[captain-03]

Ralph Hall, a friend from the Magnolia R&P Club, and I have been working on an opportunity to shoot the official US Army pop-up rifle qualification range located at Camp McCain. Camp McCain is just south of Grenada off I-55. Both Ralph and I have spoken with the range officer from Camp McCain and they have consented to let us have the range on Saturday, September 18th. There is a $350 cost associated with use of the range. We would have the range ALL day.

I have notified them that we would like to shoot military service weapons such as the AR-15, Garand, M1 Carbine, M1903, and M1917. I am not sure if they are going to permit anything besides the ARs, but we are giving it a try.

Due to the cost involved in securing the range, it would be helpful to know just what the interest is for such an outing. The more the interest - the less the cost per person. Please give me some feedback regarding interest. I would love to see 20+ shooters involved.

This will be FUN – I guarantee it!! You will engage pop-up silhouette targets at ranges from 25M to 300M. Since we will have the range ALL day, you will surely have the opportunity to shoot as much as you desire!! Do not worry if you do not have a "suitable" rifle. There will be extra ARs there and if they permit, extra Garands, M1 Carbines, 1903s, and M1917. For those of you who have not shot a military qualification course, this will give you an opportunity to see what is involved.

Interested?

 

[SubGunFan]

Are you FRIGGIN' CRAZY....? HELL YEAH, count me in ! ! !

I don't care if we can only shoot BB guns, getting to shoot on a US Military range is something you DON'T pass up.............

OK folks.... This is the time you DON'T "sit on the fence", get wishy-washy, "oh, I don't know", will my wife let me?.... or you will MISS OUT ! ! ! This is a ONE-TIME chance (at least for now).

You don't have to be a Hi-Power shooter to ENJOY this opportunity. This is NOT a match.... This will be JUST PLAIN FUN....................................

Just bring ammo if you don't have any of the mentioned firearms. I and other are HAPPY to SHARE. Heck, I will even share some of my ammo.....

NOTE: I don't know what will be involved, but I sure look forward to finding out..................

.

 

[captain-03]

Count me in! I've got a couple of buddies who will probably also be interested. I'll post again once I talk to them and find out how many.

You mean you got shooting buddies that have NOT signed up with MSGO!! Shame on you!! :lol:

 

[bonedust75]

I sure hope its further than two weeks away because the MPs are up there doing summer camp. And yes it would be really fun to go to the range but I shoot on military ranges all the time if just wouldnt be that kind of fun experience what I would mainly want to do is socialize with members I havent met yet because we would be bonding hahah.

 

[Guest]

I have shot the range at McCain more times than I can remember and its a very good range. I'm in for sure if the 18th of Sep date holds for sure. I am assuming that Range Control personnel will control the ranges.

 

[captain-03]

Update:

Spoke with Range Control again today about the type weapons we can use. Got clearance to use the ARs (.223), Garand, M1903, M1917 (30.06).

Range Control wanted to know the ammo manufacture, bullet weight, and bullet diameter so they could build the correct buffer zone. We agreed that when using the Garand, M1903, M1917, we will use milsurp M-2 Ball (Lake City & HXP). Most of us Garand shooters have a pretty good supply of this stuff. Also, if necessary, we may make a road trip to the CMP South Store and pick up some more if there is a big interest in shooting these vintage weapons.

AR ammo could be a problem. I advised Range Control that most all our AR shooters are handloaders and load their own ammo. I did tell them that most loaders use a 55-69 grain bullets pushing them between 2700 - 3200fps. They are to get back with me regarding the use of reloads on the range.

We can draw the range at 0700 and being shooting at 0800. We must stop firing at 1630. We will actually have full control of the range and we will be responsible for running it, providing safety personnel, medical personnel on site, and clearing the range when completed.

I was not able to talk today with the person responsible for the medical on-site range requirements. I do know that we will have to provide medical support on the range while the range is HOT. Anyone know a doctor who likes to shoot and would like to come? We need a medic!! ALL ACTIVITIES WILL BE FREE FOR THEM!!

I am to comfirm with them tomorrow the Sept 18th date. As of this afternoon, Sept 18th was available. Hope to tie that date down tomorrow. (Got to fill out a bunch of forms and email them to Range Contol tomorrow before they and guarantee the date for us.)

We may have to limit the number of participants so get your name on the list as soon as you can!! I have started a "sticky" where I will keep a running list of those of you who wish to participate.

It our desire to make this a FUN but SAFE outing and hopefully we can make this a yearly or semi-yearly event.

 

[msshooter]

Will an AR10 .308 be allowed?

 

[ree_countrygirl]

thats close to home!!!!
gotta check the date with dad but im 99.999999% sure i'll be there!!!
:machinegun:
cant wait to see everyone! and i'm more than willing to do my part in the cost. may have a few ppl with me. gotta check with my parents and boyfriend

ok so i just checked my email and i have ptk leadership training that day. how late will we have the range at camp mccain? hoping i can atleast make the second half of the shoot ale:
being an officer and all of the #1 chapter in the world i have to be there UGH

 

[M1GarandFan]

I will definitely be there and I may be bringing my wife too (she loves to shoot the M-1 Carbine). I will be happy to take a group from Magnolia if everyone would like to meet there. I have an Expedition and can carry at least six people with me to help save on gas. I will also check with the highpower shooters and see how many want to go. Sign me up and add Dennis Caranna to the list.

 

[Scharfschütze]

Count me in and my son as well; I have also sent info to the SW Gun Club HP rifle list as well.
What is the protocol for bringing our firearms on base? Are we going to have to have them cased or locked in a particular way in order to bring them onto the base? I know military bases are very picky about people carrying weapons, I would hate to get up there and not be allowed on base.

 

[captain-03]

...What is the protocol for bringing our firearms on base? Are we going to have to have them cased or locked in a particular way in order to bring them onto the base? I know military bases are very picky about people carrying weapons, I would hate to get up there and not be allowed on base.

If I remember correctly, the ranges are actually outside the fenced area ... and outside the security area. However, we will publish the protocol after our site visit.

 

[SubGunFan]

................ Hmmm, no carbines? The little guys like to play too

, not that I have one...yet.

I would think that if the range area is "cleared" for 30-06, that the "Little 30 Carbine" should not be a problem. However, Captain must verify with the Range Master......................

.

 

[SubGunFan]

.................. However, we will publish the protocol after our site visit.

When is the Site Visit....? I would like to attend if possible............

.

 

[Guest]

For those of you that have never fired a military qualification course, you may be in for an awakening. The course consists of 42 shots. The computer controls the targets and the scoring, You may have a single engagement or double engagements at varying distances. You have several seconds to engage and fire before the targets drop. You have to find the target, then engage the target before the target goes down. There are no target frames to put a target on and shoot one shot at a time and go down range and paste a target. Bolt action shooters will have a hurried time just keeping up especially during multiple engagements. There is a 25 meter zero range for M16 zeroing (prone position sandbag supported zeroing). There are other ranges adjacent to the automated rifle range (pistol, LAW, Grenade, and SAW). Cp McCain is a "neat and tidy" place and they like keeping it that way. This is the way the ranges were when I retired in 2002. There may have been changes made to negate all of what I've written above.

 

[captain-03]

Will an AR10 .308 be allowed?

At this point "No."; however, that is subject to change. The real problem we have is not one of weapon type - but one of ammo being used. They need to know the exact type of ammo to be used so they can build a safety fan around the range. I was able to get the Garand, M1903, M1917 approved by committing to using only M-2 ball ammo in all three of the weapons.

It is my desire (currently) to make this a event we can do once of twice a year. I think we may need to limit weapon types this first time around .... however, we will discuss the issue in more depth when we actually meet with Range Control on our site visit.

There will be 16 active firing positions on the range we will be using.

Housekeeping Note: I have and will delete some of the post to this thread that only add name to the participant list. I will add the name to the list and then delete the post. This will help us navigate this thread as it grows longer and longer!!

 

[Scharfschütze]

Please add Mitch Singley from the SW Gun Club in McComb- Thanks!

 

[captain-03]

Any new details?

No new details ... I plan on scheduling a site visit sometime week after next week if possible. Want to coordinate with SGF and Ralph Hall in that they expressed an interest in going.

Have not heard back from the range officer on reloads for the ARs .. I do not expect it to be a problem; however, it could be ...

I did submit the OFFICIAL request for the range and was told at the time I submitted it, the range was available. Also, they have another pop-up range and I listed it as our second choice.

 

[captain-03]

OK guys -- as with any dealing with the government, there have been a couple of snags to work through .... Got confirmation last week that we had been approved for Range #5 at Camp McCain; however, this is not the range we requested!! After a couple of emails, I got a call yesterday afternoon from CPT Austin from Range Control and he briefed me on the problem. Seems that the range we requested (Range #2 or Range 2A) limits us to firing 5.56 (.223). I again expressed our desire to shoot 5.56 (.223), 30.06, 30Cal Carbine, and .308. He got back with me this morning and advised me that we can only shoot .556 (.223) on Ranges 2 and 2A; however, we can shoot any of the desired calibers on Range #5. Range #5 is a pop-up range and actually goes out to 600 meters. The only problem with Range #5 is that it only has 4 firing lanes so only 4 shooters can shoot at a time. Currently we have 30 individuals signed up to come to McCain ... at 30 minutes per relay it would take 6+ hours to put everyone through ...

Here are our options:

1. Schedule range 2 or 2A and we will only be able to fire 5.56 (.223) - this range has 16 firing positons with targets out to 300 meters. Will permit everyone the opporutnity to shoot about all they desire. (*We may be able to use the .30Cal Carbine on Range 2 or 2A - checking on this).

2. Schedule Range 5 and shoot any of the above calibers we desire out to 600 meters. Only 4 firing positions and firing will be limited due to number of participants.

3. Schedule both Range 2/2A and #5 and have the best of both worlds!! However, the range fee will double from $350 to $700. We will also need an additional medic on site.

Currently, I am leaning towards option 1 above for our first shoot - maybe later on this year we can schedule Range #5 for the heavier stuff ... want your feedback!! I need to let them know something by tomorrow afternoon.

Don't worry if you do not have an AR - just bring the ammo .... there will be ARs available to shoot ...

 

[bubbat]

I think option 1 would be the best. More shooting for everyone.

 

[nonnieselman]

I agree. Lets just use 5.56s for the first outing and get a feel for how things go. Then next time we can bring the big guns.