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November 26th, 2014
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One of our Forum members asked us the question: “Does anybody make a good range box with cradles for cleaning at the bench?” The answer is yes — the MTM model RBMC Range Box offers slide-in plastic cradles that provide a reasonably sturdy platform for a quick clean when you’re done shooting. The RBMC box also offers plenty of storage for jags, brushes, solvents, ammo boxes and other miscellaneous gear you need for the range.
Among the many range boxes available, the MTM model RBMC Range Box leads the pack in terms of versatility. It is rugged, it has plenty of storage space, plus it doubles as a handy cleaning station. This Editor has used the MTM Range Box to clean rifles and as a “range expedient” rifle holder when adjusting scopes and tensioning action screws. It’s a good product that does the job and stands up to rough handling. |
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Fitted Cleaning Cradles
The key feature setting MTM’s RBMC apart from most range boxes is the rubber-coated cradle system. Wide enough to fit a 3″-wide fore-arm, the cradles slide into vertical slots on either end of the box. This allows your range box to serve as a stable maintenance station. The RBMC is really pretty stable in this role, and the cradles won’t mark your stock. The cradles even feature slots on each side to hold your cleaning rods when not in use. The MTM Range Box is secure enough to stay in place when you’re brushing the barrel. However, if you’re working on a carpeted bench top, you may want to keep one hand on the box when running a cleaning rod through the bore, just to ensure the box doesn’t slide.
Versatile Upper Tray with Dividers
The MTM Range Box has two major components — the box base (with cradles), and a large upper tray with hinged top and carry handle. This large upper tray clamps securely to the bottom unit for transport. The top tray has a long section that holds cleaning rod guides, long brushes, grease syringes and the like. There are two, clear-plastic fitted divider trays. These will hold your patches and jags, plus comparators, ring wrenches, and other small tools.
 What Might Be Improved
Though we really like the MTM Range Box, it’s not perfect. First, we wish the box was a bit deeper, to have added carrying capacity. The dimensions of the MTM Range Box are: 25″ long x 11.5″ wide x 8.75″ high. We’d like to see it 12″ high/deep to allow larger solvent bottles to stand upright and to provide more space to carry tools and shooting muffs. However, it is deep enough to hold the large 100-round MTM cartridge boxes that are popular with many shooters (see photo at left).
The cradles are very nicely designed, and will hold your rifle securely without marking the stock. However, we’ve found that sometimes the rear cradle grips the gun so well that the cradle slides out as you lift the gun up. This is not a big deal, but it does demand a little extra attention when you’ve finished cleaning. We really like the twin clear plastic dividers that fit into the large removable top-tray, but we wish the dividers had individual hinged tops. This would keep patches and small parts more secure.
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The MTM Range Box costs about $46.00 at most vendors. The MTM Shooting Range Box RBMC-11 (green version) is on sale now for $35.68 at Amazon.com, with FREE shipping. The red RBMC-30 version (shown below) costs slightly more, and may currently be hard to find.
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August 9th, 2013
Forum member Mike Ezell (aka “gunsandgunsmithing”) has a clever use for a utility box. By fitting some inexpensive rod clasps to the box, he devised a handy rig to haul his wind flags and adjustable poles. Mike tells us: “With this modified utility box, I can tote six flags and six poles all in one hand. I used this set-up at a match last weekend. It worked great, and several shooters liked the idea. I simply carried the case, with poles attached and flags inside, to the target. I then set them up one at a time as I walked back.” That’s a slick system that will save time and energy when you’re setting up for a match or practice session. Nice invention Mike!
Mike Ezell Wind Flags
The wind flag sets inside Mike’s handy box are a design he makes himself. There is a pinwheel style rotor in the front, with a carbon/fiberglass wind vane in the rear. The “tails” are key to the system. Rather than have just a strip of fabric, which can curl and twist easily, Mike fits what amounts to a long, small-diameter wind sock. As the wind blows, this tubular tail fills with air and points back. This lets you clearly discern wind direction.
Ezell Wind Flags and Poles for Sale
Mike is proud of his wind flags and they are becoming popular with other shooters. Mike writes: “They are top-quality flags, made of the very best materials — NOT coroplast. The wind vanes are made almost entirely of carbon fiber and fiberglass, to be as light, sensitive and durable as possible.The pivots are made of Teflon and the colors are high-quality vinyl. I just recently added a green color option per request from other shooters. I back these flags with a 30-day, 100% SATISFACTION guarantee”.
Mike sells the single-vane flags for $60.00 each. At the request of many shooters, Mike also now offers a dual-vane version — call for pricing. You can also purchase the multi-section poles from Mike for $45.00 each. These extend up to 15 feet in height and include step pegs. If you’re interested, call Mike at 270-542-6022, or send email to: mwezell [at] logantele.com.
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February 12th, 2011
You should check out the new GunCases.com website if you need a gun case, gun safe, firearms storage solution, and/or shooting accessories. Guncases.com was recently launched by the folks who run OpticsPlanet.com, a major online optics retailer with a good reputation for competitive pricing, reliable shipping, and responsive customer support.
GunCases.com Offers Wide Range of Products
Hopefully the new GunCases.com website will emulate the better qualities of OpticsPlanet.com. A quick pass through GunCases.com shows that the website name is something of a misnomer — it offers much more than just gun cases, safes, and storage cabinets. You’ll find a complete range of firearms accessories, including ear muffs, eye protection, gun cleaning kits, rifle slings, bipods, shooting rests, range boxes, and more. When navigating the GunCases.com site, you can conveniently search by category, brand name, or keyword.
Quality Brands Featured
As expected the selection of rifle cases is very extensive. We were pleased to see that GunCases.com carries Plano AirGlide (vertical) cases, SKB Double Rifle Cases, Storm cases, Pelican transport boxes, and hardshell range boxes for bullseye pistol shooters. The AirGlide is one of the best choices for transporting a wide-forearmed benchrest rifle, and the SKB “bunkbed” two-gun case offers great protection for a pair of High Power or hunting rifles.
Large Gun Safes, Handgun Safes, and Security Cabinets
Guncases.com also carries a wide selection of gun safes and security cabinets. Large, heavy fire-resistant gun-safes are offered from Cannon, Homak, and Mesa Gun Safes. The prices on the big safes are pretty good. The popular Gunvault handgun safes are offered and you’ll find Homak steel security cabinets ranging in price from $99 – $499. While not as theft- or fire-resistant as a heavy-walled gun safe, a security cabinet can provide secure, locked storage for tools, optics, and other valuables.
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