question about range equipment

[supratreo]

hi, i'll be going to the range soon, for the first time in about 12 years, and had some question.
when i used to go with my dad we rented everything, gun, hearing and eye protection, and targets. now that i own my own guns i want to invest in my own equipment but i don't know what i need.

i was at walmart and noticed that they had some slim Winchester earmuffs that reduced noise by 25db. do you think they are good quality? what about eye protection?

also, what do you use for a range bag? i don't want to use a duffel bag because its to flimsy but don't know where to look for a good one.
and what do you do for targets, i heard they are pretty expensive at the range.

sorry for all the noob questions but i don't want to go there looking like a total amature.
thanks.

[damon1272]

hi, i'll be going to the range soon, for the first time in about 12 years, and had some question.
when i used to go with my dad we rented everything, gun, hearing and eye protection, and targets. now that i own my own guns i want to invest in my own equipment but i don't know what i need.

i was at walmart and noticed that they had some slim Winchester earmuffs that reduced noise by 25db. do you think they are good quality? what about eye protection?

For hearing protection you can get the same db with good quality foam plugs. Ear muffs are a personal preference, nothing wrong with them but I would see if you could find some with a better db rating. As for safety glasses, anything Z87 approved (moled into the lens or frame) is GTG.

also, what do you use for a range bag? i don't want to use a duffel bag because its to flimsy but don't know where to look for a good one.
and what do you do for targets, i heard they are pretty expensive at the range.

Range bags can be cheap or expensive. Check some of the online companies like midway for range bags. You can make them out of heavy canvas bags and low dust sand. It just depends on how much effort you want to put into it. A nice range bag I have used is called a dog bone range bag. Works great.

For targets you could buy them there, they tend to be about .50 - 1 dollar a piece. Also you could print some off of teh internet or find a background you like and run it through the copier.

sorry for all the noob questions but i don't want to go there looking like a total amature.
thanks.

As for looking like an ametuer. So what everyone starts out new at some time. Just go to the range, let them know you have not shot in a while and they should be helpful. If not I would not go back. Enjoy shooting!

[sniper4usmc]

I use Midwayusa Range bag+ cheap $30 peltor earmuff

[Sajedene]

I have the Howard Leight electronic ear muffs and some pink electronic ear muffs and I double up with cheapo foam plug things.

For the bag, I just bought the cheapo Blackhawk Range bag for like 25 bucks. I like it.

I have a bunch of Remington glasses (clear and shades) which I use for eye protection.

I got lucky and got a bunch of free targets from people at the Range - I also bought a pack of the sticker target things from Walmart. I keep my targets rolled up in a nice poster tube I had from work.

[supratreo]

thanks for all the help guys. i prefer not to use the foam plugs because the are uncomfortable so i might go to walmart and pick up the winchester ones if i cant find some through our sponsors.

[HCz]

Get the higest rated muffs you can get and then use foam plugs too. You have a pair of ears and they do not come with waranty.

For range bag, I've used everyday backpack in the past if I only have small number of things to take. Your use may vary so look around.

[sniper4usmc]

before I bought a range bag,I used Ammo can

[supratreo]

haha. nice. i only plan on taking ammo, earmuffs, glasses, cleaning supplies and maybe targets.
i will take my gun in the case it came in.

[GrayWolf09]

For a range bag go to the Cow Palace Gun Show November 13 and 14. There are a couple of booths there selling Western duffel bags. $20-22 for a good sized one. They make great range bags.

[supratreo]

would it be worth it for me to drive that far (from Elk Grove)? i don't mind going because i could get some ammo but i've heard its not worth going to that show anymore.

[dmax11]

i just use a backpack for a range bag, some standard safety glasses (yeah they actually are Z87 stamped but i never checked before i read this thread) and some foam ear plugs.

on the hearing protection i really can't give great advice as i already have damaged hearing from subwoofers i used to have in my truck, 148db of bass from 2 15's in an extended cab truck wrecks your ears, i can still hear fine but i do regret having done it in retrospect because you can't get your hearing back. so as you can see for me with my somewhat damaged hearing foam plugs are fine but many guys do double up and use plugs+muffs. i will say that plugs are annoying to remove during cease fires etc. and i will probably pick up some muffs at some point in time in the near future just because of convenience and if they are not enough i would just double up with plugs.

lastly on the targets. every range i have gone to in my area will give you the first target for free. i like to use the shoot n c targets and just stick them onto the range provided target to make it easier to see hits on the target at range without a spotting scope. the bonus is that if you don't tear up the shoot n c too much the dots they come with will repair the target between cease fires so you can save your new ones for when they are really needed.

[NorCalRedneck]

I have the Winchester muffs from Walmart and like them. They are comfortable and work very well for $7.

[tomd1584]

dont forget your kevlar vest.

[RobG]

I use a cheap range bag from Walmart, Winchester rubber ear plugs, and inexpensive S&W safety glasses. I also bring orange dots and tape to seal target holes. Any range you will go to will give you at least one target. Most sell extras for .50 to 1.00 depending on size and design.

[Merc1138]

Ear protection, eye protection, masking tape, shoot'n'c targets, black marker, couple of screwdrivers, rifle cleaning rod(not the whole cleaning kit, just the rod in case something gets stuck), and that's about all you need.

Targets are generally provided by the range, most ranges have sandbags but if you want your own or some crazy benchrest stand those exist as well.


Generally if you're using shoot'n'c targets, you only need to get 1 target from the range. Otherwise you can print up your own bullseyes and just tape those up over the target you get from the range.

Backpacks, small duffel bags, overnight travel carry-on bags, ammo cans all work. You don't necessarily need a "range bag" unless you plan on dragging it around. A $15 backpack will last you until you get a "range bag".