being empty.

I’m addicted to trying new things; new foods, new workout routines, new activities – I’m always up for it. Since I’ve already learned how to ride a motorcycle, play the guitar, drive stick shift, cantor on a horse, and sing a song at Antone’s, I thought the next natural challenge would be to (said in a British accent) «Learn how to shoot a gun»…
THINGS TO KNOW:
–Easy to find, always a smooth check in & no hassle getting to your private lot.
–Bring your own pistols, shotguns or rifles & yo bullets. They do sell bullets here in case you need them.
–Bring snacks & lots of water. Hydrate my friends, it’s hot out there in the summer. You can purchase nuts, chips & drinks at the convenient store in case you forget.
–Bring ear plugs in addition to those hearing thingys that protect you ears. It’s loud out there!
The staff does a wonderful job keeping Best West clean & safe.
Whether you are a newbie to the gun shooting world or a veteran –check out Best of the West!

Best range, hands down. Every time I’ve been here the staff are friendly and the ammo is always plentiful. Too bad the prices are insane now but that ain’t their fault.
Tac bays are absolutely a blast and the long range area has a ton of lanes.
Wish I wasn’t moving, there no doubt I’ll never find a range like this one.