Finding the Cases

WillyBow8 · June 2, 2010, 11:01 AM

I'm getting old (and maybe blind too) but when I go to the range, shooting anything from 9M to 45ACP I am having a devil of a time finding the brass in the dirt and grass (autoloaders only obviously). I even stop after each shot and try to watch where the brass is going (you can imagine what this distraction does to my accuracy). If I shoot 100 rounds I consistently lose 15 to 25.

Do you guys have any tricks to help with this?

Scrapperz · June 2, 2010, 11:03 AM

You might want to lay a tarp down if you can Willy, if feasible.

riverwalker76 · June 2, 2010, 11:03 AM

When I'm here on my property shooting I tend to watch where the first few cases land. Then I lay down a blue tarp and let that catch them from then on out. It has cut down on my 'grass combing' by 90%.

Mike-Mat · June 2, 2010, 11:12 AM

The outdoor range I go to has benches. They provide movable dividers for the auto shooters. Their really simple. Take 2 Bar clamps.....
http://www.toolplanet.com/product/36...p-00405/clamps

... and run a piece of tarp or fin mesh net between them.

It quickly clamps to the bench. It's easy to move where you need it. It's not too expensive. Keeps you brass from bouncing off the guy next to you.

drail · June 2, 2010, 04:43 PM

I have always just used a tarp but I have seen other guys use things like a large piece of bug netting suspended from the rafters with a box under it and a large fishing dipnet mounted vertically on a camera tripod with a coat hanger inside to hold it open. Worked pretty well actually. Use your imagination.

Crankylove · June 2, 2010, 06:23 PM

Take somebody with you to watch the brass..........my nieces and nephews work great for that purpose.

grumpa72 · June 3, 2010, 08:20 AM

As suggested, get a cheap tarp and set it up in the area where you observe your brass falling. I got a 8X8 tarp from Harbor Freight for under $6 and I never lose my brass now.

grubbylabs · June 3, 2010, 10:03 AM

Wow This is amazing I just lost a bunch of brass while out shooting on public land. I did not think of a tarp. What a great Idea.

BigJimP · June 3, 2010, 12:02 PM

They actually make and sell - brass catching nets .... bulls-eye shooters seem to use them quite a bit. You just have to place them properly so the brass ends up in the net - but that's not a big deal if your stance and gun position are consistent. I supppose you could make one up as well - with some plastic pipe and fine netting ....

A beach towel works pretty well too .. vs a tarp ...when the cases hit the blanket - they don't skid around as much as they will on a tarp / or a 6' piece of fabric / an old sheet or whatever ....

ZeSpectre · June 3, 2010, 12:18 PM

the nice thing about the net designs is that they don't tend to blow over in wind as badly as a solid tarp.

oneounceload · June 3, 2010, 12:25 PM

If you're hanging something, a CLEAR shower curtain works well and allows folks to see next to you. I have used a tarp, a small homemade device when I shot from the bench, and I have swept the area clean before i shot (concrete behind me) so I could find mine.

You think 45 is tough? try finding 32ACP in a pile of .22s!.....

June 2, 2010, 11:01 AM	#1
WillyBow8 Member Join Date: March 29, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 18	Finding the Cases I'm getting old (and maybe blind too) but when I go to the range, shooting anything from 9M to 45ACP I am having a devil of a time finding the brass in the dirt and grass (autoloaders only obviously). I even stop after each shot and try to watch where the brass is going (you can imagine what this distraction does to my accuracy). If I shoot 100 rounds I consistently lose 15 to 25. Do you guys have any tricks to help with this?

June 2, 2010, 11:03 AM	#3
riverwalker76 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 993	When I'm here on my property shooting I tend to watch where the first few cases land. Then I lay down a blue tarp and let that catch them from then on out. It has cut down on my 'grass combing' by 90%. __________________ *Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto* - “You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.”

June 2, 2010, 11:12 AM	#4
Mike-Mat Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 361	The outdoor range I go to has benches. They provide movable dividers for the auto shooters. Their really simple. Take 2 Bar clamps..... http://www.toolplanet.com/product/36...p-00405/clamps ... and run a piece of tarp or fin mesh net between them. It quickly clamps to the bench. It's easy to move where you need it. It's not too expensive. Keeps you brass from bouncing off the guy next to you. __________________ Mike Mattera - Tips For Mfg Video Training For CadCam Systems http://www.tipsforcadcam.com

June 2, 2010, 06:23 PM	#6
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	Take somebody with you to watch the brass..........my nieces and nephews work great for that purpose. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

June 3, 2010, 10:03 AM	#8
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	Wow This is amazing I just lost a bunch of brass while out shooting on public land. I did not think of a tarp. What a great Idea. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

June 2, 2010, 04:43 PM	#5
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	I have always just used a tarp but I have seen other guys use things like a large piece of bug netting suspended from the rafters with a box under it and a large fishing dipnet mounted vertically on a camera tripod with a coat hanger inside to hold it open. Worked pretty well actually. Use your imagination.

June 3, 2010, 08:20 AM	#7
grumpa72 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2009 Posts: 487	As suggested, get a cheap tarp and set it up in the area where you observe your brass falling. I got a 8X8 tarp from Harbor Freight for under $6 and I never lose my brass now.

June 3, 2010, 12:02 PM	#9
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	They actually make and sell - brass catching nets .... bulls-eye shooters seem to use them quite a bit. You just have to place them properly so the brass ends up in the net - but that's not a big deal if your stance and gun position are consistent. I supppose you could make one up as well - with some plastic pipe and fine netting .... A beach towel works pretty well too .. vs a tarp ...when the cases hit the blanket - they don't skid around as much as they will on a tarp / or a 6' piece of fabric / an old sheet or whatever ....

June 3, 2010, 12:18 PM	#10
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	the nice thing about the net designs is that they don't tend to blow over in wind as badly as a solid tarp. __________________ "The dogs may bark but the caravan moves on"

June 3, 2010, 12:25 PM	#11
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	If you're hanging something, a CLEAR shower curtain works well and allows folks to see next to you. I have used a tarp, a small homemade device when I shot from the bench, and I have swept the area clean before i shot (concrete behind me) so I could find mine. You think 45 is tough? try finding 32ACP in a pile of .22s!.....