How to Best Select Ammunition for the Range
For all of the current firearm owners and recreational shooters out there, there are many others who have thought about going to the range or owning a firearm but don’t know where to start. Let’s talk about some of the simple things you should know that can help you get to the range!
1 - Find a Place to Shoot
First things first - in order to shoot a firearm you need a range. Finding a place to shoot can be word of mouth among friends and family who might have a favorite place to go, but it’s also as simple as using tools made just for this purpose. You can find a range on many different websites and in different places, but always call ahead or email and make sure the info you find is correct and up-to-date.
Look for ranges that allow the specific firearms you want to shoot. For example, not all ranges allow rifles. Look for ranges that rent firearms if you are very new to firearms and not sure about what you want to invest in. Look for a local, weekly range event to start with if you want to compete. Often a “league night” is a great way to casually start competing, and often gear requirements are relaxed and it’s less intimidating.
2 - Take a Friend
Odds are that if you have been interested in shooting or going to a range you have a friend that feels the same. Invite them to go with you. Find a group event, a class, or maybe even do some weekly range sessions leading up to your first match together. Most people have that one friend who is a “gun guy” (or gal) and if you tell them you’re interested they will probably be a great asset to you!
If you are the friend that a potential new gun owner reaches out to, don’t hesitate to share a little of your knowledge and time. The help getting someone started out on the right foot and the community this builds is part of what makes firearm owners a pretty remarkable group of people.
3 - Get lessons.
Safety is the number one priority when learning to shoot a firearm. Often, the times where you are most vulnerable to mistakes happening is when you are learning. While learning from mistakes can be a place where learning happens, we do not want mistakes to be the way that we learn about safety.
Basic tasks like manipulating a pistol can seem very simple, but add “inexperience” into the mix and you have potential for mistakes that can harm you or others. It is often the biggest concern for experienced gun owners when using a public range - they worry about people without proper training making a mistake that can harm themselves or others. It’s a contributing factor to ranges having strict safety policies. So do your due diligence - you don’t want to bethat person. Learning the correct techniques and skills to use a firearm will also save you time and ammo. And speaking of ammo…
4 - Use Suitable Ammunition
Ammo for learning, ammo for experiencing the fun you can have setting up targets and perfecting your aim…this type of ammo doesn’t have to be super “spendy”. You can use Winchester’s White Box - the staple of practice and training ammo for many.
Ammo should also be a consideration when selecting a firearm. Common calibers, like 9mm and .22LR, make finding ammo to train with easy. Another reason why 9mm is such a great option is because it can be used in a handgun or a pistol caliber carbine (think tiny rifle that uses the same ammo as your pistol!). Odds are that your friends who own firearms have something in 9mm, so this makes it a good choice for coordinating training - less potential for using the wrong ammo in the wrong gun if everyone is shooting the same caliber.
5 - Intro to Ownership
Once you’ve experienced the enjoyment that can be found in firearms, take the plunge into ownership! Like the above mentioned common calibers, common uses for firearms are a facet to take into account when exploring what firearm to purchase. Personal defense, recreation, competition, and hunting are common reasons people own guns…collecting is another.
Start with your motivation to own a firearm - why do you need it? Then ask what caliber and style make sense - can you manipulate the firearm and use it well? And then start asking yourself how much it will cost and how available ammo is for it as well as accessories. And don’t forget to consider what is legal when considering your local and state firearm laws.
6- Prep Tips
Before you head to the range, arm yourself with information. The Internet and information at our fingertips makes owning a firearm a facet of American life that can be really enjoyable. Find websites like Shoot United and Winchester blogs and visit a local gun shop.
Look for information so you can feel ready to work on the basics and grow your abilities and be better skilled to enjoy time with family and friends on the range.
