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Range uselessness redux.

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:02 pm
by Curmudgeon
I went to the indoor range today. I wanted to shoot .22LR and enjoy the day off, but rain forced me indoors.

My indoor range placed me in lane #4. Lane #3 is shooting .40 Cal close and Lane #5 is showing us how much 308 he can afford with a new AR-10.

My target is flapping in the breeze, I can't hit the damn thing and enjoyed it even less. As I exited, the fee taker says, Done already? I tell him about the AR-10 next to me blowing my target like a gas station air hose.

He replies that game moves, what's the problem, and laughs.

Thank God I haven't paid $150. for a years range fee. Then he tells me that a Government man is using the entire other range or he would have put the rifles off the 25 yard range next to me. You know how the Government guys like privacy.

Actually, I didn't know and don't care.

Rant off.

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:38 pm
by Bullseye
Unfortunately ignorance is not exclusive to the anti-gun crowd. Marginalizing your shooting experience like the range official did doesn't help promote the sport. It is problematic that many ranges go for the quick buck instead of providing a satisfactory environment for shooters. Granted, everyone has a right to participate but spread them out in a way that all can enjoy their experience. At least inquire and inform the customers at the onset of the range session that space is tight and there are high power shooters out on the pistol line.

R,
Bullseye

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:33 pm
by bebloomster
That's one of the main reasons I did not renew my membership at one of the local ranges. About once a week some local law enforcement group would show up and take over the entire range for the entire day !!! Naturally they didn't want any of us "normal folk" hanging around watching.

The range I currently have a membership at has an indoor range that is restricted to 22 rimfire and airguns only. Makes things really enjoyable for me.

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:26 am
by Curmudgeon
I would like that. I would like to say I only object to the target blowing around (I was using 1 1/2 inch red stick-ons placed around their full size (and mandatory) silhouette), but the 308 that close makes me flinch like a school girl. The more I try to ignore it, the more it catches me off guard.

We really need a good range in Goose Creek, SC

Whining off, sorry.

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:17 am
by blue68f100
The Indoor range I'm a member of is divided into 4 sections. 1 is used for qualifying, 1 is rifle, the other 2 are pistols. So they can divide things up. If a group wants the range it is before it opens to the members/public which is 8-10am. Or they have 2 pistols ranges off of the main 1 to use. All shooting stations have dividers to protect the ones next to them from blowby and help shield the blast. This is why I wanted the highest dBa (33nr) ear protection I could get, because a indoor range can get very loud.

I call it a challenge to shoot when someone is using a big bore next to you, it can help improve your concentration if you have the right mind set. The ones who runs the range normally puts the regulars together and new ones/shooters where they can watch them.

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:28 pm
by greener
I've packed up and left early a couple of times because of folks on the range. At least at the one I use I can go to another area for shooting if it becomes bad. I've learned to shoot with a weather eye on other shooters.

Local Range

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 11:15 pm
by mrfcobf
Our local range makes us use some pretty heavy cardboard, so it takes quite a bit to blow the targets around. The good news is that they keep the super-heavy caliber stuff out, but there's always someone blowing 40's or 45's like they're peanuts.

I've enjoyed learning to concentrate over it, and I love blowing the center out of a target while they miss wildly all over the place.

There are a few people with both firepower and aim, but they are few and far between.

I wish mine was $150 a year instead of $150 for 6 months!

Re: Local Range

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:01 am
by greener
mrfcobf wrote:Our local range makes us use some pretty heavy cardboard, so it takes quite a bit to blow the targets around. The good news is that they keep the super-heavy caliber stuff out, but there's always someone blowing 40's or 45's like they're peanuts.

I've enjoyed learning to concentrate over it, and I love blowing the center out of a target while they miss wildly all over the place.

There are a few people with both firepower and aim, but they are few and far between.

I wish mine was $150 a year instead of $150 for 6 months!
Spray and pray works for fully automatic, why not for handguns? :lol: Usually the crowds don't bother me, I just keep an awareness of what they are doing.

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:41 am
by Yleefox
I'm with you greener. I typically stick to myself, ignore the crowds except to stay aware of anyone who is being careless near me.

Now if I could just afford my own personal range, in my own back yard, and a warehouse full of ammo............

Y

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:08 am
by bearandoldman
tjat is what I like about my local club range, during the week days, there are just a few of us old guys around at most. The Greener and I spent the better part of a day ther last summer and had the place to ourselves, of course Bear shared with us.

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:38 pm
by greener
And a pleasant range it is. I'd like to move out to the country with enough land to step out the back door and shoot. Probably won't happen, but it's something to think about.

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:07 pm
by bearandoldman
greener wrote:And a pleasant range it is. I'd like to move out to the country with enough land to step out the back door and shoot. Probably won't happen, but it's something to think about.
That would be sweet, better yet, just opeb the back window and keep waem.

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:31 pm
by Curmudgeon
Until you get all that property, you'll have to settle for chasing the kids off the lawn with a cane. :P Lowers my blood pressure watching them scatter.

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:10 pm
by greener
Need something to lower my blood pressure. Quit smoking 4 months ago and my blood pressure went from low normal to slightly high. Go figure.

My range today was pretty good. Messed around with the SA's. All the guns shot well, so the range day was pleasant.

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:17 pm
by perazzi
I thought of you today at the range. One old lady and her young husband at the other end. We're all peacefully shooting .22's when the door opens and the Glockmeisters decend upon us. Out go the full silhouette targets to 21 feet and 9mil and .40 cases are flying everywhere..... thunder alley...

:(