Member Range at Deep Creek

In 1980 the Hellgate Civilian Shooters Association (HCSA), and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) started the process to create the facility at Deep Creek, using range development grants from MFWP.

We are very proud of our great facility with its 8 different individual ranges within the membership side of the range. We also have a pavilion for hosting BBQs and lunches at our monthly matches as well as an outdoor classroom for self-defense classes. There have been numerous national records shot on our member ranges in 1000yd bench rest and High Power Rifle Silhouette. The beautiful Deep Creek canyon provides shelter with little wind and steady temperatures which provides for some of the best shooting conditions in the Northwest.

You will find plenty of room to set up and shoot without crowding or waiting times. You must be a paid member to take advantage of the member side of the range, but it is open every day from ½ hour after sunup to ½ hr. before sundown. (See sunset chart for Missoula located at the footer of this page) Our membership fee is very reasonable at $45.00 per year which includes a spouse and children under 18. The membership also gives you access to the Deep Creek public range and our West Riverside member range in Bonner Mt.

On any given weekend throughout the summer there are competition matches taking place that anyone can come out and watch or participate in. (See calendar of events for dates and times)

Listed below are the individual ranges within the membership side of the range.

PDF: Range Rules

Individual Member Ranges

1000 Yard Range

We offer a world class 1000 yard range with 12 firing points. Nestled in the trees and canyon of the Deep Creek range you will find very little wind and very favorable shooting conditions. If you’re into long range shooting then this range is for you.

The following competitive events are held on the 1000 yard range during the summer months:

The NW 1000 yard bench rest club holds matches and practices every month. Come out and watch or participate if you choose. (See the 1000 yard benchrest page for more information and calendar of events)

The High Power Rifle discipline holds matches and practices on this range at 200 yard to 1000 yards. This includes F class shooters as well. Come out and watch or participate if you choose. (See High Power Rifle page for more information and calendar of events)

The Black Powder Cartridge Long Range holds matches and practices on this range at 800 to 1000 yards. Come out and watch or participate if you choose. (See Black Powder Cartridge Long Range page for more information and calendar of events)

1000 yard Practice: If you’re a long-distance shooter, or aspire to be one, there are times set aside for shooting on the 1000 yard range in a practice setting. Shooting at 1000 yards isn’t for your average gun or shooter. Much preparation must be put into equipment, sight settings and skills before you can take on this long-distance course. The following requirements must be met before you can shoot on the 1000’ range.

You must have your rifle’s 600 yard sight settings and 1000 yard bullet drop calculations before attempting the 1000 yard range. This can be done on the High power range which has steel gongs and target boards at 600 yards, and with bullet drop calculators that can be found on the internet.
Equipment must be capable of the high minute of angle changes needed to shoot at the 1000 yard distance. Make sure your scope will make the elevation changes needed per your bullet drop calculations for your rifle.
You must call the range care taker at least 2 days in advance to alert them you will be coming out to shoot on the practice day.

Practice days are as follows for 2025

Jan 5, Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 16 – 7:00 am – 12:00 noon
March 1st through August 31st – Mondays and Fridays, 7:00 am – 11:00 am
You must bring your own paper target stand that can be placed on the hillside behind the pits. No breakable targets are allowed. All target stands must be removed and the area cleaned upon completion of practice.
A range officer and or range care taker must be present during all 1000 yard practice sessions.
The main member gate must be locked with the red padlock while the 1000 yard range is in use.

50 Yard Pistol Bays

There are 2 dedicated pistol bays with target boards and equipment tables that can be adjusted from 5 yards to 50 yards. There are 4 target boards and tables in each bay.

We currently do not have any covers over the firing lines, these are completely open bays.

Revolvers, Semi-Automatics and single shot pistols are all welcome here.

Cowboy Action Range

The cowboy action range is dedicated to competition use only.

Special use may be arrange through the Cowboy Action director during very specific times and supervision.

The Cowboy actions shooters always welcome new shooters that want to come out and try the fun game as well as spectators. (See the Cowboy Action page for more information and calendar of events)

100 Yard Range

The 100 yard range has 8 concrete bench rests with adjustable seats and target boards at 25, 50 and 100 yards.

This is a great short distance range for small bore shooting, load testing and sight-in use.

The shooting line is fully covered with a concrete floor and wheel chair accessible.

200 Yard Range

The 200 yard range has 12 concrete bench rests with adjustable seats and target boards at 25,50,100 and 200 yards.

This is a great all around range for all kinds of shooting from pistols to high power rifles.

On match weekends this range hosts the Schuetzen Rifle match. (See the Schuetzen Rifle page for more information and calander of events)

The shooting line is fully covered with a concrete floor and wheel chair accessible.

Smallbore Rifle Silhouette Range

This range is dedicated to the sport of Smallbore Rifle Silhouette, Smallbore Lever Action Silhouette and Pistol Cartridge Lever Action Silhouette competitions only. There are no target boards for bench shooting.

The range has berms at 40m, 60m, 77m, and 100 meters. These are the distances used for the game of metallic silhouette.

There are 6 banks of 10 animals each in smallbore silhouette rifle, and 4 banks of 10 animals for lever action silhouette rifle.

On match weekends this range holds multiple matches in the metallic silhouette competition. (See the Silhouette Rifle page and the Lever Action Silhouette page for more information and calander of events)

If you like the clang of steel falling you will love this game. Come on out and shoot with us or just come watch if you like. We always have room for someone new to the sport. There’s always someone willing to help a beginning silhouette shooter get started in the game.

The shooting line is fully covered with a concrete floor.

High Power Rifle Range

This range is our most versatile range of all. It has berms for Rifle Silhouette and Black Powder Cartridge Silhouette at 200m, 300m, 385m and 500 meters. It also has target boards for sighting in at 300 yards, 400 yards, 500 yards and 600 yards.

There are also berms for Lever Action Rifle Silhouette at 50m, 100m, 150m and 200 meters.

There is 1 heavy duty concrete bench rest on the right side of the firing line for long distance bench shooting along with several wooden bench rests. Most of the shooting off this range is done from the standing position or prone with mats based on rules of the Silhouette game, however it is very popular for all types of shooters at long distances.

This range hosts High Power metallic silhouette, Lever action metallic silhouette and Black Powder metallic silhouette matches throughout the summer.

If you have ever thought about trying metallic silhouette feel free to come on out and give it a try, or just stop by and watch the fun. Knocking steel rams down at 500 meters is quite a sight and even more fun to do.

Visit the Black Powder Cartridge Metallic Silhouette page, Rifle Silhouette page or Lever Action Silhouette page. (See the individual pages for more information and calendar of events)

Member Range at Deep Creek