You’re driving down Piney Hollow Road, and if you aren’t looking for it, you might just miss the turn. It’s quiet out there. The kind of South Jersey quiet where the wind hits the scrub oaks and the sand is that specific shade of off-white. Then you hear it. The rhythmic pop-pop-pop that tells you you’ve arrived at the South Jersey Shooting Club Winslow.
It isn’t a flashy place. Honestly, if you’re looking for a polished, suburban country club with marble floors and a latte machine, you’re in the wrong zip code. This is a woodsman's range. It’s gritty, functional, and deeply rooted in the culture of the Pine Barrens. People come here because they want to shoot without the claustrophobia of an indoor range or the rigid, over-the-shoulder hovering you find at some of the more commercialized spots in the state.
The Layout and Why the 300-Yard Range is the Main Draw
Most ranges in New Jersey top out at 100 yards. If you're lucky, maybe 150. But the South Jersey Shooting Club Winslow offers a 300-yard rifle range, and that’s a game-changer for anyone trying to dial in a long-range setup or practice for a hunt out west. It’s a serious stretch of land.
The club is spread across about 50 acres. You’ve got the pistol pits, the 50-yard range, the 100-yard, and the big boy—the 300-yard line. Each area has its own vibe. The pistol pits are where the action happens, especially during the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) matches. If you’ve never seen a USPSA match, it’s basically controlled chaos. People moving, drawing from holsters, and hitting steel transitions. It’s loud. It’s fast.
The rifle ranges are more meditative. You’ll see guys with heavy-barreled bolt guns sitting for hours, just waiting for the barrel to cool between shots. It’s a different kind of discipline.
The terrain is classic Jersey. Sand. Lots of sand. It gets everywhere. Your range bag will come home with a fine dusting of it, and your boots will definitely show where you’ve been. But that’s the charm. It feels authentic.
Membership Isn't Just "Pay and Play"
One thing that surprises people is that you can't just roll up on a Saturday morning with a box of 9mm and start blasting. This is a private club. It’s run by the members, for the members.
To get in, you have to go through an orientation. This isn’t just a formality. They take safety seriously because, frankly, they have to. New Jersey’s firearm laws are some of the strictest in the nation, and any slip-up at a range can lead to massive headaches for the organization. They’ll walk you through the gate procedures, the "cold range" rules, and exactly how they expect you to handle your gear.
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The membership fee is usually around $250 a year, give or take, with an initiation fee for the first year. Is it worth it? Well, do the math. An indoor range usually charges $25 to $30 an hour. If you go once a month for two hours, you’ve already spent more than the annual membership at South Jersey Shooting Club. Plus, you get the benefit of being outdoors.
The Reality of the "Piney" Culture
There’s a misconception that these clubs are exclusive or unwelcoming. Sure, there are "old-timers" who might give you a look if you show up with a bunch of flashy, unnecessary tactical gear and start acting like you’re in a movie. But generally? It’s a community.
You’ll find retired cops, competitive shooters, hunters getting ready for the season, and families teaching their kids the basics of marksmanship. It’s a cross-section of New Jersey that people in North Jersey or Philly don't always realize exists.
They also host a lot of events. Steel Challenge matches are big here. They’re great for beginners because you don't have to move while shooting; you just stand in a box and ping steel targets. It’s addictive. The sound of lead hitting steel—that ping—is probably the most satisfying sound in sports.
Dealing with New Jersey's Regulatory Maze
Let’s be real for a second. Being a gun owner in New Jersey feels like being a "second-class citizen" sometimes. The laws change constantly. One day a certain magazine is fine, the next it’s a felony.
The South Jersey Shooting Club Winslow acts as a bit of a sanctuary for people navigating this. While the club doesn't provide legal advice, the collective knowledge of the members is huge. You’ll hear people discussing the latest NJ State Police administrative codes or sharing tips on which local gun stores are actually helpful.
The club has to stay strictly compliant. This means no "rapid fire" in the sense of uncontrolled mag-dumping. They want every shot to be deliberate. If you want to shoot fast, join the competitive matches where it’s allowed under specific safety protocols. For general practice, they want you to be hitting what you’re aiming at.
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Logistics: Getting There and Staying Prepared
Winslow is out there. If you’re coming from Cherry Hill, it’s a bit of a haul down Route 73 or the Atlantic City Expressway.
Here is what you actually need to bring:
- Water. There isn't a vending machine in the middle of the woods.
- Sunscreen. The sand reflects the sun, and you will get cooked on the rifle line.
- A staple gun. You have to hang your own targets. Don't be that person asking to borrow one every five minutes.
- Trash bags. The club is "carry in, carry out." If you leave your empty ammo boxes or coffee cups, someone else has to pick them up. Don't be that guy.
The range is open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. This is a massive perk. If you have a Tuesday off and want to go out when it's empty, you can. There’s something peaceful about having a 300-yard range all to yourself at 10:00 AM on a weekday.
The Steel Challenge and USPSA Community
If you want to get better, you have to compete. It’s that simple. Shooting at a static paper target gets boring after a while.
The South Jersey Shooting Club is one of the premier spots in the region for organized matches. These events are open to the public (for a match fee), so you don't necessarily have to be a member to participate in the competitions.
The USPSA matches here are known for being well-run. They use the natural terrain well, setting up stages that challenge your movement and your ability to shoot from awkward positions. It’s a workout. You’ll be tired by the end of the day.
Common Misconceptions About the Club
People think it's a "good ol' boys" club. It isn't. You'll see women, young adults, and people from all walks of life. The unifying factor isn't politics or background; it's a respect for the mechanical skill of shooting.
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Another myth is that it’s dangerous. Statistically, a managed shooting range is one of the safest places you can be. The rules are redundant. "Muzzle discipline" is a religion here. If you point your firearm in an unsafe direction, someone—either a Range Safety Officer or just a fellow member—will let you know immediately.
Why Winslow?
Why did they build it here? Simple: space and noise. You can't have a 300-yard range in the middle of Voorhees or Marlton. Winslow provides the buffer zone needed to operate a facility like this without bothering neighbors too much.
The club also works to maintain the land. They have to manage the berms—those big piles of dirt that stop the bullets. Over time, lead builds up, and the berms need maintenance. It’s a constant cycle of earthmoving and clearing brush.
Actionable Steps for Joining
If you’re thinking about joining, don't just wait for a membership drive.
- Check the website first. Look for the "New Member Orientation" dates. They usually happen once a month.
- Go to a match. You don't need to be a member to watch or compete in many of the sanctioned matches. It’s the best way to see the facility and meet the people who run it.
- Get your paperwork in order. You’ll need your NJ Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. If you don't have one, start that process with your local police department now—it can take months.
- Prepare for the environment. Invest in a good range bag and some outdoor gear. This isn't a place for flip-flops or delicate clothes.
The South Jersey Shooting Club Winslow is a staple of the local community. It’s a place where the heritage of the Pine Barrens meets modern marksmanship. Whether you're a hunter looking to zero a scope or a competitive shooter trying to shave seconds off your draw, it’s one of the few places left in the state where you can truly stretch your legs and practice the craft.
Stop by on a match day. Smell the gunpowder. Hear the steel ring. You’ll get it pretty quickly. It’s about more than just pulling a trigger; it’s about the discipline of the sport and the community that keeps it alive in a state that doesn't always make it easy.
Check the club's official calendar for the next "Work Day" or "Orientation" to get started. Showing up and helping out with range maintenance is the fastest way to earn the respect of the veteran members and really become part of the fabric of the club. All you need is a willing attitude and a respect for the rules.
The sand and the pines are waiting.