New shooter photos

Over the holidays, I took a new shooter, Allie, to the range. Allie's father took some pictures with his cell phone when we were there and graciously sent them to me (along with Allie's permission to use them here). Allie had a great time, just look at that smile. She enjoyed herself in a safe environment and learned that a firearm is not the mind controlling lump of evil metal it's portrayed as via the media and the Brady Bunch. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of many trips to...

posted @ 1/12/2010 8:21:36 AM | Feedback (11)

Measuring success

So, this weekend I managed to take a new shooter to the range. A coworker of my wife called because her 18 year old daughter was home from college and was looking to rent a gun somewhere and try some shooting. The local range no longer rents guns as they had a few suicides last year and made that decision. I commented that I would be more than happy to provide the pistols, ammunition, targets, and training. I was planning on paying for the range time too, but her father took care of that. ...

posted @ 12/21/2009 9:51:48 AM | Feedback (11)

Acquisition assisting gear

JayG takes his newly acquired lightsabers lasers out for a spin and has an astute observation One thing that jumped out at me as I was shooting with the laser sights was that it wasn't a panacea for shooting issues. I had expected to sight the laser in on the X-ring, then be able to chew out the X with boring precision. It doesn't work that way at all - things like smooth trigger control, sight picture, etc. are still important and can still wreak havoc with your shooting even with a laser...

posted @ 12/9/2009 8:17:16 AM | Feedback (6)

Start 'em young, I say

Alan takes his daughter to the range for the first outing with her new Crickett. Some day, I hope my girls show the same level of interest.

posted @ 10/25/2009 10:07:23 AM | Feedback (0)

Center of Mass doesn't mean just the chest

Listening to Vicious Circle #21 the other day and something Law Dog brought up (besides the Sapper Lizards) really made me think. Law Dog mentioned (and I'm paraphrasing) how people tend to consider "center mass" as "torso" and if the torso is hidden behind a pickup truck, officers will try like hell to shoot through the engine block. Center mass means the center of the largest part of the target you can see. If only the dude's melon is visible, shoot for the center of...

posted @ 10/6/2009 8:32:40 AM | Feedback (3)

Because when the virus hits, you won't be shooting at round circles

Practice for the inevitable with Full Color Zombie Targets

posted @ 9/17/2009 10:42:33 AM | Feedback (1)

But it's a good kind of hurt

4 boxes of 12 gauge with nothing but a t-shirt twixt you and the butt stock tends to leave a mark I think if I really start to get into this, I'm going to need a padded shirt or something.

posted @ 8/30/2009 10:58:38 AM | Feedback (14)

Fun was had

Greg and I hit Silver Dollar Shooters Club today for my very first trap shooting. Just like sporting clays, I'm hooked. And I didn't totally suck, either. The third game, I kept count and I scored a 21. Not bad at all for only really shooting targets with a shotgun a few times. Didn't think about bringing a camera, but next time I just might. I learned a few things Racking your pump action shotgun can set off the voice activated thrower. The little sponges on the ground are a great...

posted @ 8/29/2009 6:13:10 PM | Feedback (9)

It's a TRAP!

Going trap shooting tomorrow with Greg. I've shot sporting clays, but never trap. I am now actively looking for a bandoleer to hold my shells. Two, if I can manage it. And a LARGE sombrero.

posted @ 8/28/2009 11:28:26 AM | Feedback (9)

New shooter

That first shot always makes 'em smile. That should cause the Brady's a few sleepless nights.

posted @ 8/22/2009 9:06:57 PM | Feedback (0)

Looks like fun was had by all

JayG has pictures up from the Bloggershoot.

posted @ 8/3/2009 7:34:25 AM | Feedback (1)

Change of heart

The other day I was talking about possibly switching the Para USA Gun Blogger 45 for a 1911 style pistol in 10mm. Enough people chimed in that the Para is special and I'd hate myself for letting it go, and I've put a lot of thought into that. After my range trip last night, I'm not only positive I don't want to trade it, but I've actually realized the more I shoot the 1911, the less I like my Glock. At 10 yards last night, the Glock stayed on target, but there was nothing approaching a...

posted @ 7/12/2009 9:39:31 AM | Feedback (18)

Team players

Cap'n Bob and the Damsel team up and tear down the targets.

posted @ 6/8/2009 7:57:46 AM | Feedback (0)

Worst. Dream. Evah.

Dreamt this morning that I went to the range. I got there only to realize that I hadn't brought any firearms that I had any ammo for and didn't have enough money to buy more than one box. So I picked up some funky 9mm I didn't know I even owned from my range bag and decided to go with that one. And a big, green, plastic knife / shovel contraption. No idea why. The range was so busy that it took 20 minutes to get someone's attention. Then they forgot about me when they went to get me a box of...

posted @ 3/27/2009 8:07:43 AM | Feedback (2)

She did great

Well, Operation Get Wife Hooked On Shooting seems to be going well. She shot the Mark III 22/45 tonight and did what I can only describe as phenomenal. I mean, look at these pictures! On the target, the center is her groupings, the others are mine (wanted to make sure we could tell whose is whose) Notice how her groupings are as tight as mine. And this is only her 4th time ever at a range. She did great. She enjoyed herself too, which was the big part. To the right of us, two lanes...

posted @ 3/21/2009 10:02:29 PM | Feedback (13)

Please help! My wife has gone missing!

I don't know what to do. My wife appears to be lost. The person who is pretending to by my wife suggested that for our date night tonight we go to the range. This person suggested it without any hints from me at all. This can't be my wife so I am worried for her safety. Unless she has other plans and is using this as some sort of leverage to… hey… hold on. Oh well, whatever it is, at least I'm getting her to the range.

posted @ 3/21/2009 5:15:12 PM | Feedback (5)

Kinda like heading into Mordor

Just got this in an email, figured I'd share it with the world With help from our friends at various 4-letter organizations such as MCSA, ASSA, SLRA, CCKC, we've done it: We're going to hold an appleseed event about an hour north of Chicago!! (That's the closest possible range, BTW...) Won't you help me spread the good word? (If you can, please plug the event as the "Chicago" Appleseed...) Here's the link: http://www.mcsa56.org/mcsa/entry/the_chicago_appleseed_event ...

posted @ 3/18/2009 7:10:25 AM | Feedback (2)

Another school shooting

Looks like fun! Crazy to think that you can give high school kids loaded shotguns and mass mayhem and slaughter not break out (unless you count the massacre of clay pigeons).

posted @ 3/16/2009 7:40:15 AM | Feedback (0)

Tastes like chicken

Clay chicken, that is Picture by Greg, from a successful clay pigeon hunt this afternoon.

posted @ 3/8/2009 9:06:16 PM | Feedback (2)

I know 'that guy' too

Jay opines I was "that guy". You know the guy I mean. The guy at the range. The guy at the range with the timid girlfriend who didn't like guns. The girlfriend who really didn't want to be there and really needed a gentle, guiding hand to make her first time at the range enjoyable. The guy full of fail. The guy who handed said timid girlfriend a .357 Magnum and then left her to her own devices. I know this idiot who, upon trying to get his wife to shoot a shotgun for the first time in her...

posted @ 2/12/2009 7:39:20 AM | Feedback (3)

Recoil therapy results

Well, the good doctors didn't let me down. After talking with all four of them, I'm feeling much better. Doctor .357 was, as usual, brash and loud and to the point. He's old school, and when I wanted to try the Super Secret Todd Jarrett Kung-Fu Grip™, he informed me he would be having none of that and promptly bit my finger. Turns out that when you extend your thumb of your off hand along the side of a revolver and you have big old man-hands like me, your thumb resides precisely at the gap...

posted @ 1/29/2009 8:30:51 PM | Feedback (11)

Recoil therapy - Update

The Mrs. is forcing me to go for a session of recoil therapy. Not being happy with my current job plus the fact she's been sick as a dog has me in a funk. Going to have to go see Doctors Ten, Threefiftyseven, and Twentytwo for an hour or so. Update - Apparently Dr. FourtyFive has called in a prescription of .45 Caliber medicine. To be taken at 1100fps

posted @ 1/29/2009 4:26:13 PM | Feedback (1)

A great range photo

Cap'n Bob snaps a cool panorama. The fact that his wife moved during the picture makes it even more cool!

posted @ 1/5/2009 1:43:19 PM | Feedback (0)

Video from today's shooting festivities

Some highlights from all the fun. Didn't get video of any of the shotgun fun nor me lighting off the muzzle loader (I managed to hit the bull's eye), but still a great time caught on 1's and 0's for the whole world to see

posted @ 1/4/2009 8:10:21 PM | Feedback (0)

It can now be said with certainty

That if I'm ever attacked by brightly painted, clay pigeons, I should be able to successfully defend myself at least 50% of the time. So, Greg and I hit Tenoroc range today, and unfortunately for my wife, I've found a new love in the world of things that go boom - clays. I can't tell you the difference between skeet, trap, and "Hey Leroy, hold my beer and throw this plate above your head and see if I can hit it with my eyes closed" but whatever it's called that we did today, I'm hooked. You...

posted @ 1/4/2009 4:12:33 PM | Feedback (4)

Long range relationship

Gonna actually go shoot rifle and shotgun outdoors tomorrow which will be a change. I don't get to shoot outside much, mostly because I live "in the city" so-to-speak and all the ranges are indoors. There's a small outdoor range where they hold the IPSC and IDPA matches, but it's not much more than a few mounds of dirt. Tomorrow, I'm heading to Tenoroc with Greg to do something a bit more than 25 yards, plus maybe some trap / skeet. I'm taking the Mossberg, the EBR, and the M-44. And the video...

posted @ 1/3/2009 8:00:41 PM | Feedback (3)

Pb chucking success stories

Managed to score a little time to hit the range yesterday. Had to choose between clinging to my religion or my guns, and due to several factors the guns won out. While I enjoy going to the range with others, this outing required my complete concentration as I was testing out a new set of reloads in various weights / charges with the .45ACP. I loaded up some of the lead bullet samples from Mastercast and tested them out. I had 185 grain SWC, 200 grain SWC and 225 grain RN all pushed by various...

posted @ 12/8/2008 9:37:18 AM | Feedback (10)

Strange satisfaction

A buddy of mine bought his first handgun ULTRA-PORTABLE-DEATH-MACHINE and takes it to the range. But my pattern did give me a happy inner glow, more confidence in the weapon, and some 'strange satisfaction'. I know of that feeling. I'm not sure I can describe it in words, but it has a lot to do with the realization that you're not powerless.

posted @ 12/2/2008 4:37:02 PM | Feedback (3)

YARR (yet another range report)

Managed to get some range time in yesterday to put the Para through its paces. This was the pistol I was supposed to have all this time. Only one hiccup, and that was the infamous "ride the trigger" event where you can lock the pistol up if you only halfway release the trigger after a shot. My fault, though and not the pistol's. I was watching people left and right of me miss at 7 yards. I couldn't help but peek at their grips to see if I could discern anything. Some were "tea cupping" and one...

posted @ 11/30/2008 4:34:06 PM | Feedback (10)

Hey Mr. Brown Truck Of Happiness driver

Bring me back my Para! Just got notice it should be on its way Monday, meaning I'll have it on Tuesday. So, I definitely have to get some range time in before the next IPSC shoot. I may skip December in order to get a bit more practice time in being that I may have come in last place due to malfunctions, I definitely didn't shoot as well as I should have nonetheless. 20% tighter grip - that's my training goal for the next time.

posted @ 11/21/2008 2:28:32 PM | Feedback (0)

While I'm sure it's not sobs of hysteria

I'm pretty sure nailing the bulls-eye with even an air rifle makes Sarah weep lightly. Click to embiggen The sight is definitely to the left a bit. This was at about 15 yards, so no great distances involved as I'm still trying to get used to the action, but it's fairly accurate to be sure.

posted @ 10/21/2008 6:24:21 PM | Feedback (9)

Why do you shoot?

Roberta X asks How about you? Why do you shoot? Why do you carry, if you carry at all? I shoot because I find the action of shooting to be relaxing. There's a Zen-like state one can achieve when target practicing. All the variables come into play - trigger control, breathing, stance, grip - and you can find that thinking of any of them will throw you off. You have to almost go on automatic pilot to get them all to play well together. When one of the variables is off, you concentrate on that...

posted @ 10/16/2008 8:29:27 AM | Feedback (6)

Ins and outs

Dry firing practice is a great way to help with trigger control and preventing flinching. It's something everyone should do from time to time and in fact, when I find myself flinching during range time, I'll unload and do some dry firings until I feel I've overcome the flinch again. However, last night I realized that if I am to start shooting IDPA like I plan, it's going to take a few more skills that I don't get to practice on the range - Namely drawing from the holster and reloading rapidly....

posted @ 10/1/2008 10:58:01 AM | Feedback (7)

The new pistol in video and pictures

This was my first outing with my new Para USA Gun Blog 45 since I picked it up yesterday. Joe Huffman will be glad to actually see his famous lock up happen in this video. I know what it is and it only took doing it once twice before I finally got it into my thick skull that you have to allow the trigger to fully reset else you'll lock up the pistol. On the second set of shots (same target @ 15 yards) you can see the laser is slightly off to the left. Even then, the grouping turns into...

posted @ 9/25/2008 8:38:56 PM | Feedback (6)

Range report (sans pictures, sorry)

I picked up the GB45 from Kastle Keep immediately after I left work last night. When I got there, my pistol was still in it's shipping box and, like a kid on Christmas morning, had to dig through 30 or 40 layers of tape to get the box open. Like a shallow matrioshka doll, inside the box was the box. The green, Para USA box that held my not-so-brand-new Gun Blog 45. I opened the case (insert sound of angels singing on high here) and removed the pistol from the plastic wrapping. There were oohs...

posted @ 9/25/2008 9:19:41 AM | Feedback (5)

Plans

Leave work. Turn left. Drive a few miles to the local gun store. Pick up the Gun Blog 45. Drive to 5 Guys Burgers to grab a bite and meet up with Greg and Beth. Go shoot. Seriously, that's what I call a fantastic evening. And it all begins in 5 minutes.

posted @ 9/24/2008 3:56:11 PM | Feedback (3)

Greg gets schooled in shotguns by his WIFE

Go on and give him shit about it.

posted @ 9/15/2008 10:53:50 AM | Feedback (0)

Getting anxious

I really want to hit the range. I just got through watching the Blackhawk! DVD we got featuring tips from Todd Jarrett and it was a pretty good recap of the things he showed us. Unfortunately, I don't have an outdoor range I can go to right now, but I'm working on that! Still, I'd like to be able to practice just my Super Sekret Kung Fu grip we were taught as well as take the Crimson Trace out for a spin. The problems are several-fold. I've totally blown my budget for everything by purchasing...

posted @ 9/6/2008 10:16:32 AM | Feedback (3)

It doesn't get any more clingier than this

LissaKay takes her bible study group to the range.

posted @ 9/4/2008 9:34:07 AM | Feedback (0)

There's tacticool

And there's tacticool Check out your favorite blogger in action That's Joe Huffman on the left. I'm wearing gloves for two reasons. One, Blackhawk gave 'em to me and I wanted to take them out for a spin. Two, I noticed my grip kept slipping and the gloves helped a ton with that. The stage went as follows. You were to engage the steel plate directly in front of you with 2 hits, then take cover, placing two shots on a mover if it came into play. Then take down the last 6 plates (again, placing 2...

posted @ 8/25/2008 6:59:53 PM | Feedback (0)

Watching IDPA

Greg and I went to watch an IDPA match today, put on by the Florida West Coast Defensive Pistol Club. I had been wanting to observe a match to see if it was something I was interested in doing, and of course, it was. It definitely looked like something I could get into. Everyone was friendly, the competition looked challenging, and the entire group was very accommodating to Greg and I. I have to figure out the budget necessary to do something like this, especially shooting 10mm. Today's...

posted @ 8/10/2008 7:43:43 PM | Feedback (1)

1000 to 1500 rounds, eh?

Thanks to the Ammo Fairy, I hit the range last night and fired off over 100 rounds of 10mm, and about 200 .22's. A few observations - One, when you start getting "lines" instead of neat little holes, it's time to clean the .22. Two, my reloads are hotter than factory loads. By a long shot. Three, high temperature wheel grease works fantastically. And it's kind of hard to smell it over the gun powder. Four, when you do not worry about retrieving your brass, shooting can be a hell of a lot more...

posted @ 7/27/2008 1:28:12 AM | Feedback (0)

Should I get into competitive shooting?

I don't do any sort of competitive shooting. In fact, I only shoot at the range. That doesn't help with having to move, reload, etc. I've been balking at competitive shooting. Mostly because it seems like you'd need some custom 1911 with 10,000 rounds a month of practice and I just can't afford it. But I'm starting to realize that my hobby requires that I shoot a lot, and something competitive would be a great way to do it. So, I'm asking opinions on things like IDPA, IPSCC, etc. I'm going to...

posted @ 7/21/2008 6:11:47 PM | Feedback (0)

Now why did I go and do that?

Yesterday was range time. I decided to not abuse my shoulder as much and left the M44 at home. It was a good move too as the 12 gauge was simply brutal. I did find some reduced recoil slugs that were quite a bit less painful, so I can practice with those next time. Range time was good. I shot the Ruger for pistol time, but the battering of the shoulder took a toll on my accuracy so I only shot about 100 rounds before I stopped. It's still funny that at 15 yards I get ticked if I hit the 8 ring...

posted @ 7/14/2008 1:48:50 PM | Feedback (0)

Awesome moms

Breda has one. Mom Fallacy and I had a wonderful mother-daughter afternoon at the range. When we arrived after reviewing the 4 Rules in the car on the drive over, we were warmly greeted by the range attendant. "Mom!!" he said when he saw her get out of the car. "What are you going to shoot?" My mom? Well, let's just say if you were to ask her to list all the things that make her happy in life, going to the gun range would be in the top 10 for sure. She used to could shoot through the same hole...

posted @ 7/13/2008 8:56:11 PM | Feedback (0)

Shoulder abuse

Hitting the range today. I'm taking the 6.8 so a buddy of mine can shoot it as well as Sasha and Ugly Betty. I have a feeling my shoulder is going to be a lovely shade of purple tomorrow. The things I do to stay well regulated. It's all part of being a law-abiding gun owner I guess.

posted @ 7/13/2008 1:08:44 PM | Feedback (0)

Father's Day at the range

Ah, Father's Day! My girls both made me little foam posters and got me a coffee mug with with their picture on it. I'll have to remember to take a snapshot of it later for y'all. I also went to the range. I took the Ultimate Cliploader on its maiden voyage and oddly, it works better with the Remington Thunderbolts than it does the Golden Bullets. It works fine with both, but it tends to take a little more "pumping" with the GB's. No big deal. It definitely helped me shoot a hell of a lot more...

posted @ 6/16/2008 7:49:56 AM | Feedback (0)

The Ultimate Cliploader - The movie

I promised a video on the cliploader, and here it is. I hate doing movies because I'm talking to myself and I get all self conscious. I can talk in front of an audience with no problems, but just like answering machines, I get all wierded out when I'm talking to hardware.

posted @ 6/14/2008 10:57:10 PM | Feedback (3)

Range report for May 31st

I hadn't shot the 10mm in a few months. At 7 yards, the first 10 shots were all in the black (about an 2" circle). Me proud of self. Me shoot damned good! 10 yards, me still excellent. Got to shoot the old man's Beretta PX4 Storm. It was a nice firearm. The trigger is very different than anything I've felt, so it took me a while to get used to it. Plus, he purchased a laser for it, and I'm not a fan of lasers as it is and the blinky red dot threw me off (that, and it was waaaaaay out of...

posted @ 5/31/2008 9:26:22 PM | Feedback (6)

Religious parchment time

Or, time to make holey paper. Didn't think I was going to hit the range any time soon, but the stars have aligned just right. Kind of. The Wii Fit managed to kick my ass with the boxing game and my arms are actually sore. But I said screw it and loaded up some 10mms and packed the EBR. Just as I was getting all the gear together, the old man calls and said he got out a little early from what he was doing and wanted to go shooting. Talk about timing! He just bought a new Beretta Storm and has...

posted @ 5/31/2008 2:44:27 PM | Feedback (0)

Non-range time

The last range session for me was May 2nd. I used to go once at week minimum. But since I bought the EBR, I've not been able to afford the annual membership so each trip costs $12-18. My problem is right now all I have are reloads I need to work up. So I'd have to go to the range, pay the dough, shoot 10 shots total, then come back home. When I had the membership, that wasn't a big deal. But now, I have to have a reason to go. I've tried over the past few weeks, but everyone keeps bailing on...

posted @ 5/28/2008 3:59:06 PM | Feedback (4)

Range report - The EBR

Well, work finally ended yesterday and I was able to head down to the range to shoot the 6.8 SPC for the first time. It was everything I had hoped for. I splurged and spent an extra $4 on a muzzle break, and was very happy I did. When you watch the video, notice how little the muzzle moves after each shot. The recoil was practically nonexistent. While it's hard to tell from the video, it was definitely louder than .223 although it wasn't near the .308 two lanes to the left. I'm not terribly...

posted @ 5/2/2008 12:42:28 PM | Feedback (9)

Looooong day

Going to the range to shoot the EBR for the first time after work. Damn clock is laughing at me.

posted @ 5/1/2008 3:28:59 PM | Feedback (1)

It never fails. NEVER.

You take the ignorant shooting, it shatters the lies the media tells them about guns Everyone's ears perked up, so I did what any intelligent pro-rights activist would do — I asked the obvious question, "Who would like to join me for some shooting out in the desert?" I told them I could bring a variety of cool guns; I would insist on showing them how to handle them safely since they all but admitted abject ignorance, and we would have a blast shooting at cans in the desert. The gal from London...

posted @ 4/24/2008 8:48:45 AM | Feedback (0)

Practice makes perfect

And Breda shows us how it's done! Awesome job!

posted @ 3/29/2008 8:24:06 PM | Feedback (2)

Thoughts from the range

Went to Knight Shooting Sports last night with some friends from work. Had a wonderful time, even thought I lost about 60% of my brass which to me is like gold. It was more of a chance to put a lot of lead down range rather than a well focused, target practice, but still sometimes you need to do that. I came away with a few things If you ever decide to build a shooting range, do not paint the walls and backstop black. You can't see where you're shooting if you use a black target. H&K may...

posted @ 2/27/2008 11:08:43 AM | Feedback (3)

Operation "Get Wife Addicted to Shooting" phase 1 complete

And successful! I worked with her a little before the range to soothe her nerves. I promised her all she would have to shoot is the .22 Pistol and two shots of the shotgun. Ladies and gentlemen, this is my wife's first target with the Ruger Hunter at ~7 yards (click to embiggen) 10 of those holes are mine (including the one on the lower left in the 9 ring). The rest are my wife's. Needless to say, she was totally thrilled with the .22 and even mentioned how much she enjoyed it. No nerves at...

posted @ 2/10/2008 3:48:10 PM | Feedback (7)

Satan needs a parka

The babysitter is coming over today so that the Mrs. and I can actually hit the range together!!! Last year I bought the family pass to the range with the verbal agreement that she would go with me at least 4 times to make up for the added cost. That was Feb. last year. This is the second time she's gone with me. Grumble.... Don't get me wrong. My wife is at least no longer a hoplophobe. She doesn't care if I carry to church or the park or even around the house. She still doesn't like shooting,...

posted @ 2/10/2008 9:39:50 AM | Feedback (3)

Range takeaways - The visual edition

Ok, I finally got some snaps of a few of my targets from Monday's expedition. First off, some of the 10 yard targets. This on is the .22 and oddly, I kept the wrong one. The first target had practically no black left in the center (and I didn't bother shooting the lower targets), but this one is still representative of the over goodness of the evening (click to enlargenate) Next, 10 yards with the .357 Magnum and the "HOLY SHIT!" loads. I was alternating between the bottom two targets as fast...

posted @ 1/10/2008 8:37:48 AM | Feedback (3)

Range takeaways - Part III

Sorry this didn't get posted last night. I was too busy bowling with the Wii. Damn my shoulder hurts. Anyway, the last thing I wanted to discuss about my range trip two nights ago was something I noticed about other people's shooting (and something I found myself doing earlier in my shooting career). I call it metronome shooting. So many people seem to shoot on a schedule rather then when they're on the bull's-eye. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. It's like a clock ticking. You can actually anticipate their...

posted @ 1/9/2008 9:53:25 AM | Feedback (7)

Range takeaways - Part II

A tip to young men who go shooting with their girlfriends. They might be somewhat impressed with you being able to fire 10 shots in 5 seconds but the range master isn't going to look kindly on you and the rest of us who know how to shoot are laughing at you for putting 3 shots into the ceiling. How the hell do you miss at 5 yards? Double taps are fine. You need to be able to do a follow up shot as quickly as humanly possible. But if that shot goes three feet over your target's head, you just...

posted @ 1/8/2008 2:38:12 PM | Feedback (1)

Range takeaways - Part I

Last night was a wonderful night at the range. One of those where you leave just smiling from ear to ear. There were several things I came away with last night and I'm going to post them in series here. First off was my personal night. I hadn't hit the range in a few weeks which for me is an eternity. I wanted to take the .22, .357, and the 7.62x54R. The first two for precision shooting, the latter for keeping my "muscle memory" in tact. When I got to the range, oddly enough the other three...

posted @ 1/8/2008 9:23:52 AM | Feedback (2)

Range time tonight, most definitely

Gah! I haven't hit the range in, like, three weeks. I need that meditation. The concentration that comes with ensure each and every shot goes dead center of the target. The calm breathing, helping with relaxation (something I find kills flinching). Of course, I have to learn how to deal with the occasional "flyaway" shot. Those tend to get on my nerves and rattle my concentration (I get pissed at myself). Then, afterwards, some of my patented "Holy Shit! WTF kind of cannon was that???" .357...

posted @ 1/7/2008 3:52:18 PM | Feedback (1)

Breda - Master of connecting Chicks with Guns

She's good. So far the best I've managed is forcing my wife to go one time. I need to work harder on this, I'm getting my ass kicked!

posted @ 11/17/2007 4:42:04 PM | Feedback (2)

All un-choked up

I broke down and picked up a high-speed, low drag, choke removal tool (e.g. a quarter) and proceeded to take out the modified choke from Ugly Betty. Seems the range nazis* won't let you shoot 00 Buck because an M&M size pellet might gum up the target tracks. So, in order to shoot slugs, I figured it would be best if I removed the choke. After un-choking, I went to Wally World and picked up a box of 15, Winchester, rifled slugs for $8 and headed to the range to meet up with Greg....

posted @ 11/7/2007 9:59:41 AM | Feedback (7)

You know you're ego is getting stroked when

Not one, but TWO people confuse your little .357 Magnum for a .44. I lowered the powder charge to 13.8gr of Blue Dot, but still got some flattened primers. I'm going to drop even more because the shells were a little hard to get out, so I'm still showing signs of over pressure. Oddly, the primers only flattened on one side, so that's something I need to research. But let me say - DAMN! What a total blast to shoot (pun very much intended). I still cannot believe with that much noise and fireball...

posted @ 10/25/2007 12:22:38 PM | Feedback (6)

It was everything I had hoped for

Let me just say that 110 grain, .357, semi-jacketed hollow points pushed by 14+ grains of Blue Dot powder produces a fireball the size of Nantucket and the concussion not only causes the range master to see who the hell is shooting a rifle on the gun range, but forces small children to leave. Seriously, there was a ~6 year old kid shooting with his dad and he left the range and just watched until I was done. There were also some little girls (probably 13 and 10) who went outside as well. Now,...

posted @ 10/18/2007 9:09:36 AM | Feedback (6)

Hot! Hot! Hot!

A few days ago I loaded up a few 10mm's as hot as I thought reasonable. Using Starline cases, CCI #300 large primers, 155 grain Hornady XTPs, and pushing it with 7.2gr. of TiteGroup, I whipped up 50 of the suckers and took them to the range. The Glock 29 loved them. The only word I can describe it with is OMG!!LOUDANDSNAPPYANDHOLYSHIT!!1!!MYWRISTS!! Perfectly accurate. Loud enough to make a .357 Magnum user cringe. No fireball that I could discern, but then again I was at the ass end of the...

posted @ 9/4/2007 2:33:57 PM | Feedback (6)

A good time was had by all

So after all their bluster, it doesn't look like the Brady Bunch got much of a turnout for their national protest against law abiding citizens. Heck, according to some reports, my little soirée had greater attendance. I took my brother in law, Tracy, to the range with me. He's not an avid shooter and had never been to an actual range before. To help him along, I borrowed a friends Glock 26 (9mm) since the 10mm can be a little punishing, and the fact I don't have any ammo loaded yet :} Greg from...

posted @ 8/29/2007 9:07:11 AM | Feedback (2)

Good for you, Joy

They're not that scary, are they? Awhile back, I made a list of things I want to do that I have never done. On this list, I included “shoot a gun.” This weekend, I did it. The reasons I wanted to shoot a gun included: I had never done it before, I wanted to see what the big deal was, I wanted to do something that was scary/tough, I like Charlie’s Angels, I wanted to be able to judge action adventure movies better, I wanted a new experience, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about issues like gun...

posted @ 8/27/2007 1:52:31 PM | Feedback (5)

Tonight, defenseless paper shall feel my wrath

I hit the range at least once a week. I've found I enjoy shooting the Ruger Mark III 22/45 because .22 is less tiring, I don't have to search for the brass, and I can get 550 rounds for $11. With the new red dot sight on it, it even looks kind of nice. However, I have to shoot the 10mm at least every other week to stay up with it. Unfortunately I broke a part on my press and haven't been able to make ammunition for it for the past two weeks. The part should be in any day, but I'm out so I'm...

posted @ 8/21/2007 3:27:31 PM | Feedback (4)

How cute is that?

The other day my oldest daughter was drawing, as she is wont to do. She was proud of her masterpiece (which was a bunch of concentric circles) and showed it to me, so I asked her what it was. Targets. For me to take to the range.

posted @ 8/20/2007 9:54:15 AM | Feedback (6)

Range gripes

One of the things I couldn't help notice yesterday, and pardon me for being somewhat of an ass, but it would appear to me you can judge how good of a shot someone is by the inverse of how fancy their gear is. Everyone who had high end AR's with massive scopes, fancy cases, doodads with chrome, etc. seems to not shoot worth shit. I see this happen a lot with photography. Many people buy the high end gear assuming it will help them take better pictures when in all reality, all better equipment...

posted @ 8/12/2007 8:24:41 PM | Feedback (5)

The new sight

So, last week I picked up a rather inexpensive, non-name brand holographic red dot sight. It is an NcStar D4B model with 4 different reticles. Not a bad unit. Seems well made enough, mostly metal. The reticles are ok, but I prefer shooting it with just the single dot as it obscures the least. 7 levels of brightness and I find that in bright sun it is more than enough to see and at the indoor range, level 1 (the least) works the best. Brighter levels cause the dot to fuzz out a bit in darker...

posted @ 8/12/2007 5:05:04 PM | Feedback (4)

Surprisingly, a good night at the range

The oldest is sick and was unable to make it to swim lessons last night. Luckily for us, it stormed like hell and they canceled the class so we get a make up day on Friday. Since Friday was going to be range night, I hadn't loaded any 10mm up yet. So I had to rush to the range last night and just took the Ruger .22. I was kind of bummed because I've been wanting to shoot the 10 for a while, a little for the boom factor and a little for the fact that I need to stay in shape with my defense...

posted @ 7/17/2007 11:21:32 AM | Feedback (1)

My ego had a hard time getting through the door

Went to the range Friday to shoot the .357 Magnum. The required me to use a specific lane. They didn't want the .357 Magnum to set off the fire sprinklers. I think I pulled a muscle smiling so hard.

posted @ 7/1/2007 10:55:38 AM | Feedback (0)

First the good news

Loaded up 50 .357 Magnum, 158gr. lead SWC pushed by 8.2 grains of Longshot. Took them to the range. Obliterated the target. The last target was at 10 yards (30 feet). 6 in the top center, 6 to the lower left, and 2 to the lower right (50 doesn't divide by 6 well). Yeah, it may look like there's only 4 holes on top and only 3 on the lower left, but I assure you, 6 rounds went through each one. Sarah needs a heavy dose of thorazine right about night, don't you think? Now the bad news. 8.2gr. of...

posted @ 6/22/2007 10:19:01 PM | Feedback (10)

M44 Fireballs

Using state-of-the-art forensic technology (i.e. the "Next Frame" button), I got some screen grabs of the fireballs from last Monday's shoot. These are the best ones.

posted @ 5/30/2007 10:03:26 PM | Feedback (2)

Sashenka's first trip to the range

Whoa. The shots you hear in the other lane come from an AR-15. Listen to the difference. Learn to love the fireball. I'll post a picture of the target later. At 25 yards, I was hitting a little high, so I figured out where the sight was aiming at and I adjusted accordingly. My last shot pierced the middle, making Sarah Brady "bake a brownie". Not sure I'm going to be able to get to sleep tonight. Too much adrenaline.

posted @ 5/28/2007 10:08:15 PM | Feedback (19)

My shoulder isn't happy, but I am (rifle update)

Last night I got the sheer pleasure of meeting Greg from West, By God along with his wife and a friend of theirs. This is the first blogger I've ever met face to face so that was kind of an event. We met at Shoot Straight for a night of poking holes in paper and making Sarah Brady soil her Depends. Since I had to deal with the little ones last night, we couldn't get there until 7:45 PM and they closed at 9. Unfortunately, the rifle range was full so we shot pistols. Greg liked the 10mm, but...

posted @ 5/25/2007 9:47:38 AM | Feedback (2)

The worst day at the range is better than the best day at work

And tonight was a great friggin' night at the range. Nobody there, so picking up my brass was a cinch. And shot a little .22 for fun. The first few magazines I went through were just breathing and control exercises. Wasn't going for pinpoint accuracy, but rather rapid target acquisition. Hit the paper every time, but quite a few low shots. Then I did some off hand, and I won't post those pics. Granted, I hit the target, it was as shaky as it gets. However, when I really started concentrating,...

posted @ 5/8/2007 9:42:50 PM | Feedback (2)

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