Range 4 - Long Range Rifle - 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, square 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.

We shoot a variety of calibers on R4 from .17 centerfire up to .50 caliber ammunition (distances over 500 yards). You do have to bring your own targets as QSC does not supply targets or target holders, with the exception of KD frames that are placed into the target carriage in the pits. You can place a target frame with personal targets on the top berm, steel targets so you get immediate audible feedback, or clay pigeons on the rear impact area (1035y). The QSC is limited to single and semi-automatic fire only, we are not allowed to shoot fully automatic weapons - sorry, MCBQ rules, not QSC's - but we do routinely shoot with NFA legal suppressors.  

We have RSOs and mentors available to guide you through shooting at 1,000 as it is different than most people have experienced. We instruct new shooters in all aspects of long range shooting - we'll quickly put you at ease and have you on target in no time! 

Range 4 is used for recreational fire and competitions and is scheduled by an RSO. The RSO do not know any possible rifle or caliber restrictions until the day of shooting and when they call in calibers to Range Control. While we rarely have limits, there are some days when overhead aircraft may restrict calibers such a .338s.

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 24 are for paper only, 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 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, for example, 100 yards. That allows us to work up a ballistic solution to get you on target
    • Consider the capabilities of your optic - a .308 round at 1,000 needs about 28-32 MOA, so your optic needs that much available travel to get on target
  • 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 168gr Federal (which uses the Sierra Match King bullet) does not perform well past 800 yards. It could be density altitude or going transonic, but if you intend shoot past 800 with Federal .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 

Below is the "Order of Battle" on how the range operates during a day of shooting a 300y then 600 yard day - It's a long read, but worth it - We'll put it all into context when you arrive and shoot:

1.  We meet at Gate 7 by Range 4 where we’ll wait for the OIC to open the gate so we can get to the pits. The gate is usually opened by 0645 – 0700 and closed by 0745, The RSOs control these times and post them in Range Notes on the calendar.

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

3. Once we finish placing targets, we drive to the 300 yard line and park behind the line. We unload our gear and place it out at the corresponding shooting position to your target. For example, if we placed targets on spot 30, locate the target 30 ground marker place your gear. We USUALLY take our cased weapons and lay the CLEARED and CASED weapon on the line, but each RSO runs the range a bit differently and may want you to wait until the pits are clear before carrying a CLEARED and CASED weapons to the line.

4. The RSO will call us together and we’ll receive a safety and range brief. We’ll sign in on the roster, declare our caliber and how many rounds we’ll be shooting, which becomes the RSOs range report. 

5. The RSO receives notification the medic is on-duty. Once the medic is on-duty, the RSO calls range control to request a Hot time so we can have first shots out by 0800. 

6. We shoot at 300 for as long as required to gather data. We will usually shoot for 90 minutes, then call an all clear to check targets.

7. We call the range cold, clear and ground all weapons and then go back to the target area to check, clean, repair and replace targets. Expect 15 minutes to conduct a target check.

8. We repeat the 300 yard drills until shooters are done at 300y, but usually for no more than 3 hours. We will call the range and do a target check with the intent of moving back to 600.

9. Once targets are refreshed, we pack up our stuff and drive back to 600.

10.  We do the same as before by setting up our gear, once we go hot we move/uncase rifles and then we shoot. We do so for about an hour and check targets and we continue to shoot until people are done or it reaches 3p.m. when all ranges go cold.

11. The range will be called cold when complete and we’ll tear down, clear and case weapons and pack up our stuff. We police the area and then remove targets. Once done, we depart.

12. You can remove targets and depart the range anytime we go cold, just remove your targets and then pack up once we go hot.

Here’s the Order of Battle on, for example, a Sunday when shoot 1,000y:

1.  We meet at Gate 7 by Range 4 where we’ll wait for the OIC to open the gate so we can get to the pits. The gate is usually opened by 0645 – 0700 and closed by 0745, The RSOs control these times and post them in Range Notes on the calendar.

2.  Gate 7 is opened and we proceed to the pits/berm to place steel and/or targets. We can also go behind the berm and place clays onto the rear impact area. Steel is always placed from target points 25 - 50. Paper targets occupy target points 1 - 20. You can place clay birds on the impact berm. 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 to your target. For example, if you placed steel on spot 30, locate the target 30 ground marker and place your gear. We USUALLY take our cased weapons and lay the CLEARED and CASED weapon on the line, but each RSO runs the range a bit differently and may want you to wait until the pits are clear before carrying CASED and CLEARED weapons to the line.

4. The RSO will call us together and we’ll receive a safety and range brief. We’ll sign in on the roster, declare our caliber and how many rounds we’ll be shooting, which becomes his range report. 

5. The RSO receives notification the medic is on-duty. Once the medic is on-duty, the RSO calls range control to request a Hot time and do out best to hve first shots out by 0800.

6. The 1,000yd day does not go COLD but once during the shooting day as shooters have target cameras and steel (immediate auditory and visual feedback). So, if you're late, you could be waiting until 0930ish to place targets and shoot. (refer to the ranges notes in the calendar for that day's shooting session).

7.  We pack up as mentioned above.

Please enjoy these videos. The first teaches how to work the pits and pull targets, the second is a .50cal on R4 with slow motion and the last is a 1,000y shot on R4 with a hit on a 2/3rds IPSC target that is 12x20 steel. Don't let the distance intimidate you, we'll get you on target!