Sandoval Sporting Range

Sandoval Sporting Range is a private member-owned facility near Sandoval, Illinois that caters to handgun and rifle shooters. The club sits on 20 acres with dedicated ranges for both disciplines—handgun bays and rifle targets extending to 275 yards.

Annual membership costs $75 and runs January 1 through December 31. You can renew or join by mailing a completed form with payment to Darrell Donoho at 11236 E. Beal Rd., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Credit card processing is available by phone at (618) 267-6952.

Members get: - Access to 10 large handgun bays - Rifle range with targets at 50, 100, 200, and 275 yards - Convenient parking near the firing line - Easy sign-in/sign-out system - Range open daily from 8 AM until dusk

Most 3rd and 4th Saturdays at 10 AM, the club hosts Historic 3 Gun matches for just $10 entry. This is 3-gun shooting the old way—relaxed on gear rules to welcome new shooters, but strict on safety.

What to know: - Vintage-style firearms encouraged but not required - Shooters use lead, plated, or jacketed ammunition on steel targets - Don't have a rifle? Bring extra pistol ammo and engage rifle targets with your handgun - Eye and ear protection required - All skill levels welcome - No range membership needed

Contact Darrell Donoho at (618) 267-6952 for questions.

Also on most 3rd and 4th Saturdays at 2 PM, the club runs $5 bowling pin shoots. The format is simple and fast-paced:

Rules keep it safe and fair: - Start from low ready position - Limited rounds per run, one reload allowed - Strict firearm handling required - Eye and ear protection mandatory - Fastest time wins - No membership required; enter multiple categories if you want

Contact Darrell Donoho at (618) 267-6952 for details.

Sandoval Sporting Range is located at 863 Range Road, Sandoval, IL 62882.

Getting there: - 2 miles northeast of Sandoval - 8 miles west of Salem at Exit 116 off I-57 - Just north of Highway 50 and east of Highway 51 - From Sandoval: North 1 mile to Range Road, then East 0.6 mile

Safety is non-negotiable. The club enforces strict rules that aren't suggestions:

• •No one under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• •All federal, state, and local laws apply
• •Eye protection mandatory; ear protection strongly suggested
• •Treat all firearms as loaded
• •Muzzle pointed downrange or safely stored at all times
• •Finger out of trigger guard until on target
• •Handguns remain holstered or pointed downrange when not actively shooting
• •Red flags up when anyone is downrange on rifle range
• •No shooting until rifle firing line is clear (flags down)
• •Targets placed in front of backstops only; all bullets must hit dirt
• •Members sign in/out all users and guests
• •Membership cards displayed while on property
• •Shooters under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian member
• •Police your brass, trash, and target material
• •Members enforce rules immediately and report violations to the board

Failure to follow the rules may result in membership termination.

Sandoval Sporting Range focuses on accessible, fun matches rather than high-intensity tactical competition. The Historic 3 Gun format celebrates vintage gear and relaxed rules to get new shooters involved. The bowling pin shoot is genuinely fun—head-to-head competition that lets you bring various firearm types and multiple entries.

Membership is affordable at $75/year, and you can participate in matches without joining. The facility is well-maintained with good infrastructure (plenty of bays, deep rifle range, convenient parking and sign-in). Darrell Donoho runs the club and is responsive—call him directly for questions or credit card processing.

• •Contact: Darrell Donoho, (618) 267-6952 or [email protected]