The Infamous Wooden Block Strikes Again

[okie]

I have to park my truck quartering near the benches and get a good steering wheel/window/rearview triangle rest to shoot a decent group

 

[hoz53]

Was at the rifle range today enjoying the marvelous weather and working out my 223 Rem Tikka T3X Lite with 60 Vmax's.

A fellow shooting next to me was unsuccessfully attempting to sight in his deer rifle for the upcoming season. He was having a difficult time, so I offered help. I saw the problem right away; he was resting the rifle barrel directly on a series of stacked wooden blocks that the range has laying around for "sight in" assistance (translation - sight in chaos.)

After setting him up with a proper front and rear rest and properly positioning the rifle stock on the front rest, he proceeded to produce some adequate groups that he was able to center. It felt good to help the fellow especially since he was a really nice guy. I really enjoy doing this.

I wish the range officers would burn those wooden blocks.

i have to take wooden blocks to the range to adjust the height of my rear bag. So Im jealous of you guys who have the blocks furnished by the range. har— I see alot of people that probably could use some help but i shutup inless they ask me. Sometimes i ask them how they did or are doing and that can lead into them bringing up something. Sometimes the stories I hear I want to tell them they are full of it but i usually dont.

 

[K22]

The last time I offered to help a younger guy at the range, I was told with nothing left to the imagination " that if I wanted help from an old EFFIN Man I would have asked". So I walked away and watched him blow 2.5 boxes of 270 down range and he hit the paper 1 time.
As he walked away he was telling his friend they needed to stop at the gun shop to drop off the rifle for the gunsmith to fix because there was something wrong with it.
I smiled and said to myself waste more money you fool, there was nothing wrong with the gun it was printing beautifully in the berm about 2' left and a little high.
I haven't offered my help since, about 3 years now.

I know it can be risky, and I have had similar experiences. However, usually I can read a guy that might be receptive to help. In the case I cited, the fellow was shaking his head in anguish.

I just enjoy helping fellow shooters and this time of year is a ripe environment. It is just so amazing to me the lack of basic firearms knowledge I see at the range.

 

[jxb]

Yeah, those chunks of 2x4 are perfect for beating the bolt open after a really hot load. jd

Sadly I've seen folks do just that, more than twice. Most recent time a guy was a few spots down and I could feel the pounding. On about the 3rd time of that I had to have a looksee. Brand new custom rifle in the $3k+ range... Clearly had more money than common sense and wouldn't you know it, he didn't need or want any suggestions or comments.

 

[jonbearman]

What infuriates me more is the way they design shooting benches and cant stand the 6x6 blocks at my range I belong to. And yes I see guys all the time resting the barrel on wood with nice grit covered blocks. Why cant regular guys just buy the cheapo uncle mikes bags with sand in them to shoot off of to protect their investment.

 

[60723]

Had a “friend” call me yesterday in a little bit of panic. He was leaving today on an expensive Texas hunt. He and another friend who shoots a good bit had been zeroing his new rifle. Both are college grads and seemingly intelligent people. The question he had was- My rifle is shooting good groups but 1/2” right at 200 yards. Didn’t want to shoot more because barrel was getting hot. How much right would it be at 400? Never assume what someone knows.

 

[KMart]

The last time I offered to help a younger guy at the range, I was told with nothing left to the imagination " that if I wanted help from an old EFFIN Man I would have asked". So I walked away and watched him blow 2.5 boxes of 270 down range and he hit the paper 1 time.
As he walked away he was telling his friend they needed to stop at the gun shop to drop off the rifle for the gunsmith to fix because there was something wrong with it.
I smiled and said to myself waste more money you fool, there was nothing wrong with the gun it was printing beautifully in the berm about 2' left and a little high.
I haven't offered my help since, about 3 years now.

The same guy most likely throws out the instructions on new tools and doesn't ask for directions in a strange town

 

[jds holler]

The same guy most likely throws out the instructions on new tools and doesn't ask for directions in a strange town

So -- you're talking about most guys I guess.

I guess I've probably been both of those guys. -- The guy who needed help and didn't want it, and the guy who wanted to help someone who didn't want it.

I always try to remember that "We're all dummies - just in different ways". jd

 

[divingin]

Why cant regular guys just buy the cheapo uncle mikes bags with sand in them to shoot off of to protect their investment.

You know how often I see new gun owners show up with a rifle in the original cardboard box and a Walmart plastic bag full of ammo? Sometimes the bag contains a still-sealed scope box as well.

 

[rockhound78]

Was at the range the other day and a fellow was trying to sight in his rifle. Didn't hit the target so he was shooting at a clay pigeon on the berm, but couldn't really see where it was hitting due to recoil. Walked over and told him it was hitting about a foot low and 6 inches left. He asked me to stay and watch. Got him level with the clay pigeon and told him to move it 16 clicks right. Shot again and way left. Told him to move it back to where it was before and watched, he had been moving it the wrong way. Moved it to where it was then the 16 clicks right. Next shot, the small piece of clay pigeon disintegrated. Went to his target and got him where he wanted. He thanked me for the help.
Some appreciate the help and others, well, I just let them go about what they are doing and hope they put their empty brass in the buckets we have for that purpose and hopefully its a caliber I can use!!!

 

[Bill Norris]

Most of the time these guys that show up with no prep and/or experience think they can bolt up the scope and go shoot a deer. Sadly, they will spend time and money and get nothing accomplished except a huge headache.

 

[jelenko]

I think many see images from movies that show you just aim real hard and it happens. Like hitting a rope at 50 yards with a 3" barreled revolver. Or the super still image taken through a scope while someone is standing with the rifle.