Range Report: Practicing at 25 yards, 8/24/23

[BassCliff]

Hello friends,

A couple days ago I went to the range for a short session, just 50 rounds with my EDC and then a bunch of mags at 25 yards with the Mark IV. I got lane #1 (my favorite!) mostly so that I can get the target more closely aligned with the distance marks on the wall. This older facility doesn't have the fancy touch screen computerized target carriers. It's old school fun.

I'd brought a bunch of different targets including silhouettes and reactives 'cause I hadn't formulated a practice plan yet. But I usually like to start with a cold 10-10-10 drill or two with my EDC.

I took video of my two 10-10-10 drills. These are screen shots of my less-than-average results. On the first drill I realized after starting the timer I had not loaded a magazine or chambered a round. The first couple of shots were really rushed and wide.

I was a little more ready for the second drill and the results were a little better, accuracy wise.

The other three strings of 10 shots were devoted to pure "accuracy", and I use that term loosely. (Shooting at 10 yards still.)

For the last string I stuck on a 4" reactive circle. I always try harder with those.

It came back like this.

Oh drat. Just one off the target but still in the 9 ring. Then I decided to spend the rest of the session with my Mark IV, at 25 yards. Wow, that's a long ways away. I can barely see that red bullseye at center mass on that 12x18" silhouette.

The first string came back like this. (Please pardon the previous patches. I re-used this target from a previous session.)

OK, I don't think I have quite enough finger on the trigger and I'm pushing to the left. Let's try again.

It's a little more spread out but more on center line. Let's see if I can refine my sight picture and hold the gun absolutely still while I pull the trigger.

Well, there's two or three hits I'm not proud of but it seems to be getting better. I'll keep going for a bit and try to improve on that.

Only one bullseye but maybe the group is a little tighter, maybe? Let's patch it up, send it out, and put ten more hits on it.

OK, at least more hits are dangerously close to the bullseye but there's still two or three I'm not enamored with. I'd like to at least keep them all in the 9 ring on this target. Tell you what, just so I don't completely bum myself out, let's bring it back to ten yards for the last four strings.

OK, now I feel a little better. There were only a couple of hits that were seriously outside the intended targets. Those are 3" circles at the top of this 12x18" reactive silhouette. I think this is turning into my favorite target. I'll have to order some more soon.

What do I have planned for my next session? Tune in next week and see. Will it be the XDM? The Garrison? I've received both the upgrade folding stock and the 25 round magazine for my Rossi RS22. If I get that put together maybe I'll take it out for a spin. That'll be my "tactical" .22 rifle. Thanks for sharing my fun.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Old_Me]

i always found it "interesting" how many people shoot up the ceilings at the ranges, or clubs...(in your 1st and 2nd pics)

especially the clubs, as one "should" be somewhat experienced when they join, by then, to actually hit the targets.

good shooting by you.!!

 

[Jfal]

i always found it "interesting" how many people shoot up the ceilings at the ranges, or clubs...(in your 1st and 2nd pics)

especially the clubs, as one "should" be somewhat experienced when they join, by then, to actually hit the targets.

good shooting by you.!!

negligent discharge bump fires...not intentional, but negligent none-the-less. Seen several occur. They are almost as disturbing as your new profile picture.

 

[Old_Me]

negligent discharge bump fires...not intentional, but negligent none-the-less. Seen several occur. They are almost as disturbing as your new profile picture.

that's gonna be my new profile pic for some time to come...

you are actually quite lucky, as the "dancing" part of it does not work in avatar mode.....

but i can most certainly post a BIGGER video here if you want..????

i'm going for my first mid-day nap now, i'll check back later....

 

[wolfpack076]

Good Shooting SIR

 

[Annihilator]

Hello friends,

A couple days ago I went to the range for a short session, just 50 rounds with my EDC and then a bunch of mags at 25 yards with the Mark IV. I got lane #1 (my favorite!) mostly so that I can get the target more closely aligned with the distance marks on the wall. This older facility doesn't have the fancy touch screen computerized target carriers. It's old school fun.

I'd brought a bunch of different targets including silhouettes and reactives 'cause I hadn't formulated a practice plan yet. But I usually like to start with a cold 10-10-10 drill or two with my EDC.

I took video of my two 10-10-10 drills. These are screen shots of my less-than-average results. On the first drill I realized after starting the timer I had not loaded a magazine or chambered a round. The first couple of shots were really rushed and wide.

I was a little more ready for the second drill and the results were a little better, accuracy wise.

The other three strings of 10 shots were devoted to pure "accuracy", and I use that term loosely. (Shooting at 10 yards still.)

For the last string I stuck on a 4" reactive circle. I always try harder with those.

It came back like this.

Oh drat. Just one off the target but still in the 9 ring. Then I decided to spend the rest of the session with my Mark IV, at 25 yards. Wow, that's a long ways away. I can barely see that red bullseye at center mass on that 12x18" silhouette.

The first string came back like this. (Please pardon the previous patches. I re-used this target from a previous session.)

OK, I don't think I have quite enough finger on the trigger and I'm pushing to the left. Let's try again.

It's a little more spread out but more on center line. Let's see if I can refine my sight picture and hold the gun absolutely still while I pull the trigger.

Well, there's two or three hits I'm not proud of but it seems to be getting better. I'll keep going for a bit and try to improve on that.

Only one bullseye but maybe the group is a little tighter, maybe? Let's patch it up, send it out, and put ten more hits on it.

OK, at least more hits are dangerously close to the bullseye but there's still two or three I'm not enamored with. I'd like to at least keep them all in the 9 ring on this target. Tell you what, just so I don't completely bum myself out, let's bring it back to ten yards for the last four strings.

OK, now I feel a little better. There were only a couple of hits that were seriously outside the intended targets. Those are 3" circles at the top of this 12x18" reactive silhouette. I think this is turning into my favorite target. I'll have to order some more soon.

What do I have planned for my next session? Tune in next week and see. Will it be the XDM? The Garrison? I've received both the upgrade folding stock and the 25 round magazine for my Rossi RS22. If I get that put together maybe I'll take it out for a spin. That'll be my "tactical" .22 rifle. Thanks for sharing my fun.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Ah….does the Mrs know you had fun again? nice shooting!

 

[somorris]

Good shooting, BassCliff. I like a Mark IV for fun shooting. Actually, on second thought, I have never shot a Mark IV. It was an older version, but still shot nicely.

 

[Belt Fed]

Good chootin Bass Cliff, glad to see you had some fun and busted some rounds downrange. and i agree old me's avatar is quite disturbing.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

i always found it "interesting" how many people shoot up the ceilings at the ranges, or clubs...(in your 1st and 2nd pics)

especially the clubs, as one "should" be somewhat experienced when they join, by then, to actually hit the targets.

good shooting by you.!!

That's always baffled me too, until the first time I saw it happen. It's usually an inexperienced shooter not practicing safe muzzle direction. Recently someone had a shotgun aimed too high and it brought down several ceiling panels. Wow!

Did you notice? Just to the left of lane #1 the wall is full of bullet holes. Sheesh.

That's only five or six feet in front of the firing line booths. What are these people thinking? I guess they're not.

This range has membership but it's also open to the public. Sign your waiver, pay your hourly fees, grab a rental, and you can rapid fire all you want. They will shut you down if you are being unsafe but they will normally try to help the neophytes at first. Then the staff will encourage training for the newbie. I am unaware of any history of accidents here but I've been a member only a little over a year. This is a USCCA affiliated range and I have the utmost confidence in the owners, instructors, and staff. Stuff happens, ya know?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

P.S. It's a good thing your avatar doesn't dance. I'd definitely have to use a filter to block that element.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

negligent discharge bump fires...not intentional, but negligent none-the-less. Seen several occur. They are almost as disturbing as your new profile picture.

I was so disappointed that someone had already shot up a couple of the new target carriers at the newer Fletcher Arms facility, even before I got to use it. They installed a brand new computer controlled target carrier system on all twelve lanes and someone had already shot up two of them. Thankfully the carriers are covered with AR500 type (steel target) material so they weren't hurt, just scuffed up. But still, seems you can't have anything nice.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[KillerFord1977]

I see weekly folks that do not know how to properly hold a pistol.
Watched a woman saturday shoot the top metal holder of the target on first round. Boyfriend and RSO stood there and watched.
I stepped in to offer advice and told the rso to move me away or fix the problem. Or I will

It is the JOB of the RSO, range to ask folks if they have ever shot before. Its complete BS that a range just hands a bay to someone and not ask their competence level.

Like a rental car company giving a car to someone without a drivers license and no time behind a wheel

 

[Belt Fed]

Hi,



That's always baffled me too, until the first time I saw it happen. It's usually an inexperienced shooter not practicing safe muzzle direction. Recently someone had a shotgun aimed too high and it brought down several ceiling panels. Wow!

Did you notice? Just to the left of lane #1 the wall is full of bullet holes. Sheesh.

View attachment 42938

That's only five or six feet in front of the firing line booths. What are these people thinking? I guess they're not.

This range has membership but it's also open to the public. Sign your waiver, pay your hourly fees, grab a rental, and you can rapid fire all you want. They will shut you down if you are being unsafe but they will normally try to help the neophytes at first. Then the staff will encourage training for the newbie. I am unaware of any history of accidents here but I've been a member only a little over a year. This is a USCCA affiliated range and I have the utmost confidence in the owners, instructors, and staff. Stuff happens, ya know?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

P.S. It's a good thing your avatar doesn't dance. I'd definitely have to use a filter to block that element.

Looks like some of my shooting before the Hi point accuracy

 

[BassCliff]

Hi

Good Shooting SIR

Thanks. Not my best, but it was a good practice session.

Ah….does the Mrs know you had fun again? nice shooting!

Ha! Yes, she was aware of this trip. I was at the range while she went to her Pilates class. I've been trying to get her to go with me. It's been a while since she's used her CW9.

Good shooting, BassCliff. I like a Mark IV for fun shooting. Actually, on second thought, I have never shot a Mark IV. It was an older version, but still shot nicely.

Thank you. I really like this one. Not only is it easy to shoot, it's also easy to take down and clean. I know I'm preaching to the choir but I'm really glad i bought this Mark IV. I have a couple of upgrades planned for it.

Good chootin Bass Cliff, glad to see you had some fun and busted some rounds downrange. and i agree old me's avatar is quite disturbing.

Thanks. I had fun going at 25 yards. It's cheap to practice with this one so hopefully I'll get better soon.

For now I'm just going to avert my eyes when I see one of @Old_Me's posts.

Looks like some of my shooting before the Hi point accuracy

Are Hi Points accurate?


Hey guys, thanks for sharing my fun. Blessings to you all.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Old_Me]

Hi,



That's always baffled me too, until the first time I saw it happen. It's usually an inexperienced shooter not practicing safe muzzle direction. Recently someone had a shotgun aimed too high and it brought down several ceiling panels. Wow!

Did you notice? Just to the left of lane #1 the wall is full of bullet holes. Sheesh.

View attachment 42938

That's only five or six feet in front of the firing line booths. What are these people thinking? I guess they're not.

This range has membership but it's also open to the public. Sign your waiver, pay your hourly fees, grab a rental, and you can rapid fire all you want. They will shut you down if you are being unsafe but they will normally try to help the neophytes at first. Then the staff will encourage training for the newbie. I am unaware of any history of accidents here but I've been a member only a little over a year. This is a USCCA affiliated range and I have the utmost confidence in the owners, instructors, and staff. Stuff happens, ya know?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

P.S. It's a good thing your avatar doesn't dance. I'd definitely have to use a filter to block that element.

yes, at both my club and public range, bullet holes can be seen in the side walls and ceilings....

at the public range, this one time, some meathead had a shotgun, and was holding down by his hip and shot.

the RSO gave him hell...the shooter said, "it's a shotgun, you don't aim them"...

the RSO, kicked him out.

the shooter went to complain to the manager, who at the time WAS (and still is) the owner....

the owner after hearing what happened..??

kicked him out.....

now, whether or not at a later time, that shooter went back, i'll never know. it is a public range afterall.

my club "used" to be very picky on who they let in for membership....

it was at the time..."exclusive"

well, first...they let me in.......

but they are letting more people in that do not follow the rules...i even complained about it on this site, about not sweeping up after shooting.

i am seeing more ceiling tiles shot up and the cinder block walls down range, and even chips/skidmarks, in the floor nowadays.

this is why i advocate mandatory lessons for 1st time shooters.

show proficiency in training..??

become a member, at both private AND public ranges.

 

[southtex]

i always found it "interesting" how many people shoot up the ceilings at the ranges, or clubs...(in your 1st and 2nd pics)

especially the clubs, as one "should" be somewhat experienced when they join, by then, to actually hit the targets.

good shooting by you.!!

Had an individual hit the floor @ 7yds during CHL qualifying. Met minimum points and left a happy camper. I left a head scratcher.

 

[somorris]

An indoor range (especially) can be a hazardous place to be. I have told the story here before of a ricochet that bounced off a poorly maintained back wall and hit the guy in the next lane in the upper arm. No real damage but it stung him a little. I haven’t shot at an indoor range since.

However, we need to be as patient as we can with new shooters. A lot of them are probably scared nearly to death of guns anyway, and having a know-it-all intervening because they closed their eyes the first time they pulled the trigger and shot somewhere unintended (as long as it is down range!!) will likely only make things worse for them. Let’s try to remember that everybody has to start somewhere. Me being me, I was looking at the results of BassCliff’s shooting and didn’t notice the bullet holes where they shouldn’t be until someone here mentioned them. .

 

[Bassbob]

Hi,



I was so disappointed that someone had already shot up a couple of the new target carriers at the newer Fletcher Arms facility, even before I got to use it. They installed a brand new computer controlled target carrier system on all twelve lanes and someone had already shot up two of them. Thankfully the carriers are covered with AR500 type (steel target) material so they weren't hurt, just scuffed up. But still, seems you can't have anything nice.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

At my club I am the guy who welds the target stands back together and fabricates new ones. It's mind boggling how badly they get shot up and how quickly.

 

[KillerFord1977]

An indoor range (especially) can be a hazardous place to be. I have told the story here before of a ricochet that bounced off a poorly maintained back wall and hit the guy in the next lane in the upper arm. No real damage but it stung him a little. I haven’t shot at an indoor range since.

However, we need to be as patient as we can with new shooters. A lot of them are probably scared nearly to death of guns anyway, and having a know-it-all intervening because they closed their eyes the first time they pulled the trigger and shot somewhere unintended (as long as it is down range!!) will likely only make things worse for them. Let’s try to remember that everybody has to start somewhere. Me being me, I was looking at the results of BassCliff’s shooting and didn’t notice the bullet holes where they shouldn’t be until someone here mentioned them. .

Yes, everyone has to start somewhere but it the job of the range and RSO’s to keep everyone safe. Everyone
And that means intervening when someone does not know or cannot handle a firearm.
You dont toss the keys to a car ro a minor and say “figure it out”
I WILL intervene for the safety of me and others

 

[Annihilator]

Yes, everyone has to start somewhere but it the job of the range and RSO’s to keep everyone safe. Everyone
And that means intervening when someone does not know or cannot handle a firearm.
You dont toss the keys to a car ro a minor and say “figure it out”
I WILL intervene for the safety of me and others

My club has no RSO, you’re on your own at both ranges, good points for this and bad points on this ….BTW….all outdoor ranges…

 

[Jfal]

My club has no RSO, you’re on your own at both ranges, good points for this and bad points on this ….

None of the 3 indoor ranges I patronize have a dedicated RSO. One is monitored on closed circuit TV (range downstairs, the shop operators upstairs)...the other 2 (same ranges that Cliff uses) the range is visible from the front counter and periodically patrolled by staff. Fletcher's may put staff in the range when it is really busy, but that is as much to assist in the automatic targets being a challenge to operate as anything (Lake Country). Maybe the old Fletchers uses RSO's, but I had not seen them there myself.