What I Bring for a Day of Rifle Shooting
I don't shoot at a typical range. I’m fortunate to have 80 acres in the Sandilands that I use as my own setup. Because of that, a day of rifle shooting looks a bit different.
I’m not bringing a large volume of ammo or piles of gear. I keep it pretty simple.
What I Bring
For a typical day, I bring:
- My 7mm Rem Mag
- One ammo box (40 rounds)
- Paper targets and a staple gun
That’s it.
I’m not planning to shoot hundreds of rounds. The goal is to stay sharp, confirm everything is dialed in, and get some practice in before hunting season.
Packing the Truck
There’s not much to think about here.
The rifle case goes on the floor in the back seat, and the rest of the gear sits on the seat. Easy to grab — I’m not digging through bags or dealing with multiple factory ammo boxes. Everything stays in one place.
At the Property
At my place, I have a 100-yard opening set up.
There’s a picnic table that works well as a shooting bench, and I use pallets to staple targets to. It’s simple, but it gets the job done.
For a rest, I usually use a sweater or jacket. Nothing fancy — just enough to steady the rifle.
If I want to stretch things out further, my father-in-law has a shooting lane a few miles from mine that goes out to 400 yards. I don’t use it all the time, but it’s a great option when I want to push things a bit further.
Getting Dialed In
I’ll usually start with a couple of 50 yard shots just to make sure everything is still lined up and the scope hasn’t shifted.
Once I’m confident it’s still on, I’ll move back to 100 yards.
For the way I hunt — mostly big woods — 100 yards is more than enough.
I’ll also mix in a few shots at 50–75 yards standing. It’s good practice for when I get out of the tree stand and still hunt.
All together, I’m not shooting a ton. Typically:
- 5–6 groups
- 5 shots per group
The goal isn’t volume — it’s consistency.
What I’m Actually Practicing
For me, this isn't just target shooting.
It’s fun and keeps me sharp for deer season.
- confirming zero
- building confidence
- getting comfortable behind the rifle
Looking Ahead
In the future, I’d like to expand things a bit.
- clear a longer shooting lane
- pound in some posts
- set up a more permanent target system using old field signs
- add some steel targets
But for now, simple works.
Final Thoughts
Rifle shooting days don’t require much.
A small amount of ammo, a simple setup, and a bit of focus goes a long way.
Having everything packed and ready just makes it easier to get out, shoot, and make the most of your time.