Range ettiquete question

[HskrVern]

I grew up in the panhandle of Nebraska where my family owns a decent bit of land. Out there we just took aim at our wood pile and had fun. Having said that I am stuck in here in Cali now for another year so I joined a self policing outdoor range and a few questions have come up. Yesterday the range caretaker and a senior club member were chatting about 30 feet from me after we reset our targets. Being polite I didn't start shooting (M-N M44 my barking fire belcher) because I knew my carbine was putting out more noise and flames than their other party members 300 win mags, and neither of them had any hearing protection on. They both looked at me very oddly and asked if I needed to go down range. Was I being too cautious or is it tough luck if you don't have any hearing protection on and someone touches off a round.

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

I grew up in the panhandle of Nebraska where my family owns a decent bit of land. Out there we just took aim at our wood pile and had fun. Having said that I am stuck in here in Cali now for another year so I joined a self policing outdoor range and a few questions have come up. Yesterday the range caretaker and a senior club member were chatting about 30 feet from me after we reset our targets. Being polite I didn't start shooting (M-N M44 my barking fire belcher) because I knew my carbine was putting out more noise and flames than their other party members 300 win mags, and neither of them had any hearing protection on. They both looked at me very oddly and asked if I needed to go down range. Was I being too cautious or is it tough luck if you don't have any hearing protection on and someone touches off a round.

it think you did the right thing. when we shot we kind of have the same everyone watches each other rules. and ebfore fire starts again. EARS! give it a second for it to register and everyone is usually ok.

as for them just standing there talking. just tell them your going to start firing. after that they can choose, get ear protection, ignore you, or tell you OK and continue with their conversation w/o hearing protection.

[maxwellca21]

i would have done the same thing.

[HskrVern]

Cool, I was hoping it was so. I am just new there and don't wanna get on the bad list in the first month!

[ke6guj]

tell them the range is going hot and they need to put on ear protection. If they decline, then it is on them. And that is probably the time to let off a round from the .50BMG

[smt77]

If you'd started shooting, they probably would have complained that you started shooting before they had their ears on. I've had similar experiences at different ranges. Probably the best bet is to just ask them real quick if they are ready for the range to go hot. They'll figure it out and hopefully they have the same courtesy to stop gabbing and let you get to shooting.

[BigDogatPlay]

I would have stood by as well, then asked if everyone was good to go for the range to go hot again.

[cdtx2001]

I would just shout out "going hot" and wait a few seconds.

[Gryff]

That was very polite of you, but you have as much right to shoot as they do to chat. Give a warning that you're going hot and then fire away if they are not going for their ear protection.

[hkusp9c]

nope. you were just being nice.

[defuse]

Sounds like you're a considerate guy. So, out of curiosity, how does the rest of the story go?