ISSAQUAH SPORTSMEN'S CLUB RANGE RULES
ALWAYS WEAR EAR AND EYE PROTECTION REGARDLESS OF IF YOU ARE SHOOTING OR NOT!
You might not be shooting and feel like you don't need eye and ear protection on, but what about the shooter next to you? What happens if his brass casings shoot out and hit you in the eye? Eyes and ears don't just protect you from your own firearms!
1.2 GENERAL SAFETY RULES
1.2.1. Place firearms in rack, with actions open or in a case, and check in before entering the firing line shelter.
1.2.2. Hearing and eye protection must be worn on the range. See the Range Safety Officer if you need to purchase hearing and/or eye protection.
1.2.3. The use of drugs or alcohol on Issaquah Sportsmen's Club property is prohibited. Persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be denied the use of club facilities .
1.2.4. Smoking while in the firing line shelter, range control building, restroom, or in the warming shed is prohibited. Smoking is allowed in the designated smoking area only (Gravel areas). Gunpowder is not allowed in the smoking area. Dispose of butts in containers provided for their disposal.
1.2.5. Eating or drinking in the firing line shelter is not recommended.
1.2.6. Horseplay is prohibited . Horseplay or other activities not related to shooting are not allowed on the range.
1.2.7. Use staplers on target frames only. Do not staple posts, benches, seats or other areas where users may contact sharp staple points.
1.2.8. User ages: Pistol shooters must be 21 years of age or older, or be supervised by a parent or guardian. Rifle shooters must be 18 years of age or older; except as follows: Children under 18 may shoot when supervised by a parent or guardian, or between the ages of 14 and 17 with a Hunter Education Certificate.
1.2.9. Visitors or spectators shall remain outside and to the rear of the firing line shelter.
1.2.10. Only club approved targets may be used. No human shaped targets are allowed at ANY time.
1.2.11. Any violation of the safety rules, operating procedures, or Range Safety Officer's instructions can be cause for removal from the range.
1.3 FIREARM AND AMMUNITION SAFETY RULES
1.3.1. Know how the firearm operates.
1.3.2. Be sure that the firearm and the ammunition are compatible.
1.3.3. Keep the action open and the firearm unloaded until ready to use.
1.3.4. Keep fingers off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
1.3.5. A maximum of ten rounds at a time may be loaded in rifle chambers or magazines.
1.3.6. A maximum of ten rounds at a time may be loaded in pistol chambers or magazines.
1.3.7. Quick draw shooting is prohibited.
1.3.8. Wearing of holstered or concealed firearms is not allowed on firing line.
1.3.9. Speed shooting is prohibited. Slow fire only.
1.3.10. Armor piercing ammunition is prohibited.
1.3.11. Tracer or incendiary ammunition is prohibited.
1.3.12. Use of cannons is prohibited.
1.3.13. Use of fully automatic firearms is prohibited.
1.3.14. Rifles with automatic shell ejection shall have a spent casing catcher installed or shooters shall use a cartridge deflection screen available from the Range Safety Officer.
1.3.15. Shotguns are allowed for all. Slugs can be used on the rifle bays at 25 yards. Shot or any spreading projectiles must be used on the shotgun bays (lanes A&B) at 7 or 25 yards. We don't have any moving targets for shotgun and use of throwers is prohibited.
1.4 RANGE OPERATING PROCEDURES
1.4.1. Know and obey all range commands.
1.4.2. All firearms will be unloaded with the action open and magazines removed before entering or leaving the range. Unloaded firearms may be transported in gun case, with the actions closed.
1.4.3. All firearms will be placed on shooting benches with the muzzles pointed down range or in the rifle racks.
1.4.4. All shooters will remain behind the red line, except when the range is cleared for shooting. The red warning lights will go off and the Range Safety Officer will announce "commence fire" allowing shooting to begin.
1.4.5. Shooting periods are normally 15 minutes long. There will be a 5 minute and a 1 (one) minute warning before a cease fire is called. Use this time to finish firing, unload your firearm and step behind the red line. Leave your firearm on the bench with the action open.
1.4.6. When a cease fire is called remain behind the red line until the red lights go on and the Range Safety Officer announces it is O.K. to change targets. Do not handle any firearm during the cease fire period.
1.4.7. During target change cease fires, place your paper target on the frame above the number frame matching your numbered shooting position. Do not place targets on posts, number boards or other devices or holders not provided by the club or approved by the Range Safety Officer.
1.4.8. It is your responsibility to clean up after yourself. Recycle your targets and put spent casings in the provided buckets. Brooms are provided to sweep up spent casings. If brass on the ground or in the buckets does not belong to you, you may NOT take it for yourself unless approved by the Range Safety Officer.
1.4.9. When the range is cleared, the Range Safety Officer will turn out the red lights and announce the commence fire. Then and only then may you proceed forward, load your firearm and begin firing.
1.4.10 EMERGENCY CEASE FIRE If an emergency cease fire is needed, it may be called and all shooters shall immediately cease fire and step behind the red line and remain there until the cease fire is cleared.
1.3.16. BLACK POWDER RULES
NEVER
1. Never allow your rifle to point at anyone . Careless gun handling and an accidental discharge could result in tragedy.
2. Do not use modern smokeless powders in muzzleloading firearms.
3. Do not load directly from powder horn or flask. A lingering spark in the barrel can ignite the incoming charge, causing the horn or flask to explode in your hand.
4. Never fire a muzzleloader unless the ball or shot charge is firmly seated against the powder charge. The barrel could be damaged or burst.
5. When loading your muzzleloading firearm, do not expose your body to the muzzle.
6. Never use 4Fg Black Powder as a main charge. 4Fg bums too fast and could burst a barrel . Severe injuries are possible.
7. Do not exceed manufacturer's recommended maximum loads or attempt to load multiple projectile loads. When in doubt, secure information concerning proper loads from an authoritative source.
ALWAYS
1. Treat muzzleloaders with the same respect due any firearm . They are not toys.
2. Use only black powder or PyrodeXTM, of the proper granulations, in your muzzleloading firearms.
3. Use a separate measure for loading powder.
4. Always make sure that the ball is seated against the powder.
5. Always make sure that your downrange area is a safe impact area for your projectiles.
6. The nature of a muzzleloading firearm requires that you, the shooter, exercise caution and skill in the care, loading, and use of such a firearm. Make certain that you are informed as to the proper steps in such care and use.
BLACK POWDER HELPFUL HINTS
1. The half-cock notch is the safety notch on a muzzleloader . Always be sure it is functioning properly . If your lock or triggers seem to be improperly functioning, take your firearm to a competent muzzleloading gunsmith for checking and correction of the problem.
2. Never snap a percussion lock. It will often break the tumbler. If you snap a flintlock to adjust or test the flint, never do so with the firearm loaded. Even though the pan is not primed, many firearms will fire from the sparks alone.
3. When you prime your pan, fill it only 1/4 to 1/3 full. More powder gives an excessive flash and acts as a fuse delaying ignition time.
4. Grasp the ramrod only a short distance above where it protrudes from the barrel, pushing it down in short strokes . If you grasp it near the outer end and the rod breaks it could injure your arm or hand.
5. If you forget to run a cleaning patch between shots and a patched ball hangs up halfway down, follow this simple procedure. Pour a couple tablespoonful of water down the barrel and allow to stand for 30 seconds. The water will soak into the patch and loosen the fouling that caused the hang-up. Pour the water out and seat the ball on the powder . Shoot immediately, and clean.
6. Maximum range of a firearm is obtained by firing at a 35 degree angle above horizontal . Round balls may carry as far as 800 yards and elongated projectiles well beyond this distance.
SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING-RULES TO LIVE BY
The following rules of safe firearms handling are not just rules for the firing range. They are rules meant to keep you and others alive wherever you are. You don't want to be the guy whose sentencing papers or epitaph reads, "I thought it was unloaded." This list is not comprehensive; it's just a few of the basics.
#1. The gun is always loaded. Treat every firearm like it's loaded . (It's always the "unloaded" gun that "accidentally went off.")
#2. Never point a firearm at anything you do not want to destroy or kill. (Note: BB, air, and pellet guns count too. For that matter, it's probably a good rule for nail guns as well . . .)
#3. Keep your finger off of the trigger and out of the trigger guard unless firing.
#4. Always be sure of your backstop. (That's where the bullet will hit after it goes through your target. You must know what is beyond your target.)
ALWAYS WEAR EAR AND EYE PROTECTION REGARDLESS OF IF YOU ARE SHOOTING OR NOT
Revision ISCBD 12-04-95. Reformatted 01-12-2006. Updated 09-30-2011.
-The Range Safety Officers