Competition Range Boxes - At the Range

[StephenPerry]

Shooters
This Competition Range Boxes should a interesting Thread. Everybody starts with a Box to transport their equipment to the Range. One box leads to 2 and so on that I fill up an 8' bed truck when I go to the Range. But I think this is too much. My 1st range box was a Craftsman clone of a 7 drawer Kennedy box. I have since gone to a Waterloo to save 14 lbs. This box holds all my small tools, powder scale, barrel vise and wrench, seating and sizing dies, all my Harrel and Redding dies, priming tools, allen wrenches, never dull, powder thrower, bushing boxes, brushes, die parts, Jones Decapper, Pro Shot, wood blocks, loading blocks, level, etc. This worked fine till I found out that there were windflags to take. Another box this time a metal carpenters box to hold my flag posts, flag stands, flag crap, target stamps, heavy hammer, and few other small things. I figured a 3rd wood box to carry my powders, funnel, and bottles. A 4th wood box for my empty cases, bullets, powder thrower, caliper box, bench boxes, surveyors ribbon, notebooks, temp/humidity gage. A 5th plastic box for my patches 3 sizes, magnets, cleaning rod tips, caliper box, cleaning tips, Sinclair cleaning tools. A 6th plastic box for arbor press, Hood Press, c-clamps, aluminum plates for my loading table, hammer, RCBS Partner Press, rags, more BR junk. A 6th box with solvents, spray silicone, brake cleaner, rubbing alcohol, rod guides, other cleaning stuff. A 7th metal box for sands bags, patch catcher, primers, and small stuff in the top tray. All these boxes and my table, chair, shooting stool, and cleaning rods fit nice in my truck bed. A 6' bed would be useless to me.
Now I have everything I could ever use in my boxes. But I go for a week at a time and weekends. A guy could get by without the flag box, patch box, powder box, case box and just take 2 boxes for a practice day.
Let us know what boxes you use to go to the Range and why.
Stephen Perry

 

[JamesnTN]

I use a 52' tractor trailer rig setup with air Sattelite TV with a 50" LCD screen a sony play station and DVD player a lounge, a bar, Oak cabinets 2 12' reloading benches with cabinets and drawers underneath with 6 presses mounted on ea and 2 sets of lab grade scales a bench lathe, a small mill, roughly 5000 pcs brass 10,000 primers and a couple hundred lbs of powder, 20,000 or so bullets of different makers, 2 lap top computers setup with a davis instruments weather station so I can accuratly make changes to my loads acording to barometric pressure, temp and altitude changes and working off of a special program to calculate my given accuracy nodes for ea gun. under body storage is for 15 wind flags and poles or stands, tents grills coolers full of steaks.
And when I travel out of town I usually have setup a couple call girls ready for me when I arrive.

All electricity supplied by a 50,000 watt Caterpillar Generator.

I like to be prepared pretty much for anything as it may arise.

Also built in is a 40 gun gun safe that pretty much stays full of bench guns prarie dog guns and a couple 50 cal for play.

Thats my range/match box setup

 

[memilanuk]

Now kids....

So far my attempts at loading @ the range have been pretty primitive... a five gallon bucket w/ the appropriate dies, either a RCBS Partner press or a Hart arbor press, powder measure, scale, primed cases, various measuring tools, etc. One of these days I want to make a wooden machinist-style tool chest to hold stuff like my measuring tools, shell holders, bushings, etc.

For going to matches... shooting mat rolled up and slid over the spotting scope stand, scope hung over the stand rod, either wear the shooting coat or strap it to the shooting stool/cart that holds pretty much everything else.

I'm looking at getting one of those Bisley style shooting boxes for my dedicated long range gear.

 

[Cheechako]

James

Are you looking for a shooting buddy? I'm retired and can conform to your schedule. I'll even chip in a few of my Social Security $$$ for gas and beer.

Why do I get the feeling that this thread is doomed to be deleted?

Ray

 

[StephenPerry]

Ray
Nobody screwed with your cartridge Threads why would anybody but a jealous person want to start here. All the Posts except your e-mail Post have been good.
You have no range boxes or you don't want share. Just pretend someone like Moderator wrote the Thread. The important thing on this Web is to get out the information. I know your a good guy Ray just open up.
Stephen Perry

 

[Cheechako]

Stephen

You know me. I was just trying to inject a little humor, as I think James was.

But seriously, I have managed to get everything into just two boxes. I started by weeding out all the stuff that I hardly ever use and stowing it away in my truck. Stuff that I never use is left at home. I was surprised at how much junk I was lugging back and forth to the loading tables and firing line. What is left goes into two boxes. The first is a Kennedy 7-drawer. I used to use a similar plastic fishing box but it was so flimsy that I decided to suffer the extra weight of the steel Kennedy. Into it goes all the stuff that I use at the loading bench. I carry only enough powder, primers and bullets for a full weekend of shooting unlike before when I toted 10,000 bullets and primers and 25 pounds of powder. And no more 5000 patches and two gallons of solvent. No more 12 inch crescent wrenches or 5 different hammers. No more 3 extra rear bags or an extra front top. No more Rockchucker press.

For Long Range I don't need loading equipment so the Kennedy is that much lighter and easier to carry.

The second box is one that I built myself that carries everything I need at the bench. The box doubles as a seat. I made it stout enough that both you and I could sit on it without it crashing. Oh yeah, windflags, when I decide to use them, go into a rifle hard case. With two rifles that means 3 rifle cases. And my two cleaning rods in a PVC pipe holder. I no longer carry a barrel vise and wrench since changing barrels during a match is 20th Century and if I need them I can always borrow from one of those guys who bring EVERYTHING to a match, like my new shooting buddy James. That's it.

Ray

 

[JER]

 

[StephenPerry]

Range Boxes
Today I went to Lowe's to buy some accessories for my new compressor. I always look for what they have new in boxes. I bought a Stanley box with lift out tray that I am going to use as a 1 day practice box. The box measures 19x10x8. Boxes like this are common in hardware stores and sell for around 10 bucks. They weigh only 2-3 lbs compared to a metal box same size about 15 lb. The tray is good if you need it and the top has 2 nice compartments. I always look for quality at a good price. I don't have to have a trailer to haul everything in my garage so people can think I am some kind of french fried idiot with everything I own on my back. I guarantee you I could write a 5 foot long list of all my BR equipment but so what, most it stays at home. Some of the guys I shoot BR with can match any 3 or 4 guys put together on this Board in equipment but they don't need to expose it to me.
The box I described would be great for guys starting out and could be used later for cleaning stuff when you add boxes. Like I said in my first Reloading Box post I have 9 boxes plus gun cases that I travel to big shoots with that I can drive to. Takes alot of time to unload and put back in my truck. For my local practices I want 1 or 2 boxes.
I gave away 6 boxes of this type at our San Gabriel Merchandise Shoot last year. I was amazed these $10 boxes were picked off the table before all the bullets, books, cleaning items, brass, and most of the other 200 items I gave away. It was pick-em day at San Gabriel we have once a year that we will continue at Angeles BR range. I will buy more boxes for our Angeles Merchandise Shoot probably next November 2008. It pays dividends to shoot BR with us.

AIRLINE TRAVEL
Traveling on an airline with guns and equipment is a challenge. I have done this several times recently and I have some advise. If you can stay away from the larger airports. I live closer to Ontario airport than LAX and I appreciate the better service at Ontario. Now at St Louis I have the one choice. More thorough in their inspection. Solvent that went through Ontario was not allowed at St Louis. At Sacramento they escorted me on the plane with my scope in my hand. At San Francisco not a word was said. In the older days the cased rifles traveled in the pilots cockpit not now. They go in the cargo bay. Have a a good case with strong locks. I use the new small black master locks, smaller the better so they don't get caught on other luggage. Be prepared to open any gun case or equipment box you intend to carry they will ask to see. Powder and primers will not be allowed. Bullets are ok but put them in something plastic that doesn't bring attention to them. Don't wrap anything in a towel they want to see it all. Try to get all your equipment in 2 boxes. Front rest and rear bag can be packed in luggage. An if needed the rear bag can be packed in your carry on. Anything non-metal can be packed in carry-on. Powder and primers can be shipped ahead or have a driving shooter take them for you.
The airlines have been very good to shooters just know their rules and abide by them. Like to hear from other air travelers especially from other countries.

Stephen Perry

 

[StephenPerry]

Shooters
Like to hear from some that plan on making some long trips and how they will pack their gear. Discussion of vehicles used is part of the gear if driving. I am looking to buy a Ford Escape hybrid if I feel I can get all my gear in it including my hard cases, this would give my GMC truck some needed rest.
Getting away from metal boxes for loading supplies and going with plastic. How much do you actually need to take to the Range with you. Most take everything because that is where they store the stuff. Why carry your barrel vice if your not going to use it. Older guys need take only what they need. You should all what you need for shooting in 2 medium size plastic boxes. Gun cases are separate of course and flags and poles will fit nicely in a box. Keep your equipment boxes light and you might like going to the Range more often.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR

 

[457ciSBC]

Shooters
Discussion of vehicles used is part of the gear if driving. I am looking to buy a Ford Escape hybrid if I feel I can get all my gear in it including my hard cases, this would give my GMC truck some needed rest.
Stephen Perry
Angeles BR

My pool vehicle is a 07' Escape hybrid and I first got I absolutely hated driving it. It's noisy,several annoying noises actually), the most bothersome is a low whine that sounds like a fire engine siren and when merging into interstate traffic the engine RPMs' will hang around 3800, almost like the converter isn't going into lockup. In all honestry, I prefer to drive the non-hybrid model over the hybrid model. The gas milage isn't bad, however I'm still not sold on hybrid's in general, who knows the battery lifespan and long term maintenance issues. There's a wicked electric pump/master cylinder that appears to pressurize the entire hydraulic system when it in the green mode and god knows how much it would cost to repair it was to go bad.

Make sure you give it a good test drive.

 

[StephenPerry]

457
I only drive the Hybrid Escape at work, about a year now. Noise doesn't bother me in a vehicle, it is an all time 4 wheel drive V6. I am going to use it for my shorter trips for shooting and getting off road, my main vehicle is still my GMC long bed for long trips. Not a boulder climber the Escape should keep me in good shape when on dirt roads. Need to make some trips to Barstow and 29 Palms this year for work will see how the Escape performs. So far I like where I have driven with it. Makes nice u-turns in the middle of the street. I used to have the last mid size Bronco back in the 80's, it was ok but could get scary on wet roads.
Thanks for the insight. How about your range boxes what do you use.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR