Marylanders, I think it's time for another shoot!
- Thread starter chaim
- Start date
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LeadPumper
Member
Shoot...
Won't be able to make PA next weekend, already have plans.
Hap Baker's was fun, but crowded. And cold. And damp.
After waiting a loooong time for a lane, RobG and I set up all the way over on lane 10 (last lane on the left). We didn't get to set up until 2:30 or so, by which time my joints were all good and stiff from standing in the damp, chilly air (I could see my breath), but I guess I'm spoiled as I usually shoot handguns at an indoor range.
RobG got things started with his upgraded SKS, while I unpacked stuff and loaded mags. He had replaced both front and rear sights, put a new stock on, and some other stuff I don't pretend to have noticed. So he set upon sighting in for a few minutes first at 25 yrds, then 50. I shot a few rounds out of the SKS and noticed all the hard work he had done really cleaned up the action nicely.
After he took a break, I took over the bench. First up was the Armalite AR-180B. This rifle had given me fits the last shoot, so much so that it had to go back to Armalite for repair. (It wouldn't cycle at all.) This time however, it had no such problems. I ripped off a quick magazine to warm myself up and settle in.
Next I opened up with the FAL, I had put on a new rear sight and it needed re-zeroing. First at 25 yrds, then 50, then 75. At that range I was having trouble keeping the front sight in position. (I had replaced the post with a cross-hair set up). The front cross-hair was getting lost in the background, making accuracy suffer. Overall, I liked the new VOW click adjustable windage rear, but have decided I need to find a new front sight. No other problems or issues with the FAL this day, it shot great.
After that came the M1903A3 (Remington) from CMP. This was my first range trip with this rifle after I got it from CMP and cleaned it up last month. I unloaded some en-block clips I had for the M1 and hand fed the first rounds. With a recoil pad in place, and the several layers of clothing I had on, recoil was reduced to a 'good shove'. Accuracy was outstanding, with almost no adjustment to the stock sights needed. I quickly moved to the 75 yrd target and easily kept a group in the black. (I realize that some of you might snicker, but I'm not a rifle guy. Heck, I can barely make out a target at 100 yrds, let alone hit it!) This rifle was the surprise of the day, being the most accurate (in my hands) and most fun to shoot. (And to think, CMP is giving these away for $400 a pop!)
Flush from my success thus far, I brought up the M1 Garand. A CMP Harrington & Richardson model cleaned up last month, this was it's first range trip. Fearing the dreaded 'Garand thumb', I was most cautious when loading the first clip. I needn't have been. The bolt release didn't work properly, so I had to assist it into battery for the first round of each clip. Opening rounds proved to be far left of the target in question, and much of my windage was taken up to get it sighted in. 50 & 75 yrd shots were easy as the Garand has excellent iron sights, but accuracy was sub-par, yielding 6 inch groups at 50 yrds in my hands. I believe this one might require some additional work. RobG got similar results when he tested it.
With one more new milsurp to play with this day, I set up with a 'select grade' K-31. The rifle itself is all it's advertised to be, built like a swiss watch, smooth action, great trigger, little tiny sights. Oh yeah, how I love little tiny sights. Did I mention I have a hard time even seeing the target at 100 yrds? I could not, for the life of me, get the K-31 sights in line. If I held the same position and disregarded the sight picture, I did OK. But I'm gonna have to do something about those sights! Recoil was a 'modest push', a little heavier than a 30.06, so a recoil pad is highly recommended. RobG got better accuracy out of this one even though it had the best trigger of the bunch.
After that it was time to play, back to the SKS for more rounds of Wolf fun. More magazines through the AR and FAL. At one point I tried the scope mount on the FAL with a Millet Red dot attached. The scope sat up to high though, I couldn't get it to adjust down enough to bring in on target. Got plenty of wood target framing though (oops).
We kept a lookout for anyone we'd recognize, even hung out a sign. But being all the way at the end, we could've easily missed someone.
Best line of the day was from another shooter who wandered over during a cease fire, looking over our collection he commented "I saw you guys kept coming in with more stuff, that’s quite an arsenal you have there.". I laughed and replied, "Well, we knew we only had a couple of hours to shoot, so we only brought what we'd need. We left everything else at home."
-LeadPumper
Won't be able to make PA next weekend, already have plans.
Hap Baker's was fun, but crowded. And cold. And damp.
After waiting a loooong time for a lane, RobG and I set up all the way over on lane 10 (last lane on the left). We didn't get to set up until 2:30 or so, by which time my joints were all good and stiff from standing in the damp, chilly air (I could see my breath), but I guess I'm spoiled as I usually shoot handguns at an indoor range.
RobG got things started with his upgraded SKS, while I unpacked stuff and loaded mags. He had replaced both front and rear sights, put a new stock on, and some other stuff I don't pretend to have noticed. So he set upon sighting in for a few minutes first at 25 yrds, then 50. I shot a few rounds out of the SKS and noticed all the hard work he had done really cleaned up the action nicely.
After he took a break, I took over the bench. First up was the Armalite AR-180B. This rifle had given me fits the last shoot, so much so that it had to go back to Armalite for repair. (It wouldn't cycle at all.) This time however, it had no such problems. I ripped off a quick magazine to warm myself up and settle in.
Next I opened up with the FAL, I had put on a new rear sight and it needed re-zeroing. First at 25 yrds, then 50, then 75. At that range I was having trouble keeping the front sight in position. (I had replaced the post with a cross-hair set up). The front cross-hair was getting lost in the background, making accuracy suffer. Overall, I liked the new VOW click adjustable windage rear, but have decided I need to find a new front sight. No other problems or issues with the FAL this day, it shot great.
After that came the M1903A3 (Remington) from CMP. This was my first range trip with this rifle after I got it from CMP and cleaned it up last month. I unloaded some en-block clips I had for the M1 and hand fed the first rounds. With a recoil pad in place, and the several layers of clothing I had on, recoil was reduced to a 'good shove'. Accuracy was outstanding, with almost no adjustment to the stock sights needed. I quickly moved to the 75 yrd target and easily kept a group in the black. (I realize that some of you might snicker, but I'm not a rifle guy. Heck, I can barely make out a target at 100 yrds, let alone hit it!) This rifle was the surprise of the day, being the most accurate (in my hands) and most fun to shoot. (And to think, CMP is giving these away for $400 a pop!)
Flush from my success thus far, I brought up the M1 Garand. A CMP Harrington & Richardson model cleaned up last month, this was it's first range trip. Fearing the dreaded 'Garand thumb', I was most cautious when loading the first clip. I needn't have been. The bolt release didn't work properly, so I had to assist it into battery for the first round of each clip. Opening rounds proved to be far left of the target in question, and much of my windage was taken up to get it sighted in. 50 & 75 yrd shots were easy as the Garand has excellent iron sights, but accuracy was sub-par, yielding 6 inch groups at 50 yrds in my hands. I believe this one might require some additional work. RobG got similar results when he tested it.
With one more new milsurp to play with this day, I set up with a 'select grade' K-31. The rifle itself is all it's advertised to be, built like a swiss watch, smooth action, great trigger, little tiny sights. Oh yeah, how I love little tiny sights. Did I mention I have a hard time even seeing the target at 100 yrds? I could not, for the life of me, get the K-31 sights in line. If I held the same position and disregarded the sight picture, I did OK. But I'm gonna have to do something about those sights! Recoil was a 'modest push', a little heavier than a 30.06, so a recoil pad is highly recommended. RobG got better accuracy out of this one even though it had the best trigger of the bunch.
After that it was time to play, back to the SKS for more rounds of Wolf fun. More magazines through the AR and FAL. At one point I tried the scope mount on the FAL with a Millet Red dot attached. The scope sat up to high though, I couldn't get it to adjust down enough to bring in on target. Got plenty of wood target framing though (oops).
We kept a lookout for anyone we'd recognize, even hung out a sign. But being all the way at the end, we could've easily missed someone.
Best line of the day was from another shooter who wandered over during a cease fire, looking over our collection he commented "I saw you guys kept coming in with more stuff, that’s quite an arsenal you have there.". I laughed and replied, "Well, we knew we only had a couple of hours to shoot, so we only brought what we'd need. We left everything else at home."
-LeadPumper
Ha! reminds me of the last time P95Carry came down to Hap Baker.
I'd like to see that SKS sometime. I've been thinking about getting a $99 one and working it (or the one I have now) over.
Should we try a pistol shoot soon? Weather be damned for that at least.
I think the last formal indoor shoot was at Continental, and other than the high price, it was a pretty successful event.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61405
Don't burn your eyes looking at the picture
cslinger
Member
We would love to go but we only have Wed. night open at this point.
Chris
Chris
cslinger
Member
What Kind Of Targets
What kind of targets do you use at Hap Baker? A buddy of mine and I will be going tomorrow afternoon and I don't know if they have target stands or if I should bring clay or what.
Thanks
Chris
What kind of targets do you use at Hap Baker? A buddy of mine and I will be going tomorrow afternoon and I don't know if they have target stands or if I should bring clay or what.
Thanks
Chris
Is Hap Baker open on Wednesdays this time of the year due to demand? Their "regular" days are only Thursday through Sunday.
I know that they open sometimes on Wednesdays, but it it more at the whim of the ROs than it is a set thing.
I hope they are open so that you can get some time in....but I'd hate to see you drive out there for nothing.
I know that they open sometimes on Wednesdays, but it it more at the whim of the ROs than it is a set thing.
I hope they are open so that you can get some time in....but I'd hate to see you drive out there for nothing.
Just in case you read this in time, here's the contact info:
**Hap Baker Range
Carroll County Landfill
Route 140
Westminster MD 21157
Contact: JoAnn Hunter
Phone: 410-386-2103
Shooting opportunities for small and large caliber rifle and pistols.
Open to the Public. Daily or season passes are required Days and times vary.
**Hap Baker Range
Carroll County Landfill
Route 140
Westminster MD 21157
Contact: JoAnn Hunter
Phone: 410-386-2103
Shooting opportunities for small and large caliber rifle and pistols.
Open to the Public. Daily or season passes are required Days and times vary.
cslinger
Member
Not only was it open there was an hour wait. I have never been to a range that gave me a number.
All in all a great time. Very nice range. A bit restrictive but not too bad. I like the fact they provide staplers etc. and I really liked the red clear lights.
About the only thing I didn't like was the two second rule which I broke once.
They didn't however blink an eye at my evil black AR15 with 30 round magazines nor did they blink an eye at the HK USC with 30 round magazines. Actually the range office did blink a few times at the USC right up to the point he came up and sheepishly asked if he could shoot a few rounds through it.
He loved it.
We have a new M1 Garand convert in one of my friends too so it was a great day. I will try to post some pictures in another thread a bit later.
Thanks for all the info guys.
Chris
All in all a great time. Very nice range. A bit restrictive but not too bad. I like the fact they provide staplers etc. and I really liked the red clear lights.
About the only thing I didn't like was the two second rule which I broke once.
They didn't however blink an eye at my evil black AR15 with 30 round magazines nor did they blink an eye at the HK USC with 30 round magazines. Actually the range office did blink a few times at the USC right up to the point he came up and sheepishly asked if he could shoot a few rounds through it.
He loved it.We have a new M1 Garand convert in one of my friends too so it was a great day. I will try to post some pictures in another thread a bit later.
Thanks for all the info guys.
Chris
Chris,
You're lucky that it was only an hour wait....on the weekends it is closer to 2 hours.
It is a nice range, and the fact that it is a county facility is all the better.
The RO's are generally pretty good about stuff....the 2 second rule is enforced because it "scares the neighbors" to have rapid fire
Glad you had a good time
You're lucky that it was only an hour wait....on the weekends it is closer to 2 hours.
It is a nice range, and the fact that it is a county facility is all the better.
The RO's are generally pretty good about stuff....the 2 second rule is enforced because it "scares the neighbors" to have rapid fire
Glad you had a good time
cslinger
Member
See thread here to watch the magic of what a Garand can do to somebody who doesn't shoot.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=108423
Chris
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=108423
Chris
I need someplace to shoot my Garand.- Status