Range Rules
June 5, 2024
Download the Range Rules – Updated June 5, 2024
W.W.C.C.A. RANGE RULES AND REGULATIONS
Resolved, all former WWCCA Range Rules are repealed, and the following are adopted effective immediately upon WWCCA Board approval:
This document only contains the WWCCA range rules. If you want a copy of the WWCCA qualification rules, please ask for a copy at the sign in window
These rules apply to all members and registered guests.
WWCCA Range Rules
* * * SAFETY APPLIED AND RULES ENFORCED WILL PREVENT ACCIDENTS * * *
1. RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL RANGES
1.1 A Range Safety Officer (RSO) is a member who has successfully taken the RSO class and is in possession of a WWCCA qualification card bearing the date and RSO class instructor’s name.
1.2 ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
1.3 ALWAYS keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
1.4 ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
1.5 Eye and ear protection must be worn by everyone at all times on all ranges, except the Air Gun Range where only safety glasses must be worn and the Archery Ranges where neither eye nor ear protection are required but are highly recommended.
1.6 There must be an RSO in attendance at all times on all ranges, shotgun fields, and the shotgun patterning board while in use.
1.7 The term “registered guest” means a guest who has signed in with their member host and obtained a guest range arm band. Only registered guests are permitted to use the ranges.
1.8 Registered guest(s) shooting on any range or shotgun field must be supervised by the RSO member hosting them.
1.9 A member may have an unlimited number of registered guests with a maximum of three (3) registered guests shooting at any one time, except the maximum does not apply when using the shotgun fields.
1.10 An inexperienced shooter must be directly supervised at all times by a non-shooting RSO.
1.11 No unsupervised shooting of firearms or bows is allowed by any person less than 16 years old.
1.12 All shooters must first sign in at the clubhouse sign in window and (1) exchange a membership card for a range gate key; (2) show a qualification card; (3) obtain the proper range arm band from the club attendant; and (4) pay any range fees.
1.13 All guns shall be unloaded, magazines removed, actions open, left on the bench pointing down range or in the racks and not handled when anyone is forward of the red firing line for any purpose.
All persons shall remain behind the red firing line until cease-fire commands are given and the red safety light is turned on.
If the red safety light is on, no one may touch the firearms for any reason.
All persons who do not proceed downrange during a cease-fire shall remain behind the yellow safety line or at least six (6) feet behind the shooting positions.
1.14 All shooting must be done from behind the red firing line.
1.15 When closing the action or when the action is closed firearms shall be pointed downrange and at the impact berm.
1.16 The firearm safety, when present, shall be on when not shooting.
1.17 Firearms must be raised to the target before firing, not lowered from above the target. This does not apply to the Shotgun Fields.
1.18 Shooting hours will be posted in the clubhouse. All members will abide by the posted hours.
1.19 All shooters, while on the ranges, must display their appropriate qualification card and wear the proper range armband.
1.20 No running or horseplay will be allowed on any range.
1.21 Shooters must instantly obey all cease fire commands from any person on the range.
1.22 All rounds must be safely fired at targets and into the impact berm.
1.23 Targets are to be placed as near to the center of the Celotex/cardboard as possible.
1.24 All shooting shall be at paper targets, except in the Black Powder Walk Thru, during Board authorized discipline or sanctioned events, and the steel plates currently located on lanes 6, 7, 11 and 12 of the 25-yard range as approved by the Board.
1.25 Shooters shall shoot only at targets directly in front of their shooting position, with exception for the steel plates in the designated lanes on the 25-yard range In these lanes, shooters may shoot at steel plates in the adjacent lane to allow access to the full set of plates
1.26 Shooters shall clean their respective target area and firing point and shall remove targets and spent cases before leaving the range.
1.27 Any arms or ammunition deemed unsafe by an RSO shall be removed from the firing line immediately.
1.28 No alcoholic beverages shall be carried or consumed on any range or parking area during shooting hours. No handling of loaded firearms after consuming alcohol.
1.29 No person deemed under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance by and RSO shall be permitted near any range, shotgun field or shotgun patterning board during shooting hours.
1.30 No misfired rounds, aerosol cans or other explosive items are to be put in trash cans. Misfired rounds are to be turned in to the club attendant at the clubhouse.
1.31 No smoking within 25 feet of any black powder on the firing line.
1.32 Slug guns will be treated as a center fire rifle. Smooth bore shotguns firing rifled slugs must be fired at 50 yards or less. Rifled bore shotguns firing sabots must be fired at 100 yards or less.
1.33 Field loads, not including buck shot or slugs, may only be fired at shotgun patterning board.
1.34 All rifles may be loaded with a maximum of ten (10) rounds.
No registered guest may multi-load rifles.
Family members may multi-load their rifles up to a maximum of ten (10) rounds while under the supervision of an RSO club member.
1.35 All rifles must be fired from a position for which the shooter has a qualification signature.
1.36 The gate to the ranges shall remain closed and locked except when an event or a work party is being held on one of the ranges. The event chairman will close and lock the gate when the event or work party is concluded.
1.37 During WWCCA Board approved events, matches or practice sessions the Board approved rules for that event, match or practice will apply during that event, match or practice.
1.38 Whenever there is a scheduled activity on one of the ranges, at the discretion of the activity chairman, non-participating club members will be allowed to shoot on that range based on space availability.
1.39 There will be no pointing or sighting of firearms in the club house.
1.40 The bar will be closed during all indoor range use.
1.41 A range shall be closed to any shooting while a scheduled work party is in progress.
1.42 Illegal firearms are not permitted on club premises.
1.43 Armor piercing, tracer and incendiary ammunition is prohibited at WWCCA.
1.44 Questions concerning any ranges should be directed to the club attendant.
2. 25 YARD RANGE RULES
2.1 Members and registered guests may shoot a handgun, rimfire rifle or Pistol Caliber Carbine from either the bench or standing/offhand position. Shooting at the installed steel plates may be done with handgun cartridges only, limited to 22LR, .38 Special/9 mm, no +P or magnums and no calibers larger than .45.
2.2 Handguns may be loaded to their maximum capacity.
2.3 Rifles shooting over 1800 feet per second must be shot from the bench and in slow fire mode, limited to a maximum of one shot every 5 seconds.
2.4 Shooting coaches and spectators must never be in front of the active shooting line. Spectators must stand behind the active shooter and coaches may stand next to the active shooter.
2.5 Only members with a draw from a holster qualification signature may draw a loaded handgun from a holster on this range in the offhand/standing position only. Drawing from a holster is only allowed on the 25-yard range.
2.6 Members with a Cowboy Action qualification may draw revolvers from western style holsters in accordance with S.A.S.S. guidelines AFTER they have successfully participated in at least one regularly scheduled Cowboy Action Match at WWCCA and demonstrated to a Cowboy Action DRSO their ability to safely draw and re-holster their firearm.
3. 50 YARD RANGE RULES
3.1 Center fire rifles shooting over 1800 F.P.S. may be shot on this range from the bench position only.
3.2 Members and registered guests must shoot pistols and rifles from the bench. Members with an offhand qualification signature, or members supervised by a DRSO may shoot offhand/standing.
3.3 Shooting of rifles must be in slow mode and limited to a maximum of one shot every 5 seconds, except for members who have a rapid-fire qualification.
- Cinched slings must be worn by all shooters while shooting rifles in rapid fire.
3.4 Handguns may be loaded to their maximum capacity.
3.5 Shotguns shooting slugs or buck shot may be fired on this range loading one round at a time. No shot shells allowed at any time.
3.6 Firearms with less than 4-inch barrels may not be fired on this range.
3.7 No firearm shall be fired on this range until it has been sighted in at the 25-yard range.
4. 100 YARD RANGE RULES
4.1 Members and registered guests must shoot from the bench. Members with a center fire or rim fire position shooting qualification signature or members supervised by a DRSO may shoot position.
4.2 Only members with the proper qualification card signature are allowed to fire a handgun on this range.
4.3 No firearm shall be fired on this range until it has been sighted in at the 50-yard range.
4.4 No multi-loading is allowed for handguns on this range.
4.5 Shooting of rifles must be in slow mode and limited to a maximum of one shot every 5 seconds, except for members who have a rapid-fire qualification.
- Cinched slings must be worn by all shooters while shooting rifles in rapid fire.
5. 200 YARD RANGE RULES
5.1 Only members with a proper qualification card signature are allowed to shoot on this range. No registered guest is permitted to shoot on this range at any time.
5.2 No firearm shall be fired on this range until it has been sighted in at the 100-yard range.
5.3 The only rim fire calibers which are allowed to be shot on this range are .17 HMR, .22 Long Rifle and .22 Magnum.
5.4 Members with the proper qualification card signature may position shoot on this range.
5.5 Only members with a proper qualification card signature may fire a handgun on this range.
5.6 No multi-loading is allowed for handguns on this range.
5.7 For all others multi-loading is allowed except when shooting offhand on this range. Shooting of rifles must be in slow mode and limited to a maximum of one shot every 5 seconds, except for members who have a rapid-fire qualification.
- Cinched slings must be worn by all shooters while shooting rifles in rapid fire.
6. General Black Powder Firearm Range Rules
6.1 No smoking within 25 feet while black powder is in use.
6.2 No pouring of black powder directly out of a powder can, horn or flask directly into a musket, rifle or handgun. A separate powder measure is to be used at all times.
6.3 Keep all containers closed and properly stored.
6.4 No firearms will be capped or primed until the shooter has taken position on the firing line.
6.5 If a shooter experiences a misfire or other malfunction, keep the firearm pointed down range at least one minute, then uncap or de-prime the firearm, correct the problem, or seek qualified assistance.
6.6 It is the shooters duty to exercise caution for the safety of other shooters on the firing line. (Flash guards are appreciated)
6.7 Only one barrel of any double-barreled rifle may be loaded at any time.
Exception – when authorized and under the supervision of a DRSO.
6.8 A three (3) dram or 82 grain maximum load is allowed in black powder shotguns
6.9 No black powder is allowed in the club house.
7. Black Powder Walk-Through Range Rules
7.1 Only a cloth-patched round ball may be used on this range.
7.2 Shooters shall qualify for use of this range by shooting with a black powder-qualified DRSO.
7.3 Smoking is allowed only at the fire pit.
7.4 Powder horns and flasks must be hung on racks or tree while at the fire pit.
7.5 Posted rules shall be adhered to when on this range.
8 General Skeet, Trap and 5 Stand Rules
8.1 All shotguns shall be carried with the actions open or cased. In the club house, shotguns shall be placed, with actions open, in a case on a table, or in the rack. Break open shotguns may be closed when in the racks.
8.2 Shot size allowed is 7 ½, 8 or 9 and a three (3) dram equivalent is maximum allowed. Target loads only. No Field loads.
Some shotgun ammunition manufacturers are no longer printing the dram count on their boxes. Instead they are printing velocity in feet per second. You may not use velocities greater than the ones stated below:
| Feet per Second (FPS) | Shot Weight | Status |
| 1290 | 1 1/8 ounces | Legal |
| 1325 | 1 ounce | Legal |
| 1350 | 7/8 ounces or less | Legal |
8.3 Shotguns may only be loaded when on station and ready to fire. When changing stations, all actions must be open and unloaded.
8.4 Shotguns are to be loaded with one shot unless otherwise called for in the course of fire.
8.5 Shotguns will be pointed down range while loaded and when loading or unloading.
8.6 Skeet, trap and 5 stand houses shall not be entered or operated by persons who are not authorized or under the supervision of an authorized person.
8.7 Coaches wearing eye and ear protection are allowed on the shotgun fields while actively coaching provided they remain behind the firing line. All other non-shooters must stay on or beyond the west walkway.
8.8 Empty shells must be picked up at the end of the line.
8.9 No hand-held traps are allowed to be used on club grounds.
8.10 No sharing of firearms is allowed on the same trap line or 5 stand position.
8.11 On the shotgun fields a qualified trap/skeet puller may substitute for the RSO required by Rule 1.6
8.12 Shotgun Patterning Boards:
- On the Paper Shotgun Patterning Board: Field loads, Steel Shot, Turkey loads and Target loads are permitted. Slugs are not allowed
- On the Steel Shotgun Patterning Board: Lead Target loads of 7 1/2 , 8 and 9 shot only. Steel shot, Buck Shot and Slugs are not allowed.
- Shoot at a minimum of 20 yards from the board. A sign will mark this distance.
- Prior to using the Steel Shotgun Patterning Board, it must be coated with grease.
.410 Shot Shell – Handgun Rules
9.1 Only handguns with a minimum barrel length of 10” may be used.
9.2 Only handguns chambered in .410 shotgun may be used.
9.3 Cartridges must be loaded and fired one round at a time.
9.4 The handgun must remain in its case while in the club house or being transported to or from the skeet/trap fields.
9.5 A two-hand hold must be used when shooting these handguns.
9.6 Trap must be fired from the 10-yard line by all shooters.
9.7 Skeet may be fired from the normal stations.
10. General Outdoor Airgun Rules
10.1 Only air guns may be fired on the air gun range.
10.2 Only lead pellets may be used on hard surface targets or target carriers. All other ammunition such as BB’s or non-lead pellets must be shot at paper targets unless otherwise approved while under DRSO supervision.
10.3 Only Air Guns up to .25 Caliber with a maximum power of 45 foot pounds of energy (FPE) may be fired on the Air Gun Range. Air Guns of higher caliber and FPE are to be used on the firearm ranges and treated as such. Air guns with a magazine may be used as well.
10.4 The air gun walk-through range shall be closed except for scheduled matches or practices.
10.5 Transporting an air gun, when not on the firing line, must be in the following manner: (1) in a case; (2) pre-charged air guns must have the loading port open; (3) barrel breaker air guns must have the barrels unlatched; (4) side level and under level air guns must have the cocking lever open until the spring tension is felt.
11. General Archery Range Rules
11.1 All arrows shall be pointed at the target area when nocked and/or when shooting.
11.2 A maximum of six (6) arrows per flight will be permitted unless shooting alone.
11.3 All arrows must be carried in quivers or carried with the points down and covered.
11.4 Arrowheads which contain a Live Cartridge may not be used at WWCCA.
12. Archery 3D Range Rules
12.1 No shots shall be taken except from designated stands and/or stakes and only at designated targets.
12.2 Shooters must stay on the designated trails.
12.3 Shooters have the duty and responsibility of being absolutely sure the preceding party is completely clear of the area before shooting.
12.4 If you miss the target, you may not look for the arrow outside of a 15-foot radius of the target.
12.5 If two or more persons are at the same target, one person shall remain at the shooting station while other(s) are looking for lost arrows.
12.6 When shooting alone, you must stand your bow in front of the target when looking for lost arrows to inform other shooters that you are in the vicinity of the target.
12.7 No altering of natural brush to clear your shooting line.
12.8 No more than two (2) shooters at any time on shooting platforms or stairs.
13. Range Rule Violation Procedure
13.1 Safety is the responsibility of every shooter. Members observing infractions of any safety rule shall immediately bring the facts to the attention of the person involved, shall immediately cease and desist the action.
13.2 Disputes regarding rule violations shall be submitted to a Designated Range Safety Officer (DRSO) for resolution. Until then the person accused of violating a rule shall cease and desist the complained of action.
13.3 A violation of any range rule or destruction of range property by a member, or a member’s registered guest, will subject the member to appear before a Designated Range Safety Officer Sub-Committee (DRSO Sub-Committee)
13.4 Members are responsible for the actions of their registered guests as if they had committed the violation themselves.
13.5 The DRSO Sub-Committee is empowered to temporarily suspend range privileges of any member alleged violating these rules, pending action from the Board of Directors.
13.6 Any member found guilty of a range rule violation by a DRSO Sub-Committee will be referred to the Board of Directors for possible disciplinary action. The member may be warned in writing, fined (minimum of $50 and a maximum of $250), suspended and/or expelled from the club. A member who fails to pay this fine by the due date shall have privileges suspended until the fine is paid.