BP Range Etiquette?

[jderrick]

So I think I've finally found an outdoors rifle range that allows BP and isn't an hour away....

It's been forever since I was on a formal range and I've never shot BP on one before. What's the etiquette? Any special rules? Sorry if this overlaps with another thread (I looked, but didn't see one, please redirect me if needed). I did this stuff in scouts and ROTC but it's been a while.

Thanks!

 

[jtmattison]

Where I shoot on a public state maintained range there are no special rules for BP shooters.
I like to check wind direction and position myself at the bench where my smoke will not choke too many people.
Other than that, I can't think of anything special you would have to do.

HD

 

[hawkchucker]

Also try to remember that if anyone is really close to the rifles nipple or touch hole to remind them that it can spit the metal caseing and flame is jetting out of the touch hole.

Remember also to let people try it! Thats how I got into muzzleloading. :thumbsup:

 

[roundball]

So I think I've finally found an outdoors rifle range that allows BP and isn't an hour away....

It's been forever since I was on a formal range and I've never shot BP on one before. What's the etiquette? Any special rules? Sorry if this overlaps with another thread (I looked, but didn't see one, please redirect me if needed). I did this stuff in scouts and ROTC but it's been a while.

Thanks!

If it's a controlled range overseen by a Range Officer who may periodically call cease fire to change targets.....notify him/her ahead of time that you're shooting a ML, and that you can't simply flip open a cylinder on command to unload it and make it safe...that you'll need to discharge your firearm to unload it;

Also, ensure there's no smoking allowed in the shooting area, particularly if you're using real BP, or be on guard for anyone who might approach while smoking

 

[Halftail]

I shoot muzzleloaders at one modern range and some of their concerns are the Powder that gets spilled on the loading bench(They think it will leave an ugly stain on things :grin: )
I also am carefull to pick up all my used cleaning patches even though I've gone there and saw empty brass all over the ground.Luckily though the modern guys only are there just before Deer season for about a month so the range is almost abandoned for the other 11 months of the year. :thumbsup:

 

[Bill Bryan]

I shoot at a muzzle loading club now but when I lived in California I shot at a public range. The only complaints I ever got were about the smell of black powder. Nobody ever mentioned the smoke. I usually went to the down wind side of the range. Most shooters of modern guns only go to the range a few times in their lives. Don't expect that they know much about range etiquite. Be careful of smokers and unattended little kids.

 

[Zonie]

Some ranges like you to load behind the shooting line. That keeps the powder well away from where the actual shooting will be done.

If this is true where your shooting there is the obvious rule that the muzzle must be kept pointed straight up until your at the bench and then lowered only in the direction of the targets.
The gun should not be primed or capped until the muzzle is pointed downrange.

If shooting a Flintlock, it's a good idea to try to get the bench at the far right end (if it is a right handed lock).
Although they don't seem to mind raining empty shell casings from their Autos on you, most folks take a dim view of having the flash hole blast invade their bench area. :hmm:

 

[TxRambler]

I had one guy comment on the smoke, and then his buddy thanks me for clearing out the mosquitoes. :rotf: Made me feel a bit better.

 

[Brasilikilt]

I've often wondered about this as well.
My first time at a shooting range, I didn't know the rule about not loading while people are changing targets.......I figured that if the barrel was pointing to the sky, and the pan was unprimed it was okay...apparently not

What about using a cylinder loader for your revolvers? Is it a breech of safety etiquette to load a cylinder while it isn't in the gun itself?

 

[Poor Boy]

During a cease fire all muzzleloaders will be un-loader and ground all butts...Do not run a patch down the bore or anything....Only when the line is called HOT can you do any of the above....
Olson

 

[AZ-Robert]

If they don't get many ML shooters, you may be teaching them some of the protocol.

The public range I shoot on is never crowded and pretty informal. When someone wants to pull a target, he lets the rangemaster know, he calls a cease fire, etc. They usually have the courtesy to check the status on my ML before they shout 'cease fire', letting me get off the shot to clear the bore instead of calling it while I have a ball shoved halfway down, etc. As Roundball says, letting the rangemaster know what is involved in getting an ML loaded and 'cleared' can really pay off.

When anyone is downrange, all guns are "handsoff." I lay it down on the shooting table, barrel pointed downrange. I bring along a scrap of carpet to pad the table.

I take only a horn's worth of powder to the line. The rest of it (in the can) stays in the truck. If I need to reload the horn, I do it at the truck. (on this range, that is only about 20' behind the firing line).

I shoot flintlocks, so I try to pick the spot farthest to the right of the firing line. If there is already someone set up there, I'll pick a spot that puts an empty position to my right. Once had a friendly fella move in to that spot on the right (even though there were plenty of other open positions). I reckon he just wanted a closer look. I tried to warn him but it took two shots before he got the idea and moved to the other side.

Don't forget your safety glasses.

 

[bob1961]

don't ferget the direction to the side yer flash hole spits fire...........bob

 

[bpollock_sr]

I built a portable flash shield that i can place on the bench when I'm shooting my flintlocks.This effectively blocks any gasses or particals from the flash hole striking anyone. It was simple to make ,using a piece of plywood and a 2x4.

 

[jderrick]

Many thanks to everyone for all the good advice... here's how it worked out--

I had a great time at a wonderful range. A couple of guys in the shed near the firing line when I got there said just to read the rules and make myself at home -- I was the only one there.

My kit-built flintlock raised some healthy curiosity and compliments. Another fellow showed up (there was plenty of room for me to stay down-wind, clear of others....) and he was very nice and shared interest in MLs....

So I put some smoke down range and got some hits on a soda 24-pack box at 50-yards -- ace Brit Rev. War marksman Ferguson wouldn't be proud but I'm pretty happy.