When the Range is Closed (a survival guide)

Date: 01-05-2020

 

I don’t know about you, but when the clock struck midnight and the new year began, this is not how any of us here envisioned our 2020. Travel plans put on hold, events cancelled, pubs closed, no hunting trips, no range time, and for several of our interstate friends, no firearm sales.

The loss of our weekends out bush or at the range has been a devastating blow, but that doesn’t mean this time has to go to waste.

This month, we’ve put together a list of things you can do at home to keep you sane, sharp, and fully prepared for a triumphant return to the range.

  

Reloading

Social distancing means plenty of time to get reacquainted with your shed and build up your ammunition supplies for when the ranges re-open.

Never tried reloading your own ammo? Now is the perfect time to learn! There is a lot to be gained by doing your own reloading  – not only do you save money but you also have the option to tailor rounds to your firearm for a more accurate shot.

The basics of reloading are pretty simple, but the devil is in the detail and caution should be exercised when considering remanufacturing ammunition at home. There’s a lot of information available online that will help familiarise you with the process, but when it comes to getting started we advise referring to the LEE Modern Reloading Manual for a step by step guide to safe and efficient reloading.

If you’re starting from scratch, the next step will be to get your hands on the right press and gear. There are a number of reloading products on the market, but we recommend LEE Precision for the best reloading experience at a pocket friendly price. You can purchase everything you need from your local dealer or if you’re not able to leave the house there are some great online stores such as  Midway Australia or Oz Gun Mart.

 

Dry Fire Drills

Range closures are no excuse to get rusty, and fortunately there are plenty of ways to keep your skills sharp from the comfort of your own home.

A great way to do this is by learning some dry fire drills. A dry fire is basically a practice fire without ammunition, that can be performed in your shed - or even your living room! Dry fire practice can be extremely beneficial when it comes to improving grip, stance, accuracy, trigger discipline, and sight alignment. It’s also a great way to develop muscle memory, improve draw speed and train out any bad habits.

A quick google search will bring up loads of dry fire exercises. Mix it up or come up with your own based on your preferred discipline. You might be surprised at how quickly you improve! One of our favourites is a dry fire with a five cent piece on the front sight. See if you can pull the trigger without the coin falling off!

If you’re using a modern centrefire, dry firing is very safe as long as you double check that your firearm is clear. If you’re shooting rimfire however, you should be using Snap caps to avoid damage to the chamber or firing pin. You can also pick up a chamber flag as an extra precaution if you wish. Safety first!

 

Start Saving for a New Gun

If you’re one of the lucky ones still able to work and earn an income, now would be a great time to start saving for a new toy.

In the aftermath of Covid 19 a lot of small businesses will be having a rough time trying to get back on their feet and sadly, not all of them are going to make it. Your local dealer will need your support more than ever in the coming months, especially if they have been subject to mandatory state-wide closures.

So if you’ve had your eye on something new, consider putting away some of the cash you would have spent at the pub or dining out and treat yourself. You’ll be helping Aussie families put food on the table and you’ll thank yourself when you start back at the range.

The economy needs you! Do your bit and buy yourself a new gun!

 

Clean your Firearms inside out

If you’re firing off quite a few rounds at a time, you’re probably already giving your firearm a basic clean on the field. Field cleaning only takes a couple of minutes and is a good idea if you want to keep your firearm free of spent powder and metal residue as you go.

But every now and then, you want to give your baby a good and thorough clean at home. It’s important to do this after firing large quantities of ammo, to clear the bore of any fouling and remove traces of lead and carbon that can build up over time and affect the accuracy of your firearm. Treating your gun to a nice little service is a useful way to spend your time at home, and will set you up for a great season when things return to normal.

The best advice we can give you when it comes to cleaning is to be very picky with the products you use on your gun. We strongly advise only using oils and solvents specifically designed for firearms. This may sound like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many shooters have damaged a flawless finish by trying household cleaning products. You also want to do your homework and make sure you’re using the right product for your gun. If you’re not sure of something, try pulling the grips off and conducting a spot test somewhere that won’t be visible.

 

Hopefully this article has inspired you to get off your couch and use this time productively! We’d love to hear what you’re doing to kill your time at home! Got any great ideas? Share them in the comments!