I hope to go shooting tomorrow

[Patrick L]

Well, I haven't gone shooting since March 15th. Once all this pandemic garbage hit, we took the warnings seriously. I've been venturing out once a week for groceries, that's pretty much it. My son and I are both fortunate to be able to keep our jobs and work from home, and my daughter is a college student so she's been doing her work online since she came home in March. My wife is a nurse, she has been going to work and back. She only works part time, so basically that's been twice a week. The kids have just stayed home.

We have had some pretty good (I think) protocols in place for when we do leave the house. My wife and I that is, for my grocery run and her work.

Back to the shooting. Both of my clubs are technically open. All organized activities (leagues, clay sports) were shut down, but we were free to use the rifle and pistol ranges at our own risk, and encouraged to use good social distancing, masks, etc. if we did. In spite of this, I didn't go. CDC, Dept. of Health, the Governor, everyone said if it wasn't essential, don't go out. The wife and I agreed that playing with my toys wasn't essential, and we didn't want to risk getting this thing or bringing it into our home.

Well, things are slowly re opening around here. I've decided to test the waters. Here's my plan.

I've loaded up my car with both rifles and handguns. I'll scope out both the rifle and pistol ranges tomorrow. If they're crowded, I'll turn around and try another day. If one or both are empty/ lightly occupied, I'll set myself up away from anyone else and have at it. I'll have my mask, tons of hand sanitizer, and spray disinfectant.

I'm really hopeful I'll get to shoot something tomorrow!

[Wheelguns 1961]

Good for you! I haven’t been since the first week of march, and I am used to going weekly. The range that I belong to is still closed down.

[Winger Ed.]

March 15th?
Wow, I haven't been since Monday this week, and I'm already starting to get those de-tox type tremors and shakes.

[tazman]

I took several weeks off as well. I finally got out last week.
I had a very enjoyable time and I even shot well(for me). Seems the time off didn't harm my abilities much.
I have always been one to practice often. I want my skills to be sharp when I need them. It appears the time I spent in the past has paid off.

I hope you have as much fun as I did.

[Shiloh]

Been out a few times since then.

Shiloh

[BigAlofPa.]

Awesome have a great time shooting.

[sparkyv]

Lol! :-)

march 15th?
Wow, i haven't been since monday this week, and i'm already starting to get those de-tox type tremors and shakes.

[44Blam]

I've only been out four times. As a result, I have a LOT of loaded ammo... Prior to the 'Rona, I was shooting 2-3 pistol matches a month and occasionally doing a 3 gun too. So, I kept my loading regimine and actually picked it up a little.

But, I have my Monday's off for the next month and my local range (finally opened) has rec shooting every Monday and Friday. What they are doing is only allowing people to be in every other bay, masks on, and if the pistol range gets busy, they'll regulate it.

So, I'm gonna fling some lead at the 880 yard target on Monday. ;)

I actually belong to a "shooting club" that never did close down. Just limited use to members and locked the gate. When I went to this range, they have a trap range that generally gets use when they have trap matches (which are cancelled), so I've been setting up my steel on that range and have been having fun with rifles/pistols and shotgun. And nobody else is there...

I actually really like it because I setup a table about 50 yards from my targets with rifle ammo/rifle then another table about 20 yards with pistol/shotgun ammo and shotgun. I holster up, grab the rifle, and time shooting 6 rifle rounds, run to the next table load/shoot the pistol with 6 rounds and then pickup the shotgun and move in on the targets for 6 rounds of birdshot. And try to do it quickly and accurately. :D It's pretty fun. I think next time, it'll be grab the shotgun and move in until empty and then draw pistol and engage steel while retreating... Hmm...

Last time I went there were a few peeps on the .22 range, 1 guy at the 100 yard range and a few of the "usual suspects" at the pistol range. And then me running around on the trap range...

[Patrick L]

March 15th?
Wow, I haven't been since Monday this week, and I'm already starting to get those de-tox type tremors and shakes.

I should say, that would be me too. I am fortunate that I live about 5 miles from my main club. Typically I would be there 3,4, maybe more times a week. So two months seems like a lifetime.

The worst part of the whole mess was that with the cancellation of the leagues, I lost out on TWO league banquets in early April (Bullseye Pistol and Wednesday Night Skeet leagues.) As a former fat man who lost a lot of weight, and maintained the loss, these food events are really important to me, and I look forward to them!!

[onelight]

I feel for you guys that have not been able to shoot.
I go twice a week and only missed one week. I get there when they open and me and the guys i shoot with will often be the only ones there at the most 2 other lanes occupied .

[Prcshooter]

Sounds like you have a great plan, enjoy yourself.

[hermans]

My last outing shooting was on the 21st of March...and still no sign of when we will be able to go out doing what we love most......shooting, again. Have made lots of ammo, so are ready and waiting to be let loose!
Those of you that do go out shooting, enjoy it and think of the rest of us still locked down......:groner:

[dale2242]

I am thankful that I live in the country.
I can go out shooting any time the weather permits.
The nearest range is 40 miles away which is not too far if I want to do some serious shooting from there covered concrete benches.
There are a number of rock pits much closer that I can take my portable shooting bench and sight in or do some casual load development.
Or just go shoot for fun.
This virus thing has not effected my shooting because there is not ant one out shooting where I go except on the weekends, which I avoid.
Go shooting when you can folks.
It is good therapy for those of you stressed by this virus thing.

[charlie b]

I'm kinda stuck too. Our local range is also closed. I usually go 2 or 3 times a week. Pistol would not be a problem as around here it is easy to find some space to shoot. But, I like to shoot rifle at longer ranges and that is hard to do.

Range was supposed to open Friday, but, the city waffled on it. Now it's supposed to open tomorrow, but, I am not holding my breath :) Our city council is not very good at communicating so we have to wait for the local newspaper to release anything new. I am getting antsy.

[Patrick L]

Well, I went. It was heaven!!! It's strange how much we take for granted.

I got there, and the place was empty. I reasoned that more pistol shooters than rifle shooters would eventually show up, so I elected to shoot pistol first. I had the pistol range to myself the entire time I shot.

By the time I was done shooting pistol, there were about half a dozen on the rifle range. Too many for my comfort. BUT, we have a second rifle range (the "back range), with restricted access. Not everyone has back range authorization, but i do. So, I had that one all to myself. All told, I shot for about 2 1/2 hours .

As to specifics, it was a mix of what I call "business and pleasure." some things I just wanted to shoot, a few things I needed to shoot (check sights, etc.)

I started with my S&W M 27 , ran about 30 .38 wadcutters through it at 50 yds, 1 handed "bullseye" style. That was pleasure. Then I moved the target is to 25 yds and ran 10 .357 factory jacketed rounds through it just to check poi, along with 10 of my .38-44 handloads. I got this gun in January, and it was too cold to do anything but shoot it on the indoor range, which limits us to .38 light loads. It was my first time running heavy stuff through it, and I wanted to see how much the poi changed. Very little if any it turns out. I also ran 10 rds of .45 ACP and .38-45 Clerke through my .45 auto. I had to do an extractor tweak a few months ago and just wanted to test for positive extraction.

On the rifle side, it was mostly pleasure. I ran 20 rounds of my favorite 06 cast load (16 gr 2400, 155 GC Lee) through my 03 Springfield "slung and prone." Then 23 rounds (I know that's an odd number) of am M@ equivalent load through a Garand, also slung and prone. The just a little bit of business, I needed to sight in a scope. My main Highpower gun these days is a Howa 1500 in .223 that I shoot cast in the matches with. Since the Highpower league is sort of suspended, I removed the iron sights and remounted a scope so I could bench some groups this summer, so I took about 14 rounds to get the scope sighted in at 100. The actual group shooting will be another day.

[whisler]

Our club has been open but all matches cancelled. Just received word that matches can restart May 26 at match directors discretion. Club is in southwestern Ohio.

[Budzilla 19]

I love living in the country ! Step out the back door, set up shooting table, let er rip!!!!!! Except for a bunch of rain, I pretty much can shoot when I want. I’m glad y’all are having a chance to go to your ranges!!! Big range down from me never shut down, but, it’s at a private citizens house, so he can do what he wants to!!! Good luck to y’all

[Jack Stanley]

I'm glad you got out and enjoy yourself , our governor has promised the extend the lockdown more every time there's a protest . So it looks like the beating will continue until morale improves . The panic hasn't slowed me down except for my once a week steak at the restaurant .

At least I can step out back and shoot ...... at least when I don't have work out back to do ;-)

Jack

[44Blam]

My last outing shooting was on the 21st of March...and still no sign of when we will be able to go out doing what we love most......shooting, again. Have made lots of ammo, so are ready and waiting to be let loose!
Those of you that do go out shooting, enjoy it and think of the rest of us still locked down......:groner:

A buddy of mine is from SA and he happened to go back to his mom's house JUST before it got locked down... So, he is stuck until they start flying again. He said they banned booze and cigs as part of the shutdown. That is quite a bit rougher than here!

[Patrick L]

A buddy of mine is from SA and he happened to go back to his mom's house JUST before it got locked down... So, he is stuck until they start flying again. He said they banned booze and cigs as part of the shutdown. That is quite a bit rougher than here!

South Africa? South America?

[hermans]

Jip, that is South Africa...our government somehow decided that banning the sale of tobacco products and booze will stop the spread of the virus.....:killingpc

[georgerkahn]

hermans -- Interestingly, I just heard on radio news last night -- my county is "starting (Phase I) to re-open" effective Friday, past -- what is, and is not 'opening'. "Talk" included a discussion on liquor shops, and reporter suggested the MAIN reason these stores were NOT closed/impacted was because (he suggested) the government feared everyone would be making their own at home, with a resurgence of illegal booze distribution greater than during Prohibition :)! Listed (I didn't write any down :() were several manufacturers now doing a booming business selling "make your own" stills, too.
To shooting, I belong to two ranges, and have a small recreational "camp". Later this week -- will be my FIRST outing in 2020 -- I plan to put a couple, each, handguns and rifles in the truck -- and spend a day at either of least-populated ranges. I'll throw in an air-rifle, too -- to go to and shoot at camp if both ranges are too busy.
To my way of thinking, I'd rather miss a day of shooting now, than the rest of my life if impacted with Covid-19.
geo

[Mytmousemalibu]

I almost didn't know what to do with myself this whole time. I shoot at a minimum of once a week under normal circumstances and sometimes 2 or 3 times per week. My lead oxide anemia was getting serious! We, Kansas, got shut down down fairly early in this mess and our matches got canceled. Finally got to burn some powder & send some lead downrange last night! I needed that!

[LenH]

The gun Club I am a member of was closed for about 2 weeks. It is strictly outdoors except for the club house. All
matches were canceled until this week. We have our first official Bullseye match the first Sat. In June. I have been out there twice in the
last month. I should have gone this past weekend but had other things needing doing.

[Patrick L]

Jip, that is South Africa...our government somehow decided that banning the sale of tobacco products and booze will stop the spread of the virus.....:killingpc

Strange. I thought it odd that OUR government deemed liquor stores essential, but computer stores and computer service companies not. Yet half the population is supposedly working/schooling from home. Seems a computer is essential for that...

[abunaitoo]

I wish we could go shooting anytime soon.
Only range for the public, run by the city, is still closed.
Golf, tennis, parks, beached, limited open.
Ball fields, basketball courts, pools, kids play grounds, still closed
I have a feeling range will be closed for many more months.
damacrats in power here.

[Patrick L]

I actually went again yesterday, and hope to sneak out today too. I seem to have the place to myself, at least so far

[onelight]

I actually went again yesterday, and hope to sneak out today too. I seem to have the place to myself, at least so far
Nice !
It would sure be nice to have a place like a lot of folks here that can walk out the back door and shoot.:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

[whisler]

Nice !
It would sure be nice to have a place like a lot of folks here that can walk out the back door and shoot.:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

That would be me, pistol at least (or muzzleloader).:D

[1hole]

Given the collective government wisdom of NY, City and State, I would not be surprised if the common pee-on public was required to stay home except for brief trips for food, liquor or an abortion and then only if well sealed in industrial grade, super-size zip-loc baggies.

I'm in the age and health bracket most sensitive to the virus. But, given my normal lack of faith in gobbermint and the various looney "scientists" the panic ridden and partizan driven MSM "news" media many people listen to, I haven't payed much attention to the current rules other than my usual common-sense lifestyle. I mean I don't normally French kiss strangers or lick my fingers clean in public places anyway so I haven't felt much constriction.

Financially, we're pretty safe, I'm retired with a small but income sufficent - so far - for our needs. But two of our three kids and their families, and many others just like them, are not so lucky. Government closing them out of their jobs means they're without income and being without income means they and their kids will starve.

Starvation for millions is a very bad side effect Pelosi/Shumer, and other Democrats are willing to pay in their insane efforts to supposedly save their version of America from a virus they still know and care very little about!

So, don't I "listen to the scientists" running around in frantic circles while screaming "The sky is falling"? Sure, but always with large grains of salt; if what they say doesn't make sense - and a lot of it doesn't - I tend to ignore them.

Have any of you ever noticed how often high paid expert weather scientists with all of their computer models so often get tomorrow's weather predictions wrong? Remember how "Y2K" was going to bring life as we know it to a halt? Remember how "acid rain" was going to kill all things green? Remember back in 1975 how "global freezing" and a mile thick layer of ice was going to kill us all (especially NYC and Baba Strisand) before, in the mid-1980s, the same scientific climate experts suddenly realized that manmade "global warming" was going to fry the planet (especially NYC and AOC) and put vast swaths of the world's coastlines under water unless American pee-ons didn't revert to a 1650 "systainable" lifestyle before 1997?

Remember all the horrors of long past scientific flaps about "Alar" on apples, "ozone holes" at the poles, horrid trivial amounts of "second-hand smoke", "DDT", "asbestos", "radon gas", etc., etc., that were all brought to us by liberal goobermint and its always compliant "news" media and politically approved "scientific experts"? Well, I remember them too ... and laff. So my nervous level about the current "liberal" scientific expert's raging new fear-fads of the moment rarely gets very high.

Like all the other terror filled expert times, I expect this virus will eventually be proven to be far less hazardous and will kill far fewer people than we're being told to expect. In fact I believe, as is common with most other gobbermint/media panic flaps, the side effects of our current expert "solutions" is probably killing more people than it's saving.

Anyway, to the degree possible, I refuse to placidly relinquish my God given rights as a grown man to the whims of goobermint tyrants. I will eventually die of something but I won't die in submission before "liberal" politicians determined to rule over me ("all for my own good" I'm sure ... ??).

I once wore a military uniform. I swore an oath to defend and protect the Constitution and people of the USA from all enemies, domestic and foreign, to the death, but not to protect ego-mad idiots in the hollow headed halls of gobbermint! The old uniform is long gone but my oath still applies; it didn't have a time limit and today's politicians had damp well understand that.

Bottom line, I'd much rather live and die on my feet like a man than to live like a humiliated serf on my knees. Kindly (?) "liberal" politicians, and their current crop of mind-numbed, uniformed KGB & Gestapo type American thugs blindly enforcing unconstitutional and often silly rules to protect their own jobs will have to pry my guns from my cold, dead fingers ... after I run out of ammo. (And, thankfully, I know several local LEOs who will side with me.)

God, please help the men of your people save the USA from the political control of "liberal" Democrat masters!

[fcvan]

I went shooting a month ago with my brother and his grandson. With only one designated range in the county it can sometimes get busy. We were only shooting pistols so we were good. My nephew grew up shooting and took his new-ish pistol. It turns out he didn't like his as much as my brother and my Glocks. Oh well, the main thing is we went and had a good training session. His dad laid a good foundation and we built upon that.

My nephew was in a training program that got shut down so he has been staying with my brother. Pretty cool to have him around, hoping to get back shooting again before he goes back to trade school. Funny how many things we take for granted. Fortunately, my brother and I are retired so lots of time to share, and lots of barbecue!

[Winger Ed.]

"ozone holes"[/i]

They got fixed.

As soon as the 1st Pres. Bush left office, even the ozone hole over Kennebunkport, Maine closed up and hasn't been a problem since..

[kevin c]

California still has social distancing in place, along with other restrictions. That makes isolated practice on my club's ranges possible, but matches, with their squads of sometimes twenty or more sociable folks, are problematic.

[ioon44]

I shot a USPSA match yesterday, the match director is limiting the squads to 10 shooters and skipped the shooters meeting to limit the amount of people in one area.