Range Etiquette (Angeles Range)

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Mictlanero

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Hey there - finally got all cleaning and shooting stuff together - and pretty much ready to give it a go! Wondering is there is an online source for what to do at the range (besides the rules for the individual range [Angeles Range] which are kind of vague).

Specifically:

What to do if partially capped at firing line and range master calls cease fire. (I think I would raise my hand and tell the range master this).

What to do if hang fire.

What do do if misfire.

Stuff like that - thanks!
 
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The rules for the Angeles range... I dunno. The last time I was there (many years ago) the 'range officer' didn't know his hat from his glove about black powder shooting. My brother and I were the only two shooting that day, both black powder shooters. The range was vacant. We set up our stuff at the far end of the range in case other shooters stopped in. The range officer was a little dictator and yelled constantly at us over the PA system for no apparent reason. I am being kind... The day was just short of a disaster, a miserable day for shooting because of his constant interferrence. The officer knew who we were and not new to the sport by a long shot.

The best thing to do before you start shooting would be to talk to the range officers on duty to see what they expect from the black powder shooters. Ask some questions of them about their take on range safety and how they would like it handled.

Hopefully all that has changed.:cool:
 
Tomorrow being the 4th of July, should be able to get away with a few shots in the yard, long as I don't hit the neighbor's house. They will be setting off their fireworks so my noise won't be noticed!:)
 
If I was at a range like I would load and prime and fire only one chamber at a time. In the case of a misfire or hang fire, keep weapon pointed down range, and wait ensuring that it is a misfire then at all times keeping the weapon pointed down range, half cock, turn cylinder to notch, clear spent cap then pick and re-prime and then realign loaded chamber to align with barrel when you pull the hammer to full cock.

Misfires and hang fires are scary but they ain't after you been through em a dozen or so times. :)
 
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Remember to not turn cylinder when the bolt is supposed to be locked, unless you want that scratch line all around the cylinder. Take hammer to full cock then lower it all the way.
 
Thanks, everyone - I pretty much know a lot about cleaning and safety issues - I have been lurking on this forum for a while and now have a couple of .36s and .44s I am excited to try out. I have finally managed to collect everything i need for my range box, cleaning, storage, etc - just a bit concerned about not doing something to get yelled at by the range officer or not anger adjacent shooters and what not.

I am going to try to get out to the range this week with a buddy who has a couple of revolvers - but not cap and ball.

I just need to buy some Goex FFFg - hopefully they have it there!
 
Mictlanero, I've been to Angeles a bunch of times to shoot BP rifles and revolvers. Most of the range crew seem pretty savvy about BP handling and safety. They generally stock FF and FFF there, you'll just need to show ID.

One time my Walker was all capped up ready to go when they called a cease fire warning. The first cap jammed so I just took the wedge out and decapped the cylinder, left it on the forward bench until the cease fire was over, then recapped it.
 
Why don't you cruise up the 14 a piece into Kern County sometime and let me show you a few places where a thoughtful cap & ball shooter can drive off the road into the desert a bit and shoot in peace and quiet? I've never shot on a range and never plan to. You've got some of the best free shooting spots in the world right over the hill.



Willie

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If you're shooting off a bench or table such as found at a typical range be sure to have a heavy rag to use for covering up the powder and caps. BP revolvers toss out a lot of fire and burning particles and it would sure ruin your day if one of the particles from the cylinder gap landed onto some powder in your can or flask. A heavy rag laid over top of your reloading stuff will guard against this and avoid the need to put everything away safely before shooting.

A regular size bath towel laid out with the stuff in the middle of 1/2 of the towel and the other half folded over so there's a lot of overlap works great. Or if you're tidy and neat a good size hand towel can also work. Whatever you use you want about a good 3 to 4 inches or more of towel out past the stuff.

If you dedicate a towel of this sort to your black powder days be sure to shake it out and wash often or spilled powder held in the towel can produce the very problem you're trying to avoid.

A suitable size piece of leather such as suede would also work just great. And it doesn't need washing. Just a good shaking out.

Another good setup is a loading box that holds your powder measure, flask or 1lb can with spout, caps, pusher tools and such. That way you simply close the lid to protect the powder and caps. A good box of this sort would have a lid that overlaps the lower so any sparks can't get in through any sort of gap between the lid and the box. Many sheet metal or plastic tool kits fit this use.

I'm also not talking about the "range kit" that holds all your stuff and including the kitchen sink. That sort of bag should be on the ground under the table or behind you. I'm talking about a smaller size box with just the basics needed for black powder reloading in it.
 
The ranges were i shoot if a cap and ball revolver is caped it needs to be fired before you can have a cease fire. If you are anywhere else in loading process you just finish after the cease fire. I have a small loading kit for the shooting bench. I close the lid before shooting.
 
Mike 56 has it down!
loaded. wad, andwith a ball inthe chamber the revolver is unlikely to fire, However apped ylinders re ready to go!
At my Club, you must fire all capped cylinders to clear the gun to safe.
Tje problem with BP revolvers is that they take considerable time to fully load and it dosen't always coordinate with shoters needing target changes, new shooters arriving. It;s a matter of courtesy from both those wanting a Cease Fir and those just prepping to shoot.
Normallyit's noproblem but there's always that "one guy: who thinks the range is only there for him.
There is where diplomacy from the Rangemaster comes in.
ZVP
 
re: BCRider's post - my range requires you to cover your flask while shooting. I have a bag I stick mine into. It's the kind of thing that was annoying the first day they started requiring it but now that I'm in the habit I doubt it slows me down measurably.
 
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