I went to the range.

[Nick Caprinolo]

On Wednesday, I went to the range. I thought it would be close to empty, due to the scarcity of ammunition and extremely high cost. While every lane was occupied, no one was waiting for an open spot. I can only imagine, what it is like on a weekend. What I saw there defies all logic, at least to me.

Not true. To my suprise, there were a lot of shooters there. And, they seemed to have no need to ration what they were shooting. I was even more surprised to see so many AR type rifles there, using both reloads and commercial ammo. They seemed to have no regard to conservation, many dumping 30 round mags as fast as they could pull the trigger, as though nothing has changed.

I was there for five hours and there was a steady influx of shooters, during that time. The calibers being shot, ran from rimfire to 338 Lapua.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

The range I use, is state owned and open to the public.

 

[Willie]

Number of shooters at my range are down considerable and the only cases on the ground are RF and steel.
Other than those, there is zero brass around benches or pistol pit.

 

[Bill Norris]

That's the cool thing about having a hole in the woods behind the house. It's always open unless some of my crowd is fishing in the swamp.

 

[Rsadams]

I am an RO at my local range and although usage is down people are still shooting.... Sometimes it's pretty darn busy and people shoot all day...

 

[K22]

Welcome to the 21th century and the "Rambo want to be's." It's the same at the two ranges I belong to - us bolt guys are becoming obsolete. But I'm a live and let live guy - if blasting away and making noise floats your boat then so be it.

My only compliant is being sprayed with cases.

 

[PopCharlie]

The range I go to in Central VA is a members/guests only. There are 2 pistol ranges, a shotgun range, and a 100 yard rifle range. I shoot all the ranges except the shotgun range. The pistol ranges mostly have folks shooting their carry 9mm pistols, an occasional 1911 style .45, or other variants. At the rifle range, you primarily see people shooting their AR type rifles, and sighting hunting rifles. I will go on a Sunday or Monday. Most times, I'm the only one there. Im the only one that shoots with wind flags, a chronograph, mechanical rests, and a portable bench. The ROs are all volunteers, an all know me. If other people are shooting, I usually have to stop to answer questions. "What kind of rifle is that?" "What is that thing out front?" (Chronograph). "Holy crap! I've never seen a rifle shoot like that" etc.
Membership is cheap, so I have a pretty good situation, and I'm thankful. The point is, I can't tell if usage is down, it never was very high.

PopCharlie

 

[snert]

I shoot at a public range. I feel like a minority. I'm the only guy with a yellow, or green or red rifle. With polished SS barrel, loading blocks for cases and a real rest.

Everyone else is shooting a black rifle, off a bipod, or a shirt, or a pillow, showering brass and steel all over, and digging up furrows from 50 to 100 yards.

I have a few ask me what I am shooting. They just stare and look like a guppy when I say a PPC, or a Fireball, or Swift. If it isnt CHicom or AR, they don't know it. But every now and then I get to shoot a group for an observer and that usually brings more gasps than guppy looks.

 

[300_whisper]

I shoot at a public range. I feel like a minority. I'm the only guy with a yellow, or green or red rifle. With polished SS barrel, loading blocks for cases and a real rest.

Everyone else is shooting a black rifle, off a bipod, or a shirt, or a pillow, showering brass and steel all over, and digging up furrows from 50 to 100 yards.

I have a few ask me what I am shooting. They just stare and look like a guppy when I say a PPC, or a Fireball, or Swift. If it isnt CHicom or AR, they don't know it. But every now and then I get to shoot a group for an observer and that usually brings more gasps than guppy looks.

Agreed...I’m just happy people are out shooting. If it takes an AR or SKS to get them out there, then so be it. I will start Knocking teeth out when those guys tell me how accurate their rifles are, though!!

 

[Daddymac]

I gather the OP was surprised by the number of shooters and the number of rounds they went through, I will venture to guess.
1. Hoarders/mass reloaders that have so much ammo on hand they are comfortable burning through a few.
2. People that just don't have a clue replacing it won't be easy.

 

[snert]

I'm going with #2

 

[divingin]

I was even more surprised to see so many AR type rifles there, using both reloads and commercial ammo. They seemed to have no regard to conservation, many dumping 30 round mags as fast as they could pull the trigger, as though nothing has changed.

I was shooting Sunday; my range has a 2 hr time limit. Centerfire rifle is all off a bench, 100 yds only.

One group (3 guys) had an AR; fired 80 rounds and ended up with 2 holes in the 21"x24" B-8 target. That comes to $35 per hole for the group just in range fees (no idea what they paid for ammo.)

 

[snert]

I was shooting Sunday; my range has a 2 hr time limit. Centerfire rifle is all off a bench, 100 yds only.

One group (3 guys) had an AR; fired 80 rounds and ended up with 2 holes in the 21"x24" B-8 target. That comes to $35 per hole for the group just in range fees (no idea what they paid for ammo.)

see...proof ARs are innaccurate

 

[divingin]

see...proof ARs are innaccurate

Well, proof that an AR in those guys' hands are, anyway...

 

[joshb]

see...proof ARs are innaccurate

Nooo!!! C’mon Snert! It means those guys can’t shoot!!