The Pauillo Range is No Ka Oi!!

It's been about a year since I was able to shoehorn some time and go shooting. We pulled up to the range and it was beautiful! It's been moved/weedwacked, cleared a little more on the sides, most shotgun casings and brass were policed, there was another long shooting bench installed (about 8 foot long), a 6 foot long table for all your gear and gun cases, and a garbage can. Plus, there were three target stands downrange, just waiting for the next set of shooters to hang their favorite targets and have some safe and responsible shooting!!! I even left my home made target stand set up...big enough for two silhouette targets!

The range sign was updated and said no glass targets, appliances or electronics, so I was glad to see some sort of limit on what can be brought and shot at...

My oldest son is a 1st Lt with the Marines, they just returned from Afghanistan 2 weeks ago (his 2nd tour), and his wife let him come up for a short visit. So he, my youngest son (19) and I loaded up this morning and headed out. We had both my Tactical Innovations 6.8, theTaurus PT-1911AL .45 and about 300 rounds of ammo for each! It was beautiful weather, didn't rain and had those crisp and breezy winds.

The biggest bummer was I forgot the damn mosquito spray! So be warned, those Pauillo ear screamers are spot on and never miss their target! If you get sweet blood and don't have any spray, your one itchy mutha-scratcha!

I took off the expensive Trijicon and dropped on a new (cheap) NC-Star 3-9/40 illuminated scope; and my son got is sighted in after 12 shots downrange. While he consistently made tight 1.5" groupings, my yougnest and I proved that lack of range time is proportionate to 4 inch groups off to the left due to poor breathing and snap trigger pulls! lol....After about another 40 shots each we tightened up the groups but mine were still an inch to the left, but still in the 9/10 ring. Interestingly, my youngest shot better groupings on rapid fire, than on the slow single shot placements....damn kid!!!

We then moved to a walking pistol course we laid out. Three target about 25 feet apart placed in a zig-zag so we could be moving downrange. That is some tough shooting, for sure. It's been a long time since I did tactical walking, it gets right back at your thighs and back after a few minutes!

We left after about 5 hours of shooring and went to Honoka'a for some lunch....a great day for sure.

Aloha, Sgt. C

You are making me homesick for the BI!!!

That is awesome!  Next trip to the BI, I'm gonna check this place out. Sounds beautiful.

I live about 3 minutes from that place.

When I'm working up a load I'll sometimes mosey over to shoot 5 or 10 to see what works, head home to load up 100 then head back and have a bit of fun.

Rats. I was going to do just that earlier today - we probably would have crossed paths.

Yeah. Its a nice little range. Gotta take care of it, though, as it could be shut down at any moment for any reason.

The good folks who have been taking care of the place mentioned that they made nice targets for the range and had them taken the very next day. This set has made it a couple weeks now - but I think folks are catching on that if they leave the targets there... they will still be there when they come back. Someone recently shot one of the signs, though. Point blank with a shotgun.

I'm curious how you set up the walking shoot. I've been thinking of doing something like that for the practice but since I've never done it I'm not entirely sure the best way to go about it. 

Sounds like a great day!!!

Hey Sgt.CUSMC and clshade,

Is Maggie still the secretary of the club? I have a friend moving over there and wants to join the club and needs an application. I tried e-mailing her and I did not receive a reply.

Any information you can provide me is much appreciated.

Sorry, Inspector, I don't know. The only club I know of is associated with the range down south and I haven't done anything with them, yet.

As far as I know the Paauilo range isn't associated with a club.

Sorry, Inspector, I don't know. The only club I know of is associated with the range down south and I haven't done anything with them, yet.

As far as I know the Paauilo range isn't associated with a club.

clshade,

Sorry, I got confused (Happens often and easily these days). I didn't know there was a range there? How long has it been there? Is it possible to give me directions? 

Now I am REALLY want to go back to the Big Island!!! 

Thanks!

Word is that this area has been used for over 30 years, though never in any official capacity. I've heard that the land is owned by Bishop, also heard it was owned by the County.

A couple years back the owners were going to shut it down because it was trashed. People had hauled old washers and fridges in to use for targets and some had been shooting glass targets: the place was messy, ugly and hazardous. A few guys took it on to haul out all the trash and clean the place up and they're still keeping the grass mowed and the shooting bench area raked and repaired. All volunteer.

Directions can be found here: http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=920.msg6023#msg6023

I try to avoid shooting on days the transfer station right nearby is open: mondays, thursdays and saturdays. If those are the only days I have off for some reason, though, I'll risk a short session. I just try to be polite so people using the dump don't get nervous. Its a pretty small place and everyone I've met there so far has been very considerate and sensible. Bring mosquito punk or bug spray!

Oh, it also isn't a huge place. Max reasonable range is about 200 feet (NOT yards) and you can stretch it to about 220 if you want to scramble up a bit of gravel at the end. Maybe add another 15 feet if you back away from the benches and shoot from closer to where you park - which you could only do if you are the only one shooting. Its not a place to sight in a rifle at 100 yards.

I would like to touch base with reloaders and shooters in the Pauillo area. I am going to build a house there and spend some time in the area. Thanks, Tom