Common Sense Range Tips

[Sam Cobra]

This may have been posted here but I couldn't find anything. I have a couple weeks off from work and a new lever action rifle
Since I don't have my own land to shoot on (yet) and don't belong to a private range (yet) I usually have to shoot on public ranges. I always have a friend or two with me on these trips, but if I shoot on my vacation I will be solo. Both ranges are in out of the way places and my wife was concerned when I said I was going to shoot my new rifle.

I really never thought about it before but there is usually an oddball or two walking around the place or there is no one else there. I typically just make sure I don't run everything dry between reloads, and keep my eyes open, but I am always with armed friends. Now I was thinking about this... shooting solo with a couple of grand worth of guns in the middle of nowhere.

What do you guys do if you are shooting solo?

[Jefro]

I don't worry about it at all. I'm there with guns, and my CC, not a likely place for a hold up. Good Luck


Jefro Relax-Enjoy

[cpt dan blodgett]

Take a gander at some of the targets one sees atmost ranges.  Whole lot of trigger pullers really are not much of a threat!!

Funny never thought about it.  Rarely go out to the desert anymore.  Much more worried about shooting a ATV or Biker when they pop up out of no where.  As noisy as they are, there should be a bounty on them.

Most of shooting now days is at Ben Avery.

[Camille Eonich]

If I were going to a public range by myself I would probably be a little more careful than I am at the range we shoot at depending on where the range was and how safe the area around it was.  I would probably just get one gun out at a time and keep the vehicle locked up.  I would keep my ammo much closer than I do where I shoot now, just next to me or beside me.  Depending on the area and if you really felt it was warranted maybe get in the habit of taking a mirror that you could use to sit kind of in front and to the side of you so that you could keep an eye out on what was going on behind you.

The electronic ear protection that allows you to hear fine when not shooting but muffles the blast would be a good thing too I would think.

I've never had to go to a public gun range to shoot before so never really thought about it.  I used to use a public archery range quite a bit but there is no ear protection involved there and I was in a very safe area although a bit out of the way.  I could always hear and see anything that came up anywhere close to me.

Very interesting topic.  It would make me nervous I think shooting at a public range.

[joec]

Now when I was plinking years ago and that being usually on public land by myself never had a problem. Now I shot most of the time on an indoor range at Bud's, usually has a number of LEO, 50 to a 100 customers, all employees armed so little danger to me. The other range is private and their I shot with my NCOWS group about 50 strong again little chance of danger from those around me. My only fear is someone makes a mistake but unlikely with NCOWS though there is a slight chance at Bud's. Those mistakes might be from someone shooting beside with a gun loaded with much load going kaboom or not making sure the gun is empty with an unintentional discharge moving into the general area.

[Sam Cobra]

Both of the public ranges are in secluded areas.  One secluded and one VERY secluded.  I always shot at my Dad's or my home until a few years ago.  I moved closer in and my Dad passed away and his place was sold off.  I have applied at a private range about 20 minutes from my house but they have a year or two long waiting list  so for now public ranges are all I have.

I read on another forum about someone getting their guns stolen while they went out to check a 100 yard target  I had planned on taking my Vaquero, side by side and my new Rossi 92 but the parking area is away and out of sight from the shooting area....sigh...may be best to wait until my wife or a buddy can go.

[Cash Creek]

Sam..Where do you live???  If you in Southern Indiana maybe I can help..CC