I'm going to have to miss this one, sad to say. I'd like to trade Clicker the 69grain .223 SMK's and get a box of Garand fodder to Fordnut beforehand - I know Fordnut is relatively local to me. Not sure whereabout Clicker is. (I'm near Otranto).
Good news is that I'll be taking my Korean-war-vintage Garand (with refinished stock) to let my Grandfather-in-law, who is a Korean war vet, shoot it. He was on the Army's marksmanship team when he was in; I've personally seen him shoot so I have no doubts about this. So I'll get some shooting time anyway, and a day shooting a Garand is always a good day.
General notes on 'Fest:
1. If a sponsor (or several) could provide, either by buying one or loaning one, a bullhorn for the RSO that would be a huge improvement. With multiple NFA guns and varying ear protection just shouting "COLD" sometimes doesn't cut it.
2. Needs to be two designated RSOs, so they themselves can take turns watching and shooting.
3. While the shooting competition is a grand idea, in practicality it falls apart. Too much blasting to do any real precision work. I also see folks at the outdoor ranges do not generally respect target ownership, but that is a different issue above and beyond the leadstorm that is shootzenfest.
4. Chamber flags for high-speed guns can be made with pure teflon block or carbon fiber sheet (the stiff epoxy-cured type). Sort of exotic but not too hard to find. IMHO all shooters should have a flag for their gun if they're going to shoot it at a public range, but I myself don't have one for every rifle and none for pistols. I would have the RSO make sure all assembled long guns are leaning against the rail (muzzle up) before letting anyone go downrange, and pistols are locked open/cyl out.
5. The AD last time was a non-forumite that showed up at random, and he shouldn't have been shooting anything (on crutches and shaky from meds). The RSO has to watch for folks not-of-our-fold and make sure they don't do something like this too.
On a personal note, I was right next to the guy (well behind the firing line) and got muzzle blast to the back of my head. It *does* get your attention.
6. Best targets are those $30 poly reactive deals. If half the folks brought one we'd have enough out there for anyone to chase, and they're nigh indestructible. But, the .22-only ones are colored differently and should not be blasted by centerfire stuff. Let folks know.
The ranges have rules on what you can shoot and usually not allowed to shoot reactive/interactive/metal/causing trash targets. You'll see the remains of plenty of both strewn around the range, which is part of what is cleaned up. Be like a scout - clean your mess, and leave it cleaner than you found it. I've had fun shooting gallon milk jugs full of frozen water at 100 yards with expanding bullets. They're also easy to clean up when you're done.
