Quick Range Etiquette Question.

[Helpful_Cub]

I had a similar vibe when I was sighting my 308 in for hunting session. An older woman had shown up to do some precision shooting at the high powered rifle range when I was only about half done. But after about 10 minutes someone down the line started shooting a Mosin Nagat and put me to shame.

[jdewolf]

You did right. While you didn't do anything wrong, you didn't get rude with them. That goes a long way. I shoot a 50BMG and I always try to give other shooters around me a heads up. I carry extra hearing protection both plugs and muffs in case anyone wants to double up, and I bring extra ammo so they can shoot a round or two themself if they like. None of which is required. I am at a shooting range after all. But just because you have the right, like you said, don't be a "Richard". You wheren't, you did the right thing. You where aware of those around you and did what you could to make sure everyone had a good time.

I'm never rude to people unless they're rude to me first. At least I try not to be intentionally. Now that I think about it maybe I could have let her fire my rifle to show that it isn't "scary". At the same time I don't want to seem like I was encroaching on someone else's territory.

It's no so much the noise but the shock wave you feel. There are gaps in the dividers between the stalls which line up right about where the other guys muzzle would be. When you are standing next to shelf at the front of the lane loading mags you really feel it.

The noise sometimes will bother me if it has been quiet and there haven't been any shots for a minute or so. You don't expect the extra loud boom and it makes you jump. If there is constant firing you don't notice it because you are used to the roar of multiple guns shots.

Good point, I don't think my muzzle extended past the edge of the booth however. Most of the "shockwave" should have been absorbed.

You could recommend that she wear plugs and muffs.

True, but I don't think it was the loudness [in decibels] that was the problem though. I think she just wasn't used to the sound of a "high powered" [I use that term lightly] rifle being fired in such close proximity.

Maybe I am just harsh. I believe that the establishment has a sign that says gun range on the door or out front. You shouldnt have to apologize because your rifle was too loud. Really. Are we at that point where at a ROCK concert a person can be bothered by the ROCK music. I believe that you were very polite and what you did was alright but at the same time I dont believe you should have to stop shooting the gun you brought to the range to zero because someone is scared. It isnt like you were shooting .50 Cal.
Just my opinion. No disrespect.

I understand what you're saying. It's not like she was cowering in fear or anything. She just wasn't shooting while I was firing. I'm sure it was a distraction especially since it was her first time. They were more than friendly and polite with me, so all in all the situation [if you want to call it that] resolved itself quite nicely.

This thread reeks of chauvinism.

If women want to wear pants, work outside the home, and vote, then I feel no need to open doors or apologize for making loud noises.

I would have felt the same way if it were a small child or a new shooter regardless. Did the fact that a female was involved factor into it at all? Sure a little bit. Then again I'm a bit old fashioned... in a fashion.

it's good practice to be around loud guns, BGs don't always carry silenced .22s

Very true. I don't think a new shooter needs to be subjected to such distractions right off the bat though. It's good practice but I think it would be better to be eased into it, as opposed to tossed in the pits with the lions

[jdewolf]

I had a similar vibe when I was sighting my 308 in for hunting session. An older woman had shown up to do some precision shooting at the high powered rifle range when I was only about half done. But after about 10 minutes someone down the line started shooting a Mosin Nagat and put me to shame.

I have to try or buy one of those one of these days just to see what the fuss is about

[norcal77]

I think you did rather well...I personally would not have cared, it's a shooting range.

It comes with the territory. When I go to a range and I'm being peppered by shells from the guy next to me or there loud rifles interrupt my concentration I don't complain. It's actually helped me develop the ability to tune out my neighbors and focus on the task at hand...

[GrayWolf09]

If they were bothered by your shooting they should have asked the people running the range to assign them another lane.

By the same token I simply cannot imagine shooting my .308 indoors. It must sound like all hell has broken loose.

[Sinister_1]

I had an experience once that turned very positive. I was at an indoor range with my xd .45 plinking away. The stall next to me opened up...somebody occupied it...no biggie... i guess i was standidng a lil forward and the guy cranks off a 454 casull...damn near knocked my glasses off, scared the crap out of me too. I asked what he was shooting, told him about almost knocking my glasses off...we laughed. then i got to shoot his gun...SWEET!!!!

It comes with the territory, you did a good job.

[Hunter158]

When ever I bring either a .308 or 30-06 to the local range, I always get the next lanes attention, let them know I'm about to make a big boom. Guy or girl. It's polite. I've even done this when side by side with marines. They always stand back, then want to shoot the Garand!!!

[pontiacpratt]

I was shooting my .308 one day at the range and when I switched to my .40 the guy next to me asked with a new concern "what it was" and warned his ladyfriend, that "it was going to be loud."
"No louder than the rifle" I said.
It just seemed strange that once I brought out the handgun he was concerned about me startling her.

[crud]

...

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I think it was unavoidable but you did the right thing by talking to her she will get over the scare of the big bang of the other guns and by talking to her you showed her that gun people are some of the nicest people you will ever meet

[FNH5-7]

If possible, the range should be assigning lanes to avoid that problem.

^^This.^^

[Helpful_Cub]

There are a lot of these "noise" threads lately. It is nice to see new people taking an interest in shooting, but GUNS ARE LOUD. If the noise freaks someone out... maybe shooting isn't for them. I have noticed that is is a little harder to concentrate on my target when someone is shooting a rifle or a magnum next to me, but they have every right to shoot a gun that is louder than mine.
- Guy shooting 357 upset with guy shooting 308.
- Guy shooting 9mm upset with guy shooting 357.
- Guy shooting 22 upset with guy shooting 9mm.
Where do you draw the line on what's appropriate... it's all relative.

Your right, we should make silencers legal again

[jdewolf]

If they were bothered by your shooting they should have asked the people running the range to assign them another lane.

By the same token I simply cannot imagine shooting my .308 indoors. It must sound like all hell has broken loose.

It sounds like sex... if sex were a .308

I had an experience once that turned very positive. I was at an indoor range with my xd .45 plinking away. The stall next to me opened up...somebody occupied it...no biggie... i guess i was standidng a lil forward and the guy cranks off a 454 casull...damn near knocked my glasses off, scared the crap out of me too. I asked what he was shooting, told him about almost knocking my glasses off...we laughed. then i got to shoot his gun...SWEET!!!!

It comes with the territory, you did a good job.

Big boom = Big

[jdewolf]

I think you did rather well...I personally would not have cared, it's a shooting range.

It comes with the territory. When I go to a range and I'm being peppered by shells from the guy next to me or there loud rifles interrupt my concentration I don't complain. It's actually helped me develop the ability to tune out my neighbors and focus on the task at hand...

Very true, it's nice ability to tune out what's going on around you. I hate being peppered with brass though. As long as it doesn't stick to you though I don't mind. I hate it when I'm off elbow supported and the brass lands next to the arm and stays there. I can deal with distraction but little burns just annoy the crap out of me

[jdewolf]

When ever I bring either a .308 or 30-06 to the local range, I always get the next lanes attention, let them know I'm about to make a big boom. Guy or girl. It's polite. I've even done this when side by side with marines. They always stand back, then want to shoot the Garand!!!

In my defense, they weren't there when I got there I didn't even really notice they were there until I was done with my rough zeroing. I knew other people had come in... but not right adjacent to me.

I was shooting my .308 one day at the range and when I switched to my .40 the guy next to me asked with a new concern "what it was" and warned his ladyfriend, that "it was going to be loud."
"No louder than the rifle" I said.
It just seemed strange that once I brought out the handgun he was concerned about me startling her.

Yah that the hell out of me. If you pulled out a S&W 500 or something... then I could see it. However that is just odd.