How many trips to the car does it take to get to the range?

[Sebastian the Ibis]

While departing for my last trip to the range, I looked back fondly on the simpler times many years ago when I could fill a range bag and walk to the car. Now it takes me at least three trips to my truck to load up targets, ammo, cooler/snacks and guns. I always have a couple guns I just tinkered with - so I have to take them (and the associated ammo) plus whatever else is needed that day - scope, mat, cleaning gear . NFA paperwork and releases always go with me too. Who else has this problem?

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Depends on who all is going.

If it's just me and maybe one other person, a couple trips. Mostly because stuff is stored in different places.

I have a .50 cal "range can" which I se to put most everything in that I'll be taking to shoot with...a few boxes of ammo, some magazines, etc. Then there are the guns, then the targets.

 

[AZAndy]

I already have cardboard silhouette targets in the trunk, so it's just one trip with a backpack-style range bag. It holds everything I need-- it's similar to this one.

 

[montanaoffroader]

I'm in the same boat. Always way too much stuff to load.

Couple of rifles, range bag, handgun cases, target stand, range hang tag is always in the other car, etc. Seems like the list gets longer all the time. If I take my daughter or one of my nieces/nephews with me, it's even more stuff........

 

[Scooter22]

Too many. Sometimes I think of all the stuff to carry out and in x4 and decide not to go. Not to mention what I want to bring and finding it.

 

[bannockburn]

All depends on if it's just handguns (probably 3 trips with two or more range bags and ammo), or if it's long guns as well (figure another 2 or 3 trips with the shotgun/rifle cases).

 

[Dragon breath]

I can shoot at my house. I have never been to a gun range, unless you count the lgs that has a range in the back.

 

[Don Dayacetah]

It is s succession of repeated trips, for me. Range bag and gear first trip, then each firearm and ammo is a separate trip to the car.
I've gotten to the point of avoiding public ranges like the plague. Using a Porta-potty is more desirable, and generally more productive.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Two.

One for firearms and one for ammo/targets/gear.

Our range has a pretty good setup for targets so it requires minimal gear. It's private.

 

[tarosean]

2.. my pistol bag holds up to 4 pistols and ammo. my rifle bag holds multiple riffles and ammo, so that one trip..
Course I always have to turn around because I forgot something simple.

 

[JR24]

I limit myself to 1 range duffel and one rifle case, just so it's only 1 trip

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Depends on if I'm at a legit range or homemade range.

If it's a legit range, I try to keep it simple. My range bag holds everything. So one trip. I don't want to be one of those guys who brings a cart and their collection.

I try to focus on one or two guns. If I want to shoot my collection, I split them up on various trips.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

If I’m going to the pistol range it’s easy. My son got me a large GPS range bag for Christmas and I have it loaded with everything I need. So just grab and go.

If I’m going to the rifle range it’s a few. Besides the range bag, it’s load the rifles in the truck, and then load up target stands and anything else I’ll need, think I’ll need, or think I might need.

 

[Armored farmer]

It pays to be a minimalist sometimes. Or so i have heard.
I usually forget something important either at home or leave it at the range. Last time it was my spotting scope.

 

[scaatylobo]

While departing for my last trip to the range, I looked back fondly on the simpler times many years ago when I could fill a range bag and walk to the car. Now it takes me at least three trips to my truck to load up targets, ammo, cooler/snacks and guns. I always have a couple guns I just tinkered with - so I have to take them (and the associated ammo) plus whatever else is needed that day - scope, mat, cleaning gear . NFA paperwork and releases always go with me too. Who else has this problem?

LOL, bought a fold up 4 wheeled wagon to get it all in one trip.

Only problem is getting to garage in back yard,still have to make a 'few' trips.

Feel your problem bro,went yesterday and left cart home as its only a few steps to range.

So it was only 2 & 1/2 trips to SUV.

Guns

Targets

spotting scope

ammo bag's

water

cigars

parts & shooting stand bag

 

[taliv]

Kinda weird for me. The type of shooting i do is more hike and shoot. So I am capable of carrying everything i need for the day in my backpack. However when I’m just going out to practice my truck is my range bag and i just pull whatever I need when I need it. Stuff like shooting mats and chronos that I wouldn’t carry in the pack normally. If I have other people coming and the pop up tents come out etc then that’s a few more trips

 

[Axis II]

It depends for me.

Usually its 2 trips because i take 2 pistols, range bag, 2 rilfes, ammo and targets. I'm cheap so i didn't have a range bag for along time to muffs, eyes, ammo, etc was all carried separate.

I see some of these guys who unload 10 rifles, 5 handguns, 5 ammo cans, cleaning kits, different targets for different guns, spotting scopes, bags, rests, etc and say to myself are you planning on shooting all weekend cause with all that crap its going to be a 2 day event! lol. I constantly find ear muffs, glasses, full boxes of ammo, half boxes of ammo, spotting scopes, etc at the range cause someone forgot them.

My buddies drive me nuts when it comes to range trips or hunting trips. Both are gear junkies so they have to have everything but the kitchen sink. Tools to work on the guns, ammo, cleaning kits, 5 solvents, 2 backpacks with just a bunch of random BS in there. If they bring an AR they have to bring the "load bearing vest" with 20 mags all over it instead of just putting them in a range bag. Id say 4 trips but they take 45min.

Hunting is worse! 10 trips minimum to the car.

I try and keep large totes with everything I need in them. If its hunting season a tote with harnesses, masks, gloves, etc rides in the truck and doesn't leave until spring. All i have to do is throw the rifle or bow and climber in and I'm gone. If i know I'm shooting the next day ill pack everything up and put in the garage to be able to grab and run. When i give my buddies crap about not being ready they have some stuff in the barn, shed, basement, garage, room, storm cellar, etc.

 

[P5 Guy]

At least two trips.
Cold range means I have to leave the guns in the car until the range goes hot.
One trip for targets, one for guns depending on which state the range is in when I arrive. Also what types, rifles or handguns. I leave one type in the car because the rifle and handgun sides are separated. And I do not want to leave firearms unattended on one or the other side.

 

[chicharrones]

One trip for me.

Long ago I used to carry three or more guns for each range trip, but starting several years ago I've kept the firearm count to two handguns or one rifle for most range trips. Only if I'm going with another shooter, do I usually take two or more rifles these days.

This is partly due to the ranges I go to aren't far away and nearly all of my handgun trips are to indoor ranges. I hate lugging a pile of stuff through an indoor range.

 

[Chuck R.]

Range is about 300 yards from the back door, closest thing to a car that I use:


When we get together for a "shootabout" I hook up a trailer to haul the gear (rifles, mats, spotting scopes etc) and it doubles as a shooting platform.


When I do go to a legit range, it's either for a match or a class, then it's just my shooting bag.

 

[reddog81]

I've got a decent sized tool bag that holds a couple pistols and ammo along with the standard supplies. Earmuffs, glasses, screwdrivers, etc stay in the bag all the time. Usually a rifle case and the labradar chronograph in an over the shoulder brief case. All can be carried in one heavy trip. I've got stockpile of targets in my trunk.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Zero, my range is at my residence although to shoot over 400 yards I have to go up the lane to the mailbox.
I have been to public or private ranges twice that I recall. Both times to qualify for CCW permits.
Stepping out on the patio to shoot my new PPQ now.

 

[wally]

A herniated disk in my back made it go from typically two trips to at least four simply because I can't cram as much guns and ammo into a bag without putting my back at risk. Frustrating, but its one of the things you need to deal with as you age

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
Seems to take more trips the older. I get.
Last trip was about 4 trips to my son's truck.
One with two cases of handguns, one with two rifle cases, one with a couple of ammo boxes and another with my dry box full of ear muffs, shooting gloves, etc.
Another trip to put four cardboard target backers in the truck.
We did make all that stuff last about 5 hours at the gun club.
Managed to get two new rifles sighted in, a new revolver broke in and a large number of other handguns and rifles "exercised".

 

[EIB0879]

Two or three depending on how energetic I am.