Public shooting ranges

[Danny Ross]

How many here shoot at public shooting ranges? The reason I ask is I think it is a great place to introduce interest to Traditional Muzzle Loading. I have had a number of people who have shot at tables next to me ask about the guns I am shooting, how accurate are they (I then have them look through my spotting scope :grin: ), and then I ask if they want to shoot it. They are a little surprised I asked them but most say yes. I explain they are more than capable in taking deer with roundball and how inexpensive they are to shoot. Some ask a lot more questions than others but I get a few that say I have to get one of these. I just think Public Ranges are a good place to educate people and experience something they normally won't get a chance to do and introduce them to our way of shooting. DANNY

 

[amcmullen]

At the range I shoot at I get a lot of people shooting their shot guns and modern muzzle loaders. My flintlock rifles get a decent share of attention but since its PA and we have a Flintlock season most people are accustomed to them.

Now when I break out the flintlock pistol, that draws quite a bit of attention.

 

[amcmullen]

...and yes, I offer to let them shoot.

 

[Donny]

My experience is after showing my flinter, smoothbore, whatever, has been they are not much interested. Even after my offer for them to shoot it. They are all excited and eager to tell me about the newest black gun they are shooting.

 

[FishDFly]

I do not shoot on public ranges, there are too many unsafe folks there.

"I just think Public Ranges are a good place to educate people and experience something they normally won't get a chance to do and introduce them to our way of shooting.

If I were to go to a public range, I would go to shoot, not visit and socialize.

 

[RhinoDave]

I use mostly DNR public ranges with range officers. I've generally found most people uninterested in my muzzleloaders. At best I've answered a few basic questions and that's usually the end of it. I've had more incidences where people have reacted negativly to the smoke and smell and even had people move away and some even express a few not so nice comments. I generally switch to Pyrodex when someone complains about the smell. :grin:

 

[rodwha]

I've had many questions when shooting my revolvers. There is certainly plenty of interest with one asking for a picture of my ROA.

The rifle has had a little interest but not usually the type where they'd want one other than a good friend of mine.

I've had only one who didn't care for the thunder and smoke, but I usually ask to be placed at the end downwind out of respect for the others.

 

[coloradoclyde]

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

 

[azmntman]

I do not shoot on public ranges, there are too many unsafe folks there.

"I just think Public Ranges are a good place to educate people and experience something they normally won't get a chance to do and introduce them to our way of shooting.

If I were to go to a public range, I would go to shoot, not visit and socialize.

I have never shot at a range. I shoot 75% alone in the woods, the other 25% with a buddy or my son or wife (and lately my daughter, she really likes my .31 1849 BUT SHE CANNOT HAVE IT

 

[Many Klatch]

Indoor ranges around here don't allow the use of black powder or Pyrodex. The smoke messes with their air filters.

The nearest outdoor range will allow the use of Muzzleloaders but they seem to worry the Safety Officer. To shoot a pistol I have to load the gun at the bench in the back, holster it and then walk to the shooting line to either prime or cap.

I do offer people a chance to shoot if they show any interest. It's getting hard to find a place where we can shoot.

 

[smo]

I've had a lot of kids who think the smoke is cool have their parents stop to watch me shoot when I did shoot at public ranges . I've also overheard other people talking about how well those old guns shoot :haha: Its fun to see a target from one of those spray & pray black guns with the 10 ring unmolested when your 54 is taken chunks of black out. :thumbsup:

 

[SgtErv]

I always get some questions and most people are pretty interested. I answer their questions and such and try to get downwind of other shooters as a courtesy.

I go with a traditional bag and horn, too, so most folks are fairly fascinated by it. I volunteer at a historical site, so I'm getting used to the curiousity

I prefer being by myself mainly because answering those questions and such almost invariably leads to a dry ball :rotf:

 

[Teleoceras]

Danny:

I've been very fortunate to go to a public range were the Range officers are very supportive of all the muzzleloaders that I shoot. I do get lots of stares when I am shooting my Handgonnes, Serpentine Locks, and Matchlocks.

One of the Range officers is also teaches shooting classes, so when I'm around he will show them what I am shooting and then ask about the origins. I'm always happy to oblige and usually point them to my shooting videos at the range if they want to see more of my other types.

Slowmatch Forever!
Teleoceras

 

[Eric Krewson]

There is a great public range on Freedom Hills Mgt Area in NW Bama that one can go to in the middle of the day and have it to themselves, evenings and weekends are a different story.

Most of the shooters are safe but a bozo comes along every now and then. One time we were all pulling targets 100 yards down range and some ***** on the firing line started shooting. When we chastised him he said" I wasn't shooting toward any of you guys".

On thing I have noticed is you can spot the guys with military training on a public range, no nonsense and structured shooting just like in basic.

 

[Rick Boylan]

It's the only time I can shoot. I don't have land where I can shoot or any friends with land where I can shoot so I must use a public range.

When I take my Flintlock I usually get people standing behind me to watch the "old gun" shoot. I've had people want to take pictures of my gun and I answer their questions as best I can. I was there when a man, his wife and daughter were shooting .22s in the next lane. The wife and daughter (around 40 and 20) came over to watch me shoot and really were very interested in it. The husband seemed a bit peeved that he was upstaged. :haha:

I usually don't see much interest when I take my caplock out and shoot it. Some people will ask about it, but usually they just walk past.

The flintlock is quite a show for those uninitiated to black powder. I get people of all ages stopping and watching and then the smile on their faces is fun to see, and to hear the kids go "WOW did you see that?".

I sometimes can get the adventurous to even try a shot themselves. I think the flash of the pan intimidates some.

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

"I wasn't shooting toward any of you guys".

I really hate those jagoffs.

They wouldn't be so bad if they acknowledged what they did was wrong, apologized, and NEVER did it again for the rest of their lives, but almost invariably: they always know better than everyone else, especially when they don't... :cursing:

I also hate the "It's not loaded" crowd that is always sweeping people...You call them out for muzzle discipline and they just get indignant and say "It's not loaded"...You tell them that "it doesn't matter", and to "watch your muzzle", and it still doesn't compute in their narrow jagoff minds.

I have come to the conclusion that "It's not loaded!" is the official motto of Range Jagoffs everywhere.

 

[azmntman]

I had an incident. Jagoffs arrived at pits where i was shooting my .32 with my then 8 yr old son. They set up and began shooting. Thought nothing of it till I noted they were shooting at less than a 20 degree angle towards us. Had just loaded my rifle. and w/o thinking walked over to their car, asked why the XXXX they were shooting towards us?. "its just a .22, were teaching :shocked2: the kid" (another near 8ish yr old). I lowered the lift gate of their car, snapped a cell phone pic of the plate, pics of the set up showing they WERE SHOOTING AT US and told em to KMA.

Got to cell service called S.O. Was advised not a life and death and they would have a deputy call when he was free. Long story short they knew the sheriff or a HIGH ranking officer. I was told to drop it or they would arrest them and then me FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT? Seems my approaching with a gun, using foul language and touching their car was a crime worse than felony endangerment. Thanks the dear officers and advised now I knew where I stood and would be handling similar situations myself.

And thats why I shoot in the woods alone. Jagoffs frequent the pits and I'd hate to have to handle it myself.

 

[piper987]

When I do shoot BP at the local gun range I notice I tend to get a little more respect from the RO than the kid with an AR that just came out of mom's basement. Nothing against the AR, I own 3 of them.

 

[SgtErv]

It is indeed very easy to spot military folks Eric. I'm that guy for sure haha :idunno: We don't have a range officer where I shoot, so there is an unofficial thumbs up weapons clear kind of thing. When everyone gets back I almost invariably say, "ready on the right? The right is ready. Ready on the left? The left is ready. Commence firing" :rotf:

 

[Eric Krewson]

I seem to take the position of a RO myself if there are bunch of guys shooting, no complaints so far and all seem to like a little order on the firing line.