Interview at sport-schutter magazine

Introducing: Dutch Precision Range

In the past, I came across the Dutch Precision Range website. To put it nicely, it seemed like a project stuck in the idea phase. A long-range shooting range in the Netherlands—how realistic is that? Boy, was I wrong, because the idea has been taken seriously, and the folks from Dutch Precision Range even attended the IWA to promote it. We got to interview the initiators of this range! Curious? Read on!

A short while ago, I received a request via social media to like the Dutch Precision Range page. Being curious, I naturally checked it out first... lo and behold, I'd seen this site before! Back then, I dismissed it as "nice idea, but that's where it stayed," but it turns out a group of enthusiasts is seriously pursuing it! So, after browsing the page and website, I sent a message to the person who invited me. Long story short, a great interview followed, and how wonderful it is to make the ideas more public through this site! We'll continue to follow the project closely, of course, and wish Dutch Precision Range all the best, hoping this initiative becomes a reality!

Can you tell us about your experience with shooting sports, especially long-range?

"I had my first shooting experience in the 90s with the military. There, I shot with the 9mm Uzi and the .50 BMG, and for a short period, I was also involved in guiding fellow soldiers on the range. That was my first real introduction to weapons, safety, and range supervision. After a break, I've been active again in shooting sports for a few years now. Locally, I mainly shoot pistol, but my great passion is long-range shooting. Since the Netherlands lacks suitable ranges for serious distances, I train abroad: Belgium, Poland, and last year I shot as a guest during the ESI 2025 in Sicily—a fantastic experience with shooters from all over Europe. To really master the theory behind good training, I obtained my first ISSF certification in 2025. That gives me even more insight into what's needed to perform at a high level, and at the same time, it motivates me enormously to make such a facility possible in the Netherlands."

What limitations are you currently facing in the Netherlands?

"The biggest limitation is clear: there is no civilian, legal shooting range in the Netherlands where you can shoot beyond 300 meters. After the closure of Harskamp to civilians, 300 meters has remained the absolute ceiling. That makes serious training in Extreme Long Range (ELR), Extra Extreme Long Range (XERL), Precision Rifle Series-style competitions, F-Class, PRS, as well as dynamic disciplines like 3-Gun, Multi-Gun, IPSC Rifle, or even practical shooting at greater distances virtually impossible. At best, you can improvise at 300 meters, but it severely limits what you can practice and develop. For anything beyond that, you have to go abroad: Belgium, Poland, France, Norway, Italy... with all the costs, travel time, weapon transport rules, and uncertainty that come with it. This frustrates not only individual shooters but also associations that can't advance their members and even defense and police units seeking controlled long-range training."

Above: Not quite Extended Long Range, but here you see the Sport Schutter with his Mosin Nagant 1891/30 at Harskamp when it was still open to civilian shooters.

Is it true that this idea for the range arose from these limitations?

"Yes, those limitations are exactly the driving force behind Dutch Precision Range. It's not just about the lack of long-range options in the Netherlands itself, but also all the practical hurdles once you do go to a foreign range. Suppose you're willing to cover the travel and costs: you still encounter commercial and operational limitations. Many ranges aren't open year-round, have strict days or hours, impose extra rules from owners or due to local environmental conditions (noise, safety, number of shooters per day). On top of that, there's the hassle of international transport of weapons and ammunition, customs formalities, varying availability, and sometimes waiting lists of months. All those factors make structured training at any/high level difficult and unpredictable. That's exactly why I thought: let's build a consistent, professional, accessible, and modern facility in the Netherlands that removes all those obstacles."

How do you currently handle this (e.g., abroad, improvisation, other disciplines)?

"Currently, shooters travel to Denmark, Poland, France, Italy, or Norway to truly train at long range. Some try to improvise on indoor 100-meter ranges or the 300-Emmen range, but that's like driving a race car in a parking lot—it offers no room for real development in these disciplines in the Netherlands. Others are forced to switch to disciplines that are possible here, but that feels like a compromise, right? It's not a real, sustainable solution for those who want to seriously grow in long-range or dynamic long-distance disciplines."

Above: The interviewee with a French weapon (PGM) in .308 caliber at Airbase in Poland.

How large do you think the demand is for a long-range shooting range in the Netherlands?

"Sufficient. Just look at the One Mile Club: Enthusiastic Dutch shooters who travel abroad every year. Additionally, there are shooting associations that can't develop such disciplines, which hinders the growth of an association and prevents them from advancing their members. Even the military trains in the US (or other foreign locations) for advanced long-range training because the facilities here are lacking. And then there's a growing group of international shooters who would embrace the Netherlands as an attractive shooting destination. The demand is plentiful—we just need to build the right, accessible facility to unlock that potential."

The longest range in the Netherlands after the closure of Harskamp is 300m, not really long-range. Do you see this as competition?

"No, on the contrary. Those 300-meter ranges remain indispensable. We actually fill the gap that's currently missing: availability and professional growth and specialization. We see ourselves as a complement, not a competitor. In fact, we want to collaborate so that shooters can complete a full pathway with us."

Do you see this initiative more as commercial, association-oriented, or a hybrid form?

"Hybrid, absolutely. We want professional, commercial operation, but with a warm heart for associations. Special memberships, group rates, use of classrooms for associations above a certain number of people, and an information center that makes the sport accessible to everyone. This way, we combine sustainability with community spirit."

Would you prefer membership, day passes, or a reservation system?

"A combination of all three. Membership for serious shooters and associations, day (part) passes for occasional visitors, and a smart online reservation system for ranges and lessons. This keeps it accessible and professional."

Do you see opportunities for collaboration with shooting associations or sports federations?

"Definitely! We're already inviting associations to contribute ideas. We want club championships, joint training days, certified instructors, and special packages. We also see great opportunities with the federations for training, competitions, and talent development."

Above: Long-range weapon from solidsolutiondesigns with a scope from Telson as seen at IWA 2026.

What absolutely must not be missing to make this a success?

"Safety at the highest level, participation and transparency toward the surroundings, and a facility that's truly for everyone, from beginner to top athlete and specialist. Plus innovation around targets and ballistic software, and an information center that explains and enthuses about the sport."

If this initiative comes to fruition: when would you say "this is successful"?

"When the first shooter fires their first shot at 3.2 km, and we see that Dutch shooters no longer need to go abroad. When associations hold their championships with us, when police and defense train here, and when locals are proud of what's in their region. Then it's successful."

Can you walk me through the next steps you still need to take to bring this to a successful conclusion?

"We're currently fully in the plan development phase: we're further elaborating the design, including safety, noise reduction, and environment. We're actively engaged in participation: we're having conversations with locals, entrepreneurs, shooting associations, and other stakeholders to gather input and create support. At the same time, we're now also in discussions for a possible alternative location, so we're not betting on one horse and keeping multiple options open. After that come the formal permit applications, financing, and eventually construction. If everything goes well and the cards fall our way, we hope to fire the first shots in 2027/2028."

We'll gladly follow this project, may we approach you again in the future to see where this project stands?

"Absolutely! You're very welcome. We'd love to keep sport-schutter.nl updated and look forward to a follow-up interview as the project progresses."

The link to the page: https://www.dutchprecisionrange.nl

Regards,

Sport schutter