[Discussion] Let's Talk About The Shooting Range
[Discussion] Let's Talk About The Shooting Range
Hey everyone,
As part of our down time, when we're not performing maintenance, researching our next purchase, or hopefully spending quality time with the family, we're at the shooting range! This week, let's talk about it!
Below are some questions open for discussion:
- Between all of your shooting sessions, what is the ratio of you visiting an indoor range to an outdoor one? Which do you prefer?
- How often do you go?
- What does your session routine look like? How long are you there?
- How many rounds are you putting out a session?
- Do you go with anyone, or do you prefer to go solo?
- Any pet peeves about the range(s) you go to?
Feel free to answer any of the above, or leave a top comment with your own question or comment about the shooting range!
what is the ratio of you visiting an indoor range to an outdoor one?
I more often go to an indoor range, mostly because I’m spending time with an older relative who loves shooting his big revolvers and cowboy guns somewhere comfortable.
Which do you prefer?
I prefer an outdoor range that lets me shoot around VTAC, similar targets, or something like Texas stars. Bullseying paper from standing is foundational but it gets boring.
How often do you go?
About twice a month.
What does your session routine look like? How long are you there? How many rounds are you putting out a session?
If it’s an indoor range with the relative, it’s about an hour and a half of shooting. Focus on pistols. No real drilling beyond DIY made up dot/corner drill where I rotate between four different targets on the paper. Long guns are only zeroed.
Outdoor ranges I like Texas stars.
I like doing drills inspired by the old Kyle Lamb books. He is both a Green Beret and seems like he likes being lazy. A perfect mentor. The cracked out Youtubers are too intense for me.
I used to do competitions held at ranges using their own rules, which were pretty much open class for weapons, some tacticool score dings, and some wild cards like climbing up a ladder and shooting or dragging a weighted dummy from one point to another and shooting. They always mixed it up.
These days I try to do a jog or a little hike before outdoor range days because I’ve got this (misguided) idea that any drill you can’t do while already fatigued isn’t worth doing.
Any pet peeves about the range(s) you go to?
Everyone has more expensive or cool stuff than me.
I wish they'd had Texas Stars (or that I'd known about them? When were they invented?) back when I had property in a place where it was legal to shoot. They look like so much fun!
As far as I know they’ve been around for ages. Shooting at any kind of moving target is great practice, and those stars are just so simple to set up compared to many other moving options that require batteries or more space.
These days I try to do a jog or a little hike before outdoor range days because I’ve got this (misguided) idea that any drill you can’t do while already fatigued isn’t worth doing.
I agree that being under duress or some kind of fatigue is probably an effective way to train.
I've watched some competition recordings and I like the idea of shooting some targets, then sprinting to the next position to shoot more.
Maybe at an outdoor range, shooting at some yard away, then turning 180 degrees, running some tens of yards away to shooting the same target more. I've seen a YouTuber do it, and I feel like that could be a common drill.
I prefer outdoor ranges when I have the opportunity but unfortunately geographically indoor ranges are more practical for me. Most indoor ranges will charge by the hr most outdoor ones are members only with long wait-lists.
As for all the other questions it really depends on what I'm trying to do. Once I've e gone just to shoot a five rounds just to test something. I've also done multi-day classes with 1k+ round counts.
My personal pet peeve is just on the general quality available to non club members. If you aren't a club member or taking a class your options are shoot from a booth or the boonies. Not many options to shoot from positions other than a bench or standing.
I prefer outdoor ranges when I have the opportunity but unfortunately geographically indoor ranges are more practical for me. Most indoor ranges will charge by the hr most outdoor ones are members only with long wait-lists.
I'm going to an outdoor range soon, looking for a good time to break in my first handgun!
Once I’ve e gone just to shoot a five rounds just to test something
I was mainly wondering about how many rounds are spent so I can get the best value for my time while I'm there. Maybe you have a membership, so it didn't cost you anything for that visit, but only five rounds, really? I wonder what you were testing out, haha.
My personal pet peeve is just on the general quality available to non club members. If you aren’t a club member or taking a class your options are shoot from a booth or the boonies. Not many options to shoot from positions other than a bench or standing.
Yeah, I can get that. Especially if you're at an indoor range, you're really only stuck with a booth and targets.
The five rounds was just on public lands once I got a suppressor, and wanted to hear it outside. Basically went to the middle of nowhere in a clear cut. Got a hike out of it too.
As for value, round count shouldn't be dispositive of value. Figure out your goal (ie. fun vs training vs etc) and work to that end. If you want to train first shot from a holster your round count will be a lot different than if you want to just turn money into noise for fun.
If you're looking to break in your first pistol I'd say 200 or less. Focus on fundamentals, don't push yourself. Set good habits regarding grip and stance. If you start to get lazy with that stuff it could lead to integration of bad habits.
I always go to my nearest outdoor public range. It's unregulated and can be a bit sketchy, but I like that. It's nice to shoot without someone asking if your gear is legal or complaining that you're shooting too fast.
I try to go once a month or so. It's a bit of a drive.
I typically spend an hour or three, depending on how busy it is and the weather.
I mostly shoot steel targets with my 10/22, going out to about 200 yards but mostly around 100. Usually 300-800 rounds.
If someone comes with me I'll bring the shotguns, a Remington 1100 and a Benelli Montefeltro. If I'm alone I don't bother, since I'm not trying to throw my own clays. My shoulder doesn't like shooting more than a box or two of 12 gauge.
I'll usually shoot about 50-100 rounds of 9mm from my P80 and P365. I'm still new to pistols and find them to be really challenging. I'll be picking up a 22/45 soon so I can get more reps in without paying so much for ammo.
Occasionally I'll bring grandpa's guns; a S&W 686, Ruger Blackhawk, NAA mini revolver, Walther model 9, and a Nylon 66.
Pet peeve has to be AR or AK pistols. I get it, they're cool, but I don't want to double up on ear pro to deal with that noise.
That is quite the collection your grandfather has! Not to mention yours as well, sounds like a very good time at those outdoor ranges.
I actually did not know there were public outdoor ranges, the ones near me all require permits.