What to put in the range bag?

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- Sunscreen is useful at a summertime match.
- Warm gloves & chemical handwarmers if it's really cold.
- At a match I bring D-Lead handsoap.
- Lens cleaning spray and tissue for anything optical, including eyeglasses.
- Spotting scope.
- Spare keys for your vehicle...yes, it will eventually happen (just like shooting your Chrony).
 
My bag has the following at all times and then may add some depending on the occasion.
Ear plugs and muffs
Staple gun
pen & note pad
Chamber flags
Small screw drivers
Water bottle
bug spray
small flashlight
package of "hot hands"
collapsible binoculars
Magazines and ammo according to venture
and recently duct tape- had a boot come apart on me on the way to a match 2 hours from home. Dollar store pick up saved the trip.

If it is an IDPA match, add vest, holsters, and back up gun.
 
Checked my bag for you,,
Get yourself a good solid bottomed gatemouthed bag, Mine is approx 10'' x 18" I've watched a lot of people struggle to find their things in a soft gym bag.
Targets! shoot-n-see and printed off the 'net. I make my own 1" square sighting in targets, Make one you like and run it through a printer.
Sharpie & Pen, marking hits & making notes on targets.
Staple gun, AND, box of staples to reload it when it's empty! (Don't ask,)
oiled rag in baggie.
Small screwdriver for sights.
Borelight.
aluminum rod & small brass hammer to knock out squibs, (Just in case THAT would ever happen :)
1/2' masking tape, to hold up targets & cover hits on white target.
Lots of foam hearing protection, It's good to share!
Earmuffs! (HUH?)
Small cleaning kit I put together that fits in an old 6" dial caliper case.
Empty shot bag for storing spent brass.
Handwipes from KFC for cleaning the powder & range crud off my hands.
Table top spotting scope.
& ammunition,, Lots & Lots of ammunition! :D
That's for the cartridge firearms. The blackpowder bag is a whole 'nother post!

Your Physical consumables, Water, food, as well as a first aid kit should stay in the vehicle and not be consumed on or near the line. Powder and lead are not food. :barf:
 
Here's what I have right now:

Ammo
More ammo
Targets
Various screw drivers
Pocket knife
Backup knife sharpener
Electrical tape
Various pens/pencils/sharpies
Beef jerky (and other snacks + water)
Various firearms specific parts and tools
Sling
Brass bag (bag with mesh bottom to pick up dirty brass and shake off dirt)
Speedloader
Three sets of safety glasses (1 clear, 2 sunglasses. All Z87+)
Three sets of ear plugs
Loctite
Back up scope rings
Cleaning supplies (rods, brushes, patches, solvent, CLP, towel, etc.)

I probably missed something in a nook or cranny, but that's sums it up.
 
TOILET PAPER

So many outdoor ranges posess nothing of this sort, and it's real 'knight in shining armor' moment to hand your GF/wife/kid a roll of Charmin in a waterproof baggie.

Aside from that,

Small box or blisterpack of ear puffs (6-8 puffs) just in case you lose your muffs or find them uncomfortable like I do. Also have enough to share them in case someone else leaves theirs at home.
Ear muffs
Bottle of CLP (always)
Cleaning rag/shop towel
Simple cleaning kit for long gun of choice (rod, chamber brush, mop, bronze brush, toothbrush, q-tips, swab, broken shell extractor, patches)
Usually leave my Kleenbore Poc-Kit in my range bag, all the stuff fits in the handle of the rod. Good for 9mm/357/44/45.
boresnake for whatever I'm shooting
Chamber flag (some ranges require these)
Shooting glasses (I have a prescription pair and a couple pairs to loan out, loaners stay in my range bag)
PAST recoil shield (it just stays in my range bag even if I'm not using it)
Bottle of gatorade/water
Sharpie Marker
Targets
Ammo
Spare magazines
Pistol mag loader (always stays in my range bag)
camera
flashlight
multi tool
chapstick
sunscreen
tape
Dillon Border shift bag for policing up brass.

Optional items:
Brass catcher for AR
Binoculars (not an 'always' item)
Spotting scope
Shooting gloves (I only really use these in tactical rifle matches)
Packet of crackers/granola bar
bug spray
staplegun


And yes too I have a whole DIFFERENT bag for black powder with all manner of specialized tools and gadgets.
 
Lets see I have mine in a camo backpack. :D
Shooting ear muff/2 types of ear plugs
Pair of shooting glasses and one for general use and other for shooting trap
Gun cleaning kit(Hoppes #9)
Old t shirt to clean with
Gun sock
Water/Food
Targets
Multi tool
Ammo and I will sometimes bring a hat or other stuff. This will be different when i do trap or F Class.
 
Glasses and muffs,extra ear plugs
Binnocs
small LED light
Stapler and staples
rag and gun rag
gun oil, pistol rod and brushes
multi tool{one large,one small} screwdriver or allen wrench to fit every pistol sight. slip joint pliars, nail set
empty bulk 22 ammo box for brass
gum and hard candy
Bic lighter
shooting gloves
one mag for every pistol I own, I have forgotten or taken the wrong ones too many times.
This is what stays in my bag 24\7.
Each vehicle has a first aid kit.
Target board, targets and brass catcher sold seperately....:)
 
- Ammo
- Sticky Targets
- Electronic Muffs
- Eye Protection
- Plugs
- Holster
- Mag carriers
- Magazines
- Batteries for Muffs
- Lubricant
- Screwdrivers (Flathead and Phillips)
- Leatherman
- Cleaning patches
- Squib stick
- Masking Tape
- Pasters (Brown, white, black)
- Shot timer


Thats all I can think of at the moment without actually opening up the bag and making a comprehensive list.
 
I have several range bags - for shotguns (my main joy) - two types of ears, plus eyes, Slip 2000, Letherman Multitool, bandana rag, bag for empties, choke tubes, shooting vest, ammo, small umbrella, sun block, bug spray, pencil for scorecard.

For metallic, it is more of a range "box" - most of the above plus targets, sand bag rests, spotting scope - good for any of my metallic shooting
 
Ok, unpacked my basic bag and took a few pics for reference. In addition to what's there is of course duct tape and target backers. For serious trips add spotting scope, tripods, chrony, front rest, rear bag, wind gauge.

attachment.php


That fits neatly into one compact bag:

attachment.php


The mini boxes are from Staples, I use them at the reloading bench too. 5.11 Large Kit bag, a few woodworking clamps (to hang backer boards), SOLID cleaning rods, a BIC (never know), old toothbrushes, a level (for targets and or rest) oh just look at the pics! Hope it helps.
 

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I shoot USPSA, and I carry a smaller range bag than most other competitors. I figure if it's not in the bag and I need it, I can always add a second bag and stow that in the car. I hate lugging around more than I absolutely need.

My bag usually has:
  1. Pistol
  2. Earmuffs
  3. Extra batteries for earmuffs
  4. iPhone (Video camera for documenting the match and emergency shot timer)
  5. Ammo (usually twice what the suggested amount for the match)
  6. Mags (8 or so)
  7. Leatherman
  8. Small cleaning kit from Cabela's
  9. Mag brush
  10. Speed loader
  11. Pens
  12. Overlays for scoring
  13. Bore light
  14. Squib rod
  15. Sunscreen/bug spray
  16. Shop rag
  17. Gun lube
 
BWarwick,
Do yourself a favor and make up a comprehensive 'check list' on your computer. You can then tailor it for your own needs. Print a copy and use the list to pack up the night before - or the morning of - your range trip.

Nothing worse than getting to the range and not having ammo. Or a stuck bullet in the barrel and no squib rod and hammer.

Obviously, your needs will vary depending on how far from the range you live. You might need to pack a lunch. Some of the stuff listed on this thread is stuff I leave in the car all the time.

Oh. Always take your brains. If they aren't up to speed, you might want to stay home and watch tele that day.
 
botus2 said
"Get one of those $39 Midway range bags. Talk about money well spent!"

I'll second that - great buy!!

Am I the only one that carries clothes pins? We use them all the time to string up paper plates/targets -
 
I'm a huge fan of baby wipes, too....along with some of the other stuff listed...oh, and my range bag does have a spare cigar cutter...never know when you might forget your primary...shooting without a cigar? The horror!!!
 
Essentials I use every pistol range trip

Paper plates, Sharpie marker, & Stapler
.22LR spinner target for outdoor.
Maglula UpLULA magazine loader (I can't say enough good things about this.)
Handwipes to clean hands (This is really useful after handling lead bullets)
MidwayUSA brand range bag and pistol cases
Plastic bags to collect used brass - (Though, not .22LR that goes in the scrap brass can.)
Powered stereo hearing protection (It's a new world with these. You can hear your phone, range officers, and normal conversation with ease)
Shooting glasses
Shirt without a collar so it doesn't catch mine or O.P. hot brass - (not in the range bag)

Summer:
Bug spray/wipes
Sun block and cap.
Water

I have other specific tools and several of the items already mentioned in my bag as well. Though, they aren't used nearly as often.
 
Spotting scope, shooting bags, gun cleaning kit, range finder, tripods, chronograph, note book and pencile, ear plugs, targets, tape, and a small level to set the targets up true.
I'm sure I missed a thing or two, I usually wind up having to turn around to go get it, what ever it is.
 
I swear every range session I do something that draws blood lol. ...TexasRifleman
Click to expand...

In life I've noticed that any project worth doing almost always requires a bit of your blood. :)

I would like to add to your range bag list a bore snake and some Eezox, which if applied right after shooting while the barell is still warm, makes for an easy clean when you get home.
 
For a range bag, I recommend CountyComm's Bail Out Bag.

http://www.countycomm.com/BAILOUTBAGGEN5.htm

$33, and it has tons of pockets. I've had one for years and it's still in great shape.

Also has a nice, soft lined hidden pocket that can easily hold a pistol. You'd never realize a pistol is in there.

Everyone else has pretty much covered the various things in mine.
 
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Keep it simple and light. I noticed my range bag getting kind of heavy so I cleaned it out and found a Goose call and about 50 feet of rope among other things... like I ever use those at the range.

Keep it to ear/eye protection, ammo, tools for disassembly and cleaning of your firearms you will be shooting that day. Add in supplies for targets like tape or staples, and finally, worry about your own comfort and well being, like a bottle of water, granoly bar, and sunscreen.
 
One thing that I strongly recommend that everyone add to their gun bag is a trauma kit, set up for emergency treatment of gunshot wounds.

If you're out playing with guns, there's always the chance that the worst could happen, to you or someone around you. An IFAK and some first aid/emergency responder training is cheap insurance.
Click to expand...
VERY VERY strongly agree.

Those of you who say keep the first aid kit 'in the truck', it may be a long way off if you shoot your partner or yourself on the line.
 
I have found that ammo in copious amounts, and the right caliber really helps to start things off.
 
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