Range Bag Necessities (and niceties)

[zercool]

A lot of us have a dedicated range bag, some contents of which change depending on what rifle(s) or pistol(s) we're taking to the range. In my experience, though, there are a few things which should be in EVERYONE'S range bag, ALWAYS.

Bare essentials:
- ear protection - there's always a ziploc bag with a handful of foam earplugs in my range bag, for myself and others who forgot theirs.
- eye protection - I wear eyeglasses, but not all my friends do; I keep at least one pair of shooting glasses in the range bag.
- multi-tool - a simple basic Leatherman "Kick" or similar is fine. A pair of pliers and a couple screwdrivers makes most adjustments MUCH easier.
- a boresnake of appropriate caliber
- a small can of action cleaner or gunscrubber
- a chamber flag or two (orange weed-whacker line also serves this purpose nicely)
- staple gun with extra staples
- a Darn-It-Stick - the local hardware store should have brass rod in 36" sections for a few bucks. Round off one end with a Dremel tool and stone and it makes a perfect tool for clearing an obstructed barrel or removing a stuck case. My local Lowe's had them in 1/8" and 3/16" diameters, which will clear a .17, .22(3), or .30 with no trouble at all.
- notebook and pen/pencil for recording shot data

Niceties:
- sight tool (A1/A2)
- spare magazines
- brass hammer and punch set for sight adjustments where necessary
- purple loc-tite
- brushes/jags and patches, cleaning rod
- powder solvent
- spare parts kit (this is entirely dependent on your rifle. For an AR I'd consider a firing pin, retaining pin, gas rings, extractor, and spring.)
- full-size tools - screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers, etc.

Obviously, the size of your range bag is up to you; I've found I can carry most of the essentials along with a brick or three of ammunition in a canvas tool pouch with no trouble. The DarnItStick lives in the rifle case or under the back seat of the truck.

Anything to add?

[eaglescouter]

Essentials:
Printed targets (1" squares)
M1 Sling

Nice:
Spotting scope

[RacerDave6]

Sunscreen and bug spray are absolute essentials in my range bag.

[Matt]

I like to add an Indicator, Target, color black, qty. 1 ea. (aka "Sharpie") 

[ken grant]

 In my range bag, I only keep what is needed for shooting that day. Ears,Glasses,staples and gun,mag loaders,pen or marker stay in the bag at all times and never removed unless in use.
I then load what ever ammo,mags needed for whatever I plan on shooting.

Tools, cleaning stuff, sight tools ,etc. I keep in a small tool box and stays in my truck.
If I go shooting with someone else, I just grap my bag, tool box and go.

[vic303]

We've added a blowout kit to the range bag--just in case the worst happens.  We usually park the van & the med kit at the back of the range, which leaves it a bit of a run there & back if there is a catastrophic accident.  This gives us access to some gear in a small pouch rapidly.

[Junior Birdman]

   Again?

[vic303]

Blow out kit = small trauma kit.  Israeli bandage, gloves, Celox, chest seal, chem light, SWAT tourniquet.  In case someone gets shot...

[gjwilliamsjr]

I guess the boy scout motto "Be Prepared" is the reason for the blowout kit, but I really hope that no one has ever been shot at an appleseed.   

[RacerDave6]

Definately 'Be prepared'
We carry spare tires in our cars and trucks, have fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in our homes etc., hoping they will never be needed our used.
Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

Dave

[Geddys Uncle]

Ditto the above statements, with one additional "bet'cha'didn't think of"...


that boresnake can be used to remove a broken shell from the chamber...if the casehead's been torn off, or if the cartridge's neck ripped, just drop the brass weight down the muzzle, and pull backwards to snag and remove the wreckage


larn't that the hard way when some Pakistani surplus ammo disabled my #4Mk1*  , and of all the snakes in the Nevada desert the one I needed most was at the house. 

[vic303]

I guess the boy scout motto "Be Prepared" is the reason for the blowout kit, but I really hope that no one has ever been shot at an appleseed.   

It's not just for the Appleseed trip.  It will be a permanent attachment to the range bag.

[biathlon]

Rangefinder, kestrel wind and elevation meter, inclinometer, stuck case remover, small wire stakes with range flags.

[WY_Not]

Biathlon,

You forgot skis.     I hear tell that you don't go anywhere without skis. 

WY_Not
aka Joseph
aka FSW Forum Admin

[bigjimcalhoun]

The original post said "punches"  - Needed for when your 10/22 jams solid.  Hammer and screwdriver too.

[Geddys Uncle]

The original post said "punches"  - Needed for when your 10/22 jams solid.  Hammer and screwdriver too.

Punches would have been handy at my first A.S. shoot....to drive out the firing-pin-retainer in my SKS, and remove the primer-punch fragments from inside the bolt, that had disabled my rifle.    BUT, as a result of my Yugo being downgraded from "Firearm" to "Really big pocketknife"  , I got to borrow Respiratory Pop's little AR, and shot a much higher score than the Simonov would have afforded me. 

[AFTERMATH]

Duct-tape

[fullauto01]

Items I haven't seen yet:
small bottle of gun oil
brimmed hat to keep the brass off
garbage bag to keep your range gear dry
clear bag large enough to put over your target to keep it a little drier while shooting in the rain
notebook (with sight adjustment notes already calculated)
brass collection bag
water bottle
D-Wipes for lead removal before leaving the range.

[Talon]

sat phone for calling in pizza.

[RacerDave6]

sat phone for calling in pizza.

That would of been a heck of a delivery to the DAR at Elizabeth IL in April 

[DuaneRN]

I stopped bringing a range bag because I found that everyone wanted to use my stuff. 

[AFTERMATH]

I stopped bringing a range bag because I found that everyone wanted to use my stuff. 

If you're lucky though; occasionally you end up with extra stuff. 

[gjwilliamsjr]

 
[/quote]

If you're lucky though; occasionally you end up with extra stuff. 
[/quote]

Kinda like fishing and catching someone elses old tackle

[Bob Womack]

I was just out shoosting .22 Cal. on a black bull at 25 yards and couldn't see diddle squat on the target from that range - especially when I hit.  <   Glad I brought my binoculars.  I don't see anyone discussing a spotting scope in the range bag.  Ummm...  Uh...  How do you see your results at an Appleseed? 

Bob

[AFTERMATH]

I was just out shoosting .22 Cal. on a black bull at 25 yards and couldn't see diddle squat on the target from that range - especially when I hit.  <   Glad I brought my binoculars.  I don't see anyone discussing a spotting scope in the range bag.  Ummm...  Uh...  How do you see your results at an Appleseed? 

Bob

Easy, you learn to call your shots.  That way when you go down to the target-line you just verify that your shots ended up where where you called them.  When you get to an Appleseed; we'll teach you how.

[gunville]

Wow, these range bags are getting awful heavy...

[Talon]

Wow, these range bags are getting awful heavy...

Range Truck.

[zercool]

Ok, I think we've made the point...