Lets say you want to write a rule that limits the use of a range to pistols and rifles chambered in pistol calibers.
How would you define pistol vs rifle caliber?
The objective is that someone can’t use a 223 AR pistol/ or Draco pistol but could use an 9mm, 45 AR carbine or similar weapon.
Right now the rules simply read rim-fire and pistols are allowed, riles aren’t… keep in mind that 100s of people use the range and it is open to a wide spectrum of dumbass interpretations.
5.56 and 7.62X 39 are rifle cartridges adapted to pistol platforms. 9mm & .45ACP are pistol cartridges adapted to rifle platforms. Simply describe the difference and say it’s a one way policy, rather than reciprocal.
No matter how you write it you Will have jack asses trying to push it. When you tell them no rifle rounds they will say Im shooting it out of a pistol so its a pistol round. Put a rule stating that rifles in pistol caliber are fine, but pistols in rifle calibers are no go. Put up a couple examples of each, and right the rule to state that any damage to the range targets due to the inability to follow the rules Will result in a loss of membership. No if’s and’s or but’s. 1 strike and your out. Either send a letter to members that must be signed or have the RO get sigs when they walk up and start laying out the gear. Then they have been notified along with the rules being posted.
People generally will listen and not give you problems. Then there are those that do it for unknown reasons other than they just need to push things to see what they can get away with. If they value the range they will follow the rules if they don’t there gone, and you get someone else that will respect the rules.
Why limit it at all if you have the right range to stop the bullets?
A gun club I used to frequent listed it as any centerfire that fired a bottle necked rifle cartridge.
The limit was in place due to the limitations of the backstop.
Power Trip! 
I would be the worst if I was in command of a range… “HEY!.. Homo!.. No shooting guns with tube rails. This is a non-homo range!.. BEAT IT!!!”
It would be easiest and most fair if you said no projectile velocities over ~2000fps. thats about as fast as you can get most pistol rounds thru most carbines. it also leaves some room for fudge factor and not get anyone in trouble.
I thought about that too… but then you’ll get some dick smooch that will claim he hand loaded AR pistol ammo that is exactly 1999 fps… or it’s subsonic or some other crap.
I’d say don’t overthink it and just attach a list of acceptable calibers to the range rules. Yeah sure, there are more rounds out there than anyone can ever capture, but I’m thinking 5 minutes would get you a relatively concise list that will answer 99% of the questions. Then just give range officers the power to make a judgement call on anything not on the list, which my guess would not happen often.
Maybe not perfect, but the key benefit is the range takes control rather than giving the the “burden of interpretation” to the average joe.
there in lies the problem. there is an exception to every rule and trying to legislate out exceptions then itself becomes the problem.
you just hafta let some get by sometimes.
Alternatively, in cases where there is doubt, the burden of proof should lie upon the shooter. if they cant prove it then they cant shoot it.
The term “bottleneck cartridge” is used in my locale… Ron
The problem with saying “bottleneck” cartridge is that things like 357 SIG (9x25 Dillon etc) are considered bottleneck cartridges but they should be OK on a pistol caliber range.
And what about 458 SOCOM? It is 1500-1600 FPS with 400gr bullet. Is that OK? It is bottleneck, but might be OK on some ranges with similar rules, and not OK on others. (If they allow 500 S&W they should allow the SOCOM).
And things like 338 Spectre at 1100fps…
It gets complicated
Certainly not perfect, but that seems to be the criteria locally. Ron
At most ranges it is not the fact that the back stop can stop the bullet. It is the targets. Most pistol targets are made of a lower grade steel, and rifle rounds will either zip through or leave large dents. This requires the range to replace the plates much sooner than if they are just seeing pistol rounds.
If the range does not have plates, and the back stop can handle the rounds. It has to be a power trip
Yep, that or a vaguely worded insurance policy written by someone that had no idea pistols and rifles can overlap!
Some great thinking in here, although I still think a list of approved rounds would be easiest. I’m guessing you’d cover 99% of all users with: 22, 380, 9, 38 Spl, 357, 40, 41, 44, 45 ACP, 45 LC, and a handful of others I’m sure are out there but I don’t shoot so I can’t think of them. Perhaps another small list for the known “disapproved” rounds for things like uber-high power revolvers and AR pistols.
Power trip?
How about, we have two rifle ranges 100 feet away and we don’t want 8" 5.56s shot here so that everyone needs to have double ear plugs?
I shoot on an indoor range with such a rule. It is not specified in language, relying upon shooters to remain within the spirit and intent of the rule. Loss of team spirit = loss of range privileges. I believe it’s origin is in the manufacturer specifications for the trap.
If an indoor range, consult your bullet trap manufacturer. They may be of help.
Indoor or outdoor, you could specify velocities and energies. Verification can be problematic and labor intensive.
I would simply specify acceptable calibers for discharge in rifles.
[b][i]This range limited to standard/common straight walled pistol cartridges - .45 ACP or smaller caliber. Pistol caliber carbines allowed.
Any bottleneck or any large straight walled cartridges generally in use for rifles - including but not limited to .223, .243, 7.62x39, 30-06, 30-30, .458, 45-70, .50 A&E, etc., expressly forbidden.
If in doubt get a written exception from a club officer first or face possible permanent loss of membership![/i][/b]
But never fear - regardless of any rule, some ass-wipe will ignore it when no one is looking. Our club does not permit 50 BMG on any range (multiple reasons), but people still try to use them.
I like that shootist - thanks loads
This. Lots of ranges can’t afford AR500 steel. Even .30 carbine rounds will crater those targets. Douchebags come in and intentionally shoot them with prohibited rounds, just to see what they do. Problem is, other shooters can get injured shooting the steel they damage. Cratered, bent and perforated steel greatly increases the possibility of frags coming back uprange towards the shooter.