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
Thanks!
I carry less than most - since "emergency" tools and cleaning kit, and a small rolled up data book, already live in the buttstock, and my range features steel gongs at 100 through 400 yards, all I typically need to take are the rifle with one magazine, and a small belt pouch that holds 120 rounds on stripper-clips and some foam earplugs. (The sunglasses I already have on are wraparound tinted safety glasses, and there's always a pen in my shirt pocket.)
If it weren't for the steel, I'd have to add targets and a way to hold them up.
I too used to carry a lot of stuff that I never seemed to use. I keep it a lot simpler these days.
It also depends on what I'm doing at the range. If I'm dialing in a rifle for the upcoming season, and I know I need to verify a 300 zero on my bolt action rifle, I'm taking a mat, a spotting scope, and some specific targets to put out to help me gauge distances.
If I'm just shooting, I try to be more like AZMule.
Try going to the range once or twice, and just take in your rifle, ear/eye pro, and ammo. You figure out what you can and can't live without.
YMMV
Quote from: Araxie on July 03, 2018, 12:54:08 AM
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
Thanks!
I had that same problem. My range bag weighs as much as refrigerator. So, I created a second smaller range bag for when its just me. Its a shoulder bag that has just the necessary gear - ammo, eyes, ears, chamber flag, multi-tool, pen and notepad. Thats it...
I carry the big bag when I am going with multiple people as it has all the gear for my family and extra gear for friends that come that always forget something.
Shooters tend to be "gear-centric" people. I'd say most of us have suffered from over-gear syndrome. Some simply develop means of carrying more and some seek a way to do with less. I observed a RBC in AL once where a SI, who is former Army gave a class on how to pack light. The next day we would be shooting on a private airstrip and the owner didnt want any tire tracks on his strip. This forced us to pack it in / pack it out as the hikers would say.
I had never "humped" a rifle in my life. This was a point of great amusement to all present. Hey, I drive to the range - rifle in a case, Carry case and gear to the line, un-case, shoot, re-case, hump gear back to truck and drive home right? Now I had to bring everything I would need all day on my back. For you serious NRA HP guys - no, I didn't have a cart. I learned a lot and it turnt out to be a great experience.
Fast forward to Action Rifle competitions (you really gotta try this). All of the serious guys use really fancy carts to carry all manner of gack. I tried a makeshift cart and it was OK, but then one day I saw a young feller with a rifle and a back pack. I recalled my day in AL. When I got home, I pulled out a spare pack and loaded with only what I really needed. I learnt how to carry a rifle at a tactical class, using a top-mount sling (different discipline - don't be offended please). So, rifle slung - muzzle at the ground and in full safe condition. Pack with 13 prepped 30 round mags, pads, plate carrier with mag pouches, gloves, water and snacks. No cart - no extra gear and no reloading between stages.
I now run all KDs pack it in / pack it out. Carrying everything on your back in the FL sun in summertime will help you winnow down to the bare essentials very quickly. Do you really need that 50 cal can full of 5.56? Do you really need a 5lb stack of targets? What about six mags? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. I always choose the load first and the pack system second.
That's my .02. Yer mileage may differ.
I use a small two-compartment Armageddon Gear bag for my rimfire shooting. It'll hold 200-400 rounds of boxed .22 LR, earplugs, a small drawstring baggie for magazines, plus a Sharpie on one side, and I keep my shot timer and staples on the other. I leave it packed and just scoop it up on the way out the door.
I usually set my target board up at home and just slap it on my PVC stand when I get to the range.
Will see if I can get a picture later. I find it's the perfect thing to grab for a plinker trip.
Keep a first aid kit, not for boo boos, but for blowouts.
Range bag for rifle:
- Mags
- Ammo
- Data book
- pen
- targets
- staples and staple gun
- basic cleaning kit
- ear pro
- water and protein snack pac from starbucks
Quote from: Araxie on July 03, 2018, 12:54:08 AM
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
Thanks!
Hi Steve,
I prep my range stuff modularly normally so I have "range bag" which has things like eye & ear pro, range badge, and a couple bottles of water. I always bring spares in case i run into someone at the range who forgot theirs.
I have ammo cans for my .22's, 5.56, 9mm, etc and grab whatever can I need that day. If I'm just doing a short range session I'll throw a couple boxes of ammo in the range bag instead of bringing the ammo can.
Besides that I have tool kits, med kit and other stuff I pack depending on the "mission" that day.
Minimum for a solo short trip is ear & eye pro, water, mini-blow out kit and a few hundred rounds of ammo in my bag.
Guns and mags almost never go in my bag. They're transported in dedicated cases for each gun (mags with gun).
Stapler and such is in it's own case that includes rolls of pasters for covering bullet holes and a timer since I do USPSA too.
If you didn't see it we're doing an Appleseed near Wichita at Air Capital Gun Club October 13-14 and would be glad to have you join us!
https://appleseedinfo.org/schedule/?qstate=KS&state=Kansas (https://appleseedinfo.org/schedule/?qstate=KS&state=Kansas)
I run what I call a Rifleman's support bag. The concept was to have everything that I would need to be self sustaining for 72hrs yet small and light enough to be not cumbersome and less reliant on gear. it goes virtually everywhere with me. It allows for in the field or on the range PMCS
Basically it is my old three day pack with the following items:
Boo Boo Kit with foot care gear
Trauma kit that includes a Tourniquet, because well stuff can happen
Weapon maintenance and repair kit. Basics, nothing overwealming
Lee Loader kit for 5.56 with 1lbs of IMR4895 repackaged into a smaller nalgene bottle, 100 rds 62 gr HPBT bullets (heavy ziplock bag), 100 rd sleeve CCI 41 primers (heavy ziplock bag)
Swiss Army Knife on retention lanyard.
INOVA Microlight
Signal Mirror.
Whistle on retention lanyard.
Magnetic Compass on retention lanyard. Although a GPS is a good piece of equipment, it will never take the place of good compass.
Small Survival Essentials Kit
Can Openers (P38 and P51)
Small Petzl head lamp A headlamp is a good item to have when it's important to have both hands free
Notebook/pencil. Becasue, well... notes.
Map, Protractor and anotherPencil.
Field Expedient Patch and repair kit.
Ration Bars. Clif Bar or other High energy food items.
Quick cook food
Drink mix packets
Knife and Pocket sharpener
Signal Kit
Fire Kit with wire saw
Hydration pump/filter and Platypus water pouches
550 Cord, minimum 50ft
Sock Roll (skivvies, socks and tee shirt rolled up in sock)
Range specific adjunct to pack includes a pouch with the following:
Stapler w/ spare staples
Sharpy marker
Measuring tape
More extensive PMCS kit with common spare parts
I know it seems like alot but properly packaged it really is not back at all. It pretty much rides around in my Jeep with me (it gets to see lots of cool and interesting places)
Basic what I put together for my son
His shooting glasses (perscritpion)
His electronic muffs
Spare foam ear plugs
Eye glass cleaning wipes
Mechanix gloves
Elbow pads ( I use a shirt with double thick elbows )
Magazines 4 10 round 10/22 mags
2 chamber flags
A brick of 22 standard velocity
A note book small spiral bound
Pencil
2 pens
Sharpie
Roll of blue painters tape
Pill bottle of thumb tack for hanging targets
His gerber multi tool
A basic 6 in 1 screwdriver
A bore snake .22
A small bottle of oil
All of this fits in a small tool bag
He can easily carry that and his shooting mat to the line and get set up
Where my kit differs , it is in a large tool bag
What I have in addition to what is in his kit
My data book
A basic break down cleaning rod and kit with solvent , oil and patches. 30 cal bore snake
A spare pair of non prescription safety glasses to loan out
A spare sling labeled with my name to loan out
A screwdriver set with tips
Staple gun and staples
Horse wrap 2 rolls, 1 roll sports wrap tape
Pre cut sections of sleeping mat for stock building
A handful of packaged foam ear plugs
10x binaculars
Bag for brass ( I reload and like free brass in addition to picking up my own)
I also have my 3 liter hydration pack that I carry on me which has some storage recently got this and hands free drinking while doing other things is very handy for keeping hydrated.
In that I keep
Spare pens
Sharpies silver for marking AR safeties and mags & black for marking targets and other things.
Spare chamber flag
Ibuprofen
Tums in a small pill bottle
Benadryl in blister pack (bee stings and allergic reactions)
Israeli Bandage
Knife , flashlight and lighter
Compass (for hiking and not because I get lost on the range)
Power pack to charge my phone with short cord
Spare ear plugs and eye glass cleaning wipes
(if you need any prescriptions this would be a good place for them)
if I was just shooting and not instructing I would shed some loaner items and supplies for stock building.
if not under a covered firing line a wide brim hat
the range has a first aid kit on the line so I son't carry much first aid
Quote from: Araxie on July 03, 2018, 12:54:08 AM
Hi: In taking my rifle to the local range, I have decided that I am carrying just too much stuff.
Are there things in your current kit you haven't used in a while? What has started you thinking this way --- getting tired of lugging the weight around, seeing other people at the range who look to be having a good time with less stuff, etc?
Quote from: glocker21 on August 29, 2018, 01:45:38 PM
I run what I call a Rifleman's support bag. The concept was to have everything that I would need to be self sustaining for 72hrs
.
.
.
Lee Loader kit for 5.56 with 1lbs of IMR4895 repackaged into a smaller nalgene bottle, 100 rds 62 gr HPBT bullets (heavy ziplock bag), 100 rd sleeve CCI 41 primers (heavy ziplock bag)
Even from the perspective of Rifleman support, and given a theoretical SHTF scenario, this seems well beyond what would be needed in a 72-hour window.
Quote from: J_T on September 12, 2018, 11:56:35 AM
Quote from: Araxie on July 03, 2018, 12:54:08 AM
Hi: In taking my rifle to the local range, I have decided that I am carrying just too much stuff.
Are there things in your current kit you haven't used in a while? What has started you thinking this way --- getting tired of lugging the weight around, seeing other people at the range who look to be having a good time with less stuff, etc?
Quote from: glocker21 on August 29, 2018, 01:45:38 PM
I run what I call a Rifleman's support bag. The concept was to have everything that I would need to be self sustaining for 72hrs
.
.
.
Lee Loader kit for 5.56 with 1lbs of IMR4895 repackaged into a smaller nalgene bottle, 100 rds 62 gr HPBT bullets (heavy ziplock bag), 100 rd sleeve CCI 41 primers (heavy ziplock bag)
Even from the perspective of Rifleman support, and given a theoretical SHTF scenario, this seems well beyond what would be needed in a 72-hour window.
In my view coming from rural Montana where distances between towns, villages, cities is hundreds of miles in many cases, 72 hours is bare minimum. 90% of Montanans are woefully unprepared for worst case scenarios. Many take the 72 hour rule as gospel, I view it as a starting point.
Is my rig too much, maybe for most people. I am a plan for the worst and hope for the best type of person. Having been stranded in my vehicle on Highway 2 between Marion and Pioneer junction Montana in a white out without cell reception for 12 hours three years ago bore out my ability to self sustain. I know that everything in my support bag will get me through just about anything I can foresee when I utilize my brain housing group.
I can maintain most firearm related issues out of my bag, I can treat most first aid and immediate need trauma out of my bag. The bag just holds tools.
As for firearm support, how many times have you been at the range or at a shoot and had ammunition related issue that you just had to bear down and push through? Are your reloads working as you expected? If not, why not have a way to fix the issue in the field.
It should be noted that this configuration has been tweaked several time over the years to include only things I absolutely need. ounces equals pounds and pounds equals pain and for this old fart, pain is something I am not in short supply of. Knowledge is the key. If you have more than one purpose for most things in your bag and the knowledge to improvise then you are 90% there in most instances.
Your mileage may vary and objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.