What's your range routine?

Hokie1911 · 11-21-2010, 12:55

So my .40 thread and proceding "discussion" of .45 vs .40 and subsequent ammo price discussion got me thinking about practical scenarios like what would really save me money and afford me to shoot more.

My situation...I'm currently a stay at home dad (while rewarding, pays zero) for the past 1.5 years, so I don't have a lot of money to drop on ammo. Thus, I prefer to shoot 9mm, which allows me to shoot a little more when I do go. Current carry setup is a 9mm HK. I should have my Kobra Carry in a few months when I pay it off and will start carrying it. Plan on selling the HK for a 9mm Trojan, again...to afford more practice time with a 9mm.

Currently, I hit the range once a month and shoot 200 rounds for around $44 + range time. Once I get the Brown, I plan on switching to 100 rounds of .45 ($32) and 100 rounds of 9mm ($22) + range time, or maybe just 50 rounds of .45 to save a little money. Eventually, I would like to start reloading, to afford a higher round count for less and/or shooting a few times a month.

So what's your routine for practice? How often and what do you shoot?

lawdog734 · 11-21-2010, 13:18

I go to an outdoor range and try to do a lot of moving and shooting. I vary what I take but the sig 229 is always one of them since it's my duty gun.

rsxr22 · 11-21-2010, 13:18

Shooting time varies from month to month. I shoot a lot more during the competition season and shoot 9mm and .45. I got away from .40. My favorite gun to shoot is by far my Spartan 9mm. Virtually no felt recoil! I shoot a lot with my students in my CCW and Advanced classes, i would probably say i shoot about 500 rounds of 9mm a month and a little less in $45. Definitely get setup reloading! I just loaded 1000 rounds of lead .45 through or shop for $92! You could almost double that price as far as jacketed goes, but lead doesnt bother me. I do use the moly coated bullets in competiton though so i dont get smoke clouds LOL

TKR Reptiles · 11-21-2010, 15:31

I usually go every weekend and a lot of times once during the week too... Shoot about 200 to 300 .45 rounds per visit, and if my friend comes with all his 9mm's I shoot 100 or so round through them each visit...

samuse · 11-21-2010, 15:36

The best thing to do is go shoot an IDPA match.

You'll have way more fun, learn more and probably shoot less ammo than just plinking at the range by yourself.

All you need is a belt, holster and a couple or three mag holders, preferably 5+ mags. Most matches are 100 rounds or so.

I'd rather shoot a match every month or two than just go to the range every weekend.

Hokie1911 · 11-21-2010, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKR Reptiles

I usually go every weekend and a lot of times once during the week too... Shoot about 200 to 300 .45 rounds per visit, and if my friend comes with all his 9mm's I shoot 100 or so round through them each visit...

You must have one of these.

GJ1981 · 11-21-2010, 15:42

I was going weekly with 100 rounds but haven't had time lately.

I'm shooting my Glock 19 lately since I've gone back to it for CCW.

Indoor range - I practice accuracy, since it's so strict on what we can do. I like dot torture the most here.

Outdoor range - My buddy has a bunch of land so we can set things up however we want. I like drawing from concealment and shooting on the move, anything realistic.

Sometimes I only load one round in a magazine to work on reloading and reacquiring the target as quick as possible. Makes 100 rounds last.

TKR Reptiles · 11-21-2010, 15:44

lol... No I wish... I own a few business' and do ok for myself tho. Plus I was blessed with a really understanding wife that loves being a home maker... So she holds the fort down a lot while I am off shooting guns or playing golf.. LOL...

TKR Reptiles · 11-21-2010, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJ1981

I was going weekly with 100 rounds but haven't had time lately.

I'm shooting my Glock 19 lately since I've gone back to it for CCW.

Indoor range - I practice accuracy, since it's so strict on what we can do. I like dot torture the most here.

Outdoor range - My buddy has a bunch of land so we can set things up however we want. I like drawing from concealment and shooting on the move, anything realistic.

Sometimes I only load one round in a magazine to work on reloading and reacquiring the target as quick as possible. Makes 100 rounds last.

That is definitely a good way to make 100 rounds last a long time...

dnuggett · 11-21-2010, 16:35

I go once a week. 100 to 150 rds of .40 and 100 to 150 rds of 9mm. When I switch my carry from the Sig 229 to a commander variant in .45 I'll start looking at reloading.

KillStick · 11-21-2010, 17:00

I probably go about 10 times a month and very most from 100 to 500 rds each session. Mostly 9mm and .40 cal. I rarely shoot 45 anymore but have future plans to change that. I go to one range, operated by DNR so it is a strict shooting range and don't get to do too much movement shooting.

MD357 · 11-21-2010, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by samuse

The best thing to do is go shoot an IDPA match.

You'll have way more fun, learn more and probably shoot less ammo than just plinking at the range by yourself.

All you need is a belt, holster and a couple or three mag holders, preferably 5+ mags. Most matches are 100 rounds or so.

I'd rather shoot a match every month or two than just go to the range every weekend.

This. If you want to save money AND learn to shoot.... shot IDPA. Gear startup will hurt a little but like Sam said, you'll only shoot ~100 a match.

ctfireman · 11-21-2010, 18:15

Not much rhyme or reason for me, just kinda shoot whatever has been neglected lately or what i feel like shooting. Also depends on where i'm going bc some places allow guns that others don't. I generally shoot 200-400 rounds per trip once a week. With an occasional afternoon at a friends private property which takes 1000 rounds easy.

G21FAN · 11-21-2010, 18:29

My routine is:

Load, shoot, cuss.... reload, shoot, cuss..... reload, shoot, cuss....And so on...

rsxr22 · 11-21-2010, 18:46

Where are you at in NE OH Paul? Theres matches almost once a week around my neck of the woods. I used to shoot a lot of IDPA, but lately have been traveling into PA to shoot IPSC which i dont think would be a good look for you because round counts are HIGH

Quack · 11-21-2010, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsxr22

Where are you at in NE OH Paul? Theres matches almost once a week around my neck of the woods. I used to shoot a lot of IDPA, but lately have been traveling into PA to shoot IPSC which i dont think would be a good look for you because round counts are HIGH

he's on the west side of cleveland, probably 35min from me.

powder86 · 11-21-2010, 19:00

my range schedule has changed since i got laid off. i'm a student too. so double wammy... i'm broke! my wife works as a teacher. we got a baby on the way too... man oh man... anyway, we used to go atleast once a month, fire 200 rounds of 9mm, a dozen .308, 50 bird shot shells, and infinite .22... now we go once every 3 months or so... fire 50 9mm, and loads of .22.

i was shooting 3 inch groupings at 10 yards... now, i'm just trying to stay in the circle. i've only been a gun owner for a year, so all my early regular practice has now been swallowed up by how little i get to shoot. my trigger flinch has returned... drives me NUTS!

rsxr22 · 11-21-2010, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

he's on the west side of cleveland, probably 35min from me.

Are there any shooting sports up by you? A lot of people ive talked in/around the CLE area dont know of anywhere outdoors to shoot.

BlayGlock · 11-21-2010, 19:33

I usually shoot 150-200 rounds a week either .45 or 9mm but always with a 1911. If I want to shoot my G19 I bring extra rounds. Go to www.pistol-training.com and look at his drills. Also I have seen some good improvement with dry fire practice at the house. Most big name competition shooters do A LOT of dry fire practice before ever hitting the range.

I try and shoot IDPA when I can make it to a match. You will learn a lot by watching the top shooters in your squad. I also have a couple DVDs I watch and try to practice as well. IDPA is some of the most fun Ive had with my clothes on.

If you ever get your balls back from your wife maybe think about investing in a reloading set-up. I reload .45 for around $15 per hundred and 9mm is probably around $6-7 per hundred.

carguy2244 · 11-21-2010, 19:52

We train twice weekly, about 400 9mm rounds each of us each session, and 50 rounds 10mm.
Always Glocks.
We roll our own, so it costs about 800/mo for the 2 of us. Luckily we get all the fresh brass we need at the range.

carguy2244 · 11-21-2010, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlayGlock

I usually shoot 150-200 rounds a week either .45 or 9mm but always with a 1911. If I want to shoot my G19 I bring extra rounds. Go to www.pistol-training.com and look at his drills. Also I have seen some good improvement with dry fire practice at the house. Most big name competition shooters do A LOT of dry fire practice before ever hitting the range.

I try and shoot IDPA when I can make it to a match. You will learn a lot by watching the top shooters in your squad. I also have a couple DVDs I watch and try to practice as well. IDPA is some of the most fun Ive had with my clothes on.

If you ever get your balls back from your wife maybe think about investing in a reloading set-up. I reload .45 for around $15 per hundred and 9mm is probably around $6-7 per hundred.

Do you cast your own lead?

Hokie1911 · 11-21-2010, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlayGlock

If you ever get your balls back from your wife maybe think about investing in a reloading set-up. I reload .45 for around $15 per hundred and 9mm is probably around $6-7 per hundred.

Not likely. I believe she had them bronzed and shows them off like a trophy to her PTA friends.

I definitely plan on getting a Dillon setup in the near future.

den888 · 11-21-2010, 20:00

I usually bring 2-3 pistols and 150 rounds of ammo. Shoot for 1.5-2 hours and then head home to strip, clean and lube the pistols.

lawdog734 · 11-21-2010, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsxr22

Are there any shooting sports up by you? A lot of people ive talked in/around the CLE area dont know of anywhere outdoors to shoot.

I belong to a range in Sandusky. They have an "action match" once a month. The also do skeet shooting.

Quack · 11-21-2010, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsxr22

Are there any shooting sports up by you? A lot of people ive talked in/around the CLE area dont know of anywhere outdoors to shoot.

not so much in the Cleveland area. i know that there is one in Canton and one closer to Ashtabula. Stonewall has an IDPA style shoot during the week.

the only place outdoors that is open to the public is A&A, which is a dump because people bring junk to shoot.
The longest range there is 300yrds.

there is also the ODNR range at Grand River, but i just use that to sight in rifles on the 100yrd range.
you have to shoot at full distances there 25, 50 and 100yrds.