Range Box
Sometime in the late 90's
I do not make it out to the range nearly as often as I would like, but when
I go I don't want to forget anything.
How long is your list of things that you have forgotten at one time or another?
There is not a lot that is more frustrating than arriving at the range only
to discover you forgot something, especially if it is something
more than just a handy item to have.
I finally gave up and built a box to haul everything in except the guns. Of
course the box weighs enough that it should have wheels, maybe even a license
plate. If I don't rupture a disc lifting it, it is great.
In my spare time, that reads- when heck freezes,
I am going to re-build the box of lighter construction, however, functionally
it is great.
While pondering how to build this box, the first concern was to find the biggest
piece of equipment that must go in the box, then
build from
there.
In the June issue I reviewed the Pact Model 1 chronograph and mentioned the
optional skyscreen bar. Well, that happens to be
the biggest piece of equipment that I haul to the range. It measures 22"
long, so this meant the box had to have an interior length of at least 22"
or be at
least that tall.
I chose a horizontal box design because no matter what I am hauling, if it
can fall over it will. Horizontal meant that the box would be
shorter and less likely to fall, tip, spill, roll, or any or all of the above.
Next question I addressed was would I always take the chrono?
No, probably not. Solution - a 2 piece box.
The bottom third of the box can be removed and left behind, preferably, left behind at home and not at the range.
In addition to the skyscreen bar, other items that
I wanted with me at the range included the following list:
Shells
cleaning rod
rags
targets
ear protection
staple gun and or tape
Allen wrench set
screw drivers
spotting scope
chrono unit and screens
I listed a cleaning rod; when I built the box I was taking a 3 piece rod to
the range for emergencies. If I am really working at tight
groups on a specific gun, I take a 1 piece rod and clean as I go, it won't
fit in the box but I try not to forget it.
Of course, like most gun enthusiasts, I was also certain that I would discover
other things that I simply must have to do the job right. This
meant leaving room in the plans to add an east wing to the rapidly growing
box.
I have included some pictures of the box/steamer trunk. Go ahead laugh, it is fugly, but it works.
The HOMEMADE RANGE BOX
All jokes aside, it is too heavy even empty, however, being the resourceful
person that I am, I did not have to buy any lumber and very
little hardware. The heart of the box is hard rock maple from a dismantled
bar top in my basement rec-room.
There are some plastic tool boxes on the market that I looked at but I just
could not figure a way to make them work for me. Building the box
myself allowed me to customize it to suit. I did not get fancy with mitered
joints or anything, I really did not care what it
looked like
as long as it worked.
Someday I will rebuild it of lighter construction but it will have to be by
choice because this box will never wear out. It has become one of
those things "if it ain't broke, don't fix
it". Time being what it is, that project will
have to keep for a while, but meantime my trips to
the range should include all the tools and equipment I need.