Beckingham Range Days – A general guide!

Entry onto the range complex is from the A17, just off Woodgate Lane.

Check on google maps and streetview, the entrance is easy to find, here it is on Google Maps ;

Postcode LN5 0RL takes you along the A17 Sleaford Road where it becomes a dual carriageway and onto Woodgate Lane. 

Once through the gate go left, over bridge and follow the tarmac road to the range office and main car park which is also the 600 yard range assembly point. 

 And an overview of the range complex ;

A gate access code is required for entry from the road,  this will be emailed to all attendees prior to the event – make sure you have the code before traveling.

Once through the gate proceed to the 600 yard parking area keep your speed down.

A safety briefing will be carried out in the car park area by the RCO prior to the RCO signing on in the range control office.

Both 600 and 400 ranges are self contained, each with a single gated entry. We will pretty much always be booking the 600 yard range. 

No access to the firing point and range until the club RCO has signed to take control of the range.

Once signed – under RCO control, personnel and vehicle access is then allowed through the range gate to offload rifles/support and first aid equipment at areas adjacent to troop shelters/toilets and also to the butts for target marking/radio/first aid equipment to the Butts.

Once offloaded, all vehicles to be returned to the car park.

Once all vehicles are clear, range access gate is closed, a field telephone or radio must be provided at the gate.

There is no public or other shooting party access to your range, so ‘posting sentries’ is not required. However, one person must be in the console building at all times when shooting is active.

This person provides ;

• a comms link between the Range Office (Landmarc) telephone, gate telephone and radio comms to the active RCO
  observation for low flying aircraft, also possible personnel, livestock or wildlife intrusion into the range area

Always follow RCO instructions, especially regarding weapon handling at the firing point!
IF IN DOUBT – ASK!

NO EQUIPMENT ONTO THE FIRING POINT UNTIL TARGETS ARE UP AND RCO GIVES PERMISSION

The day will begin at the range for 0830 – a mandatory safety briefing for ALL shooters whether they are in possession of their own NRA Safe Shooter Cards or not.

The party will then be split into two details whereby we have a butts party (to operate the target frames) and the shooters up on the firing point. We’ll begin shooting at around 0900 and look to swap details over halfway through the day.

Timings for the changeover will be a little fluid depending on the ratio of shooters to members with Safe Shooter Cards – as those without must be mentored whilst shooting, this may mean a slight wait to shoot – as long as the full membership in the hundreds doesn’t turn out then expect about an hours worth of shooting each!

Some very important points to note about all MOD ranges including Beckingham ;

• No High Muzzle Energy firearms to be used – this means specifically:
  a maximum muzzle velocity of 1000 m/s (3280 ft/s) and a maximum muzzle energy of 4500 J (3319 ft lb)
• Calibre restrictions : .30 cal max (so no .451 for example)
• No 6.5mm Creedmore until further notice (banned by MOD for the time being)
• No Tracer ammunition to be shot.
• Ear protection is mandatory. Eye protection is optional but strongly recommended.
• ALL movement in and around the range must be under the control of Range Control – once you are on range or in the butts there is to be no movement without prior authorisation.
• Beckingham has two full self contained full bore ranges, there is no public access to the ranges so no need for “sentries” other than the person running the comms in the Console Building.
• The ranges are all exclusively Gallery ranges with man operated target frames – you will be taking a turn in the butts to operate the frames and patch the targets.
• There are no facilities for hot / cold drinks etc – bring your own!
• The RCOs are all trained first aiders and will have first aid kits – just in case.
• As of June 2024 home loaded ammuntion may only be used if you have an SCC with “Home loaded ammunition” as a category. You my NOT under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES shoot home loaded ammo on MOD ranges if you do not hold an SCC with that category explicitly listed. The club holds regular training courses for full members in home loading which will qualify you for an SCC with the “Home loaded ammunition” category – speak to any club officer if you are interested in obtaining an SCC with this category.  In the event of an accident you will be required to surrender a quantity of ammunition and your firearm for examination by the NRA and MOD as part of their investigation – this is a function of our range license and is not optional. Ensure you have followed established good practice and produce ammunition that is safe for your firearm.
• The club has multiple 223 and 308/7.62mm  bolt action rifles and ammunition available for use – members are welcome and encouraged to make use of these should they not have their own firearms or indeed just want to have a go – there will be a charge for this to cover the cost of the ammunition and the wear and tear on the barrel etc
• Any costs incurred e.g. club ammunition used, will be charged via Myclubhouse – no need to pay cash
• All shooting will be conducted prone – you are strongly advised to bring a shooting matt to lie on
• Muzzle discipline is absolutely paramount on an outdoor range – bolts on firearms must only be closed when the firearm is pointing at the intended target – any rounds slam fired over the backstop or heaven forbid, negligent discharges will result in the club losing the use of the range for the foreseeable future. This point cannot be stressed enough – the RO’s will repeat this with monotonous regularity on the day.
• The RO conducting the detail has signed for legal authority on that range and as such is responsible for everything that occurs, the RO’s decision is final as to whether a firearm may be shot or whether a shooter needs to stop shooting due to safety infractions.
• All firearms are to be carried cased or bagged when moving around the range complex. Equipment must not be placed onto the firing point until the RO has confirmed it is ok to do so.

The day will be open to all FULL members with or without their own rifles or FAC, unfortunately we cannot accommodate Probationary members on this activity – MOD restriction.

If you wish to use the club firearms the cost will be dependent on the amount of ammuntion you get through. Supplies are finite – don’t expect to shoot 100’s of full bore rounds! Somewhere around 30-50 is normal.

When signing onto the event in Myclubhouse you MUST indicate whether you need to use a club gun so we can work out how many to bring.