Shotgun - Skeet & Trap

Range Description

The Shotgun Range aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ) includes three American Skeet fields, one American Trap field, and an International Trap Bunker. The Shotgun Range also includes a patterning board located at the far end of the range adjacent to the American Skeet field.

The Quantico Shooting Club provides clay targets for sale to members and guests. The fee for clay targets is $6.00 per round (25 targets). The club uses the EZPull system to track clay target use. Members and guests must obtain an EZPull card, ($5.00 fee) to shoot targets on the American Skeet and Trap fields. Cards can be obtained at the QSC clubhouse located directly behind the Shotgun Range. Simply ask the Administrative Assistant at the clubhouse for an EZPull card. The office staff will load rounds on the card and collect the fees associated with the number of rounds you wish to shoot. The cards are re-loadable allowing you to re-use them indefinitely.

Note that only club-provided clay targets can be used on the Shotgun Range. No other targets or target systems are authorized for use on this range; there are no exceptions.

Range Operations for all Shotgun Ranges Aboard MCBQ Operated by the QSC

  • For recreational fire shotgun events, the QSC generally opens the Shotgun Range at 0900 and usually closes for the day no later than 1300 hours.
  • For league and match events, operating times and other important information about the event will be published on the club’s calendar.

It is the shooter’s responsibility to check the calendar and range notes for details prior to heading to any event on the Shotgun Range.

At the RSOs discretion, schedule adjustments may be made as needed.

General Range Safety Rules for All Ranges Aboard MCBQ Operated by the QSC:

  • Always treat weapons as if they are loaded
  • Keep your fingers off the trigger until you are ready to shoot
  • Always point your weapon in a safe direction
  • Always know what’s behind your target and backstop

The QSC and its members are guests aboard MCBQ. It is a privilege to have access to the fine ranges on the Calvin Lloyd Range Complex. As such, the QSC takes range and firearms safety very seriously. Any violation of published safety rules or RSO commands may result in the shooter’s immediate removal from the firing line and range complex for the day. All safety violations are fully documented and retained on file per QSC and MCBQ procedures. Repeated safety violations will result in the shooter’s expulsion from the QSC.

Shooter’s Obligations

  • Shooters will listen to and obey all commands issued by the QSC Range Safety Officers (RSOs). Their commands and request are not negotiable
  • Ear and eye protection is required on all ranges aboard MCBQ operated by the QSC and must be provided by the shooter
  • Food, hydration, and bug spray are the responsibility of the shooter
  • At the end of a round on the skeet or trap fields, all shooters must police their expended shotgun shells and remove all trash before exiting the range
  • Before heading to the range, shooters are responsible for:
    • Checking the QSC club calendar for last-minute updates to the day’s shooting event
    • Reading and understanding the RSOs range notes linked in the QSC club calendar for the day of the shooting event
  • Shooters must always follow safe firearms practices while on ranges aboard MCBQ operated by the QSC

Authorized Weapons

The following weapons are authorized for use on the Shotgun Range:

  • Shotguns*
  • Shotgun Revolvers (.410 gauge only)

*AR-style or tactical shotguns with removable magazine boxes and/or pistol grips are not permitted on the Shotgun Range. While not authorized for use on the Shotgun Range, these types of shotguns may be used on other ranges aboard MCBQ (Range 1, Ironman and SAT Ranges) during recreational fire events sponsored by the QSC.

No other weapons may be fired on the Shotgun Range.

Authorized Ammunition

  • 12 gauge (7 ½, 8 and 9 shot only)
  • 16 gauge (7 ½, 8 and 9 shot only)
  • 20 gauge (7 ½, 8 and 9 shot only)
  • 28 gauge (7 ½, 8 and 9 shot only)
  • .410 gauge (7 ½, 8 and 9 shot only)

Buckshot, slugs or any other ammunition is not authorized for use on the Shotgun Range.

The authorized weapons and ammunition listed above are hard and fast rules published by MCBQ Range Control; there are no exceptions.

Be advised MCBQ Range Control may place further restrictions on ammunition eligibility on the Shotgun Range at any time for any reason.

Shotgun Patterning Board

A shotgun patterning board is located on the east-end of the QSC shotgun fields (to the right of the American trap field). The patterning board is used to assess the effects of various chokes and gauges with manufacturer or home-loaded ammunitions.

The patterning board can only be used by QSC members when the shotgun range is open and “hot”. Use of the patterning board requires advance approval of the shotgun field OIC and RSO.

QSC members desiring to use the patterning board need present their membership card to the RSO or OIC and sign-in as a range user, identify the gauge of shotgun and shot size being used, and obtain a safety brief.  QSC members need to check out with the OIC and RSO at the end of their patterning board testing and report the number of rounds fired on the shotgun roster sign-in sheet maintained by the RSO.

Simultaneous use of the patterning board and the American Trap range is possible. However, the OIC and RSO will brief the user(s) of the patterning board on the right and left lateral limits for the fields of fire and de-conflict surface danger zone (SDZ) risks involving simultaneous use of the American Trap range and the patterning board.

Users must bring their own paper targets and tape for pattern testing.

Safety requirements:

  • QSC members using the patterning board are required to wear eye and ear safety protection.
  • The patterning board will not be fired at from a range less than 20 yards.
  • Shot size cannot exceed 7.5 for any of the authorized gauges listed above.

Skeet and Trap Machine Maintenance and Operations

The QSC owns the skeet and trap machines in each of the skeet houses and trap bunkers (not MCB Quantico).  The OIC/RSO must be immediately notified of any operational discrepancy with a skeet and/or trap machine. The OIC/RSO will coordinate with an authorized QSC attendant for problem resolution. Very serious injury could result to a person not experienced in maintenance of the skeet and trap machines.   As a result, only authorized QSC attendants are allowed to up-load and down-load targets, and investigate and correct operational anomalies with the machines.

Updated May 2025

The following are short video presentations intended to help make your range day more enjoyable.