Why did that happen?

[bobm]

I am on our silhouette range yesterday when two younger guys show up to check sights on their hunting rifles. Being newer members they ask me where the paper target frames are kept. I explain this is a steel shooting range and no such frames are provided, you need to bring your own frame for paper.

One asks if it is OK to place a paper target on the 100 yd. 18" steel gong. "Yes, that is fine with me. I called the line cold so he could go down range. His buddy starts to unload the truck heading to a bench with a rifle rest, ammo, and a Walmart spotting scope.

Meantime, I am warming up my imaginary bag of popcorn.

Down range guy is using duct tape to hold one of those shoot 'n see type targets on the steel. He is back now getting his bolt rifle ready to fire. Target setter guy is on the rifle, buddy is on the spotting scope. After a few minutes of chatter he closes the bolt of the rifle, spotter is homed in on the target.

Boom... clang.... target mostly vanishes. Shooter looks at spotter and asks ...."why did that happen?

I suggested they move to the 200 yd. range where frames and targets were provided. They packed up and headed out. I got the silhouette range to myself again.

 

[Mark M.]

I would assume by the bullet fragments

 

[Big Mc]

I am on our silhouette range yesterday when two younger guys show up to check sights on their hunting rifles. Being newer members they ask me where the paper target frames are kept. I explain this is a steel shooting range and no such frames are provided, you need to bring your own frame for paper.

One asks if it is OK to place a paper target on the 100 yd. 18" steel gong. "Yes, that is fine with me. I called the line cold so he could go down range. His buddy starts to unload the truck heading to a bench with a rifle rest, ammo, and a Walmart spotting scope.

Meantime, I am warming up my imaginary bag of popcorn.

Down range guy is using duct tape to hold one of those shoot 'n see type targets on the steel. He is back now getting his bolt rifle ready to fire. Target setter guy is on the rifle, buddy is on the spotting scope. After a few minutes of chatter he closes the bolt of the rifle, spotter is homed in on the target.

Boom... clang.... target mostly vanishes. Shooter looks at spotter and asks ...."why did that happen?

I suggested they move to the 200 yd. range where frames and targets were provided. They packed up and headed out. I got the silhouette range to myself again.

Good thing you did,nt have to explain it to them. You cant fix stupid. Just my two cents Tommy Mc

 

[Adam in WI]

You could really blow their minds if you'd have taped two balloons to each side of the target and hit em both with one shot...

 

[caihlen]

Gotta watch out for that stupid. It’ll get on ya, then it’s hard to get off.

 

[jelenko]

Still, he hit the target at 100 yards on the first shot.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Tell him to google “shrapnel”.

These guys were not stupid, just ignorant. There is a huge difference.
They now know.

 

[rwj]

Thankfully, this story doesn’t include any glaring safety violations. That’s the most upsetting thing to witness and I’m sure we all have some to share!

 

[wbm]

I suggested they move to the 200 yd. range where frames and targets were provided. They packed up and headed out. I got the silhouette range to myself again.

You clever rascal!

 

[bobm]

We have 20 pieces of permanent steel on this range out to 500 meters. There is duct tape, blue tape and masking tape shreds on most of them all the time. I finally got to witness what I knew would happen.

I am the guy behind the scenes who repairs, replaces and maintains these steel targets. Some of our big and heavy plates hang from car tire tread hang straps. I cut out the side walls, cut the tread in half and cut one inch holes on each end to attach to a welded on bolt on the back of target. I get good mileage with expected bullet pass through. Edge hits at the rubber really rips it up. Lots of work to make them. I have a stock pile of straps ready to install.

It really pisses me off when a guy staples a paper target directly to the exposed hang strap. The perils of an unsupervised range.

 

[Rustytigwire]

I am on our silhouette range yesterday when two younger guys show up to check sights on their hunting rifles. Being newer members they ask me where the paper target frames are kept. I explain this is a steel shooting range and no such frames are provided, you need to bring your own frame for paper.

One asks if it is OK to place a paper target on the 100 yd. 18" steel gong. "Yes, that is fine with me. I called the line cold so he could go down range. His buddy starts to unload the truck heading to a bench with a rifle rest, ammo, and a Walmart spotting scope.

Meantime, I am warming up my imaginary bag of popcorn.

Down range guy is using duct tape to hold one of those shoot 'n see type targets on the steel. He is back now getting his bolt rifle ready to fire. Target setter guy is on the rifle, buddy is on the spotting scope. After a few minutes of chatter he closes the bolt of the rifle, spotter is homed in on the target.

Boom... clang.... target mostly vanishes. Shooter looks at spotter and asks ...."why did that happen?

I suggested they move to the 200 yd. range where frames and targets were provided. They packed up and headed out. I got the silhouette range to myself again.

Some kids werent raised to have this knowlege and intuition.
Good they are out making an effort in a safe and controlled environment.
So painful watching kids learn to walk.

 

[dryhumor]

Guess they should’ve brought a can of white paint and a can of black to dot the steel.

 

[Bill K]

Well, "Live and Learn" is all I can say for the two putting paper target on a steel plate.. Funny how you taught them a lesson.

 

[kelbro]

Brave man being at a public shooting range right before gun season

I've seen much worse!

 

[std7mag]

Tell him to google “shrapnel”.

These guys were not stupid, just ignorant. There is a huge difference.
They now know.

Do they?
Really?

I have my doubts...

 

[GotRDid]

If anything, perhaps they now wonder if there will be anything left of the Deer if they hit one.
GotRDid.