Things I learned at the range today (Novice)

[dmy]

A clear dry cleaner bag fits nicely over target to keep them dry. With fewer ranges available, sometimes you have to shoot when you have the opportunity, rain or shine.

[f308gt4]

Nice write up OP. We were all newbies at one time. It looks like you learned from your mistakes, and that's what counts.

[ElvenSoul]

6x was the most powerful scope in use during WWII! Amazing it is not enough for shooters today!

[Erion929]

Early on, I screwed up three times when the range goes cold.

I kept leaving my bag/backpack on the shooting table and end up digging back in for something....paper targets, ammo to reload mags, car keys...when I should be behind the line.

Always make sure I put my shooting bag on the bench behind me, now

Nothing more chilling than a RO shouting at you with a bullhorn

[Drew Eckhardt]

6x was the most powerful scope in use during WWII! Amazing it is not enough for shooters today!

X-rings, prairie dogs, and soda cans are all much smaller than men, and many of us have eyes too old to enlist.

[God Bless America]

3) Howard leight impact sport (the OD green electronic ones) cheap, work well, and pretty much the most popular you see everyone use.

I use them to shoot and hunt.

[jcjt]

9). I hate it when other people on the range try and socialize with me too much. Its my rifle's "me" time.

[SMarquez]

RO placing hands on me. No good. Would not tolerate. A tap on the shoulder, OK. Grabbing me, mmm.. not sure of my reaction. Surely at least get told in no uncertain terms to get his booger hooks off of me and don't touch.

[Blade Gunner]

Glad you had fun. Outdoor ranges your suppose to wear a full gillie suit.

[ScottsBad]

1. Sticky targets don't stick very well in a torrential downpour.
I was dismayed to return to my station only to find that 3 of my 5 targets at 100 yards had blown away. The stapler was my friend today.

Keep some masking tape in your range bag too.

2. Don't wear white shoes when it's muddy.
You would think this would be a no-brainer. Basically shooting in the rain sucks and I probably won't do it again.

Buy yourself some light hiking boots.

3. Invest in a pair of quality earmuffs.
I use Leight plugs, but the range I usually go to lends out earmuffs. This one did not. Thankfully there weren't a lot of lanes, but it probably would've been safer to double up. Any suggestions on a brand or model are appreciated.

The Howard Leight Impact Sports (work fine, and I have 4 pair for my family, but I recommend you invest in some Peltor Tactical Sport muffs (~$115). They are more comfortable (I've got a pair of these too.) and you can buy gel ear cuffs which are WAY more comfortable when the foam ones wear out.

My NEW Favorites which I just got for Christmas are the MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X. Eventually, if you do a LOT of shooting you may want to consider the investment ~$280. These are excellent and very very comfortable.


4. Stake your castle nut.
My buffer almost ran away from me at one point. All I need is a punch, right?

First, torque the nut to 50-60FtLbs, then stake the nut. I always use a punch. See if you can find a YouTube video on how to do it.

5. 2017 RAWs will need to retain their BB...?
Haven't researched this yet, but a very experienced shooter told me he found out 3 days ago. If this is true, very disappointing.

Yup.

6. A 6X monocular is practically useless.
I thought I'd found a great deal when I saw the reviews and price. But even with Splatterburst targets I was having trouble seeing my shots at 50, let alone 100 yards. Good thing the range lent out high-powered spotting scopes for free.

Yeah, you can borrow from the range, but they aren't usually high quality spotting scopes. Decent spotting scopes aren't cheap BTW. I use an inexpensive ~$300 Leupold Ventana. Some day I get a good one.

7. Triple-check your muzzle constantly.
There were times when I thought my muzzle was pointed in a perfectly safe direction, but I was informed by a Range Master that I was mistaken. I learned that even pointing it up in my lane is a no-no. Good to know.

Muzzle discipline become second nature with more experience.

8. DO NOT touch your firearm, even if you and it are behind the line, during a cease-fire.
This was my most egregious error. The firing period was almost finished, I'd finished cleaning and exited my station, and thought I'd run a bore snake and wipe off some carbon on a back table before leaving. As soon as the cease fire started I felt a Range Master grab my shoulder sternly and demand I stop "fiddling with your gun." With the bolt removed and the bore snake still halfway through my barrel, he zipped it all up in my bag and instructed me to leave once the firing period started. He then explained the rule to me and I understood completely what a stupid mistake I'd made.

Safety First.

9. Gun people are really, really nice.
Not only was all the staff courteous, but a fellow shooter offered to spot for me and proceeded to give me pointers. He showed me an area of the BCG which I didn't know needed lubing, and he helped tighten my castle nut and BB screw.

Usually.

So today was a whirlwind of feelings. It was educational, fun, cold, soaking wet, and terrifying. I will take all of the lessons I learned today and return with a better understanding of this awesome activity. I am often frustrated by the fact that my entire family is horrified by firearms, so I never received the education that many others did and I've been forced to learn everything on my own. I often feel like I'm at a disadvantage due to my anti-gun family and absence of gun-enthusiastic friends. Up until a few months ago there was never anyone in my life who had any practical firearm knowledge, and that was rough.

On the bright side, I shot pretty tight groups (for me) at 50 yards, got on paper fairly consistently at 100, and shot steel at 100 from a standing position. I'm glad I went out today and experienced as much as I could before feeling burned out. Big thanks to everyone who taught me something today.

MY COMMENTS IN RED ABOVE. Welcome to the sport and don't get frustrated. It takes a while to learn everything.

[billped]

It's typically a good idea to go with an "old timer" when you first hit a range: indoor or outdoor. Then your job is to watch and learn. Most ranges follow the same basic rules.

However ...

I have yet to go to two ranges with the same rules, so even an old-timer will screw up occasionally.

[Donk310]

5. 2017 RAWs will need to retain their BB...?

Yes. Are you one of those people that actually thought you'd able to remove it? If so... silly you.

[Guess12]

Good read. Not gonna lie, was sorta nervous my first range trip. Dunno why lol

Have seen on several occasions at my local indoor range people loading firearms on the tables behind the firing line then carry them loaded over to their booth...

[Nimble]

4. Stake your castle nut.
My buffer almost ran away from me at one point. All I need is a punch, right?

Yup, lot of videos on Youtube on how to do it

9. Gun people are really, really nice.
Not only was all the staff courteous, but a fellow shooter offered to spot for me and proceeded to give me pointers. He showed me an area of the BCG which I didn't know needed lubing, and he helped tighten my castle nut and BB screw.

Yes, we are Nothing quite like the camaraderie between people of all sorts of backgrounds at the range. Glad you had a good time

[Capybara]

This will sound extreme but I am a big advocate of everyone who can becoming an NRA Certified RSO. I did and it helped to improve my safety and the safety of all of those around me. Gun safety is literally the MOST important part of the shooting sports.