Range Protocol
THESE SAFETY RULES DEPEND UPON COMMON SENSE, COURTESY, COOPERATION AND GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP
Policy:
Colorado Rifle Club (CRC) is commited to the safety and well being of its members, guests and employees. To ensure the safety of all oerswons using or visiting our facilkity, Colorado Rifle Club approves the handling of only authorized and approved firearms by properly trained and qualified persons.
Purpose:
This policy sets forth guidelines and procedures regulating the use of the Colorado Rifle Club ranges by members, guests, and employees. This policy is not intended to create a contract of employment or to be construed to constitute contractual obligations of any kind between Colorado Rifle Club and any of its members, guests, or employees. Colorado Rifle Club retains the absolute right to modify or alter this policy based upon professional or business issues.
This policy should not be construed as creating a legal duty or a standard of safety or care. This policy is for internal use only and is not intended for use in any criminal or civil proceeding. Violations of this policy may form the basis for internal decisions. Only violations of the law may form the basis for civil or criminal sanctions in a recognized court.
Scope:
This policy applies to all Club members, guests, and employees seeking to utilize the Club’s Facilities. Members, guests, and employee must familiarize themselves with the contents of this policy and sign the Agreement of Release and Liability verifying that I have read and understand it, and approve of its contents.
This policy and the accompanying general and specific range rules apply in general to all activities on the CRC property. The ONLY exceptions to this protocol and rules may occur where the conditions of an ORGANIZED event, competition or training program, conducted under the supervision of competent range staff, require. Variations from the protocol; and specific rules are NOT PERMITTED when the shooting is not organized and conducted under competent supervision, e. g.., individual practice.
Definitions:
1. For CRC purposes, a Target is a man-made, non-glass article that is temporarily placed, or thrown, into position for the shooting. Therefore, glass bottles, cans, rocks, target numbers, target frames, animals, buildings, permanent fixtures, and other objects are not targets.
2. Clear Firing Line: A firing line is clear when, and only when, all firearms' actions are open with bolts removed or an open bolt indicator placed in the chamber, or racked or cased and all shooters acknowledge that the line is "clear" by stepping back from their firing point and equipment. Firearms of any kind may not be handled in any way while a firing line is in “clear” status and people are forward of the firing line. There are six ranges on the property and each of those ranges accommodates one to several different sports. Each sport has certain customs or conventions peculiar to that sport. It is the participant’s responsibility to be familiar with those customs and conduct him/herself in a safe manner at all times.
3. Range Officer: During organized events a Range Officer will be designated by the Match Director. One or more assistant range officers may be designated as needed. Such range officers and assistants may or may not wear an armband, hat, badge or some other identifying symbol. It is the shooter’s duty to know who the Range Officer is at any time and obey his firing line commands to the letter. Firing line commands and procedures may vary with the customs and conditions of the sport in question at any time.
During casual practice, the first CRC member arriving at a firing line is the “Acting Range Officer” (ARO) so long as he/she is present. The ARO is responsible for the safe operation of the range at all times. He/she will among other things: call “cease firing” as needed for target changes; ascertain that the firing line is “clear” before permitting shooters to go forward; be certain that all shooters are behind the firing line before permitting firing to resume; and manage the general operation and decorum of that firing line. All other shooters must, on arrival, determine who is the Acting Range Officer and obey all firing line commands of that person. When an ARO leaves the range he/she will designate another shooter to succeed as ARO and be certain that that individual is aware of the change.
4. Matches have precedence: Scheduled tournaments have precedence for the use of the range during the time that the tournament is in progress. Casual shooters may be accommodated at the discretion of the Match Director if there is space available and the casual shooter does not disturb or interfere with the tournament shooters. If a match extends beyond one day, it may be necessary to preserve the range and target setup overnight and the match director may close the range even after the match has finished for the day. Match Director’s phone numbers and email addresses are listed on the annual club calendar. Call the appropriate MD for specific information.
GENERAL RANGE RULES:
The following general rules apply to all persons who are on CRC property for any purpose, and at all times. There are additional rules specific to each of the ranges, and all persons must be familiar with and observe those range specific rules as well.
1. Treat ALL firearms as though they are loaded and ready to fire until YOU have ascertained otherwise. Never point any firearm at anything that you do NOT want to shoot.
2. All firearms in a car must be unloaded and safely cased.
3. When uncasing a firearm for moving it to the firing line ACTIONS MUST BE OPENED and the arm carried with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, normally straight up. Some ranges or events require that a yellow or orange safety indicator be inserted into the open action. Muzzle loading arms are excepted from the actions open rule but must be unloaded.
4. Away from the firing line handguns may not be carried in holsters, except for law enforcement personnel in uniform or persons holding valid concealed carry permits. “QUICK DRAW” handgun practice or shooting IS NOT PERMITTED on CRC property.
5. All wildlife is protected on club grounds under the terms of our special use permit from Adams County. Hunting and dog training is forbidden.
6. Dogs allowed only on restraint and at owners risk.
7. Alcoholic beverages are allowed in designated areas for special events. Alcohol may only be consumed after all shooting is completed for the day, and all firearms are unloaded, cased and placed in vehicles or otherwise secured.. Alcohol may not be consumed on or near to any firing lines while shooting is in progress.
8. Persons under 18 years of age may shoot only when supervised by a responsible adult.
9. Members bringing a guest are responsible for that person and must accompany them at all times on CRC property.
10. Drive only on designated roads and park only in marked parking areas.
11. Wear eye and ear protection whenever firing. Even 22 rim fire cases occasionally fail and may injure eyes. The firing line covers tend to reflect noise back toward shooters and many high powered loads can cause serious ear injury which accumulates over time.
12. Be extremely careful with fire. Do not burn trash or drive through dry grass because the heat of car exhausts may start fires.
13. The nearest emergency fire and medical responders are in Byers and it will take at least half an hour for assistance to arrive at the range. Note that some cell phones will not access the Byers 911 number. Signs are posted around the property with the 10 digit number for Byers fire and medical assistance. Always use that number when calling for assistance. The Byers fire department number is 303 822-5222 and the Medical Emergency number is 303 822-5353. Try to meet the responder at the road gate to lead them to the accident or fire. The Adams County Sheriff’s number is 303 622-9798 (Strasburg).
14. Please remove your trash and wastes from the property. We have no trash pickup and there is no waste water dump station on the property. Please pick up your fired brass and place it in the barrels provided.
15. Each range is designed for certain arms. For safety reasons it is essential that only the designated arms be used. Refer to the individual range rules for each range.
• 50 cal. BMG (Browning Machine Gun) cartridges are NOT PERMITTED. Any caliber lead bullets from muzzle loader or black powder arms are permitted.
• FULL AUTOMATIC FIRING IS NOT PERMITTED.
• TRACER, INCENDIARY OR EXPLOSIVE BULLETS ARE NOT PERMITTED. Armor piercing bullets may not be used on the silhouette range.
16. Arrange your firing point so that you fire straight downrange (do not fire diagonally across any range) and be sure that all shots impact the backstop. Firing is permitted ONLY ON THE DESIGNATED RANGES and is forbidden elsewhere on the property.
17. It is the duty of all persons using the CRC facility to know, understand and observe these rules as well as common sense safety precautions at all times when handling firearms. Willful violation of these rules is ground for immediate expulsion from the range and the club.
SPORTING CLAYS RANGE RULES
In addition to the General Range Rules which apply everywhere on the CRC property, the following rules are specific to the shotgun or sporting clays range area.
1. This range is limited to SHOTGUNS ONLY. Rifles or pistols of any kind are not permitted.
2. Shotshells only are permitted and shot must be No. 4 or finer. Do not use magnum loads because this is a small area and heavy shot with high powered loads could leave the CRC property. Rifled slugs may be fired on the Schuetzen range.
3. Fire only in the area of the established traps. Do not shoot in the parking lot, the area around the range buildings or in the area west of the established traps. That area is reserved for archery and wildlife habitat.
4. Pick up your fired shells and dispose of them in the barrels provided.
5. Shoot only clay targets. For practice shooters must bring their own supply of clay targets. Do not shoot at wildlife, cans, bottles or other informal targets.
6. When using the pattern boards, shooters must provide their own paper and supplies.
7. Keep vehicles on the established roads to avoid getting stuck in the soft sand which prevails in the area.
8. Be very careful with the traps. The trap arm can cause serious injury.
9. Wear eye and ear protection at all times.
PISTOL RANGE RULES
In addition to the General Range Rules which apply everywhere on the CRC property, the following rules are specific to the pistol range area.
1. Bullets escaping from this range have impacted in the ranch house area. Therefore, this range is restricted to HANDGUNS ONLY and only those handguns firing straight cases. Bottleneck cartridges or handguns firing rifle type cartridges may not be fired on this range but may be fired on the schuetzen or silhouette ranges. RIFLES, CARBINES OR SHOTGUNS of any kind are NOT PERMITTED on this range.
2. Be sure that all shots impact the backstop. Be aware of ricochets and if ricochets are heard, change your target or position so as to eliminate them. Do not shoot across the range.
3. “QUICK DRAW’ shooting is NOT PERMITTED except for authorized events and organized training sessions.
4.Targets and target frames are available in the range shed. Shoot only at paper targets mounted on a proper frame. Steel plate targets or “gongs” may cause dangerous ricochets to the firing line and are not permitted. Cans, bottles and other informal targets are NOT PERMITTED.
5. All arms must be carried unloaded with the actions open and magazines out. Handguns may not be carried in holsters except for law enforcement personnel in uniform and persons with valid concealed carry permits.
6. During cease fire periods all arms must be benched with magazines out, cylinders open, and slides locked open. If cylinders cannot be opened or slides cannot be locked back, a dowel, safety indicator or some other positive device must be inserted in the action to prevent firing. All shooters must step away from the firing line and guns may not be handled.
7. Wear eye and ear protection at all times.
8. Pick up your brass and dispose of it properly. Remove fired targets and take them away with you. Remove all your trash and wastes.
SMALLBORE RANGE RULES
In addition to the General Range Rules which apply everywhere on the CRC property, the following rules are specific to the smallbore range area.
1. Bullets escaping from this range may have impacted in the ranch house area. Therefore, this range is restricted to ordinary velocity 22 CAL RIM FIRE RIFLES ONLY. Center fire 22 cal. and smaller cartridges as well as 22 magnum or hyper velocity rim fire cartridges may be used on the schuetzen range. Only single shot or bolt action rifles should be used. Magazine or multiple round loading in not permitted on this range because of the danger that a live cartridge might be overlooked in a magazine.
2. Use only paper targets on the frames available in the target shed. Use provided spring clips to mount targets. Do not use staples or tacks in the target frames. They are hard to remove and may cause injury.
3. Be sure all shots impact the backstop. Rifles must be pointed at the backstop before closing the action. Beware of ricochets and if ricochets occur change your position or target to eliminate them.
4. Actions or bolts must be open at all times except when firing. During cease fire periods, rifles should be in racks or cases or laid flat on the ground. Step away from the firing line. Do not handle rifles for any purpose while persons are downrange.
5. Wear eye and ear protection at all times.
6. Pick up your brass and dispose of it in the containers in the target shed or on the line. Remove fired targets and take them away with you. Remove all your trash and wastes.
SCHUETZEN RANGE RULES
In addition to the General Range Rules which apply everywhere on the CRC property, the following rules are specific to the schuetzen range area.
1. Any safe rifle or pistol may be used on this range EXCEPT 50 cal BMG and shotguns firing shotshells. Shotguns firing rifled slugs may be used.
2. Shoot ONLY at paper targets properly posted on the target frames. Targets are available in the shed at the west end of the smallbore firing line, the pistol range shed or the high power range pit. Do not post targets across the horizontal center bar of the target frame. There is a frame member behind that bar that will be destroyed by bullets. Do not shoot at the legs or other structural parts of the frame.
3. When using the short distance target frames on the west end of the range, be sure that they are not aligned with each other or with another frame at the 100 yard line.
4. Be sure that all shots impact one of the two backstops. When shooting at 100 yards, especially in the prone position, be sure that shots do not impact near the top of the backstop. This causes ricochets. If you hear ricochets, adjust your position or target to eliminate them.
5. During cease fire periods all arms must be unloaded, with actions open and magazines out. Long arms must be racked. Step away from your firing point and do not handle any arm for any reason while persons are downrange.
6. Due to the heavy loads used by some shooters, EYE AND EAR PROTECTION ARE ESSENTIAL at all times on or near this range.
7. Pick up your brass and dispose of it in the barrels on the line. Remove fired targets and carry your trash away with you.
HIGH POWER RANGE RULES
In addition to the General Range Rules which apply everywhere on the CRC property, the following rules are specific to the high power range area.
1. Any safe rifle may be used on this range EXCEPT 50 cal BMG.
“Range in Use” RED SAFETY PENNANTS MUST BE RAISED opposite the west end of the 1000 yard firing line and on top of the west end of the backstop BEFORE any firing begins regardless of the distance in use.
3. Range Use Preference:
· On even numbered dates shooters firing short ranges, i.e., 200, 300 or 600 yards, have preference for use of the range.
· On odd numbered dates shooters firing long ranges, i.e., 600 to 1000 yards have preference for use of the range.
· Shooters wishing to fire on non preference dates, for example 300 yard shooting on an odd number date, may do so if no long range shooters are present. On arrival, a preference date shooter must give the other a reasonable time to finish his string and clear the line.
· On any preference day, shooters wishing to fire at different ranges, for example 200 and 300 yards, must work it out among themselves.
4. If both bench rest and prone shooters are present at the 1000 yard firing line, the groups must segregate themselves at opposite ends of the firing line, preferably bench rest shooters to the left (west) and prone shooters to the right (east).
5. During cease fire periods all rifles must be grounded or racked with the actions open and magazines removed. Very heavy bench rest rifles may be left on the benches with the bolts removed. Yellow or orange safety indicators should be put into the open actions. Do not handle any arms for any reason during cease fires. All targets must be pulled down into the pits during cease fires.
6. Due to the heavy loads used by some shooters, EYE AND EAR PROTECTION IS ESSENTIAL at all times on or near this range.
7. The high power range is heavily used. Note that rifles of this class may also be fired on the silhouette range to 500 meters or on the schuetzen range at 100 or 200 yards.
PIT RULES
In addition to the General Range Rules which apply everywhere on the CRC property, the following rules are specific to the high power range pit area.
1. TARGETS MUST BE DOWN whenever persons are changing from firing line to pit duty or are outside the pit for any reason. Targets will be raised only on the “commence fire” command unless particular match conditions require other exposure of the targets. ALL PERSONS MUST BE INSIDE the pit before targets are raised for any reason.
2. Do not leave the pit for any reason, except to the rest room, during any time that targets are raised.
3. On completion of firing:
· Lower target and remove target from the carrier. Place it against the south wall to prevent rain from destroying the cardboard backing.
· Close the observation window and be sure it is latched
· Close the sliding cover and be sure that the lock pin is engaged to prevent wind damage.
· If there are no others present, be sure the pit doors are closed and locked.
4. On completion of match operations be sure that there are several target boards accessible in the pit for practice firing, together with target faces, glue, pasters, spotters , etc.
5. Eye and ear protection should be worn at all times during firing.
6. Pick up trash and keep the pit area clean, and the steps free of debris and obstructions.
SILHOUETTE RANGE RULES
In addition to the General Range Rules which apply everywhere on the CRC property, the following rules are specific to the silhouette range area.
1. Any safe rifle or handgun may be used on this range. Rifles may not be larger caliber than 8mm.except for those using unjacketed lead bullets. BELTED MAGNUM CALIBERS AND ARMOR PIERCING BULLETS ARE NOT PERMITTED because they will destroy targets and target stands.
2. Shotgun shoting is prohibited.
3. The East side if the range is for .22 rim-fire shooting only.
4. During practice shooters must provide their own targets except that some gong targets are in place on the range. Paper targets may be placed on frames provided. Shooters may bring other frames, so long as they are placed so that shots impact a backstop. Use of trash, cans bottles or other such targets is prohibited.
5. The several small backstops at the east side of the range are restricted to 22 rim fire only.
6. During cease fire periods all firearms must be racked or cased with the actions open and magazines removed. No firearms may be handled while persons are downrange. Be sure that all persons are behind the firing line before shooting.
7. Be certain that all shots impact a backstop. Beware of ricochets and if any are heard, change position or target to eliminate them.
8. Wear eye and ear protection at all times during firing.
9. Pick up trash and brass and dispose of it properly. Keep the range area clean.
10. Please do not move the equipment tables.
EAST RANGE RULES
In addition to the General Range Rules which apply everywhere on CRC property, the following rules are specific to the area:
1. This Range is intended for generally short-range sports such as, but not limited to, Cowboy Action and Practical Pistol. Firearms capable of ranges beyond one mile are prohibited.
2. All rounds fired must impact the end backstop. Firing into the side berms is not permitted. If the match conditions of a SCHEDUED EVET, being conducted under the supervision of a QUAIFIED Range Officer or Safety Officer require it, firing into the side berms may be permitted. Such firing must always be under the close supervision of such qualified officer(s) who must personally see that the adjacent bay is unoccupied before permitting such firing.
3. All firing must be from locations completely enclosed by the side berms. Firing from points outside the berms is not permitted.
4. Walking or climbing on any berms is not permitted because of the safety hazard involved.
5. Vehicles must be parked in the designated parking area. Vehicles may not be inside the berms except for maintenance work on the range or facilities.
6. Vehicles must be parked in the designated parking area. Vehicles may not be inside the berms except for maintenance work on the range or facilities.
7. Approved targets include steel gongs, paper targets, clay birds and other targets appropriate to the sport being practiced. Bottles, cans, old TV tubes, that vase your mother-in-law gave you, etc. are NOT approved targets and are forbidden at all times.
8. Shooters are expected to pick up their spent cases and all other materials and debris and remove it from the property.