Here is a list of everything I have in my shooting range bag.
Going to the range is always a fun time and it’s important to bring the right things in your shooting range bag. Life is about doing the things you enjoy and if shooting firearms is one of them, why not do it? When I first went to the range as a beginner, I found I didn’t have everything in my shooting range bag I needed. Years later, my shooting range bag has grown and shrunk to manageable levels. I usually go to the range to shoot handguns unless it’s around hunting season and I want to ensure my rifles/shotguns are on target.
A range bag is an important tool to help you get the most out of your practice sessions. You may decide to carry more or less, but I figured, I’d sit down with you and photograph and write about what’s in my range bag. So here you go!
- My Shooting Range Bag: It’s a bag that was my father’s range bag. It looks like it was a Budweiser promotion of some kind. My bag weights 17 lbs fully loaded. Keep in mind, I currently have 2 handguns in the bag ready to go to the range. The bag is 20″ long and 12″ wide.
Shooting Range Bag
- Ear Protection: Yes, I have that much ear protection in my bag. I carry extra in case someone comes with me and doesn’t bring their own. I have my “go to” headset pair (smaller green set in photo) which I use frequently, they are electronic and I can keep them on at all times while at the range so I can still talk to people regularly in between rounds. I have a regular pair (black in the photo), and 3 pairs of ear plugs (two blue cases and one that hangs off my shooting range bag zipper like a key chain). Sometimes depending on the caliber I am shooting, I may double up with both ear plugs and a headset at the same time.
My Ear Protection
- Eye Protection: I keep a pair that I bought at the local box store in my shooting range bag. They came with a case, and work great. They were not that expensive.
Eye Protection
- First Aid Kit: I keep a first aid kit in the shooting range bag. You never know when you may need a band aid or some Tylenol. I’ve used it more than you think.
First Aid Kit
- Targets: Of course, I print my own targets, and prefer to use the Standard Targets, but if I head to the range with friends, I like to take a long some Fun and Game Targets. I usually keep a large legal size yellow envelope in my shooting range bag in order to keep my targets in them.
- Staple Gun, Extra Staples and Push Pins: I carry a staple gun and also push pins in order to affix my target to the board. The range I go to uses Homasote boards and staples work well. I also like to use push pins as I don’t have to remember to bring my staple gun with me if I am changing targets.
Staple Gun
- Sticker Dots and Pens: I have sticker dots and also pens/markers in my shooting range bag so when I go to check my target I can mark my shots. Then I can differentiate shots between rounds.
Target Markers
- Chamber Safety Flag: Currently I only have one flag, but I will be adding more to my shooting range bag shortly. This is used for ensuring the chamber is empty and communicating to others on the range that the firearm is in the clear state.
Chamber Safety Flag
- Tools: I have some small screwdrivers and hex wrenches. These help me make adjustments to my sights and such.
Tools
- Cleaning Kit: I carry with me a small cleaning kit. You never know when your firearm may get fouled up. Sometimes, I’ll clean my firearm before I leave the range.
Cleaning Kit
- Spotting Scope: This scope is one of four that I have. I carry this one in my shooting range bag and use it like a telescope when needed. If I am shooting longer range than a handgun, I’ll bring my bigger setup that is prepackaged in a backpack and has a stand. Check out all my spotting scopes in this post about spotting scope reviews http://www.papertargets.net/blog-post/spotting-scope-review-what-do-i-have/ A spotting scope is great when there are multiple people on the range. When you are by yourself you can go down range and check your target whenever you want to. When there are others on the range you may have less opportunity to go down range, so a spotting scope comes in very handy. I’ve never tried it, but I’m sure you can just use a pair of binoculars if you wanted.
Spotting Scope
- Ammunition: You need to have ammunition when you head to the range. Ensure you have the proper caliber for your firearm. Shooting the wrong caliber can be catastrophic.
Ammunition
- Gun Rest: I carry the below rest right in my shooting range bag because it’s portable enough without getting in the way. It helps when adjusting sights and sighting in firearms. It’s a great little rest which I purchased for not very much money. You can take the arm off and store it in the base for easy transporting. Sometimes I’ll also use my entire range bag as a “sand bag” type of rest and it works well.
Gun Rest
- Handgun (No photo): I do carry my handguns in my shooting range bag (in padded cases) if I’m going to use them at the range. It’s just easier to transport and carry one bag.
Well, that’s everything I have. Sometimes I may add a couple things like a magazine loader or something like that, but those are my staples. Feel free to share other things you may carry. I’m sure there are things I never thought of. As always, please ensure safety at all times when handling and shooting firearms. Life depends on it.
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