Show me your range box.

[OB OBrien]

I sure would like to see some of you old timers range boxes. It seems like when I go to the range I am carrying three boxes. I saw a club members wooden box with different compartments that even held a second barrel. So please show me some or yours. I need some ideas to make one. Thanks OB

 

[Sunkmanitu Tanka]

I am not in the possibility to shoot primitive matches or hunt with black powder weapons because simply not allowed out here in Belgium. I know ... it sucks! :barf:
But I do go weekly to the gun club and in order not to have to carry around to much bags, cases etc. etc. I bought one of those modern large tool boxes that even have wheels, and come with different compartments, sliding compartments, etc., are stackable and are all in all not that expensive. Black and Decker, Stanley and other tool brands carry them, and OK they are definitely not PC, but when I come to a match, I have everything I "might" need in one simple 'cart' :v And I do not have to start building one from scratch ...

 

[Robby]

OB, I made these from discarded furniture, one is maple, the other is pine and unknown woods. one I now use for archery stuff.
Robby

 

[paulvallandigham]

Go to any large local shoot, or rendezvous, and check out the boxes. They are most often individually designed and made.

I have a large compartment in the bottom to put cans of powder, bullets, and extra "stuff". I installed some wooden rails on the sides to hold a Tray on the top part of the box. I put a lot of tools, spare parts, extra flints, nipples, etc. in the tray- stuff I need to use more frequently than the stuff down below. My range box was made from a Winchester Ammo Box. The wood box has a new bottom, and a thick Walnut Lid, a handle in the middle, and brass plated corners install. I also have skids install on the bottom to keep the box off wet surfaces. All the hardware was purchased from a local hardware store. I have a piano hinge, and a normal clasp with provision for a padlock on it for security during travels. I have an engraved brass nameplate with my full name on it riveted to the top of the box. I bought the plate from one of those shopping mall Kiosk places.

No attempt was made to make this box Period Correct. If you want to use ropes for handles and find old forged iron hinges, and hasps, knock yourself out! I have no intention of hauling my range box out to rendezvous to park in my Tipi. It can stay in the truck/car, while I load, and shoot from my hunting bag.

About the only thing different I have seen in other range boxes are different designs and arrangement of compartments in the top tray, and occasionally a divided area in the bottom of the box to put a specific item. I didn't put in dividers as they just take up needed space for more " Stuff"! :rotf: I have also seen boxes made for a specific gun, only. The owners have different range boxes for different events, particularly those who mainly shoot targets.

I saw an interesting set up in a range box used by a man shooting Trap with a custom made shotgun. His top "shelf" was deeper than mine, and he had dividers to separate his various wads and cards, along with cleaning patches, shot, and caps.

I also have seen very specialized boxes used by the Slug Gun shooters to hold their long bullets, powder, and primers, so that the shooter can get them easily, while keeping track of how many shots he has fired at a given target.

So, this is something that will require Personal judgment on your part. No one else's box is going to be made exactly the way you want it. Your first box won't be as good as the future ones you build. You will alter the shape and size of compartments in your box to fit your needs.

Pictures of my box would be meaningless to you, and probably vice versa. I have seen men use fishing tackle boxes for their BP needs to good advantage. Its not my cup of tea, but I can't fault them on their choice. It works for them. :thumbsup:

 

[fyrfyter43]

I use a fishing tackle bag with 3 or 4 separate divided boxes. Each of the boxes is loaded with all the goodies needed for a certain "group" of guns. I have a rimfire box with everything I need for my son's .22 rifle and my wife's Browning Buckmark. I have another with everything I could need for my cap n ball guns. And another yet for my flinters (although lately I find myself leaving the box at home and just shooting out of my bag). This way I can pick and choose what I want to haul to the range depending on what guns are going with me.

 

[paulvallandigham]

My box carried lots of tool- wrenches, screwdrivers, drift pins, center punch, matches, oil, solvents, etc-- that end up being used to fix other shooter's guns. I even have my nipple wrench in the range box, altho the only percussion gun I shoot is my shotgun. It gets "borrowed" by percussion rifle shooters a lot.

My point is that I would rather have the tools and gear with me in the car/truck, than leave it at home, and find I need something. It doesn't always follow me from the trunk to the firing line, either. But its there. When I am shooting at a range that is 60 miles from home, it makes a difference just being there.

And, I don't mind helping out other club shooters. I know I am " Paying forward", and that these shooters will someday be able to help someone else because they learned the value of having a full set of tools and gear with them at the range.

 

[RADeO]

And, I don't mind helping out other club shooters. I know I am " Paying forward", and that these shooters will someday be able to help someone else because they learned the value of having a full set of tools and gear with them at the range.

How right you are! This is what we all need to do every chance we get. :hatsoff:

 

[Tumblernotch]

I don't have any photos handy, but I use a fishing tackle box for my general shooting box. Have had it for years. Right now I'm looking at building a new one for my chunk gun out of the same tree that my stock came from. I may build another one to replace the tackle box. About 20 years ago I actually used a wooden machinist's chest, but it was just too durn heavy and bulky. Now I just use it for a...well, machinist's chest.

 

[fyrfyter43]

I also take alot of things to the range that I personally have no use for, but carry just in case someone else needs it. Things like safety glasses and hearing protection. I also have a few odds and ends in each box that might come in handy for the general type of gun I'll be shooting. For example, I have percussion, musket and 209 primer adapters for my CO2 discharger, a mainspring vise, nipple wrench, adjustable powder measure, and a few other things in my muzzleloader box, even though I personally won't need those things at the range. Since I shoot a flintlock, the only thing on that list I might need is the mainspring vise. But then, if I need to take a lock apart, I would be headed home, especially since the range is only about 15 minutes away.

The way our club's range is set up, there is no sense in carrying tools and supplies that I definitely won't need. Our club has separate ranges for rifle, rimfire, and handgun, as well as archery and a range for tactical-type training. So there really isn't much sense in carrying, say, blackpowder tools/supplies if we're going to shoot rimfires, or vice-versa.

On the other hand, we don't have room for folks to bring in a range box the size of a washing machine. And we can't just back our trucks up to the range, so we have to think about how much stuff we bring.

 

[chapmans]

Here is one I bought at the fall shoot at Friendship, I've been going to build one for 15 yrs and never got around to it so I bought one, before this one I used tackle boxes and tool boxes, I never found one I liked. I bought it unfinished and finished it myself.

 

[MikeChapin]

The only one I use is a plastic toolbox with a top tray I got from Ace. It generally stays in the car at shoots and I fill my shooting bag from it. It just a habit I got into back in the early days when many shoots required you to load from the pouch. The only time I have to go back to the box is when I change rifles.

That is one very nice shooting box you have there.

 

[tg]

This was picked up at a yard sale for a dollar and dividers a handle and removable trays were added, I used fishing tackle boxes for years.

 

[biliff]

Picked this up off the blanket at the Ollalla Long Rifles rondy this spring. It's 11"X11"X12" and the top drawer has a leather cushion on the bottom. Before that I used a case meant for fishing tackle.

 

[Dave K]

Longball58, I love that box. I may have to pick one up at the spring shoot. If I can find one.

 

[chapmans]

I have the fellows name and address etc. if you would like it send me a pt. He makes them in other woods, mine is pine, also I put the corners on and the handle, his handle is just a piece of leather.

Regards, Steve Chapman

 

[chapmans]

Due to the response I will post his name and address here.

unfinished pine was $75, finished $95, assorted hardwoods from $125 and up

 

[Stumpkiller]

I keep it pretty simple. :wink: Lets' call it a "soft range box with shoulder strap."

Everything I need for 60 shots.

 

[OB OBrien]

Thank you Gentlemen; You have given me a wealth of ideas. Now just have to put one together. Maybe after Christmas, as I have a dozen pepper-mills to turn for Christmas gifts. Better get busy. EH
Thanks again
OB :thumbsup:

 

[RhinoDave]

I am currently using an old fishing tackle box I found at a church rummage sale for $.50. I repainted it and added a combination lock I took off an old brief case before I tossed it. I used to use a larger and newer tackle box but I found myself hauling along alot of stuff I didn't really need. This measures 15"x8"x6" and has worked well with my C&B revolver and Hawken.