Range Box for Muzzleloaders

[RonRC]

I found what was a wall-mounted display case for nick-knacks. At least that was what I was told about its use. Made of plywood, it isn't authentic to the muzzleloader period, but it did supply me a foundation for modification into something useful.
Here it is after I had played around with it and made some changes. On the edge are pieces from our wood floor installation that serve to hold my sectional range rod.



Inside the left side of the box are the former top halves of wooden 3 x 5 card holders. They make great shelves and storage containers. The right half of the inside will eventually have pegs for attaching my muzzleloader pistols.


It ain't pretty, but may prove useful. Lots of small items will go in the top drawers. Hooks on the inside will hold short starters by leather thongs and, if I am shooting percussion, then they might hold cap dispensers.

Any ideas for modifications will be welcome!

Ron

[Hawken50]

  Good job Ron. That looks right handy.

[crazell]

Ron that's pretty nifty. I bet it's handy. Thanks for sharing and pics.

[old salt]

 

[hotfxr]

I love it. You are now officially my re-purposing guru! I shall be plagiarizing your ideas from now on.   

[RonRC]

Confession: that darn box is HEAVY! And that is without any shooting supplies in it.
3/4" plywood will do that.

Ron

[Papa]

 I built a couple of range boxes over the years and the only thing I did was collect three times what I needed for a range session.  My range box now is little more than twice the size of a cigar box. 
Mark

[Red Badger]

I like it!  My range box is an idea I "Borrowed" from Old Salt....

I got one of them fancy Harbor Freight wood toolboxes and it serves as my range box.  Works well and holds everything for a day of range work including one of them never been used (yet) CO₂ ball dischargers  for when I do dryball.  The only thing that does not fit is my 2 piece range rod, but it is quite happy to arrive at the range in the barrel of a rifle...

[Keb]

Got a wheelbarrow to haul it to the firing line yet? I use a horn & bag to haul all my shooting stuff around. It's quite convenient.

[Red Badger]

Got a wheelbarrow to haul it to the firing line yet? I use a horn & bag to haul all my shooting stuff around. It's quite convenient.

Don't need a wheelbarrow but then again I am hauling 5 to 15 rifles/pistols/smoothbores when I go to the range so do need a lot of gear... Tough to haul all that stuff the 50 feet from the front door of the house to the preparation area of the range... :) 

[Blackfeet]

I built a couple of range boxes over the years and the only thing I did was collect three times what I needed for a range session.  My range box now is little more than twice the size of a cigar box. 
Mark

I can relate to this. I found it was much easier to move my range

Now I shoot at home but moved my 'Kit' even closer by designating a section of my shop ,that borders my range, as a staging area with targets, powder, ball, patches, and caps. Cleaning is also done out there.

The box reminds me of my first pistol box, only 1/2" plywood but held 4 pistols and fixings........it is now a nice lockbox.

Have you considered wheels yet?

Seriously nice box

[Hanshi]

That is a well thought-out and constructed shooting box, Ron.  And it even looks heavy, too heavy for me.  I use a period correct Sears plastic tackle box and a historically correct Samsonite nylon bag complete with shoulder strap.  Neither weighs very much and is easy for this chihuahua to tote.

[Papa]

Ron,
Changing gears for a moment. At the range I often use pretty tight loads and use a one piece stainless range rod. How do you get away without breaking a jointed rod on those kind of loads or is that just to look good?
Mark

[RonRC]

I hadn't checked on responses for some time, so I am late in responding.

The range rod seems to hold together really well, given that it is in sections. With a dry ball to get out, I have used a nylon rope wrapped around a joist with the other end wrapped on the T-handle of the sectional rod. A standard, dry ball screw was driven into the ball. The rod took much of my body weight pulling on the rifle and there was no observable effect on the rod.

That said, I do bring a stainless range rod as backup, just in case.

Ron

[Blackfeet]

Please explain........what is a 'dryball'?? 

Just kidding of course. I have only had to pull one but have shot a few out over the years.....twice in one session even