Camp Pendleton LR 8-6,7-16

[ditchdigger]

The Santa Margarita Gun Club will be holding a 3x1000 Long Range Rifle Match on Saturday, 8-6-16, and Sunday, 8-7-16.

The matches will be held on Camp Pendleton, Range 117. https://www.smgunclub.org/about/rang...ns/range-117a/

You must pre-register for the match by 1200, Wednesday, 8-3-16. https://www.smgunclub.org/prereg/rifle.php

[abersfelderami]

Perfect range for beginners. Bring the wife and kids, and have fun.

[smoothy8500]

Bring the wife and kids, and have fun.

At 117? Surely you jest....

[Humorme15]

Are these open to civilians? I have no prior military/government experience but I'd be very interested in participating. Will they let me on base alone or would I have to ride along with a guest?

[kcstott]

Are these open to civilians? I have no prior military/government experience but I'd be very interested in participating. Will they let me on base alone or would I have to ride along with a guest?

The SMGC web site explains it all but a little difficult to gather all the info as it's spread out and I've yet to see any sort of a "this is how it's done here" sort of thing.

There is good explanations of the different disciplines of shoot they do but little in the way of a how to for beginners.


That said here's the deal.
It is open to civilians either by an Associate's level membership, Daily membership (i.e. per match membership) or the very limited civilian membership which as far as I know have no spots open at this time.
The base is open to the public as long as you have legitimate business there. You will need to pre register with the SMGC via the secure link to upload your drivers license info. you do not need an escort on to the base. But you must have a valid driver's license and the registration and insurance on your vehicle must be up to date.

Weapons transport on base is that same as in the rest of california with an additional requirement. All weapons must be unloaded and in a locked container. You must also pre register by noon on the wednesday prior to your match. The reason for the pre registration is for base security. it is more of a formality than anything else.

I roll up to the main gate at off the 5 fwy and harbor drive Oceanside. drive up in the visitor line. Greet the Marines at the post hand them my DL tell them where I'm going. 99% of the time they will say "have a nice day" and you are on your way. Once I was asked if i was "carrying" I said "yes" he said "where" I said "in the bed of the truck, locked in the pelican box" he said "good to go have a nice day".

You then show up at the range, If you're shooting 117A you park at 116 wait till the SMGC guy get there and sign up, pay up, get the brief and start to load your gear on to the cart train. Bring something to tie your stuff to the cart. I dropped my cooler twice on the same trip, dumped everything out. You head over to the conex box and pick up all the targets, number boards, flags, butts kits, wall paper glue buckets for refacing the targets etc. then head to the butts. we unload and set up the butts, the relay working the butt stays there. Usually relay 2 or three depending on the number of shooters but that is subject to change. then everyone else stands by at the firing line for the safety brief. the order for the day is read off. who is on what relay. then it's a regular match from there. If you've shot a formal match before don't bother to continue reading on.
if you haven't here's how it goes.

You do not do anything until told to by the RSO. Don't open your gun case, and start fiddling with your weapon behind the safety line. You are free to get your all your gear except your rifle on the line if you are on the relay that is going to shoot next. You will be given a order to move your gear to the firing line. That is when your weapon can come out of the case and be placed in your firing position. Remember empty chamber indicators are required and strictly enforced.. You will then be given an order that your prep time will start. This is the time you can spend inputting your dope, getting your bipod or rest set up, focusing your scope, and otherwise getting set up. You will then be warned that your prep time is about to end and ask if any additional prep time is needed. They will then secure the butts and make the range hot.

you will then be issued an order

"All ready on the firing line?"
"ready on the left? ready on the right?"

you acknowledge with the nod of the head

"When your targets appear you may load one round and commence firing"

they then call to the butts target are raised to full mast. and you may shoot your course for fire.

unlimited sighters on your first leg, after that two sighters only.

you have 30 min to fire 20 rounds for record. don't screw around that time goes by quick.

Rinse and repeat.

It's very informal easy going, The only thing that is formal is safety, You are expected to act like an adult and maintain proper muzzle discipline and ECI's in place at all times unless you are on the line and the range is hot.
I return my rifle to the case when not in use. I pull the bolt and drop it in the case, just so there is no question that weapon is unloaded.


As for the wife and kids... Sure. But everyone must register even non shooting observers. this is for the head count of how many people are occupying the range. this is USMC procedure and we are a guest that can be not invited back.
We do our best to make our presence there as easy on the USMC as possible.

Now I say We like I have anything to do with this.
Let me be clear, I just shoot there, I know a bit about how things are run but the guys that are the SMGC organizers THEY put in the hard work to make this stuff happen. I'm an invited guest nothing more.

That said
facilities,

There are no facilities on range 117A you have to walk back to the entrance of the range some 400+ yards east to use the head, There are no tables, chairs, drinking fountains, soda machines etc near the firing at all whatsoever. My advice, Pack a lunch, a small cooler, with at minimum a gallon of water or gatorade per person in your group. It can get quite warm out there. Pack a folding chair too. you're going to need it.

Shooting gear. for F class t/r or open
You will need your rifle. 30 caliber or smaller. i.e 30-378 wby mag and smaller. Pendelton has a caliber restriction. so no .338 Lapua's sorry.
Enough ammo for your match i.e 60 rounds plus sighters. should be reloads or match grade factory ammo. Standard factory ammo will be a waste of time and money at 1000 yards.

Safety glasses
Hearing protection
shooting mat
rear bag

that is the minimum you need to be productive

[jeremyy]

Thanks for taking the time on that one.

[kcstott]

One more thing

outside of NRA regionals, you can show up with a rifle and it's pretty much run what you brung. Outside of caliber restriction.

this is for any rifle match, medium range 600 yard or 800 yard or Long range.

what this means is you can show up at a MR 600 yard or LR 1000 yard match and shoot Palma, NRA highpower, Service rifle, or F class.

You can also shoot a rifle with brake even though it's outside of NRA rules.
They just place those guy at the upwind side of the firing line to keep the dust to a minimum. Be advise during an NRA regional you will be expected and required to comply with all NRA high power rifle regs. Your score will not count otherwise.

At long range matches I shoot F class TR but we've had Palma, and a M1 Garand along with F class open guys all on the same line firing at the same time.

It's not a etched in stone rigid match. these guys want you out shooting, learning and having fun. it's a great place to shoot and I'm glad I joined.