Fire at the Sac Valley range today

[Pthfndr]

Just got home, will post pics later.

Caused by someone shooting surplus steel core/jacketed ammo on the steel silhouette range - in violation of range rules.

Minimal damage. Only grass was burned.

[762cavalier]

Wow That sucks. Was it a member or a guest of a member? Will they face any disciplinary actions?

There's a lot of dry grass out there, glad it was contained quickly.

[CSACANNONEER]

Was the ammo proven to be the cause of the fire? Was someone even in possession of magnetic ammo? I'm just wondering if someone has jumped to conclussions before all the facts were in. I've seen it happen at other ranges.

[sargenv]

This has happened twice at the USI range in Concord.. both times it was put out before it reached the houses.. and that is why they do not allow steel core on any of the ranges anymore.

[762cavalier]

Was the ammo proven to be the cause of the fire? Was someone even in possession of magnetic ammo? I'm just wondering if someone has jumped to conclussions before all the facts were in. I've seen it happen at other ranges.

Magnetic ammo isn't the issue as it is allowed on any range EXCEPT the steel silhouette range.

[CSACANNONEER]

Magnetic ammo isn't the issue as it is allowed on any range EXCEPT the steel silhouette range.

So, was someone caught breaking the rules or is this speculation? I've seen alluminum tipped bullets cause a lot more heat and flames than steel core/jacketed bullets. Yet, for some reason, every range allows them.

[Pthfndr]

As I said in the first post, this was result of someone violating the rules because they thought they could get away with it. It's not the first time someone has done that, but it's the first time in many years we had to call the FD out because of it.

A member had brought some guests and they were shooting hunting/varmint rifles on the steel silhouette range. They were about done when one of the guests took out a surplus rifle and started shooting at the chickens at 200 meters. Sparks were thrown off the steel into the grass and they started to burn. The fire dept. was called and they were out there in 10 minutes along with a water tanker helicopter. The fire was quickly extinguished with the only damage being to the grass.

The range GM asked to see the ammo that was being shot at the time and it was surplus steel core/jacketed ammo. (I forgot to ask what the rifle was or the specific ammo). The shooter admitted to shooting it at the steel.

I was not told by the GM what, if any punitive action was/will be taken.

Sac Valley has no restrictions on ammo on the public 100 and 300 yard ranges except no tracers. On the steel silhouette range they do not allow FMJ or magnum ammo, or anything over 3100 feet per second muzzle velocity. These restrictions are listed on the sign in sheet for the silhouette range, and this sign is posted in numerous places on the silhouette range.



Most all of the silhouettes have been replaced with ones made of AR500 steel. This is one of the chickens they were shooting at today. It's already been shot hundreds of times with hollow point and soft point ammo, which barely leaves a mark (I should know as I personally have put thousands of rounds down range on the silhouette range). The dimples you see are from people shooting Steel core/jacketed FMJ ammo.



This is the area that was burned. The down side is we had to call the FD. The upside is we don't have to cut down the grass now. (The FD also told the GM they are always willing to do controlled burns for practice. He told them to come out anytime as we have over 800 acres of grass on the range. )

[Timberwolf]

Same thing happened this afternoon at the rifle range at APTS on the hill behind the 100 yard line - we were quick on it and about 10 mins and 7 fire extinquishers later it was out - we were lucky the wind gor a change was calm. ANF Fire Service came out and foamed the area - simply a small grass fire. We're not sure what caused it but are guessing steel or bimetal ammo (though we found none after).

[Darklyte27]

When I joined MDRG that shoots at USI, one of the head guys said no steel core. Then I asked about the surplus ammo from CMP, its not steel core but magnetic and he said not on the MP range which is 200 yrds but at the 100 yrds its ok.

can anyone confirm this?

[CSACANNONEER]

Thanks for the clarification. Like I said, I've seen too many range fires blamed on one thing or another without any proof. Since the range has proof regarding who did it and that they were blatantly breaking the rules, they should be penalized in an appropriate way. They should also have to pay for all fire related costs and for no less than double the cost of repairing the damaged animals.

[jb7706]

We got very lucky, fire crew will not charge the range for their response as the fire never left our property. The General Manager responded appropriately and no one was injured.

Members are responsible for their actions and the actions of thier guests. Appropriate measures have been and will be taken.

[M1A Rifleman]

So, was someone caught breaking the rules or is this speculation? I've seen alluminum tipped bullets cause a lot more heat and flames than steel core/jacketed bullets. Yet, for some reason, every range allows them.

Any hot bullet material, lead, copper, steel can ignite a fire. The only difference with steel is it has the potential to spark when it strikes a rock. Unless it can be proved exactly which bullet fired caused the fire its just metal core FUD.

[Chief-7700]

Might want to consider next year mowing the grass before summer.
Chief

[riprap]

I was shooting on range 11 when the fire started. Seems like it was put out in short order.

[oldschool88]

Those guys had to know what they were doing. When I looked at the target it was shot up like that on both sides. Like they shot it fliped it around and continued.