Shooting Range Observations

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Turkeytider

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Been going to a local state run 100 yard outdoor range for a little over a year now. It`s a busy range, particularly on the weekends as one would expect. Being interested in firearms, I`ll take a walk behind the firing line just to see what everyone`s shooting. At this range I`d estimate a good 95-98% handguns and all manner of AR variants. I would bet that I could count on less than two hands the number of " traditional " scoped, bolt action rifles that one would call a hunting rifle. Interestingly, and maybe because the range is only 100 yards, about the same number of chasis, precision rifles as the hunting bolt actions. From a variety of firearms standpoint, it`s really quite boring. I`d also say that 80-90% of the targets are set at max of 75 yards, mostly less. Comparatively very few out at 100 yards. While the lack of firearms variety was not really a huge surprise, the ranges of targets was.
 
I often shoot at our' state range, as other ranges are further away, and this one is convenient. Draw back being it's limited to rim fire, muzzle loaders, or 'slugs' on the rifle side, and a shotgun range on the other side. NO pistol range.
We're in luck as we shoot .22's as a preference most often....cheap, and love the challenge at 100 yrds. honing our skills.

As you, though we're limited by caliber, surprised at the short distances people choose with their fancier looking set ups. 25-50 ranges being the heavy favorites. There'll be a rare 75 yrd. shooter......and I see 'evidence' when I'm setting our target up that there had been people shooting at this berm. But I could probably count on 1 hand the times I've shared the 100 yrd. range with others over the past couple years.
It's all 'personal preference', but still surprises me.
Hack
 
Would not at all surprise me if my .17HMR and .223 bolt guns are real oddities at my range. I`m sure there are tons of .223 rounds going through ARs, however. Just for grins, I think I`ll start looking at brass to get an idea of what calibers are being shot. Lots of 9mm I would expect. See lots of small casings ....22s I imagine.
 
When I was starting out in silhouette matches I belonged to a very, very, nice club that had several ranges out to 300yds. being primarily a bench rest club it had an extensive firing line, with concrete benches to hold matches. It also had a separate 100yd range. The vast majority of shooters would use the 100yd range and shoot paper at either 50 or 100 yds.

I would go to practice with either my actual silhouette rifle at 300, or my 22LR clone at 100 using reduced animal TGTs. I'd always have the 300yd KD range to myself. I'd practice as if I was in a match, prone, complete with timer, basically making it as realistic as possible. The majority of the guys there, regardless of firearm, shot off the bench. There were guys with precision rigs, hunting rifles, AR15s, etc. The one commonality was shooting groups on paper from the bench.

I think I read a theory that we tend to practice what we're good at, and avoid the things we aren't good at. Sort of a spin off of the Dunning Kruger Effect, so maybe that explains it.
 
I think the OP's observations are pretty typical of most ranges everywhere. That's one reason I enjoy taking out my milsurps - because they're often something at least some of the shooters have never seen, and it's always fun to strike up a conversation with new people about your firearms.
 
It's been a few years now since I last had time for the long drive to a real rifle range. I recall that on that occasion, one other shooter soundly out-weirded the milsurps I'd brought: he was shooting a .257" air rifle attached to a scuba tank at a 250 yard target. I chatted with the owner and visited his website:

 
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wiscoaster said:
I think the OP's observations are pretty typical of most ranges everywhere. That's one reason I enjoy taking out my milsurps - because they're often something at least some of the shooters have never seen, and it's always fun to strike up a conversation with new people about your firearms.
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I think I`ve maybe seen two guys with milsurp rifles at my range. Of course, there may be more since I`m not there all the time. I think I`m safe in saying that they`re rare, though.
 
We get frequent infestations of range toy guys that like to see how fast they can burn up ammo. Usually small groups that shoot up the target stands as they can't hit the target. And usually AR's and hi cap pistols. Also frequent are high dollar shooters trying to get their spendy brand rifles to shoot. Some are very good. Many times they are not and complain about the money they spent. Mostly city folks, hunters seem to be in the minority. The range is only 100 yards. But I also am a member in a rural range near my summer cabin. That range is usually empty week days and has up to 400 yards range. and it is way cheaper. Plus I have a buddy there that has his own complete range. I still need the range near my home for sight ins and to participate in a match and shoot with son and grandkids.
 
I am an NRA range officer at a state-run range. We have multiple rifle ranges, a pistol range, trap and archery available. It all depends on your part of the country, and what time of year it is. Getting close to hunting season, I see almost all scoped bolt action rifles, with "most" being larger caliber - countless 7mm magnums. They tend to like larger calibers here, as there's a lot of varied hunting. Elk get pretty dang big. Coming into the summer time I see more black rifles of all kinds, with a lot of precision-type bolt actions in different types of chassis. Recently I'm seeing more 5.56mm "pistols". Pistol calibers vary of course, but the overwhelming favorite is 9mm. We get barrels and barrels of 9mm brass, quite a bit of .40, less .45 now, some 10mm, very little .38 Special, virtually no .357 and unfortunately for me I have NEVER seen .38 Super brass, but hey... I don't expect that one. :) Yesterday though, was a great day. A competitive black powder guy brought his original Win 1886 (made in 1902), 45-90 rifle, which he was kind enough to let me shoot. I'd love to hear that rifle talk. There were also 2 guys with WWII M1 rifles bought through the CMP. Warmer weather brings out some cool stuff. Btw, I'm talking about Idaho. Don't move here though, the state is full. :)
 
RainDodger said:
I am an NRA range officer at a state-run range. We have multiple rifle ranges, a pistol range, trap and archery available. It all depends on your part of the country, and what time of year it is. Getting close to hunting season, I see almost all scoped bolt action rifles, with "most" being larger caliber - countless 7mm magnums. They tend to like larger calibers here, as there's a lot of varied hunting. Elk get pretty dang big. Coming into the summer time I see more black rifles of all kinds, with a lot of precision-type bolt actions in different types of chassis. Recently I'm seeing more 5.56mm "pistols". Pistol calibers vary of course, but the overwhelming favorite is 9mm. We get barrels and barrels of 9mm brass, quite a bit of .40, less .45 now, some 10mm, very little .38 Special, virtually no .357 and unfortunately for me I have NEVER seen .38 Super brass, but hey... I don't expect that one. :) Yesterday though, was a great day. A competitive black powder guy brought his original Win 1886 (made in 1902), 45-90 rifle, which he was kind enough to let me shoot. I'd love to hear that rifle talk. There were also 2 guys with WWII M1 rifles bought through the CMP. Warmer weather brings out some cool stuff. Btw, I'm talking about Idaho. Don't move here though, the state is full. :)
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Come to think of it, what few ( very few ) scoped bolt action rifles, other than mine, that I`ve seen at the range was right before deer season here in Georgia.
 
We have a sight in weekend at our range open to the public before deer season. That's when you see hunting rifles in large numbers.
 
The State ranges are unsupervised. so it's up to the shooter's to keep order and police up the ranges, which believe or not, is done with few exceptions. You get a few slobs that let there shot up targets litter and blow around, but for the most part the shooter's are polite and courteous. At 25 feet the pistol range is too short, but there's also 50, 100, 200, and 300 yard ranges. I can shoot up to 100 yards on my home range, but I like the 200 yard range a lot for my Rifles. You want attention? Show up with an AK or Garand, although the SMLE's and Mauser's also bring some polite questions. AR's are old hat and bolt actions or semi-auto Deer rifles are only seen before Deer season.
 
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The current range my Dad and I frequent is an outdoor tactical range with lots of bays and a 50-100-200 yard sight in range, so I have been seeing a LOT of guys with tiny little AR pistols. I'm not sure they are hitting the targets at 50 yards much, but they seem to burn up the small amount of ammo they bring, and quickly. Then they sit around and lie to each other about being seal team delta sniper nightstalkers, and show off all their tactical gear and do-dads. Unfortunately I've got all the 5.56 brass I'll ever need in a lifetime, so they aren't even helpful as brass donors.

I do wish they would make louder muzzle brakes for their 5" AR pistolas, because even using 2 layers of ear protection I still have about 40% of my hearing left.
 
Not everyone is into bolt guns.

I have not owned one in over 10 years. Not my thing anymore. Nothing wrong w/them, though. Maybe I will make an impulse buy of a 5.56 bolt gun at some point LOL
 
I am bothered by the fact that most shooters never get off their butts to see how they can shoot. Once my firearm is papered, I don’t care how small a group it can make from a bench. I want to know how “we” do from field positions. I am an infrequent user of public ranges but when I am there or at private clubs, I am usually the only one shooting off hand, sitting or prone. And often making smaller groups than the bench shooters. Not talking bench rest competitors, been there too! Loved it but stunk at it.

Kevin
 
My buddy and I made several peoples day when we went to the line with our TC Renegade 54 cal muzzle loaders. Occasionally we would fire at the same time and someone would complain about "the cannons going off!" Oops.
Once, juts once I was out there with a K98 8mm, and for grins and giggles I shot standing at the 700 yard gong. It was that very rare second of total silence on the range and me and the guy next to me clearly heard the "clang" echo back. The guy next to me said, "Do it again", and I said "there is no WAY I can ever do THAT again!"
I used to make the Tactical Tommies mad when I broke out the CZ 527M and would ring the steel at 150 yards standing with iron sights, and they'd be missing at 50 yards with scoped ARs. Unfortunately, that rifle was the last victim of the ex...
 
armoredman said:
My buddy and I made several peoples day when we went to the line with our TC Renegade 54 cal muzzle loaders. Occasionally we would fire at the same time and someone would complain about "the cannons going off!" Oops.
Once, juts once I was out there with a K98 8mm, and for grins and giggles I shot standing at the 700 yard gong. It was that very rare second of total silence on the range and me and the guy next to me clearly heard the "clang" echo back. The guy next to me said, "Do it again", and I said "there is no WAY I can ever do THAT again!"
I used to make the Tactical Tommies mad when I broke out the CZ 527M and would ring the steel at 150 yards standing with iron sights, and they'd be missing at 50 yards with scoped ARs. Unfortunately, that rifle was the last victim of the ex...
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I did a Mad Minute with a K98 years ago- first and only time Ive tried it. When I was done, I looked around and realized all the RSOs had gathered around and the whole range was staring at me.....
I didn't technically break any range rules, but they were sure mean mugging me! :D
 
I attend a private but open to the public club range that's 100 yards and 9 benches. I pretty much never bring anything modern. I'm always bringing WWII rifles and putting the bayonets out. I'm always getting looks and comments and I let anyone try them out. The RSO always seem more interested in them than all the ARs that show up.I definitely get looks when I shoot the M44 Mosin. Most of the other shooters either have some sorta precision shooting rifle or an AR. Lately I've been trying to work on getting good groups at 100 yards with iron sights.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
....I looked around and realized all the RSOs had gathered around and the whole range was staring at me.....
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Reminds me of the last time I had my Garand out. I was shooting at the 200 yd steel targets and when I was done turned around surprised to find a group of about half a dozen guys standing behind me. Thinking they were waiting for me to vacate the position I asked them if they wanted that bench and they laughed and said they were just wanting to hear the "ping". :rofl:
 
I don't go to the state range any longer, couple reasons, I moved into the country and have a "range" in the back yard, two it was a bit scary but that is a story for another day. I do remember the last time I was out however. One old guy was shooting a black powder flint lock, at the call to stop shooting, the guy removed the flint and set the rifle down. The range officer had a cow about him leaving a loaded weapon out and he needed to unload it....well really how. Add to that I was asked to leave, not because of the usual reasons, shooting too fast, or being unsafe, nope being too loud. This is guessing late 90's, and I guess a SVT 40 is just a little too loud for this specific guy, never mind that mosins are everywhere on the line at that time....same round, those are fine, but me...too loud, quit shooting or go home, I went home.
 
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