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Well, even though last year was a bust for range time, I am starting the New Year off with a bang. Brendan and I went to the range tonight, just for an hour, actually a bit more maybe 1:15. We only went for a short time because the indoor range is really expensive ($7.00 for me and $3.50 for him PER hour).
Despite the brief stay, we shot a pretty good deal even though I cannot shoot when he is shooting. He is under 17, so he has to be supervised at this range while actually shooting. I guess he shot about 100 rounds through the Ruger 10/22 (open sights), and then shot another 30-rounds of 22 magnums through the scoped Marlin bolt action (darn I cannot even remember the model number, dah). He did pretty good, not great but pretty good. At 15 yards with the open sights he got a ragged grouping. After a few mags of ammo, I took the Ruger from him. I could barely focus on the sights - need new glasses. I shot the Ruger once to show him it was him and not the rifle. I got a group about the size of a quarter, maybe a nickel (not counting 2 flyers maybe an inch off of the group) without really being able to focus on the front sight. Then I explained where to hold and how to aim, breathe, squeeze - all that stuff. I guess he listened. After that is when his groups got better as he seemed to concentrate more. He then shot a couple of holes about the size of a silver dollar (this after not having shot a rifle in months), and he got that down to a hole about the size of a half dollar after that.
He did ok with the scoped Marlin 22 mag too, but needed the scope set on the lowest magnification so as not to be effected too much by the movement. Its a 3x12 power scope. I have to get him out for more practice but as I said he did ok, and had we been squirrel hunting he would have bagged a few. Even he said he needed more practice with that rifle - that is a good omen promising more range outings together soon.
The only other thing I shot was one of my Beretta 92Fs. I have not shot that in almost a year maybe longer, I am guessing. I did pretty darned good. At 25 yards, standing, unsupported two hand hold, I got two groups of 15 shots all within the spread of my average sized hand - not real fast but at a good pace certainly within a qualification time. At 15 yards I shot another full mag, two hand hold. The group closed in quite a bit more to a single large hole (about the size of a silver dollar or a little smaller with two flyers just a bit off the main group). Then at 10 yards, 2 full mags, one right handed one left handed, one hand hold unsupported, all in the same hole (half dollar to dollar size each time with one flyer just and inch or so off the main group). Then again at 15 yards, but this time very rapid fire I kept em all pretty much centered (less than a 3 inch spread from left to right) but up and down a bit more (maybe a spread of 6 inches vertically) on a 10"X10" piece of paper. That had me happy enough - no timer needed, let me just assure you I unloaded the mag pretty darned fast. Not the greatest shooting since the invention of the gun, but loads of fun and pretty satisfying. I can focus on the front sight of my pistols with my reading glasses but they don't do as good for the Ruger 10/22. I shot up about 200 rounds of 9mm in about 15-20 minutes of time that I had to shoot in.
Not a bad evening that is for sure. We both enjoyed ourselves quite a bit. After shooting we sat up front and each had a soda while we looked at some gun magazines. Then off to home. I cannot wait to go again. Hopefully next weekend, or if not then the weekend after at the latest. Twice a month would be a good thing. I am hoping for the outdoor range next time, where for about the same money I can shoot all day long.
Despite the brief stay, we shot a pretty good deal even though I cannot shoot when he is shooting. He is under 17, so he has to be supervised at this range while actually shooting. I guess he shot about 100 rounds through the Ruger 10/22 (open sights), and then shot another 30-rounds of 22 magnums through the scoped Marlin bolt action (darn I cannot even remember the model number, dah). He did pretty good, not great but pretty good. At 15 yards with the open sights he got a ragged grouping. After a few mags of ammo, I took the Ruger from him. I could barely focus on the sights - need new glasses. I shot the Ruger once to show him it was him and not the rifle. I got a group about the size of a quarter, maybe a nickel (not counting 2 flyers maybe an inch off of the group) without really being able to focus on the front sight. Then I explained where to hold and how to aim, breathe, squeeze - all that stuff. I guess he listened. After that is when his groups got better as he seemed to concentrate more. He then shot a couple of holes about the size of a silver dollar (this after not having shot a rifle in months), and he got that down to a hole about the size of a half dollar after that.
He did ok with the scoped Marlin 22 mag too, but needed the scope set on the lowest magnification so as not to be effected too much by the movement. Its a 3x12 power scope. I have to get him out for more practice but as I said he did ok, and had we been squirrel hunting he would have bagged a few. Even he said he needed more practice with that rifle - that is a good omen promising more range outings together soon.
The only other thing I shot was one of my Beretta 92Fs. I have not shot that in almost a year maybe longer, I am guessing. I did pretty darned good. At 25 yards, standing, unsupported two hand hold, I got two groups of 15 shots all within the spread of my average sized hand - not real fast but at a good pace certainly within a qualification time. At 15 yards I shot another full mag, two hand hold. The group closed in quite a bit more to a single large hole (about the size of a silver dollar or a little smaller with two flyers just a bit off the main group). Then at 10 yards, 2 full mags, one right handed one left handed, one hand hold unsupported, all in the same hole (half dollar to dollar size each time with one flyer just and inch or so off the main group). Then again at 15 yards, but this time very rapid fire I kept em all pretty much centered (less than a 3 inch spread from left to right) but up and down a bit more (maybe a spread of 6 inches vertically) on a 10"X10" piece of paper. That had me happy enough - no timer needed, let me just assure you I unloaded the mag pretty darned fast. Not the greatest shooting since the invention of the gun, but loads of fun and pretty satisfying. I can focus on the front sight of my pistols with my reading glasses but they don't do as good for the Ruger 10/22. I shot up about 200 rounds of 9mm in about 15-20 minutes of time that I had to shoot in.
Not a bad evening that is for sure. We both enjoyed ourselves quite a bit. After shooting we sat up front and each had a soda while we looked at some gun magazines. Then off to home. I cannot wait to go again. Hopefully next weekend, or if not then the weekend after at the latest. Twice a month would be a good thing. I am hoping for the outdoor range next time, where for about the same money I can shoot all day long.
That's his problem, not mine!
