Sight-In Days at Gun Club -- Whoa...
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jxb
Gold $$ Contributor
1. I do that every visit, considerable time most visits. I'm a paying customer but enjoy helping those in need and open to help.
2. most of the idiots that show up for hunter sight-in do not want help, they think they know all they need to. Best to just avoid the range during those 2-3 weeks of the year. Don't get me wrong, there's a good amount of folks that know what they are doing and do it safely, just there's also a good amount that don't.
RCE1
Gold $$ Contributor
A lot of the time, they'll just blow you off, convinced that you don't know what you're talking about.
There was a guy with a little girl probably less than 6 years old shooting next to me one day. She was obviously struggling with poorly fitted earmuffs. I offered him some unopened foam plugs to help her but he looked at me like I was beneath contempt. I had to stop while they were there.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
I spent 17 years teaching firearms (and much more) to cops and corrections officers. I made firearms instructors also.
I love to help people and frequent a public range.
However, I have learned that in every demographic (including anti-gunners and pro-hunters) there are those that can best be described as Proudus Ignoramus. This is a condition made up of equal parts of "bits of knowledge" and "insecurity" plus a "chit can full of stupid". The result is commonly called "redneck bravado" or "stupid is as stupid does". For this condition there is little remedy at a public venue.
When possible, I try to offer assistance. It usually helps if I am calmly punching holes in dimes with some esoteric old man rifle and present myself as capable, humble, patient and respectful. But sometimes it requires a big smile, a hand on the shoulder and a quiet whisper of...uh...intervention. This takes courage and it helps if you wear a vest, like I do. You just never know who or what you are talking to.
Finally, when the situation calls for it, packing up under fire and leaving is always a good option.
This applies to both the range and when involved in conversation with an anti...
Just my experience.
I love to help people and frequent a public range.
However, I have learned that in every demographic (including anti-gunners and pro-hunters) there are those that can best be described as Proudus Ignoramus. This is a condition made up of equal parts of "bits of knowledge" and "insecurity" plus a "chit can full of stupid". The result is commonly called "redneck bravado" or "stupid is as stupid does". For this condition there is little remedy at a public venue.
When possible, I try to offer assistance. It usually helps if I am calmly punching holes in dimes with some esoteric old man rifle and present myself as capable, humble, patient and respectful. But sometimes it requires a big smile, a hand on the shoulder and a quiet whisper of...uh...intervention. This takes courage and it helps if you wear a vest, like I do. You just never know who or what you are talking to.
Finally, when the situation calls for it, packing up under fire and leaving is always a good option.
This applies to both the range and when involved in conversation with an anti...
Just my experience.
dellet
Gold $$ Contributor
It all depends on what you see.
A young family, or more likely a “date” where he brought the mother and daughter to the range. I watched a young gal around 10 years old struggling to shoot a 22 bolt action. Struggle is putting it mildly.
She was setup to shoot right handed. Problem was besides having her left hand on the trigger, she had to almost stand up to be able to get her left eye on the scope. I simply asked if their daughter was left handed. Mom answered no, and that started a conversation that led to finding out she is clearly left eye dominate and probably left handed. Mom just always thought her kid was uncoordinated.
I’d like to think that I made that young ladie’s life a little easie. I know she started shooting better afternoon. Might have even salvaged the “date”, or mom maybe moved on to a more attentive prospect.
A young family, or more likely a “date” where he brought the mother and daughter to the range. I watched a young gal around 10 years old struggling to shoot a 22 bolt action. Struggle is putting it mildly.
She was setup to shoot right handed. Problem was besides having her left hand on the trigger, she had to almost stand up to be able to get her left eye on the scope. I simply asked if their daughter was left handed. Mom answered no, and that started a conversation that led to finding out she is clearly left eye dominate and probably left handed. Mom just always thought her kid was uncoordinated.
I’d like to think that I made that young ladie’s life a little easie. I know she started shooting better afternoon. Might have even salvaged the “date”, or mom maybe moved on to a more attentive prospect.
DShortt
Gold $$ Contributor
I personally avoid placing myself in situations where I believe wearing a ballistic vest is prudent. Had enough of that a long time ago and no desire to voluntarily repeat such experiences.
Having said that, I am in awe of those that do make such choices.
'A man's GOT to know his limitations.'
Anyway, I avoid places where over-confident and uneducated firearms owners tend to arrive in significant numbers. Just not my calling or perceived obligation.
jxb
Gold $$ Contributor
As a lefty that grew up in a right handed world, thank you very much for doing this.
If nothing else it may open all their eyes to at the very least she is left eye dominate and there's ways to cope with that even if right handed.
We have one or two "sight in" days at our club. The program is directed at the general public and is designed to promote safe gun handling by non-members. The club requires that every participant have a club member assist them with gun handling and sighting in. Overall, I think it is a great way to assist the local area hunters and to promote the good work of our club.
Our youth shooting program is also directed to local residents that are not members. We provide 22 ammo, targets and one-on-one assistance.
Our youth shooting program is also directed to local residents that are not members. We provide 22 ammo, targets and one-on-one assistance.
Well…. IMHO, it takes someone who is supremely comfortable in their own skin to say something akin to, “ You know, I really don’t know what the hell I’m doing here. Can you please help me ? “. That degree of self assurance and wisdom often comes with a certain amount of time on the planet.
I don't mind that the majority of them have no idea how to sight in a hunting rifle but what really alarms me is the blatant safety rules violations.
I will be happy once deer season starts, and those guys are in the field because "sight in" days before deer season is the most dangerous time at the ranges where I shoot.
I will be happy once deer season starts, and those guys are in the field because "sight in" days before deer season is the most dangerous time at the ranges where I shoot.
60723
Gold $$ Contributor
Had a neighbor who was a banker. Was a self proclaimed gun guru. Went to a private range to zero his new deer rifle. After a box and a half, he went back to the local gun store to buy more bullets. Complained that the scope would not hold a zero. Scope was mounted 90 degrees off!
DShortt
Gold $$ Contributor
Mostly looks like the table height is too low, making up for it with that stack of crap. Or at least a higher table is where I'd start if that's all I had to work with.
Can't see any sign of ear plugs, either. That wouldn't be any good in that structure.
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rockhound78
Silver $$ Contributor
We have sight-in days at our club, the Friday before season starts. Open to the public. Been helping for about 25 years and have seen a LOT.
Ranges from those that thank us profusely for the help, to those that think no one can shoot better than they can and don't want someone watching (I can understand why they don't). We have a one-on-one with the member helping the public, so we can watch each and every one. Had one older rancher come by and took one shot with his 30-30 Win 1894 and hit 2" high at 100yds, perfect left/right. I asked him to shoot one more time and he reluctantly agreed. Second shot almost hit the hole made by the first. Thanked him for letting me know that someone knows how to shoot. Other guy, second category, custom rifle and scope was probably $6K total, had a group about 1" low @100yds and about 1 MOA. Asked how far he planned to shoot his elk and he said "bout 500yds". Suggested he might want to raise the POI, but he said it was good enough and packed up and left.
Loose scopes, loose actions in the stock, wrong ammo, right ammo, but different bullet weights and they expected them to hit the same spot, scopes turned counterclockwise so windage turret was on top, scopes backwards.
Leave you with a good one. Kid came out with his Grandads Win 70 in 30-06 and was shooting a good group at 100yds, so went to 200yds, still did pretty good, told him how high to hold over and shoot the 300yd gong. He said his dad told him the '06 wasn't good that far out. Told the kid to try it out and he hit it first shot and the next two--good group. Kid was grinning from ear to ear. Told him where to hold over our buffalo gong at 500 yds and let one downrange. Kid was "no way it will go that far". Told the kid you are doing great now let one loose. Hit just below center of the buffalo. He was excited and when his dad showed up, he showed him where he was hitting. Dad was amazed the '06 would "shoot that far" but had the kid shoot again and he showed dad how he was doing. I told dad the kid was shooting better than many people. Father and Son were delighted, made the kids day. Made my day too!!
Ranges from those that thank us profusely for the help, to those that think no one can shoot better than they can and don't want someone watching (I can understand why they don't). We have a one-on-one with the member helping the public, so we can watch each and every one. Had one older rancher come by and took one shot with his 30-30 Win 1894 and hit 2" high at 100yds, perfect left/right. I asked him to shoot one more time and he reluctantly agreed. Second shot almost hit the hole made by the first. Thanked him for letting me know that someone knows how to shoot. Other guy, second category, custom rifle and scope was probably $6K total, had a group about 1" low @100yds and about 1 MOA. Asked how far he planned to shoot his elk and he said "bout 500yds". Suggested he might want to raise the POI, but he said it was good enough and packed up and left.
Loose scopes, loose actions in the stock, wrong ammo, right ammo, but different bullet weights and they expected them to hit the same spot, scopes turned counterclockwise so windage turret was on top, scopes backwards.
Leave you with a good one. Kid came out with his Grandads Win 70 in 30-06 and was shooting a good group at 100yds, so went to 200yds, still did pretty good, told him how high to hold over and shoot the 300yd gong. He said his dad told him the '06 wasn't good that far out. Told the kid to try it out and he hit it first shot and the next two--good group. Kid was grinning from ear to ear. Told him where to hold over our buffalo gong at 500 yds and let one downrange. Kid was "no way it will go that far". Told the kid you are doing great now let one loose. Hit just below center of the buffalo. He was excited and when his dad showed up, he showed him where he was hitting. Dad was amazed the '06 would "shoot that far" but had the kid shoot again and he showed dad how he was doing. I told dad the kid was shooting better than many people. Father and Son were delighted, made the kids day. Made my day too!!
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