Home, Home on the Range

Re: Home, Home on the Range

I think it helps to look at some more or less innovative ideas on what we do at the range. Things we do to make it more fun, to increase interest, and even perhaps to hone our skills.

With this premise, it crossed my mind to initiate a thread touching on the things we do to make our time on the range more fun and even more rewarding. I have no intention to get into a can-you-top-this. Rather I’m looking to share ideas, things that you might do that I might want to adapt in whole or in part.

And, if there’s no interest I’ll just give this up as a bad bet.

So, to get this moving I’d like to show you what we call our Cannery Row (with all due apologies to John Steinbeck).

This first picture gives you an idea of what it looks like. It’s saggin’ a little but it has seen some use.

We set it up 45 feet (15 yds) from the firing line for off-hand shooting.

Those tin cans are 15-16oz cans (you know, what your peas, corn, etc come in) partially collapsed so the can will grab a drink can. The drink can has the pull-tab for a hanger. (See the third picture)

The Duct (Duck?) tape serves several purposes. For one it clearly marks were the stobs are and says, “don’t hit me!”. The tape helps keep the twine (baling twine if you’re interested) from pulling through the corrugated box. And lastly if you turn the thing upside down you’ve got a shelf (we’re eyeing that now for what interesting things we could put on it) that the tape supports.


This picture is the back side and shows how it’s just tied on to the two stobs. Hmmm, a little aerated isn’t it. Guess we’re going to have to replace it soon.


This picture is a close-up of the can assembly. Those are opened paper clips we use for hangers (used to buy S-hooks but the paper clips are cheaper). A .45ACP sure do make big holes don’t it!


At the end of the session you need to add fresh paper facing behind where the cans hang to give you a new background the next time you shoot. It all breaks down and is completely portable.

Maybe this is of some value to someone. If there is any interest I’ll add some other things we do that you might find fun and even perhaps challenging.

Let me add this closing. Please carry off whatcha brung witchya.

Do you shoot the cans as they are moving? I hope ya'll ain't shooting them beer cans as you finish drinking them!

you know believe it or not i shoot tighter groups with a few beers in me

Beladran wrote:you know believe it or not i shoot tighter groups with a few beers in me

Yeah cause your calmer.

Disclaimer: Dont drink and shoot. Shoot first then have a cold one while grilling.

warning: we are trained professionals dont not try this at home....

That's neat Ed thanks for sharing.

I like that!!! I shoot a ton of rimfires and am always looking for reactive targets for the kids to shoot. I'll be building one of those.

That's cool.

I gotta respond to this.

'sidroski' wrote, in part, "Do you shoot the cans as they are moving? I hope ya'll ain't shooting them beer cans as you finish drinking them!"

Actually they're not 'my’ beer cans. The guys save them for me during our weekly poker night. They're just handy (pop cans will do) to get the pop tab for a hanger.

Re: Home, Home on the Range – MORE - “Tin Pan Alley”


Man, I’m pleased to see the positive reaction. Maybe we’ll get more over the weekend.

OK, let’s continue this thread with another idea that you might like to replicate. It’s a no-brainer but it can be a lot of fun while providing a degree of challenge and a learning experience.

We use this to work on target acquisition, besides time and accuracy.

Let’s call this “Tin Pan Alley”.

Simply we’ve got 3 pie pans, at different heights (at the present time 3 ½, 4, & 5 feet), staggered between 40 and 50 feet from the firing line.

To make this a challenge mark the pans 1, 2, & 3 then set up some random selections on order of firing:
1-2-3
1-3-2
2-1-3
3-2-1
3-1-2
You get the idea.

This can be a real ego buster.

Do share your at-the-range novelties.

And, let me re-emphasize: Please carry off whatcha brung witcha

(BTW – The picture was taken from the side. Actual firing would have been in line with the berm in the background)

Re: Home, Home on the Range



OK, let’s continue this thread with another idea that you might like to replicate. Let’s call it “Hide the Dummy”.

This is not original. You can find this referenced in any number of sources. Rather this is just to remind you of it and suggest you try it.

And, believe me this can be a real ego buster.

As we all know the idea behind this is a little critical self-appraisal of our trigger control.

Here’s how it works. Have a buddy load your magazine for you, interspersing here and there some snap caps. Have him load your pistol and give it to you (be careful, keep safety in mind at all times).

And you begin your course of fire, whatever that may be. When you hit that snap cap where is your muzzle? This will immediately and graphically demonstrate just how good your trigger control is. And, if you do this often enough you will become very conscious of your trigger control and, I believe, you can improve greatly.

With revolvers just load a snap cap or two, spin the cylinder (don’t look, now) and close it up.

As a parting thought keep in mind you are mixing live rounds and dummies. Be careful. Pay attention.

What i do is i have several rounds that i loaded with no powder and Spent primers but seated and crimped bullets.
I have about 25 or so i think, ill drop them over in my ammo can full of bullets and give it a shake.

Then go shooting, its completely random and it catchs you by suprise.

Re: Portable Target Frame

Here’s something that might be of interest to you. It has worked satisfactorily for us and it is portable. So let’s take a look at it.

The frame stands 52” high. It is 29 ½ inches wide. The target frame itself is 37 ¾ inches deep. It is wide enough and deep enough to accommodate a pair of standard 14x24 Police Pistol silhouettes side by side. Or, if you prefer it will accommodate a single large silhouette; e.g., the ICE-QT or the Secret Service MPPC (shown here) both of which are 22 ½ x 35 inches. The frame will also accommodate multiple standard targets.

The frame calls for a large piece of corrugated board as the target holder. You need to keep your eyes open for discarded appliance boxes. You will probably need to cut it to size. We use a staple gun to attach the corrugated board.


The view from the rear gives a little more detail of construction. You can use 1x2’s to construct it.


This last picture shows the feet. The frame slips down inside the pvc pipes. If you look closely you’ll see an eye-bolt in the far left end of the nearer foot. This thing is somewhat top heavy and the target frame can act as a big sail in a light breeze. We use a long spike through the eye-bolt to counter any tendency to blow over.

And, again, it is portable. Let me know if you have any questions.

Re: IDPA-Styled and –Dimensioned Target


This post is a spin-off from today’s post in the Handgun forum in topic, “My New Mousegun”.

In that post I mentioned an “IDPA-styled and –dimensioned target”. Take a look at: http://www.idpa.com/, and click on the ‘About IDPA’ hot button, select ‘Rule Book’ from the drop-down menu, and go to page 73. I don’t think I’m plagiarizing anything here, just using this for a general outline.

Take a piece of corrugated board (need to watch for the heavy-duty appliance cartons) and cut it to approximate dimensions. Then stick on one of those ubiquitous wire frames that sprout up everywhere at election time holding campaign signs.



To extend the life of said target I’ve cut out cardboard aiming points, 6” square and 8” circle, that I tack to the target with minute drops (maybe four corners) of white glue.



After a shoot I flip the cardboard aiming point off and replace them with new ones. Otherwise the target wouldn’t last long. This rearview picture shows how ventilated the targets can get.

Nice ideas Ed Hunter. Have you looked into building better target stands? Poking a stick in the ground doesn't always work.........

Also, to save $$$ on targets, check out shooting at 9" and 6" paper plates. Shoot a few holes and then trashcan them. You will need a staple gun.....

For 22 rimfire shooting, I have seen people drill a hole in charcoal briquettes and insert a small wooden dowel (stick). Sometimes they paint them bright orange. Nothing to cleanup but the sticks....

For more visual BANG...... Shoot at fruit and vegtables. This becomes food for the animals.

This can be a little messy, but fun..... Grab a double handful of condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc.) from your local burger joint. Staple them on a large sheet of cardboard. Breakout the 22 rimfire and "create" a work of art on the cardboard....... Then clean everything up when finished ! ! !

.

Great ideas...keep em coming

Nice looking STI

Continue please.....

What I did for a while to practice on smaller targets I stuck plastic forks in the ground and shot with 22 rifle and pistols

msredneck wrote:.... Nice looking STI.....

thank you

msredneck wrote: "...Nice looking STI".....

Re: More on the STI

If you’re interested in following that STI, go over to the topic “9mm 1911’s”, page 3, in this Handgun forum, starting 3/27/10 I’ve got a series of posts on that STI.

It’s still in the break-in period. Have 300 rds through it now. Will be out to the range next week.

I have gone to wally world and bought 12 packs of thier cheap soda then shake them up pretty good, they explode really well that way when you hit em. DO NOT do this in the summer, you will have every bee/hornet/yellowjacket from a mile radius swarming around your target stand.

My buddy and I take 3x5 notecards and cut them in half and put them up and start 10 yards out with his ruger 22/45 and fire 5 rounds at them and move back 5 yards etc. till we reach 50 yards, most hits wins, loser buys lunch.

Its always amusing to watch me shoot (at) skeets.