Visitors to the Molleystown range will see some new possibilities.
We now have alternative sketched proposals for the Molleystown range. One is posted on the clubhouse bulletin board, and can be viewed during regular monthly meetings. The other (larger view here) is posted here for your consideration (superimposed on 2004 satellite photo):
1 This looks congested, but with the strategically located 8 to 12 foot side berms and 20+ foot back berms as illustrated, most could function simultaneously with a good degree of safety. These speculative proposals are the artists conception of a "fully developed 70 acre range". We welcome your thoughts on the topic.
2 Notice that from the through road (indicated by the meandering single line from right to left roughly through the center of the property) as a center divider, generally ranges to the south would shoot south, ranges to the north would shoot north. The two exceptions would be the 100yd RF range that would shoot mostly west toward the game land, and the (tentative) 3, 4, and 5 hundred yard rifle firing lines that would shoot across the road and over the 12 or more foot high berm protecting the road and traffic.
3 Features of this plan would be as follows. We would have 2 rapid fire ranges, both as far as possible from our neighbors, one short, one long. The 400 and 500 yard firing lines would probably need to shoot through tubes set in earth berms to be safe, as there is direct line of sight contact with the other side of the valley and the coal works.. Suggest 24 inch abs culvert material, 10 feet long. The 300 yard line could be fitted with them too if needed. At up to 100 foot of firing line, it could accommodate up to 16 riflemen at a relay. The envelope labeled “50AP” would have a 160 foot firing line, to accommodate up to 40 pistol shooters in a relay, or action pistol shooters with the option of shooting 180 degrees at 25 yards. The 30 yard envelopes would supply general purpose firing line available for large draw events such as the Appleseed program, that asks for 300 to 400 feet of firing line at 28 yards for 75 to 100 participants with rifles. The large area labled "30" would normally be used as parking for the "50AP" range across the trail from it. Envelope “C” would be an earth sheltered clubhouse/indoor range, surrounded by a “recreational” area. Last but not least, we have a 200 yd sight in range, and shotgun area (labled "Sh").
4 I would consider it desirable to leave most of the remaining areas forested and undeveloped to provide natural beauty and noise reduction.
The most recent activity was to have a contractor do both clear cutting and select cutting on our 70 acre Molleystown property, and also on the adjacent 250 acres in which the club has an interest. This was done as a "mining evaluation", revenue generating, and planning enhancement project. Really puts the area in perspective. All the property lines are now clearly marked. Development plans at this point have been pretty much put on "hold", and will be affected by how much coal is found in the 250 acre plot, and where the veins run. Until then, please continue to use and enjoy the "new" 30 yard utility range near the center of the 70 acres. The 250 acre parcel is currently "off limits" due to mining activity, but can be safely viewed from the adjacent game lands.
Yours truly, your web administrator, Walter Schwenk, has asked for some time now that shooters discontinue use of the tentative "200 yard" envelope. This is asked not as a club requirement, but as a personal favor. Its already marginal backstop has been rendered, in his opinion, totally unsafe and inadequately absorptive through heavy use and erosion. Signs had been posted to that effect, at his own initiative. The Board of Directors ruled however, that they be taken down, and they have. Your thoughts on this topic are welcome.
”This Project was financed (in part) by a Grant
From the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Department of Community and Economic Development”
Thanks, club members, for your response to the range development survey sent out in December. Results have been tabulated, and seem to indicate a club desire to see Rifle range development as a priority. The other proposed projects also all got strong support, although not quite as strong as for rifle. Will update info after the board meeting, which also doubles as the Range Development committee meeting.
It should be noted that the recent improvements will not be visible on the following satellite photos, which were taken in 2004. A welcome addition to our facility is the portable "rest room" in the corner of the 30 yd expedient range. Please do your part to keep it clean and sanitary. "We aim to please; You aim too!", please... As we continue to make improvements, be on the alert for vandalism. If you see an incident, you need not confront a wrong-doer, that is a job for law enforcment, but please pass on as much information as you can. Date and time of incident, license plate numbers, description of and number of individuals, vehicle color, style, model, year, etc. We will as a club seek the maximum civil penalties for any "bad apples" found guilty of willfully damaging the property.
New range to go in near Mollystown! Adjacent to SGL 229, and near SGL 211, soon to be the newest sport shooters paradise! See http://www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/parcelviewer/ for the source of these satellite photos and the usgs contour map . A pleasant hike around the property is yours for the taking, and formal range facilities are taking shape, which may be perused at your leisure. Winter satellite photo, year 2004, snow, no leaves. Streams, trails, are clearly indicated. The DEP
settling ponds are the diamond shape across the stream from the word "Molley..." The two large north-south cleared envelopes are clearly visible. Our new property is the parcel that the stream flows from, in the upper left corner. State Game Land borders us on the south and south-west. The new parcel in which we have an interest is the one bordered by the water stream on the
upper right, and with the other stream flowing out of it to the lower left. The property is well over 2000 yards long, and is a source of fresh water for the Lebanon reservoir (to the south-west). We can be thankful to enjoy such an excellent and convenient source of good water.
A USGS contour shot of most of our interests at Molleystown. We have the lowlands, surrounded by
heights, ideal topography for the shooting sports.
You can get a perspective of how we relate to our neighbors 
And nearby communities.
And last but not least- how to find us!