Sighting In on Range Safety
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Range Safety "Best Practices"
When you head out to the ranges at Mill Creek Rifle Club this season, whether it's to sight-in for whitetail, or just to put some holes in paper, please keep safety as your #1 priority. Here are some reminders for the safe handling of firearms at Mill Creek Rifle Club:
Use an empty chamber indicator
It is considered a best practice to insert an Empty Chamber Indicator/Open Bolt Inidicator into the chamber of any firearm on or near the firing line during a cease fire. Use of an Empty Chamber/Open Bolt indicator lets you and everyone around you know that the firearm is unloaded and that the action can not close. Empty Chamber Indicators are available in the clubhouse.
muzzle control & TRIGGER CONTROL
At Mill Creek Rifle Club, all rounds must impact the berms at the end of each range. It is considered a Best Practice to keep the muzzle of every firearm pointed downrange at all times. No one can predict the point of impact of a round negligently discharged toward the sky or through the metal awning. It certainly will not impact the berm as required. Rounds discharged through the metal awnings damage Mill Creek Rifle Club property, costing money for repairs in the short term, and shortening the useful life of the infrastructure.
Likewise, a round negligently discharged into the ground or a concrete surface can fragment or ricochet in an unpredictable direction, creating an exposure for anyone in the vicinity. Practice keeping your muzzle pointed down range at all times, and respectfully request that other shooters comply with this practice.
trigger control
A shooter should never put his or her finger on the trigger of a firearm until they know their target and what lies beyond. At Mill Creek Rifle Club, this means that a shooter's finger will only touch the trigger when the firearm is pointing downrange, and at an approved target positioned in front of a berm. The above photos show incorrect trigger finger and muzzle placement. Be aware of trigger finger placement at all times.
If you need to rest or pause during rifle shooting, either place your rifle on a bench, unloaded with an Empty Chamber Indicator inserted and the muzzle pointed downrange, or assume a body position that allows you to rest while keeping your muzzle pointed down range, and with your trigger OFF of the trigger until you resume firing.
Have fun, and keep it safe.
