Range etiquette

[UKTN]

I am relatively new to all aspects of gun/rifle ownership, and all my shooting so far has been on my own property or on friends property. I have a new AR-15 and want to sight it in so I am thinking of going to the "free state run range" but am unsure of the etiquette. Do I just set up at a free bench and what about changing my target? There will be others there so do I just shout something about "stop shooting" and then put up my target? This may seem silly but I don't want to act in a manner that will cause problems or be unsafe.
Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

 

[rustymaggot]

all rules will be posted when you get there.

 

[Flopsy]

Indeed, every range will be doing things a little differently. It won't seem noobish to ask the range officer how they do things there, I'm sure they'll be happy to help you.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Rules should be posted or available at the range, and might vary slightly from range to range.

If they aren't posted, here are some good rules of thumb:

Obey the 4 Rules at all times (duh!)

Carry your gun to an empty bench/shooting lane. Do not handle you gun behind the firing line (casing and uncasing is OK, but follow all safety precautions).

Only handle you weapon when the range is "hot". When a cease fire is called, open the action and unload the weapon (box mags and tube fed guns can be left loaded, but leave the actions open). Do not touch your weapon again until everyone is back on the firing line and the range is made "hot".

Shoot at the target in front of your lane. If you want to shoot at a different target, change lanes.

To change lanes, move your weapon when the range is "hot". Then wait for a cease fire and change your targets.



These rules should keep you out of trouble at most ranges. Some ranges have rules about time between shots and the ROs like to come down on us semi-auto guys. Don't let people intimidate you, be polite, ask questions, and you shouldn't have any problems.

Have Fun!

 

[kd7nqb]

I dont know anything about your perticular range but when I was in Reno we went to a public open range with no RSO and there were no rules at all posted. People did have some common sense to yell cease fire before changing targets and not yelling that 35seconds after we just all got back. But I saw no doubt some dumb shooting including one guy with a 10/22 and a 50rnd mag that he kept using to chase a tin can into my firezone so he was turning too much to be safe but I simply placed a well placed round in it and it flew out of the way.

 

[TallPine]

Don't never ride between the boss and the herd

(oops, sorry - wrong kind of "range" )

 

[taliv]

the other thing to watch out for is how you put up targets. make sure you hang them vertically between you and the backstop. if you're shooting off a bench, don't hang your target low so that your bullets impact the ground in front of the backstop. this can cause ricochets and send your bullets over the backstop at a lot of outdoor ranges

 

[ceetee]

Bring a friend. Quality firearms have a habit of growing legs and walking off public ranges where there are no Range Officers keeping watch while you change your targets.

Other than that, obey posted rules, and if there are no posted rules, obey the golden rule. Only go downrange after everybody there has agreed that the range is cold. Only shoot after everybody there has agreed that the range is hot. Clean up after yourself. That kind of stuff.

 

[MikeWSC]

Another item to note, when you hang your targets. Don't place them where your shots will hit the "target frame". Keep your paper target between the
2 x 4's ...

If you're out at the range alone, make sure you stay visible if a new shooter arrives. Also, most state ranges only allow one round in the gun at a time.

Have fun!
Mike

 

[MikeB]

Bring tape a stapler and paperclips, probably some string too. Diferent ranges will have different target backers and different methods of attaching targets to them. You might want to bring some cardboard too.

 

[Starter52]

Pick up all of your empty brass, even if it's non-reloadable. There should be a "brass bucket" at the range. Pick up your empty cartridge boxes too.

Some ranges have simple wooden benches. They don't have barriers between shooting points. Be sure your empty brass isn't interfering with the shooter next to you.

And don't fire more than one shot every two seconds.

 

[hueytaxi]

While at the range today as I was setting up, I found a dime on the table. Returning it to the Range master, I acknowledged it as a "?tip". Responding, he quoted an old folk song about "if you can't afford a nickel, you ought to give a dime"; made me wonder. I'm new again at the ranges. Is the Range master tipped? From what is charged and the service provided, I don't have a problem if this is normal,,,just not sure.

 

[demusn1979]

Bolt open,magazine out during cold.

 

[Avenger]

Hueytaxi, that's a good question! It couldn't be the 15% rule, but I doubt a fiver would be rejected. If the RO CAN'T accept it, at least you tried to express appreciation and that is never a bad thing.

BTW If 4 out of 5 guys want to go downrange, and you as number 5 want to keep shooting, be gracious and go. If you finish up first, and everybody is still shooting, cool your heels for a bit. Just good manners.

 

[demusn1979]

No tips for R.O.s,the dime is for adjusting your scope that someone forgot.