Thunder Ranch Suggestions

[jimericson]

Well, looks like I'm off to Thunder Ranch in September for Urban Rifle I and II. Does anybody have any suggestions on what to bring, what the weathers like in September, or pretty much anything else?


I am planning on camping there.



Thanks

Jim

[Erich]

You might want to PM GT member KSFreeman.

[Captain]

Take a lot more ammo than they recommend. In URII, we used about 1800 rds.

Take lots of Gatorade and water. Arrive there well rested because URII was gruelling ( it was a lot of fun too!). Good knee and elbow pads are a definite necessity also. Ibuprofen! An extra gun might also help!! It did for me!

Have fun! it was a great class!

[KSFreeman]

1. Make sure your gear is squared away, no flopping around, everything sewn up and taped down. Practice putting it on and off a couple dozen times.

2. Make certain your carbine works. Bring another one that works.

3. Make certain your mags work. Bring at least 12.

4. Make sure you have practiced accessing your gear.

5. Make sure you know how to zero your weapon. Bring extra batteries if necessary. Zero before going down, I suggest at 2 distances, you'll sort it out while there.

6. Health--hydrate before, during and after. Eat a salad for lunch. I do not understand the guys that spend all that time and money to do the class and eat like 14 year old boys at lunch and whine about bellyaches or how tired they are--you're an adult, lunkhead, don't eat so much (as Clint sez, "don't eat anything bigger than your head"). KSFreeman training maxim: Eat light, sleep at night.

Stretch out before going down. Guys bray like baby bison because they don't stretch. Shake it out before class (yeah, some guys will look at you wierd, but screw them, they'll be sore and whining like schoolgirls by Thursday, you won't). Incorporate your positioning with stretching, good idea, IMHO.

Exercise, get on the bike or the treadmill, don't have to be Lance Armstrong, but do something. Exercise with the weapon, build up the forearms and shoulders.

7. Weather: *shrug* be prepared, sunscreen, rain gear, whatever. I don't make comfort based decisions, so I ignore the weather.

8. Gun stuff: lube the gun, clean the gun, lube the gun, especially true when raining.

Do what the instructors say and clean Clint's ranges clean and you'll have a great class.:cool:

[LoneRanger]

Kneepads are very important. Most the ranges have these little black rocks that will shred your knees. The rocks will also wind up in very odd places- such as in your mags.

Most importantly make sure you have a carbine that works!

Lone

[Halfcocked]

Take a rifle that works. Then take another one.

Take plenty of rounds and FUNCTIONING magazines.

Besides a hat, a scarf isn't a bad idea for the rifle class. Rifle brass is extremely hot and if it gets in your collar it will definately get your attention.

Hydrate.

[clubsoda22]

as is with any training course, you can never buy too much ammo for it. If you have some left over, you're gonna end up using it eventually anyway.

[AWMP]

Bring twice as much ammo recommended, knee pads and elbow pads are a must (good ones, we had one guy show up with volleyball knee pads, they lasted 3 hours), prepare for rain and sun, sometimes in the same day.
Prepare to meet some great guys and have a ton of fun.

[AmazonMan]

And don't forget your cat ;f

[tag]

Originally posted by KSFreeman


6. Health--hydrate before, during and after. Eat a salad for lunch. I do not understand the guys that spend all that time and money to do the class and eat like 14 year old boys at lunch and whine about bellyaches or how tired they are--you're an adult, lunkhead, don't eat so much (as Clint sez, "don't eat anything bigger than your head"). KSFreeman training maxim: Eat light, sleep at night.



Let me criticize one thing: Eat more than a salad for lunch. Food is energy, and you'll need all the energy you can get for this type of class. Bring several quick energy snacks to eat during the day, like Cliff Bars. Don't eat hamburgers and french fries for lunch, but do get some meat in there somewhere. Think chicken breast (baked) on whole wheat bread. Skip the soda and drink lots of water. This will keep you going all day long.

[KSFreeman]

Well, can I have a chicken or turkey salad?;f

"Teddy Salad?"

[GLK19]

Many very good suggestions. I would simply add that if your using any kind of optic ensure that your back-up iron sights are zeroed.

Clean and lube your gun every day.

I'll second this one because its very important. Bring a second carbine. Every carbine class I've taken or given there's always 2-3 that go down.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Sun screen and bug repellent. TX in September can range from inferno to cold and rainy. Get some light weight rain gear. Plan for layers. Good boots - waterproof and lightweight.

Bring CHOCOLATE - never know when you need a comfort food with some energy and neuro-love chemicals as a pick me up. M&Ms work well.

[pangris]

Nevermind