Essential shooter items.

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CoyoteSix

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So, I'm young. I've got guns and ear and eye protection. I've got a location to shoot at. Beautiful reactive steel target by Action Target.

What else do I need?


There's things I've found that are essential for shooting in the mid-western desert since I started a few years ago like:

Water, A multi-tool, foldable tables and chairs, etc.

I know there are items that are missing that I still need, and what better time to get'em than while I can't find ammo!
 
You'll want a nice hat, doesn't matter what kind, but I personally like to wear surplus boonie hats. They provide shade on hot days. Don't want to get sunburnt.
Cotton bucket hats are actually better however in heat because you can get them wet and they keep your head cool. You can do the same with boonie hats but they are supposed to repel water, so it doesnt work as nicely.


Besides that, you might want to bring food, but bring antispetic wipes and or gel or soap because if you eat you want them hands clean of lead.
 
You won't need it as long as you're using the steel target, but later on you might want your own range stapler.
 
A simple field cleaning kit, for impromptu clearings and crud removal.

A good range bag, with multiple pockets or compartments.

A small spotting scope or pair of field glasses (small binoculars) for checking your later-acquired non-reactive targets at distance.

Ammo.
 
Coyote... welcome to the sport. A 10x10 eazy-up is a great investment. As is a rolling tool box with a luggage handle.

A decent first aid kit is a good idea too. Staple gun and staples for when sighting in on paper.

Magazines.
 
^^ agree on the pop-up - better sun protection than a hat

Shooting at distance? A NICE spotting scope saves a lot of walking to see results on paper targets.

A garbage bag to put drink containers, paper targets, lunch wrappers, etc. in to take away with you
 
Bigger car to carry all this stuff? Seriously though, you have most things covered here. I like to bring a large lawn size trash bag to help police garbage up, even if it isnt my garbage. A buddy of mine also lays down a tarp in the brass ejection area when shooting auto loaders.
 
If you're going into the field to shoot (or for any other reason), take what ever you'd need if you were intentionally spending a couple of nights there, because eventually you will wind up doing just that.
 
Eyes
Ears
Hat
Cleaning kit
Tamping rod
Tape
Staple gun
Screwdrivers
Allen keys
CLP
Zeiss lens wipes (Walmart $2.97)
Some sort of rest (bags, benchrest, etc...)
Towel
Wet wipes
Snacks
Drinks
Spotting scope

Edit: Forgot clothes pins. Many ranges have a wire hung for pistol targets.
 
If you start shooting paper, run over to Lowes or Home Depot and buy a colored concrete marker (usually right next to the cash register). That way you can put a mark over the holes you have already punched. I also pack extra foam ear plugs in case a friend comes along and forgets his.
 
All good suggestions.

It's more a matter of necessity for me, but I prefer a hat with a rigid brim, like a ball cap. I have a couple of guns that like to throw brass nearly straight up.

Also, my old FEG Hi Power likes to bite the webbing of my hand, so I have some shooting gloves.

Always have extra eye and ear pro for tag alongs.

Glass cleaning wipes are handy if you're outside on a jot day. I'm always finding myself smearing sweat drops on my glasses. Speaking of eye pro, interchangeable lenses or separate glasses with yellow and smoke/dark might be useful if it's a long range trip...or you're in Arkansas where the weather changes constantly.
 
baby wipes
quick-clot in the first aid kit


Baby wipes are convenient for cleaning your hands w/out wasting your precious water (for example, prior to eating a sandwich or providing first aid). A must for kids (clean their hands before the drive home, fingers will be in mouths, eyes, and noses at some point). Luckily I've only needed to use the powdered clotting stuff to date, and only on strangers so far, but having the sponges in the kit is part of being prepared.
 
Please bring your own stapler and spotting scope.

Seems nearly every time I go to the range someone is bugging me to borrow my scope or my stapler. I'm a nice guy, but it bugs the **** out of me. Especially when someone asks me in the middle of a shot string.
 
One thing about quick- clot is that it should only be used in the event of a severely traumatic injury with uncontrolled bleeding and should only be used as a last resort when other blood liss prevention measures have failed...

It is very difficult for ER doctors to deal with an can be a hinderence if it is used unnecessarily.
 
The foam ear plugs are a good thing, sometimes when shooting larger calibers, the plugs and muffs are needed to protect your hearing. Spotting scope is a handy thing to have when shooting paper targets, a range bag is a must, actually two of them one large and one small for caring ammo. Shooting gloves, sun tan lotion, small tools for quick scope repairs, paste on dots to cover holes in your targets (keeps for having to use up more targets), empty soda cans are a must for plinking (just be sure to pick up your trash when done).

Someone to shoot with is always more enjoyable than being out there alone.

Stay safe and shoot straight.
Jim
 
Thanks M-Cameron

As I mentioned, I've only used the powder form on a stranger so I don't know what the follow up was. He had wacked a finger with a knife, fairly deep and wasn't responding to pressure (and had soaked through quite a bit of gauze). This was the stuff in a pouch, like a very small kool-aid pouch (may not have been "quick clot" brand, but I suspect the same warning applies). Dribbling it into the wound stopped the bleeding. We parted ways just after that, so I'm not sure what follow up treatment was pursued or how bad I PO'd the ER guys.

Thanks for the warning though,
 
Thanks M-Cameron

As I mentioned, I've only used the powder form on a stranger so I don't know what the follow up was. He had wacked a finger with a knife, fairly deep and wasn't responding to pressure (and had soaked through quite a bit of gauze). This was the stuff in a pouch, like a very small kool-aid pouch (may not have been "quick clot" brand, but I suspect the same warning applies). Dribbling it into the wound stopped the bleeding. We parted ways just after that, so I'm not sure what follow up treatment was pursued or how bad I PO'd the ER guys.

Thanks for the warning though,
Click to expand...

It's hard for me to say, as I wasn't there, but from the sounds if it, it doesn't sound like the best situation to use quick-clot... But it also doesn't sound like you endangered the guys life either.... So I wouldn't worry about it.

There are a few different type of hemostatic agents, but the most popular are quick-clot an celox....

The problem with quick clot is that it exit germs and produces a good amount of heat and can actually cause burns, that is why ER doctors must thoroughly rinse the wound before they can begin to work on it.

Celox is similar to quick clot except that it doesn't produce heat, however it is derived from shell fish and can cause allergic reactions with those with seafood Algeries.

Honestly though, for most situations, direct pressure and elevation are all that are needed.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, take from this what you may,this is mearly my findings on researching the matter. I encourage you to do your own research.
 
I also like to carry Remington Oil Wipes as well. Sometimes because of my schedule, I shoot during my shift at work, get stuck on calls until god knows what time, go home and immediately crash. I use the wipes to wipe down my guns real quick before I get a chance to give them a good cleaning.
 
It looks like you got all the answers you need here.
But I agree with Jim243...
Bring a friend.
It's more fun that way. Plus it's safer too should something go wrong.
 
Two things. Blue painters tape works well to cover holes in paper targets, and if you are going to bring a friend make it a female friend incase you get stranded.
 
Two things. Blue painters tape works well to cover holes in paper targets, and if you are going to bring a friend make it a female friend incase you get stranded.
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that, My Fiance is actually my best shooting buddy. Together we go through tons of rimfire! :D

I like alot of the suggestions! The EZ up tent is an awesome idea! Many things I never would've thought've here. Keep it up!
 
Lets see, I shoot either indoors or at a range with a covered shooting line, so I don't need my own bench and shade (although if I did the E-Z Up canopy sounds perfect). Looking through my range gear, I normally have:

  • Eye Protection (myself + extra)
  • Ear Protection (myself + extra)
  • Shooting Gloves
  • Spotting Scope
  • Shooting Bags (rest)
  • Targets
  • Stapler
  • Tape
  • Extra Magazines
  • Extra Ammo
  • Bottle Water
  • Sm. Tool Kit
  • Sm. First Aid Kit
  • Bug Spray
  • Sun Screen
  • Wet Wipes
I'm sure I've missed something. :rolleyes:
 
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