It is essential to have the right gear to ensure a quality shooting experience. Other than knowing which factors to consider in buying the primary equipment, the firearm, it is just as important to know the essentials for shooting. For ideas, check out credible reviews from Hold Right Edge.
Essential Gear Needed for Range Shooting
Top marksmen stress that accurate shots are achieved through calculations, practice, and the right gear. Allow us to share a quick checklist of essentials. The following are the most important gear to have for a range shooting session:
1. Range Bag
The first item you need to secure is the range bag. After all, you will need a reliable item and method to carry all your other shooting essentials around. Look for range bags with ample room for your cased firearms, a cleaning kit for your handgun, and targets. Although the last item is optional and may already be provided at the shooting range.
A repair and maintenance kit in your bag also helps, especially if lubrication and cleaning are needed to help your gun function properly. You must also have a cloth to be used for wiping down firearms and magazines after each training session.
Finally, we recommend range bags that come with accessible side pockets for mags and other accessories. This feature ensures you stay organized and easily and quickly find what you need.
2. Basic Safety Gear
You need to have safety gear. We recommend having an emergency personal injury kit and a rapid-application tourniquet at all times. These come with adhesive bandages if you need to cover abrasions and minor cuts. You’ll also find them handy in padding sore thumbs.
3. Spotting Scopes and Rangefinders
Now, the next set of gear will depend on the type of shooting you do. You’ll find scopes that work for 100, 300, and 1000 yards. Those who plan to practice their long-range target shooting need a spotting scope, which helps magnify the target and secure a clearer image of one’s aim.
On the other hand, rangefinders, while also used in long-range shooting, are great for competitive shooting, too. Use the tool to find the distance to your target and calculate the real ballistic range, considering elevation changes between your handgun and your target.
4. Proper Clothing
Part of having the appropriate gear is proper clothing. Having proper clothing entails coming to the range with the right clothes and packing a few extras.
The recommended attire, especially for preventing injuries caused by falling hot brass, are close-toed shoes and high-necked shirts. It is best to have eye protection gear, too. These are usually protective eyeglasses that aid in sharpening aiming skills.
For added protection, bring ear accessories. This is to prevent the possibilities of having one’s hearing getting damaged.
5. Bullets
Finally, how can one engage in shooting without bullets and ammunition? These are the main components needed by your guns to hit targets.
Just note that bullets differ in shape, weight, and size. Consider which ones you most need depending on your proficiency level.
For example, bullets on the heavy side are less susceptible to environmental factors. Targets created using denser materials also merit the use of heavier bullets if one desires to achieve better results.
Keep in mind that your gun recoil and bullet speed are also affected by your choice.
Additional Gear Needed for Range Shooting
Other than the essentials listed above, the items below are nice to have when you need to go shooting.
- Masking Tape: This can help you tape up targets or cover shots on your target.
- Gun Holster: This is crucial for those who are competing. It paves the way for seamless transitions between holding a gun and releasing it.
- Shooting Hat: This is an excellent investment if you want to protect yourself from prolonged sun exposure. We recommend getting one with adjustable flaps for added visibility.
- Shooting Mat: Another must-have for competitions, this mat provides comfort while competing. Thanks to the built-in padding, they also help ease a rough terrain’s effects.
- Shotshell Caddies: Those who need to carry more ammo than usual might want to consider having caddies, especially for reloading purposes. They are usually clipped to a shooter’s belt for easy and fast access to ammo.
- Basic Maintenance Gear: Finally, you might want to keep basic maintenance tools at all times. We’re sure that you’ll find them handy in doing quick repairs.
The Bottom Line
While we have categorized the gear mentioned above as essential, don’t keep yourself limited to them. We’re sure that your must-haves will still change as you gain more experience.
We have simply given you a list of the basic gear to start with while practicing and training. We hope that you will be able to create a foundation that you can simply build upon in the future.
Happy shooting!
References:
https://www.businessinsider.com/top-us-army-sharpshooters-reveal-how-to-shoot-like-a-sniper-2019-2
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/essential-shooting-range-gear/
https://www.therange702.com/shooting-range-guide/shooting-range-equipment/
https://www.rookieroad.com/shooting/equipment-list/
