What are items that you feel are a must have when you go to the range? I am basically asking you to make a checklist. Mine consists of guns, ammo, ear muffs, ear plugs, a screwdriver, a stappler, thumbtacks, and screws for affixing cardboard targets to backers, eyeglasses, and a gun rest/vise. Does anyone have any items to add? Thanks.
Range Checklist
- Thread starter kennyboy
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that's a pretty good start. there are a couple of these threads already, if you want to search the archives for things people stuff in their range bags.
but i'd add a cleaning kit, or at least a bore snake, lube, hydration of some sort, a notebook and pen, spare batteries
but i'd add a cleaning kit, or at least a bore snake, lube, hydration of some sort, a notebook and pen, spare batteries
Big Calhoun
Member
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- Oct 16, 2006
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- 554
I've only been to indoor ranges, still looking for a friendly outdoor one. So I just bring guns, ammo, ear wear, gum, and a friendly attitude.
glockman19
Member
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- Mar 16, 2007
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- 3,700
My range bag includes Guns, Revolver and semi auto, Rifles, ammo, eye & ear protection, cleaning kit, spotting scope, resting bags. Cleaning kit includes everyting from Hopps#9 to pacthes, swabs, oil, grease, brushe nyoln & brass, mops, bore snakes, bore light, tool kit, including pliers, screwdrivers, allen wrenches, punches. A coouple of rage for oil & cleaning on, Targets. Extra magazines for all rifles & Guns.
I think that's it. All fits into one cleaning kit case & one large range bag. Each gun has it's own locking allen soft case and all rifles have their own bag/case soft or hard.
I think that's it. All fits into one cleaning kit case & one large range bag. Each gun has it's own locking allen soft case and all rifles have their own bag/case soft or hard.
Not making fun of anybody, but when did "drinking" become "hydrating?"
"Bring something to drink" became "hydrating"
I'm guessing that a salesman wasn't moving enough water bottles so a million dollars and an ad company later, he started selling "hydration" bottles for twice the price. They looked a lot like the water bottles though.
And then the water bottles became less rigid and they became "water bladders". I REALLY hope they didn't pay for that name. "Bladder" doesn't appeal to my taste buds. It's like having the new Rubbermaid "Colon" container.
Guess I'm just old and grumpy.
"Bring something to drink" became "hydrating"
I'm guessing that a salesman wasn't moving enough water bottles so a million dollars and an ad company later, he started selling "hydration" bottles for twice the price. They looked a lot like the water bottles though.
And then the water bottles became less rigid and they became "water bladders". I REALLY hope they didn't pay for that name. "Bladder" doesn't appeal to my taste buds. It's like having the new Rubbermaid "Colon" container.
Guess I'm just old and grumpy.
billhilly66
Member
A can of snuff?
nbkky71
Member
I shoot a lot of NRA highpower...
rifle, ammo & magazines
spotting scope & stand
coat
ground mat
glove
shooting cart
eyes & ears
data book
I have a large home-made shooting box that I dump things into. I usually just take the whole box rather than think about what odds & ends to bring.
rifle, ammo & magazines
spotting scope & stand
coat
ground mat
glove
shooting cart
eyes & ears
data book
I have a large home-made shooting box that I dump things into. I usually just take the whole box rather than think about what odds & ends to bring.
Bazooka Joe71
Member
Duct tape?
I have some in mine.
I have some in mine.
never_retreat
Member
Contents of my range bag
Guns, ammo, mags, ears, leatherman, oil, pen/markers, clothes pins, penlight, brass rod for driving out squibs, plastic bushing wrench for 1911, batteries for red dots, bottle opener, cigars.
Thats my usual load out.
Edit: power tools and duct tape always in truck
Guns, ammo, mags, ears, leatherman, oil, pen/markers, clothes pins, penlight, brass rod for driving out squibs, plastic bushing wrench for 1911, batteries for red dots, bottle opener, cigars.
Thats my usual load out.
Edit: power tools and duct tape always in truck
ADKWOODSMAN
Member
Target pasters are the only thing I haven't seen so far, but I could have missed them.
Ohio Rifleman
Member
Guns, ammo, hearing and eye protection, home made targets. That's about it. I've always gone to an outdoor range where they have duct tape and clothespins there already, so you don't need to bring any of that. When going out to check targets, I always see the remains of many brave clothespins who gave their lives for our sport. Lest we forget.
joplinsks
Member
I'm kinda paranoid about the condition of my guns, so I always bring a rubber mat like those used as toolbox liners and a hand broom / dust pan if things are really trashed. I've never seen a clean, smooth shooting table at any range. Amazing how folks throw their firearms around on those tables like they're toys... 
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Let's see...
Glasses, muffs AND foam plugs, stapler, benchrest and bags (if sighting in a scope), Palm VIIx with ballistics software (especially if sighting in scope, and for general geek utility), watch, cell phone, gatorade, targets (formal or 3x5 cards/playing cards), and binocs if I'm not renting a spotting scope. Plus guns and loaded magazines. Sometimes a cap to keep brass out of my glasses. Sunscreen if it's that kind of day.
Glasses, muffs AND foam plugs, stapler, benchrest and bags (if sighting in a scope), Palm VIIx with ballistics software (especially if sighting in scope, and for general geek utility), watch, cell phone, gatorade, targets (formal or 3x5 cards/playing cards), and binocs if I'm not renting a spotting scope. Plus guns and loaded magazines. Sometimes a cap to keep brass out of my glasses. Sunscreen if it's that kind of day.
yhtomit
Member
If no one's said all of these yet (and in addition to more obvious practical needs, such as gun, ammo, etc):
- Insect repellent (my last trip was really annoying because of aggressive bugs, and I was foolishly wearing knee-length shorts and sandals, no socks).
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses / hat (it's sounding like I live in Arizona, but I don't -- summer can be hot anywhere in N. America)
- Extra foam earplugs as giveaways -- I find too many people at the range (esp. girlfriends and wives) with NO hearing protection, and I therefore don't like to shoot nearby, because I don't want to harm their ears. Fingers pressed firmly in earholes and grimacing is not quite the same
- One I've been meaning to add: a deck of cards -- perhaps the world's handiest 50-pack (now, with 4 bonus cards!) of fun, challenging targets. For some reason, it's always fun to shoot at cards, esp. if you get them cheap from a dollar store etc.
- a book, to prevent Dr. Murphy from providing an opportunity in which to read a book.
- notebook; I'm not terribly consistent about it, but I like to at least note approx. how many rounds fired of what caliber, any special notes about the day's session. As someone with a bad head for names, it's a good memory aid when I meet someone new at the range, too.
[EDIT: A few more things I meant to have on this list ...]
- plastic container for gathering brass (my own, and any that gets volunteered to me)
- ruler (for measuring groups, etc.)
- pens / markers (always missing when I want 'em)
- clamps, tape, thumbtacks, other things-with-which-to-attach-other-things; if you shoot at a sporadically maintained outdoor range, having more than one means to attach targets is helpful. One of the many uses of duct tape, too.
- Re: joplinsks's good point above about a soft mat for guns, note that mousepads are excellent for this -- soft neoprene generally, with a non-slep bottom. The mats at the indoor range where I shoot in Philadelphia sure feel like mousepads, even though they are advertising gun companies and are a bit larger.
timothy
- Insect repellent (my last trip was really annoying because of aggressive bugs, and I was foolishly wearing knee-length shorts and sandals, no socks).
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses / hat (it's sounding like I live in Arizona, but I don't -- summer can be hot anywhere in N. America)
- Extra foam earplugs as giveaways -- I find too many people at the range (esp. girlfriends and wives) with NO hearing protection, and I therefore don't like to shoot nearby, because I don't want to harm their ears. Fingers pressed firmly in earholes and grimacing is not quite the same
- One I've been meaning to add: a deck of cards -- perhaps the world's handiest 50-pack (now, with 4 bonus cards!) of fun, challenging targets. For some reason, it's always fun to shoot at cards, esp. if you get them cheap from a dollar store etc.
- a book, to prevent Dr. Murphy from providing an opportunity in which to read a book.
- notebook; I'm not terribly consistent about it, but I like to at least note approx. how many rounds fired of what caliber, any special notes about the day's session. As someone with a bad head for names, it's a good memory aid when I meet someone new at the range, too.
[EDIT: A few more things I meant to have on this list ...]
- plastic container for gathering brass (my own, and any that gets volunteered to me)
- ruler (for measuring groups, etc.)
- pens / markers (always missing when I want 'em)
- clamps, tape, thumbtacks, other things-with-which-to-attach-other-things; if you shoot at a sporadically maintained outdoor range, having more than one means to attach targets is helpful. One of the many uses of duct tape, too.
- Re: joplinsks's good point above about a soft mat for guns, note that mousepads are excellent for this -- soft neoprene generally, with a non-slep bottom. The mats at the indoor range where I shoot in Philadelphia sure feel like mousepads, even though they are advertising gun companies and are a bit larger.
timothy
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10 Ring Tao
Member
Depends if I'm going to shoot clays, an indoor range, or outdoor anything goes range.
Clays
Guns
Shells
Chokes + Wrenches
Vest
Belt pouch
Amber eyes
Eyes (clear/sunglasses)
Ears
Indoor Range
Handguns
AA kit
Ammo for each
Mags for each
Targets (spots)
Eyes
Ears
Outdoor
Handguns
Rifles
Shotguns
AA kit
Ammo for each
Clay thrower + Stakes
Clays (regular and rabbit)
Red plastic clay thrower
Folding Table
Eyes
Ears (soft plugs for others/muffs)
Crap to shoot
Target stand
Targets
Hand washing
Duct tape
Drinks
Camera
Video cam
Clays
Guns
Shells
Chokes + Wrenches
Vest
Belt pouch
Amber eyes
Eyes (clear/sunglasses)
Ears
Indoor Range
Handguns
AA kit
Ammo for each
Mags for each
Targets (spots)
Eyes
Ears
Outdoor
Handguns
Rifles
Shotguns
AA kit
Ammo for each
Clay thrower + Stakes
Clays (regular and rabbit)
Red plastic clay thrower
Folding Table
Eyes
Ears (soft plugs for others/muffs)
Crap to shoot
Target stand
Targets
Hand washing
Duct tape
Drinks
Camera
Video cam
Titan6
member
Can't add much to what has already been posted but normally will add these:
- A plastic bag to bring the brass home in.
- Cell phone, just in case.
- Tools. This varies depending upon what I am shooting. I know if I am shooting say a Glock and a single shot rifle I won't need much. Other days I throw a couple of tool boxes in there. Better to have it and not need it than to waste a trip.
- Someone to shoot with. I very rarely lone wolf it.
- A plastic bag to bring the brass home in.
- Cell phone, just in case.
- Tools. This varies depending upon what I am shooting. I know if I am shooting say a Glock and a single shot rifle I won't need much. Other days I throw a couple of tool boxes in there. Better to have it and not need it than to waste a trip.
- Someone to shoot with. I very rarely lone wolf it.
DMK
Member
Ya'll forgot CCW. (I mean besides the one you're shooting)
10 Ring Tao
Member
This is a good addition. Sure, shooting is fun, but I've come to the point where its not always worth it for me unless its a social event too.
I'm an outdoor shooter..
I use a range that's often abandoned at the times I frequent it. My checklist is as follows:
Guns
Ammo
Sidearm, loaded (no one is going to steal my guns, dammit)
Heavy coat (to protect elbows if shooting prone)
Hearing Protection (plugs for rifles, electronic muffs for pistolas)
Sunglasses/shooting glasses
Pad of large artist's newsprint for targets
Staple gun for mounting targets
backpack
water
swiss army knife
flashlight (for checking actions, inspecting barrels)
cigar (I smoke while I shoot)
ONE can of beer (AFTER shooting, I like to relax in the outdoors with a nice brewski)
Cell phone (just in case)
Digital camera (for those amazing shots)
I use a range that's often abandoned at the times I frequent it. My checklist is as follows:
Guns
Ammo
Sidearm, loaded (no one is going to steal my guns, dammit)
Heavy coat (to protect elbows if shooting prone)
Hearing Protection (plugs for rifles, electronic muffs for pistolas)
Sunglasses/shooting glasses
Pad of large artist's newsprint for targets
Staple gun for mounting targets
backpack
water
swiss army knife
flashlight (for checking actions, inspecting barrels)
cigar (I smoke while I shoot)
ONE can of beer (AFTER shooting, I like to relax in the outdoors with a nice brewski)
Cell phone (just in case)
Digital camera (for those amazing shots)
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