Range 4 is a Precision Fire range with shooting positions from 100 yards to 1,000 yards.

• You must bring your own targets (and target stands unless using a KD frame), hydration, sunscreen, bug spray, ear and eye protection, etc.
• Always check the club calendar for any last minute changes before coming to the range

Range 4 is simply the best long distance range in Northern Virginia. Originally built in WWII, R4 is a 50 position, 1,000 yard, known distance range with shooting positions in 100 yard increments and surrounded by mature trees. The north to south oriented complex has a concrete pit area with target carriages for "Known Distance (KD)" targets, a top berm where steel targets can be placed and a rear impact area where you can place clay targets for a total distance of 1,035 yards.

• All calibers from .17HMR to .50 BMG are allowed
• You can place a target frame with personal targets on the top berm, electronic targets, target cameras, steel targets, or clay pigeons on the rear berm (1035y)
• While there is no automatic fire on the range, suppressors are allowed   
• RSOs and mentors can guide you through shooting at 1,000
  • Long distant, precision shooting is more challenging than than most shooters have experienced
  • It is not YouTube easy, but we will work with you to quickly put you at ease and have you on target 
• Range 4 is generally not used for recreational fire
• RSOs do not know possible caliber restrictions until the day of shooting - This primarily affects .338 Lapua and .50 BMG

Members and guest are encouraged to read the Range 4 SOP and rules about Transporting Firearms aboard MCBQ. 

Some suggestions when you come out to R4:

• Safety, Safety, Safety! All weapons remain cased to and from the firing line and are only uncased upon RSO direction
• We reserve target spots 1-7 for the RSO and OIC, Spots 8 to 20 are for paper only and 25 to 50 are for steel (paper can be also shot along with steel on these firing points).
• If you've not shot at 1,000y, keep in mind the distance, it's not like shooting at 100 or 300 yards
  • You will not be able to spot your hits past 300y unless you have a high end spotting scope, even hits on a Shoot 'n See splatter target will be hard to spot past 300yards
  • Consider a steel target until you become comfortable with the dynamics of long range. Steel offers auditory feedback and you can see hits on painted steel at 1,000
  • Ensure your rifle is pre-sighted / zeroed to 100 yards. That allows us to work up a ballistic solution to get you on target at distance
  • Consider the capabilities of your optic - a .308 round at 1,000 needs about 40 MOA of travel (12 MILS), so your turret needs that much available travel to get on target
    • A 20MOA scope rail is recommended as it aids any optic with limited turret travel
• Bring something to lay on like a shooting mat or blanket as there are lots of small bugs. Many people bring a small tarp and lay their shooting mat on top
• Bring sun screen, bug spray and a good head covering - The sun travels directly over the firing line and it will get hot
• A bipod, bag or rest to stabilize the front of the rifle and a rear bag while shooting
• Sufficient ammo for a day of shooting, same make and type. Mixing ammo will take you off target due to differing ballistics
  • A peculiarity of R4 is .308 with the168gr Sierra Match King loading (such as Federal Gold Medal Match) that does not perform well past 800 yards.It could be the density altitude or going transonic, but if you intend shoot past 800 with .308 ammo, go with the 175gr
• HYDRATION and snacks - It gets brutal some days and there is no water on the line or close, bring a stocked cooler. Same for food, bring what you need
• Chamber flag - Allows us to quickly walk the line and clear weapons
• Targets - Again, you need to bring your own
• Patience - It can be a challenge when windy
• Nice to Haves:
  • Range Book with pen - Keeps track of each hit with conditions so you start to build useful data
  • Ballistic App for your Phone - Quickly helps build a DOPE card
  • Tarp - Keeps you off the ground
  • Tool kit - In case you discover that optic really isn't secure in the mount
  • Cleaning rod - Just in case a round gets stuck in the chamber, we can beat it out
  • Foldable chair - It's nice to relax if you're going to spend 8 hours on the range
  • Spotting scope - Allows us to call your shoots and get you on target (many of us bring ours so this is a luxury)
  • Cart - Allows you to load up and make a single trip from the parking lot to the firing line 

Here’s a sample Course of Fire on, for example, a Sunday when they shoot 1,000 yards:

1. Shooters meet at Gate 7 on Willis Road (adjacent to Range 4) where we’ll await the OIC to open the gate so we can access the pits and place targets. The gate is usually opened by 0700 and closed by 0745, The RSOs control these times and post them in Range Notes on the calendar.

2. Once Gate 7 is opened, shooters proceed to the pits / berm to place steel and / or targets. Shooters can also go behind the pits and place clays onto the rear impact area. Steel is always placed from target points 25 - 50. Paper targets occupy target points 1 - 20. The pits are cleared NLT 0745.

3. Once we finish placing targets, we drive to the parking area above the 1,000 yard line, unload our gear and place it out at the corresponding shooting position tor your target. For example, if you placed steel on spot 30, locate the target 30 ground marker and place your gear. Weapons remain cased and cleared to and from the firing line and until the safety brief is given and the range declared Hot. 

4. The RSO will call us together and shooters will sign in, declare calibers and round count and receive a safety and range brief. 

5. The RSO receives notification the EMT is on-duty. Once the EMT is on-duty, the RSO calls range control to request a Hot time so we can have first shot by 8am. 

6. The shooters do not go COLD but once or twice during the shooting day as all have electronic targets, target cameras, or steel. So, if you're late, you could be waiting a long time to place targets and shoot.

7.  Once firing is complete, we pack up, move cased weapons to pur vehicles, remove our targets, and depart the range.

Please enjoy these videos that show some activities on Range 4:

• The first offers hints, tips and advice for a successful range day and applies to all QSC ranges
• The second is a a long time, 70+ year old member firing their 50BMG
• Next is a first round hit on an 8" Milk Jug, which is part of the 1,000 yard "Milk Jug" challenge of running your bolt, not your mouth on Range 4. The video was an initial attempt using a scope camera that was adjusted to too high a magnification, but you get the idea.
• Lastly is a cold bore, first round hit at 1,000 yards with a 300PRC on a 2/3rd IPSC target (12"x20"), that's what Range 4 is all about