I'm going stir crazy,,,

aarondhgraham · January 25, 2015, 02:10 PM

The weather here has been so cold, grey, and damp,,,
That I haven't had a good range trip in quite a while.

I've been out there but it's not been good shooting,,,
I shiver in the cold and that means no accuracy,,,
All I was doing was turning money into noise.

I was going to make the trip today,,,
But I just couldn't see wasting my precious ammo.

On my last range trip I really bundled up,,,
With my best 22 rifle I was only hitting 4" at 50 yards.

I am no Annie Oakley on the best of days,,,
But I'm usually a much better shot than that,,,
I just can't relax and get snake-eyed in cold weather.

This morning I set up a 25 foot BB-gun range in my hallway,,,
And drug out my trusty Red Ryder,,,
But it isn't the same at all.

Perhaps I should take up Bowling.

Aarond

.

g.willikers · January 25, 2015, 02:13 PM

You just need a better airgun, is all.
At least until spring arrives.
Even after that, come to think.
There's always rain, wind, heat, storms, hail, tornados......

buck460XVR · January 25, 2015, 02:22 PM

My problem ain't the weather, but because my #1 shooting partner left again for college. The youngest boy loves to shoot as much as I do and was always willing to go and shoot anytime I asked. Many was the time when he would suggest it. While he was home over semester break we got out several times bird hunting and just making noise at the range with the handguns. Christmas Day with my family consisted of 10 of us(brothers, sons, grandkids and nephews) shooting various handguns off the deck in between stuffing ourselves on Christmas goodies. Now with the youngest back at school, the holidays over and the oldest boy busy with his kids and their activities most weekends, I'm left to myself. Since it's not near as much fun to go to the range by myself, I've been reloading a ton in preparation of my son coming home in a few weeks for spring break.

aarondhgraham · January 25, 2015, 03:17 PM

Quote:

You just need a better airgun, is all

You may be correct my friend.

I had a middle of the road Crossman,,,
And a smaller Gamo as well.

But I never shot them so I gifted them to a friend and his son.

I don't miss them but I've often thought about getting another one of a different type.

Still they would need to be outdoor shooters,,,
It's as miserable in my back yard as the range.

I'm just whining here,,,
The weather will clear up,,,
Just like it has done every year.

Then I'll be a happy little shooter again.

Aarond

.

kutz · January 25, 2015, 03:30 PM

Hey from Arizona, what are you talking about ?

Panfisher · January 25, 2015, 03:32 PM

I feel your pain. I am part way through a bout of pneumonia and pretty much placed under house arrest by my wife. And I have a ton of reloading to do and a new trigger to put in my AR. But am fuzzy minded enough that know to stay away from my loading\gun room for now. Living vicariously through the Internet for now.

berettaprofessor · January 25, 2015, 06:34 PM

I'm a little north of you Aaron, and I'd have gone shooting today, but the wind was blowing so hard that I'd have to hold 2 feet left at 7 yards to hit the target.

DennisCA · January 28, 2015, 06:36 PM

I have no such problems in CA

We have other problems: LIBERALS!

g.willikers · January 29, 2015, 12:55 PM

Not to change the subject -oops, too late - but,
On a particularly windy day, I was playing around with a muzzle loader, a .22 and a recurve bow.
The one least affected by the wind was the arrow.
Kind of surprising, considering the low speed.

steveno · January 29, 2015, 01:32 PM

at the range I belong to I can park the truck right next to the firing line and when it gets to cold I just take a heater break in the truck. I have been to the range and shooting when it was 15 degrees out but no wind. the wind is the deal breaker

g.willikers · January 29, 2015, 02:53 PM

Why not shoot from the warmth and comfort of your truck?
We used to do that at our club ranges when it was nasty out.
Others did it, too.
Must have looked strange, though.
On really bad days, when it was assured we'd be the only ones crazy enough to be there, one would drive along the firing line and the other would shoot out of the window at the downrange targets.
Couldn't do that on nice days.

Sevens · January 29, 2015, 03:14 PM

I might imagine that in a typically warmer climate in Oklahoma, you guys may have less need for indoor shooting ranges. We have a decent supply of them where I'm at. In my opinion, it is a radically different kind of shooting experience. It does have a few characteristics that I appreciate, but on the whole -- it's nowhere near as enjoyable as shooting outdoors. Not even close.

But when it is -COLD- out, it does give me a chance at trigger time. So typically between Thanksgiving and March, my shooting is on indoor ranges. I appreciate the fact that I can still do some shooting -- and it also makes those early spring time trips back to the great outdoors even better.

aarondhgraham · January 29, 2015, 08:50 PM

Quote:

the wind is the deal breaker

OooooooooooooooooooooK la ho ma,,,
Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains.

That's what is happing here,,,
Livable temperatures with a wicked wind chill factor.

Aarond

.

Sparks1957 · January 30, 2015, 05:38 AM

It's been a tough winter for shooting here in Vermont, too.
Not a lot of snow, so no problem getting in to the range.
Cold, very cold in fact, this winter with plenty of days
below zero F or in the single digits.

Spring will come eventually.

10-96 · January 31, 2015, 03:43 AM

Why does an air rifle need to only be fired outdoors? A 2 1/2" telephone directory will soak up a lot of .177's. I used to do that a lot during one of my single stints when I lived in a converted garage. The rifle was a no-name Chinese break barrel with a horrendous trigger pull. Instead of just poking holes, I got to really slow down and focus on sights, breathing, positions, follow-through.

**JohnKSa** · January 31, 2015, 04:37 AM

Get a nice air rifle with an appropriate power level for indoor use and make a target trap that isn't a pain to maintain. I'm not saying it's the same as shooting firearms, but it can be just as rewarding in its own way.

Here's another nice air rifle suitable for indoor use--this one with iron sights.

JERRYS. · January 31, 2015, 04:50 AM

if I had the money and the time, weather would not keep me from having a good time at the range.

Sparks1957 · January 31, 2015, 05:09 AM

Handling steel and brass with fingers in zero F might just change your mind.

My Uplula loaders help some, but eventually your fingers go numb and it stops being quite so much fun.

JERRYS. · January 31, 2015, 05:31 AM

done it, though it wasn't my ammo or gun I was using.

Paul B. · January 31, 2015, 05:03 PM

I understand going stir crazy. I bought a GAMO 1200 and a small metal bullet trap capable of handling up to .22LR HV. The air gun came with scope, no irons and once I got the trigger adjusted it damned accurate. I can shoot up to 60 feet indoors and over 25 yards in the back yard. I'd be shooting a bit today with it but it's cold and rainy outside and having just gotten out of the hospital for pneumonia, I just don't feel like having to cock the darn thing. Guess I can live a few more days without shooting something. Don't much like it though.

Paul B.

**JohnKSa** · January 31, 2015, 08:27 PM

Quote:

...I just don't feel like having to cock the darn thing.

Right, this is why I suggested something with a power level more appropriate for the application. If you're shooting a spring-piston airgun indoors, there's no need for anything more than 600-700fps. That keeps cocking effort minimal, cuts down on the noise and makes the target trap last a lot longer without maintenance. An all around win.

ThomasT · January 31, 2015, 11:13 PM

I have a couple of Benjamin pump rifles in 22 and 20 caliber and a couple of the pump pistols in 22 and 177 and use those to practice with in the garage. Two or 3 pumps is plenty of power.

got ammo? · February 1, 2015, 12:08 AM

I feel the misery, Aaron, I wanted to take the S&W .22 pistol for a walk in the woods today, but it was a high of 10F, and a wind chill factor of "Eff this!" in my neck o' the woods. My trigger finger is suffering as well.

aarondhgraham · February 6, 2015, 12:46 PM

WooHoo!

Sat and Sun to be clear and in the mid 70's

I have three new guns that I haven't fired yet,,,
They're all three packed and ready to take dancing.

Well I say unfired.

One revolver I ran six fast rounds through,,,
Just to make sure it would fire.

One pistol I ran one mag through,,,
By holding the gun out the freezing car window.

But tomorrow I will give them a good workout,,,
I have three hundred rounds of Fiocchi rimfire to burn off.

Taylor's and Co. - Cattleman's 5.5" SAA clone
Smith & Wesson - 5.5" M22A
Browning - Buckmark Hunter

I'm going alone this time,,,
Just me and my new handguns.

Aarond

.

berettaprofessor · February 6, 2015, 03:07 PM

I'm with ya, brother! I've been stacking up reloads to chrony for two weeks! Saturday they're getting busted out and popped.

January 25, 2015, 02:13 PM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	You just need a better airgun, is all. At least until spring arrives. Even after that, come to think. There's always rain, wind, heat, storms, hail, tornados...... __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 29, 2015, 12:55 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Not to change the subject -oops, too late - but, On a particularly windy day, I was playing around with a muzzle loader, a .22 and a recurve bow. The one least affected by the wind was the arrow. Kind of surprising, considering the low speed. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 29, 2015, 02:53 PM	#11
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Why not shoot from the warmth and comfort of your truck? We used to do that at our club ranges when it was nasty out. Others did it, too. Must have looked strange, though. On really bad days, when it was assured we'd be the only ones crazy enough to be there, one would drive along the firing line and the other would shoot out of the window at the downrange targets. Couldn't do that on nice days. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 29, 2015, 03:14 PM	#12
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I might imagine that in a typically warmer climate in Oklahoma, you guys may have less need for indoor shooting ranges. We have a decent supply of them where I'm at. In my opinion, it is a radically different kind of shooting experience. It does have a few characteristics that I appreciate, but on the whole -- it's nowhere near as enjoyable as shooting outdoors. Not even close. But when it is -COLD- out, it does give me a chance at trigger time. So typically between Thanksgiving and March, my shooting is on indoor ranges. I appreciate the fact that I can still do some shooting -- and it also makes those early spring time trips back to the great outdoors even better. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

January 31, 2015, 03:43 AM	#15
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Why does an air rifle need to only be fired outdoors? A 2 1/2" telephone directory will soak up a lot of .177's. I used to do that a lot during one of my single stints when I lived in a converted garage. The rifle was a no-name Chinese break barrel with a horrendous trigger pull. Instead of just poking holes, I got to really slow down and focus on sights, breathing, positions, follow-through. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

January 25, 2015, 02:10 PM	#1
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I'm going stir crazy,,, The weather here has been so cold, grey, and damp,,, That I haven't had a good range trip in quite a while. I've been out there but it's not been good shooting,,, I shiver in the cold and that means no accuracy,,, All I was doing was turning money into noise. I was going to make the trip today,,, But I just couldn't see wasting my precious ammo. On my last range trip I really bundled up,,, With my best 22 rifle I was only hitting 4" at 50 yards. I am no Annie Oakley on the best of days,,, But I'm usually a much better shot than that,,, I just can't relax and get snake-eyed in cold weather. This morning I set up a 25 foot BB-gun range in my hallway,,, And drug out my trusty Red Ryder,,, But it isn't the same at all. Perhaps I should take up Bowling. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

January 25, 2015, 02:22 PM	#3
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	My problem ain't the weather, but because my #1 shooting partner left again for college. The youngest boy loves to shoot as much as I do and was always willing to go and shoot anytime I asked. Many was the time when he would suggest it. While he was home over semester break we got out several times bird hunting and just making noise at the range with the handguns. Christmas Day with my family consisted of 10 of us(brothers, sons, grandkids and nephews) shooting various handguns off the deck in between stuffing ourselves on Christmas goodies. Now with the youngest back at school, the holidays over and the oldest boy busy with his kids and their activities most weekends, I'm left to myself. Since it's not near as much fun to go to the range by myself, I've been reloading a ton in preparation of my son coming home in a few weeks for spring break.

January 25, 2015, 03:30 PM	#5
kutz Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 393	Hey from Arizona, what are you talking about ?

January 25, 2015, 03:32 PM	#6
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	I feel your pain. I am part way through a bout of pneumonia and pretty much placed under house arrest by my wife. And I have a ton of reloading to do and a new trigger to put in my AR. But am fuzzy minded enough that know to stay away from my loading\gun room for now. Living vicariously through the Internet for now.

January 25, 2015, 06:34 PM	#7
berettaprofessor Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 1,091	I'm a little north of you Aaron, and I'd have gone shooting today, but the wind was blowing so hard that I'd have to hold 2 feet left at 7 yards to hit the target.

January 28, 2015, 06:36 PM	#8
DennisCA Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2012 Location: Union City CA (a.k.a. Poople's Republik of CA) Posts: 451	I have no such problems in CA We have other problems: LIBERALS!

January 29, 2015, 01:32 PM	#10
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	at the range I belong to I can park the truck right next to the firing line and when it gets to cold I just take a heater break in the truck. I have been to the range and shooting when it was 15 degrees out but no wind. the wind is the deal breaker

January 30, 2015, 05:38 AM	#14
Sparks1957 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,552	It's been a tough winter for shooting here in Vermont, too. Not a lot of snow, so no problem getting in to the range. Cold, very cold in fact, this winter with plenty of days below zero F or in the single digits. Spring will come eventually.

January 31, 2015, 04:37 AM	#16
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,975	Get a nice air rifle with an appropriate power level for indoor use and make a target trap that isn't a pain to maintain. I'm not saying it's the same as shooting firearms, but it can be just as rewarding in its own way. Here's another nice air rifle suitable for indoor use--this one with iron sights. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 31, 2015, 04:50 AM	#17
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,968	if I had the money and the time, weather would not keep me from having a good time at the range.

January 31, 2015, 05:09 AM	#18
Sparks1957 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,552	Handling steel and brass with fingers in zero F might just change your mind. My Uplula loaders help some, but eventually your fingers go numb and it stops being quite so much fun.

January 31, 2015, 05:31 AM	#19
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,968	done it, though it wasn't my ammo or gun I was using.

January 31, 2015, 05:03 PM	#20
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	I understand going stir crazy. I bought a GAMO 1200 and a small metal bullet trap capable of handling up to .22LR HV. The air gun came with scope, no irons and once I got the trigger adjusted it damned accurate. I can shoot up to 60 feet indoors and over 25 yards in the back yard. I'd be shooting a bit today with it but it's cold and rainy outside and having just gotten out of the hospital for pneumonia, I just don't feel like having to cock the darn thing. Guess I can live a few more days without shooting something. Don't much like it though. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

January 31, 2015, 11:13 PM	#22
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	I have a couple of Benjamin pump rifles in 22 and 20 caliber and a couple of the pump pistols in 22 and 177 and use those to practice with in the garage. Two or 3 pumps is plenty of power.

February 1, 2015, 12:08 AM	#23
got ammo? Member Join Date: June 2, 2009 Location: gun hating Massachusetts Posts: 78	I feel the misery, Aaron, I wanted to take the S&W .22 pistol for a walk in the woods today, but it was a high of 10F, and a wind chill factor of "Eff this!" in my neck o' the woods. My trigger finger is suffering as well.

February 6, 2015, 12:46 PM	#24
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	WooHoo! Sat and Sun to be clear and in the mid 70's WooHoo! Sat and Sun to be clear and in the mid 70's I have three new guns that I haven't fired yet,,, They're all three packed and ready to take dancing. Well I say unfired. One revolver I ran six fast rounds through,,, Just to make sure it would fire. One pistol I ran one mag through,,, By holding the gun out the freezing car window. But tomorrow I will give them a good workout,,, I have three hundred rounds of Fiocchi rimfire to burn off. Taylor's and Co. - Cattleman's 5.5" SAA clone Smith & Wesson - 5.5" M22A Browning - Buckmark Hunter I'm going alone this time,,, Just me and my new handguns. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

February 6, 2015, 03:07 PM	#25
berettaprofessor Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 1,091	I'm with ya, brother! I've been stacking up reloads to chrony for two weeks! Saturday they're getting busted out and popped.