Target shooting is an exciting hobby that involves a little bit of know-how and a lot of practice. To make sure you’re properly equipped to hit the range, here are three things every shooter should have on hand.
1.The Proper Firearm
Aside from the obvious that you’ll need a firearm to go shooting, it’s important to keep in mind that the kind of target you’re after may determine the type of gun you’ll need. For example, if you’re shooting clay pigeons, you’ll probably enjoy yourself more with a shotgun than with a pistol. Guns used for competition shooting can be quite different than guns used for big game hunting. It’s easy to find instock guns, so make sure you’re properly outfitted for your goals.
2. Quality Hearing Protection
Never shoot a firearm without hearing protection. Try different kinds of hearing protection to see what you prefer. While options include earmuffs and earplugs, people might not realize that even those can carry quite a bit of variation. Cheap earplugs are basically a piece of foam inserted into your ear canal, and those work just fine. However, some people prefer to go a little fancier with their earplugs and get some with filters that don’t just muffle all sound, but allow for clearer hearing while still reducing volumes.
3.Firearm Cleaning Kit
To ensure personal safety and weapon longevity, clean your firearm after using it. Keep a cleaning kit in your gear bag and make a proper cleaning part of your target shooting ritual. It’s much easier to maintain a clean gun than to try making up for all the times you should have cleaned it but didn’t.
Range day is something to look forward to, so make sure you’re adequately prepared so you can focus more on shooting than worrying that you’ve forgotten something important. You can make this easy by having a well-stocked bag you can rely on each time you go.