Range Operating / Safety Rules

Range Operating / Safety Rules

1. All guests, members, shooters, and visitors are required to sign in before using the JRBPC leased property.

2. Spectators are not allowed in the in the skeet / bow & arrow range, woods walk trail, under the covered bench loading area or forward of the safety line on the shooting range without the permission of the Range/Safety Officer.

3. Smoking tobacco products are prohibited in the skeet / bow & arrow range, woods walk trail, under the covered bench loading area or forward of the safety line on the shooting range.

4. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the skeet / bow & arrow range, woods walk trail, under the covered bench loading area or forward of the safety line on the shooting range.

5. Alcoholic beverages may be consumed after the last scheduled event of the day, but not in the areas listed in Rule #4.

6. Eye & ear protection is highly recommended.

7. Pre–1840 firearms only with open iron sights (no peep sights or covered front sights allowed)!!

8. All matches will be shot with traditional black powder muzzleloading single shot firearms.

9. Only patched round ball may be used at this range, except loads for muzzleloading shotguns!! ('Bob Lee' Virginia State Offhand Championship, Frolic, Match Shoots, and other uses of the range)

10. No inline rifles!!

11. When moving a firearm anywhere on the James River Black Powder Club's leased property, the muzzle of the firearm must be pointed upward.

12. The “CEASE FIRING” command can be given by the Range/Safety Officer or any other individual observing an unsafe condition.

13. Failure to comply at any time to requests, orders, or directions issued by the Range/Safety Officer can result in the immediate expulsion of the shooter from the competition.

14. The range remains COLD until the Range/Safety Officer gives the command "COMMENCE TO LOAD AND FIRE". After this command is given, the shooter can:

a. handle a firearm;

b. clean a firearm;

c. snap percussion caps on an unloaded percussion firearm at the firing line;

d. load the firearm;

e. carry the uncapped/unprimed loaded firearm, with the barrel pointed up, to the firing line; and

f. the weapon on the firing line can be capped/primed and shoot down range at a target.

15. Firearms in the bench area are not to be handled during a COLD RANGE.

16. Firearms will be loaded only at the loading benches.

17. Firearms will only be capped/primed at the firing line.

18. Firearms will be pointed up and/or down range at all times.

19. Loading of firearms directly from a powder horn or bulk container is prohibited.

20. No loaded firearms, capped/primed or uncapped/unprimed, shall be removed from the firing and loading areas.

21. Loading paraphernalia, tools and spare parts will not be taken forward of the loading bench area without permission of the Range/Safety Officer.

22. Firing shall commence on the appropriate voice command “COMMENCE TO LOAD AND FIRE”.

23. Any firearm experiencing a misfire is required to be pointed down range for at least one minute. Once the misfire problem has been corrected, reseat the load before capping/priming and firing the firearm. A misfire may cause the load to move forward creating an air pocket between the powder and the load in the barrel. If the load is not reseated, this air pocket in the barrel may cause the barrel to explode or bell-the-barrel.

24. Special matches or shoots organized and sponsored by the James River Black Powder Club may require the temporary suspension of one or more of these rules. Other safety requirements may be imposed. In such event, the Range/Safety Officer will cover those requirements prior to the match or event being held.

25. Hunting on the James River Black Powder Club’s leased property is prohibited.

26. The cable at the entrance to the access road to the range at Centennial Road is required to be secured to the post at all times, except on Event days. Do not use the landowner’s driveway to bypass the cable gate at Centennial Road.

27. Any member using the range, other than for scheduled events, is required to pick up the key and leave his/her membership card in the secret box. If you drive your vehicle to the secret location to pick up the key, do not use the landowner’s driveway to turn your vehicle around. Upon leaving the range, replace the key in the secret location and retrieve your membership card. If you drive your vehicle to the secret location to return the key, do not use the landowner’s driveway to turn your vehicle around.

28. The last member to leave the range is required to secure the cable at the entrance to the range to the post with a padlock.

29. On Event days, the last member to leave the range is required to secure the cable to the post at Centennial Road.