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ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1611 Location: Nova Scotia

Yesterday I booked my usual weekly 4:00 slot at the gun range and had a humorous(now) experience.

Toward deer season we have to book the range in one hour slots and it is quite busy. I booked my usually time.

4:00 I was setting up my rest(backpack filled with sweat pants rolled up).

4:10 I just got situated to crack off the first shot of my 300 RUM when I hear a truck behind me, two elderly gents. I settle back in and am slowly putting pressure on the trigger and I hear "What time is your booking?" I tell them and they proceed to tell me that they had 5:00.

4:15 Squeeze off the first shot and am on my way back from the target. "How did you hit it?" Great I said, just where I wanted it. "So I guess your done then?" No... I am trying to check my groupings.

4:20 Looking in the scope and settling my breathing for my second shot... "Is that a 30-06 you're shooting?" No, it is a 300 Rem. Ultra-mag. "I had one of those 15 years ago, but I didn't like it." Do I tell them it is a new calibre... not this time.

4:25 Squeeze off my second round a bit in a hurry so I wasn't interrupted. No risk of over heating the barrel.

4:30 Put my third round in and start to aim. "Which target are you shooting at?" The third one with the black bullseye. I start to aim again and squeeze off third round. I check the target... all is well. On my way back up, the two guys are now standing by the bench. No problem... harmless enough. "What kind of barrel do you have on that thing?" Its a stainless steel grooved target barrel. They want a tour...

4:45 I load the round in, aim, and shoot. This time, curiosity got the better of them and they followed my down to the target. "Hell, all that time shooting and everyone of your shots are an inch high!" I explained how an inch high at 100 yds gets me out to 250 yds without having to worry about drop. I decide to call it a day.

4:55 I putting away my equipment and am cleaning my rifle by my car as the two guys are getting ready to shoot. Bang... they go to the target, walk back, "Good for another season!", put their rifle in the case and jump in their truck and leave.

One whole hour and I couldn't get a five shot group... there is always next Saturday.

[ This Message was edited by: ChesterGolf on 2002-09-08 15:33 ]

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2619 Location: Colorado

:grin:

Now tell me, that you took the hour that they had booked and used it after they took off.

Only one shot, that is pretty bad...

Hopefully you won't have the honor of their presence next weekend!

[ This Message was edited by: bitmasher on 2002-09-08 22:57 ]

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1611 Location: Nova Scotia

No I didn't use their hour. I was so frustrated by then and I was in the process of cleaning my rifle. I can laugh about it now but I was getting pretty hot at the time.:smile:

moderator · Joined: 27 Jan 2002 Posts: 6554

You most be a patient person, ChesterGolf, I think I would have done one of these
-> :evil:

:wink:

kgoody · Joined: 07 Sep 2002 Posts: 35 Location: wellsville,ny

I had a similar instance happen, I was at the local club, shooting my 6mm comp rifle at the 200 yd targets. I was loading each round of ammo with my wilson hand dies, and using Hodgdon varget powder. this gentlemen walks up, looks at what I was doing, and immediately went into a speech that made the gettysburg address look like a quick note.He immediately informed me that 1.) A Rem. 700, couldnt compare to his Win. 70, 2.)the 6mm rem was a total failure, and 3.) the hodgdon varget powder was a waste of time.
At this time I was so mad, that I packed up my stuff, put it in the truck, and returned with my 2nd target of the day. I handed him the target and said;" Yup, you really know what your doing with this stuff, I shot this group and its the best i could do" he looked at the target, and had a VERY puzzled look on his face." whats wrong with that group?" he said. "Well, i figured a .121" group at 200 yds was terrible, so I'm not going to hold up the range trying to make it shoot better,go ahead and shoot"
I was so mad, I wanted to scream!

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1611 Location: Nova Scotia

I know what you mean K. BTW, what did he have against varget? It is the one powder that I use for most of my rounds and I feel it is hard to beat. You should have a head to head with the guy if you ever see him again.

[ This Message was edited by: ChesterGolf on 2002-09-12 09:40 ]

moderator · Joined: 27 Jan 2002 Posts: 6554

Sounds like a REAL WINNER (TM) found you there at the range Kgoody.

I'd say the "experts" opinion isn't worth the hot air it wasted.

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2619 Location: Colorado

Can you guys just ditch the shooting range and get on some public land? Just setup the targets (cans :smile:) at the base of a hill so you don't have to worry about the bullets going off someplace they shouldn't be...

Ranges are good places to go in the off season but can be crazy before and during fall hunting.

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1611 Location: Nova Scotia

It is illegal for me to shoot any rifle anywhere except for the range in the off season. I can shoot a shotgun off of the range but that is it.

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2619 Location: Colorado

Quote:
On 2002-09-13 13:36, ChesterGolf wrote:
It is illegal for me to shoot any rifle anywhere except for the range in the off season.

Oh, I didn't realize that.

I mean it is illegal to "let off" firearms around here within city limits. However public land and private property are up to you (outside city limits). I think if you want to start a gun range you have to have it properly licensed even if it is going to be outside city limits.

So even if you wanted to go shoot a 22 on public land that is not possible?

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1611 Location: Nova Scotia

Only shotguns with shot are allowed without special permits. Any other rifle, rimfire or centerfire, can't be discharged anywhere except the range during non-hunting seasons. Even to use the range I have to call DNR to tell them what calibre I will use and book an hour time slot. Damn stupid but the law is the law.:roll:

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1611 Location: Nova Scotia

The one exception would be nuisance animals or pests but by special permit only.

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2619 Location: Colorado

Quote:
On 2002-09-16 12:36, ChesterGolf wrote:
Even to use the range I have to call DNR to tell them what calibre I will use and book an hour time slot.

Wow! :eek:

Does the DNR run the ranges? I had no idea things were that regulated with firearms.

I guess I'm having a hard time understanding... Usually ranges are run by private entities or gun clubs around here.

[ This Message was edited by: bitmasher on 2002-09-16 21:48 ]

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1611 Location: Nova Scotia

The DNR run all of the public ranges in the province. There are private (rod and gun clubs)and military ranges also that the DNR do not run. However, you still have to get their permit to transport the firearm to the private and military ranges. It sucks for sure. We are probably one of the most conservative provinces out there. We are so close to the States... maybe they will adopt us.:smile:

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2619 Location: Colorado

Man I'm sorry that just flat out sucks! I can't even imagine. When I was growing up, we would just go shoot a box or two of 22 shells for fun on public land. I lived in "the sticks" so it was easy to get away from any object that shouldn't be around flying lead.

When you say Nova Scotia is the most "conservative province" around, do you mean that other provinces are even more restrictive? Usually a "conservative view" in the U.S. is one that you should be able to carry/own/use a gun whenever/whereever. A "liberal view" is that there shouldn't be any guns at all.

About adopting Nova Scotia, well, one joke (if you can call it that) that I have heard is:

What is the capital of Canada?
Punch Line: Washington D.C.

Ha, Ha, bad joke (very bad) I know. But if you all were adobted, I'm sure there would be holy hell of a fight between your provinces gun laws and the NRA (national rifle association).