Daylight Saving is OVER

[MtnCreek]

Anyone else losing a lot of trigger time due to the time change? I really enjoy those last few minutes of ‘just barely able to see the target’; it’s a real challenge, but some days since the time changed, that’s about all I get in. I’m thinking about illuminating the target, somehow. No power is available at the target areas and any solar system would be costly and require some means to protect it from livestock. Glow-in-dark paint on steel is an option, but the paint would need to be replaced pretty often (assuming I hit the target ). I’ve thought about glowsticks near the targets. I’ll have to be mindful of their placement, judging by the damage bullet splash does to the ground and posts near the target. Anyone tried this? I’m thinking a couple glowsticks placed a few feet in front of the target may do the trick. Maybe they would work as well or even better if placed behind the target??? My reason for thinking this is because it wouldn’t matter if the target was freshly painted or bare steel because it would appear dark either way. Any thought on this or other methods would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[beatledog7]

Not so much since my outdoor range time is limited by the nearly-an-hour drive required to get there. I'd like to get more outdoor time to practice at actual long range and deal with bullet drop and wind, but it just isn't feasible most days. I would think that focused beam electric lights placed above or below the target level to assure they don't get shot, or shielded by a barrier of some sort, would be ideal for extending the operating hours of outdoor ranges into the dark hours. Many modern flashlights could accomplish this. They wouldn't be very useful for simulating actual night shooting though.

 

[clamman]

A couple Willie Peter rounds would help!

 

[MtnCreek]

Sounds fun, but the next time I set my pasture on fire the county is probably going to send me a bill.

 

[taliv]

yeah, that's why a couple years ago, i started investing in night vision. from october to february, better than half my rounds are shot in the dark, carbine, pistol and precision rifle.

i have several threads discussing NV. frankly, it's fun stuff, but expensive. and i have learned a LOT using it. you won't be effective with NV unless you do it often and get your gear set up right. it took me months to get each weapon sorted out where i could use it decently day or night

assuming NO night vision...

i've tried the cyalume with varying degrees of success. been meaning to try the glow paint and tape but haven't yet. i have shot with targets illuminated by headlights and/or blue lights (there's even an indoor range not far from here that has flashing bluelights)

i do enjoy shooting at last light.

 

[rcmodel]

Walmart had those little solar powered stick in the ground path-lights on sale for like a dollar two ninty-eight the other day.

No big loss if you shoot one with bullet splatter.

rc

 

[mgmorden]

Night vision MIGHT interesting if it weren't for the fact that 99% of outdoor ranges around here don't allow shooting after sunset .

 

[MtnCreek]

Income down since 08 + 2 home upgrades + two more children = No NV for MtnCreek

I think I"ll stop by the store this evening and see what I can find. I would like the glowsticks to work, but it sounds like the walkway lighting or even a cheap led flashlight near the target may be the way to go.

 

[taliv]

backlighting the target with cyalume didn't work for me. front lighting did, but mostly i emplaced the cyalume a known distance from the target and then held off of it. so i couldn't actually see the target in the dark, but was holding under x mils to get hits.

 

[hq]

It's getting harder and harder to hunt after work. One hour or so isn't really enough to drive out of town and get everything set up before you run out of daylight.

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, now by the time I can get to the range after work there is very little time to shoot, meaning I don't go after work as much, and don't shoot as much when I do. Bummer, but it doesn't last.

Our range is sunup to sunset.

 

[cfullgraf]

In the winter, I feed the horses before supper, in the summer it is after supper. It is a pain to feed them in the dark.

They do not like shooting and go to the far end of the farm. But they know when they hear me coming in on the Ranger, it is usually time for dinner and they come up.

Fortunately, I am retired and I just adjust my shooting time in the winter.

 

[MarshallDodge]

rcmodel- Good idea. They had the solar LED lights at the local dollar store for a dollar each last year. I bought a couple and they are still working.

They also had the LED flashlights for a dollar. They hold 3 AAA batteries and last a really long time. Tape them to a stake and point them up at the target.

 

[jmr40]

Gets daylight earlier, I'm at the range when it opens in the AM when I shoot so it is helping, at least for a while. In another month it won't matter.

 

[MtnCreek]

Cheap (small) glowsticks from Lowes didn't work. I will try setting them at known distance and use a hold; should be interesting. I picked up a solar landscape light. It's a focused beam type that puts out 15L; I think that will do the trick once it's charged. Now all I have to do is find a place for it to charge where the stock won’t stomp it and the dogs won’t eat it (10 month old dobby is trying my nerves…).

Anyone know where I could find some glow-in-dark tape or paint? I found plenty of reflective stuff, but nothing that glows. I’m still thinking this may work for larger targets. If nothing else, I could outline the target with it.

Thanks.

 

[jrdolall]

I use the Ryobi 18volt flashlights set up about 10 yards away and angled at the targets. A fully charged battery last about 1 1/2 hours which is more than enough. I already have all the tools and several batteries so I bought two extra lights on Ebay for $14 or so.

 

[303tom]

Nope...........Time did not change, just the clock did !

 

[MtnCreek]

Yep, Time I left the office and time I got home to shoot both changed by one hour, despite what the clock said. You make about as much since as a philosophy professor.

 

[jrdolall]

Kind of like asking "What is the longest day of the year?".
June 21st? Nope! They are all 24 hours long.

 

[SlowFuse]

Anyone know where I could find some glow-in-dark tape or paint?

Look in the craft section of a decently stocked store. I have seen the squeeze type craft paint (white elmers glue type container) in glow in the dark. I know a rattle can would be easier but this stuff could be worth a try. You'll have to have it illuminated for a while so it can "charge" and no telling how long any of it would glow once you hang it up.

I'd go with the solar path lights RC mentioned.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

You want to illuminate steel targets? No power at the sight? Solar stuff has to be protected from livestock?

I think the cheapest solution I would go with is a could of LED flashlights and rechargeable batteries. One might do it depending on what sort of target area you have.

 

[MtnCreek]

I think the cheapest solution I would go with is a could of LED flashlights and rechargeable batteries.

That's what I ended up doing last night. I keep a few 'bargain bin' led's in my truck. After figuring out the little glowsticks weren't cutting it, I propped up a small led light.

I've got a solar light sitting outside charging right now. Funny thing: When I was checking out at Lowes yesterday, the lady asked if I wanted to purchase a 1 or 2 yr warrantee with the light. I always decline, but this time I said “sure, I'll take the 1 yr warrantee”.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Daylight-whosit-what?

Oh yeah, I remember coping with that before moving to Arizona that's where a past government conspiracy steals valuable winter's evening light from you, right?

 

[cfullgraf]

I've got a solar light sitting outside charging right now. Funny thing: When I was checking out at Lowes yesterday, the lady asked if I wanted to purchase a 1 or 2 yr warrantee with the light. I always decline, but this time I said “sure, I'll take the 1 yr warrantee”.

Think Lowes will cover accidental "lead poisoning"?

 

[cfullgraf]

We have a solar light out by our horses similar to the high intensity lights you can get for work lights or house flood lights. It runs off a small lead acid battery which the solar panel recharges during the day. So, lights are available that run off battery.

Shopping around, one could find some lower consumption lights that could run off a battery (6v or 12v) and provide lots of light at the target. Make the light portable and pick it up at the end of the session. Charge the battery at the house.

Maybe some low end automotive flood lights. There may be some with lower wattages that will not consume a small lead acid battery as fast but provide enough light.

Cruise the big box hardware stores' lighting department or the auxiliary lights at the car parts store.

Just some suggestions.