Scotia Questions From A Newbie

[psublue]

This seems like a good time for me to chime in with my newbie questions. I stopped by Scotia after work last week just to check it out, but I've never actually fired a gun at a range before. (I grew up in York, which is not exactly the most gun-friendly part of the state, as I'm sure you all know.) So I'm relying on the kindness of others here for a few simple answers.

1.) What do I need to bring other than my gun, ammo, and safety gear? I've read posts about targets, target backers, frames, etc....and I have no clue what all this means. I can print out paper targets, but is there anything else I need?

2.) Is there an official policy for the auxiliary (handgun) range about distance and going downrange? The first time I ever fired a gun, it was at maybe 8-10 yards tops, but the setup at the aux range doesn't seem very conducive to that distance. I'm sure if nobody is there, it's fine to fire from any distance, but on crowded days (like Bigrepp61 mentioned in his recent post) this seems like it could be a problem.

3.) Would anyone be interested in a trip in the near future? I won't lie - I've had some bad experiences with some of the more "elitist" types of gun people, and I'd really like to have a good time with people who don't mind taking a little time to help a newbie like me.

Thanks in advance, guys. I appreciate any advice you might have.

[TheF00L]

Post deleted by poster, as I am, doing to almost all my posts.

[psublue]

Knowledgeable, helpful, friendly? Definitely an elitist!

Thanks for the tips!

[DanY]

The one thing that I would add is that if you are going to
the aux range it may it be a good idea to bring a large
sheet of cardboard if you can manage it.

Many times the cardboard in the metal frames is blasted to
pieces and you may have a hard time stapling your target to
it.

The pistol range inside the fence has composite backing
boards in a box that you drop into the frame, so you are
good inside the fence. But as you said inside the fence
you are limited to 25 yards. I've never tried to walk up to
10 yards at that range. Not sure if the rangers would get
on you or not.

If you do any rapid fire, you will have a ranger stopping by
to check out that you are loading the correct number of
rounds. I'm not 100% sure what the current rule is, I believe
it is 5 rounds for a pistol and 3 for a rifle.

Have fun and be safe.

Still much too cold for me to go shooting.

Come on Phil, don't open your eyes this morning and spring is
on the way. Hopefully.

[Xringshooter]

6 for a handgun, 3 for a rifle. The Aux range gets beat up pretty badly at times. Many time I will bring my own target holder because you never know what you'll find there.

Many times, at the handgun range (inside the fence) if no one else is there and you let the range officer know, you can go closer to the targets at the 25 yd line. If there are several people their (in your party) designating one to be the rangemaster will go a long way with the "official" Scotia range master in showing that you care about safety and he then doesn't have to observe you near as close.

Also, police up your brass (and anyone else's who don't). Again this will go a long way in making friends with the Scotia officials. Many times we will ask him if there is anything we can do to help him out (help build new target holders, minor repairs, etc.), again good PR showing that shooters do care about maintaining the range.

As Cork said, post here on the forum a couple days, day before, heck even a few hours before you're going and it's a good possibility that some local PaFOAers will join you.

[TheF00L]

Post deleted by poster, as I am, doing to almost all my posts.

[TheF00L]

Post deleted by poster, as I am, doing to almost all my posts.

[Bigrepp61]

hey id be willing to take ya up on another trip out to scotia..... but theres a range down here in howard that is 16 a year and doesnt require a week of counting to 10 in order to relax....

as stated above the aux ranges can get beat up pretty badly... so take plenty of targets and if you dont mind making a frame id do that too....

i always make sure i leave with everything i came with... and more..... must be the scout in me..... leave it better than when you came.....

ive never made it into the main range yet but im sure its alot more organized in there...

hopefully sometime we can all get together and hang out sometime....

[TheF00L]

Post deleted by poster, as I am, doing to almost all my posts.

[Bigrepp61]

My Bold:

May I ask where said range is, and is there any info on the web about it?
Thanks

you very may well.... its down 150 just outside of howard....

its called liberty township sportsmen association....

web address is here

http://libertysportsmen.com/index.php

rifle/pistol range, trap range, skeet range, and camp grounds.....

lodges and all the things you could ever want....... its 16 a year for adults and i think 12 for under 18.... all the info is on that site.... i plan on going out to check it out if i can get out of work before its dark.... anone up to meet out there??