Hi: In taking my rifle to the local range, I have decided that I am carrying just too much stuff...Could some of you experienced Appleseeders suggest what you believe to be the minimum contents of a range bag? I can load plenty of stuff into a box and leave it in my car (cleaning stuff, bigger tools, etc)...What should I have on the firing line? Thanks...
Steve in Kansas
I bring to the line only, Water, Rifle, Ammo, Targets, Mat, Eyes & Ears, Stapler and Chair.
I leave the cleaning kit complete with all tools needed to completly disamble and clean along with whatever spare parts for this rifle that I own. I leave lunch, spare cloths, extra rifles, stock modification kit etc. in the car.
2cl
As an instructor I take a range bag bulging with spares and tools for the type of issues we may encounter with a wide range of students' rifles, but when shooting on my own I typically take just the stuff I would normally carry in the field plus whatever practice-specific stuff I'll need like shooting mat, notebook, targets, sharpie, tape and/or stapler and such; and "givens" like eye-n-ear protection, hat, water, etc.
The "normally carry in the field" list for me is:
Rifle, with sling attached and field cleaning kit in the butstock compartment where it lives.
Magazines and ammo needed.
A small back-pocket size plastic box containing spares of common failure parts like firing pin, extractor, assorted springs-n-pins, all wrapped up in a long strip of extra patch cloth.
The minimum field-expedient tools needed for the category above and/or sight adjustment. I find I can kludge my way through most field repair with a Leatherman and a small punch, but YMMV. Either way the range is a good place to learn the difference between what tools you truly need vs. extra weight that merely makes the job a little easier. The prospect of having to cut your day short provides the motivation to get creative with what you've got, but nobody's going to die if you learn that there's just no way to make it work without that special tool that's sitting at home on your bench.
All the kit should fit in one small container or shoulder bag; my typical fishing box inventory:
Data book. (Of course- you're a Rifleman after all!)
Pasters to mark target holes.
Pencils.
Stapler, staples.
Screwdrivers, sight adjustment tools that fit your rifle.
NRA multitool (somewhat like a Leatherman)
Q tips, patches, CLP.
Compact cleaning kit or boresnake.
Magazines.
Ammunition.
Cotton M1 sling rolled up.
Chamber flags
Set(s) of ear & eye pro.
Appleseed flyers for upcoming events.
That adds up to one hand
mine includes the above, plus;
bandana
sun screen
bug juice
eye drops
zip ties
small roll of duct tape
My range bag contains:
staple gun with box of spare staples
ear plugs (mine and a spare set or two of foam ones because somebody I shoot with will forget theirs)
a small pair of binoculars
a broken shell extractor (1 each in .223 and .308 - I've never used either but they are in the bag)
a couple of AR front/rear sight adjustment tools (fits the front AR sights and the front & rear Tech Sights)
my elbow pads
a card or two (for carding the sights)
an infrared temperature gun (for checking barrel temperatures for my own information and fun)
one of those knives that uses the heavy duty razor blades (locking blade type folding knife)
one of those multi tools
some chewing gum and some hard candy
My range bag is one of those old GI surplus radio bags. Not real big, not real small.
Range bag???? Ammo for 22 LR, ammo for .17 HMR, ammo for .223, ammo for .308. Four 22 LR Rifles, one Savage .17, one .223 Rifle and a Rem 308 Rifle. (Sometimes the 06 gets to go and have some fun.) Ammo for it if it goes. Shooting mat, pcs of carpet 4 each, target stands 3 each (PVC), target boards 3 each, and targets. Water, snacks, slings 3 each, sand bags for the 5 yr old. Hats, ears, eyes, cleaning tool box. Magazines, sharpies, notebook, spotting scope, chamber flags, staple gun, staples, pens, flashlight. Carry gun for the day with mags. First Aid kit, trauma kit. Binos for 25 yard shooting. Chairs 4 each, cooler with drinks, ice, RWVA instructors manual. Tarp, tent stakes (windy in Wyoming), hammer for tent stakes (ground is hard in Wyoming). Tape, camera, insect replent, sun screen, rain gear, zip ties....... I know I am missing something. That's what you bring for 4 people shooting. Me, wife, 11 yr old, and 5 year old.........O ya and toys...........the five year old can't go 5 hrs at the range just shooting yet.........Soon..........
Hope that helps..............LOL
Casper
Ammo & clips (m-1 Garand) tool is in butt stock spring kit extra bolt sling is on rifle where it lives (nylon) water snacks data book targets staple gun staples old leather wok glove (my high teck shooters glove ) cleaning rod patches and solvent ear plug's broken shell extractor also lives in butt stock shooter mat ??? most of the time nope don't carry one in my truck and I would not have one with me in the feild anyways .
Range bag is an old gasmask bag I found in my stuff.
Wade
I'm just finishing building a range box for my Marlin 795. I'm using a .50 cal ammo can, but it really only works for the .22s. If I ever build one for a centerfire rifle, I'll probably need to use a 20mm can. Anyway, the contents:
-600rds ammunition
-8x magazines
-sight tool
-screwdriver (for action screws)
-Stapler (with extra staples)
-2 Sharpies
-2 Chamber Flags
-CLP
-Patches
-Boresnake
-Spare recoil spring (broke one once)
-Eyes
-Ears
-Small notebook
-Pen
Other than that, my sling and QD mounts stay on the rifle, and the shooting mat just stays in the trunk.
I chose to separate all my rifle support stuff into the .50 cal can, and all my "People Support" stuff (Clothing, Water, Food, etc.) into a large ALICE ruck depending on the weather.
When I shoot, the only thing in my kit (rifle bag/shooting mat - yep, same thing) is my rifle, ammo, a few mags, stapler, water and trail mix. I wear my hat, eyes/ears, leatherman tool and drag my cooler or get it on a second trip.
All that other crap can stay in the car. I'll usually take a folding chair and little table/ammo can to the line with me to set up at my area and I'll add stuff dependent on range conditions (easy up shelter, sun screen, bug juice, rain gear, etc.)
There's absolutely no sense in carrying the contents of your work bench to the line with you. Every event I see people with wagon loads (a wagon is an awesome thing to bring, by the way! Just one of those little red wagons for the kids or an outdoor type landscaping wagon from TSC) of stuff they never even use. You can go back to your car if you need your drill or punch set. Chances are someone out there will have one anyway since they brought wagon loads of stuff with them. Borrow. We're all friends out on the line.
Since you said you're bringing your rucksack, put your mats/blankets/carpets/whatever in there with a small tarp or poncho liner, your ammo, mags, eyes, ears, stapler/staples, sunscreen/bug juice, and a few snacks. Carry or drag your small cooler and have your grandson carry two folding chairs. You should be all set.