Shoot the Red Menace

Sometimes a morning at the range involves the blast of the redoubtable Lee Enfield, or the sound and fury of a 30-06, or the explosive power of the .45. Sometimes it means hours of carbine amusement with a deadly assault rifle. All that's good and has its place but at other times I like to shoot shotgun cartridges off of a steel frame with a .22.

And that's what I did today. Lined up the Red Menace on the target frame and shot them off at around 40 yards. Then, when you've taken out the first wave, set up the fallen Reds and take them down again. Repeat at will.

Sure, it's only .22 plinking but what's wrong with that? Nothing at all and it's neat to see the targets fly up when you hit them.

So here's a tip for all you green shooters: Help combat Climate Change by recycling range trash and using your spent shotgun shells as targets.

Cheers,

LSP

Range Warriors

Just because it's hot doesn't mean that you can't shoot, so I've been taking the young 'uns, 12 and 9,  to my friend's range for target practice, but not before a decent work out on a Daisy BB gun. The Daisy's useful because you can shoot it in the back yard and teach basic marksmanship skills, not least safety, while having fun. 

sizing up the opposition

The boys did well on that and well on the range, shooting .22 bolt action, .22 semi (Ruger 10/22), an AR 15, my philisophical friend GWB's Mini 14, and some .45 (Beretta PX4).

the old contender

We fired from the bench, kneeling, prone and off-hand at 100, 50 and 25 yards. It was good to see the kids getting on target at the longer ranges, especially off-hand; just a lot of fun for them and a fairly full-on introduction to firearms.

the Dallas compound

Important skill, shooting. Start 'em off young.

on at 100

Skeet tomorrow, have to warm up for Dove season.

Shoot straight,

LSP

Range Day

Tired of my slothful ways and full of Advent penitence, I loaded some guns into the truck, restocked on Winchester "Whitebox", thank you Walmart, and drove off to a parishioner's 150 yard range. I like it there in the middle of the countryside around Brandon and nicely secluded. Just you and the guns.

Tested out the newly refurbished .22 Higgins (tube magazine, bolt, iron sights) from 50 and 100 yards. It's feeding problems had been solved by my Waco 'smith friend and, considering a bit of rustiness on my part, shot well. A "tack driver"? In the right hands, yes, and I was pleased to see the center of the target pretty much destroyed.

range road

Then it was time for some AR fun. Proper "little heater" that carbine; after a few magazines of target practice I practiced my walk/run and shoot skills, only to discover that I didn't really have many... childish, but fun. I'm tempted to get optics for that rifle, but haven't decided on the most useful. I like the Trijicon Accupoint, or the ACOG, but dislike the price tag. Still, maybe worth saving for.

.45 followed 5.56 amusement. Total enjoyment shooting against spinners from 20-25 yards. Spent most of my effort on the dinner plate; satisfying to hear the pistol explode and see the plate swing off. Had decent success against the next size down, which surprised me because I was badly out of practice. A testament to muscle memory.

It was interesting to retrieve the rounds. After hitting the spinner they flattened off to the size of a nickel and shot off about 10 feet to my right of the target. Doubtless a moral in that if you care to draw it.

Finished off with weapons cleaning in the range's small shooting house and headed back as the sun was setting.

For me, at that moment, all was right with the world.

God bless,

LSP

Clean the Gun, Clear the Head

One of the reasons Texas is great is the fact that you get to see dogs in the back of pick-ups as you go off for a shoot. I try to get out a couple of times a week to blast away, or plink about with a .22, which is an old bolt action J.C. Higgins with iron sights. Nothing fancy, but accurate - I like the deliberation of working the bolt and focusing on the front bead sight, also the length of the thing works well for me. So that rifle gets plenty of use, but just because it's a lowly .22 doesn't mean it somehow cleans itself.

Speaking of which, I gave it a well needed take-down this evening by way of displacement activity and as usual found cleaning the weaponry clears the head. There's doubtless a moral in that, but I'll spare you the sermon. Here's a picture of some saddles instead.

Stay on the horse, shoot straight and have a blessed Sunday.

Gun rights,

LSP