[losangeles]

I know there's no one good answer and it's something that depends on the current skill of the practitioner. But how many rounds do you need to spend each week to stay competitive?

Looking at the price sheet of ammunition in my local range, it'd be $140 for 1,000 rounds. That and $40/month of lane time would make my expenses go at nearly $600/month.

[XD Niner]

I try to hit the range twice a week and shoot 150-200 rounds each session. It seems to be about the right amount for me.

That said, I really need to dry fire practice more. I guess I just don't want to pay all that money for the additional ammo. :what: :neener: :D

[losangeles]

Thanks for the feedback. I've been a casual range shooter for many years but I'm thinking about getting into this competition thing. Just as with any sport, the more repetitions, the better it is --- so I'm feeling that I'd need to get more practice in.

But then, dang, this thing can get expensive in a hurry!

[P95Carry]

I think duration of shooting experience counts a bit here. If a new shooter then all the practice you can get - for quite some time.

If long term shooter - many years - then I think once muscle memory etc is established, much less live fire will suffice. I guess tho hard to say it can ever be too much!

I do think dry fire drills and draw etc can save a boatload of ammo - and so polled for just 250 a week - in fact now I never make that count at all. I am old and slower but - am mainly concerned that I can still be well competent even if slower.

Any change in carry platform tho does by default IMO require a new and upgraded practice regiment for a while - until it is mastered fully.

If we are talking just compo's tho - say IPSC or IDPA then - possibly - more the better!

[MNgoldenbear]

Really depends. +1 on advice to dry fire a lot.

WHEN DRY FIRING:
1) CHECK THE MAGAZINE(S) AND CHAMBER TO VERIFY THEY ARE EMPTY.
2) BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THERE IS NO AMMUNITION ANYWHERE NEAR WHERE YOU WILL BE PRACTICING.
3) CHECK THE MAGAZINE(S) AND CHAMBER TO VERIFY THEY ARE EMPTY.
4) FIND A SAFE BACKSTOP TO PRACTICE AGAINST.
5) CHECK THE MAGAZINE(S) AND CHAMBER TO VERIFY THEY ARE EMPTY.
6) TRY USING REDUCED TARGETS FOR THE DISCIPLINE YOU ARE PRACTICING.
7) DID I MENTION TO CHECK THE MAGAZINE(S) AND CHAMBER TO VERIFY THEY ARE EMPTY?
:)

[eerw]

I usually dryfire about 20 minutes every day...and I try to shoot once or twice a week about 200 to 300 rounds per session..depending on skills and drills that I am working on..then I try and shoot 2 or matches a month..

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

1300+ rounds per 1lb of powder $20
Range pickup brass- Free but an initial expense to get the first 1000
Primers $15/1000
Lead Free to say $10/40lbs
Bullet molds, lead melting equipment- Less than $200
Progressive Reloading Equipment $$$ Depending on how elaborate the equipment

I list this because I've seen it through the years. Even a casual shooter. Not competitive in every match on the schedule needs to be either wealthy or a reloader of at least practice ammunition. Yeah, dry firing is a neccessity. But live fire is still te best practice. Depending on your shooting dicipline, Rimfire shooting is probably the cheepest practice. 500rnds of target ammo is a mear $18.00. Full membership in a shooting club that reduces 'pay as you go shooting time' may be an option. Joining shooting leagues could also reduce your personal pay as you shoot time.

And shooting outdoors -maybe just a bit out of town, is an option.

Ma'Gaud, If it cost me $600 a month to shoot, just for practice. I'd move to a place where it's quite a bit cheeper.

For me.. $100/year at the club. $40/each Duelo/Bullseye league. Ammo is extra, so add $25/week. That's with reloading. Not paying retail.

Over the years I've seen people start IPSC, IDPA, and Bullseye shooting competitively, and only the ones that reload their own ammo survive. There's a few that can afford to buy bulk ammo...

-Steve

[losangeles]

Over the years I've seen people start IPSC, IDPA, and Bullseye shooting competitively, and only the ones that reload their own ammo survive. There's a few that can afford to buy bulk ammo...

-Steve

Yeah, that's probably the bottom line. Counting all the accessories and all the non-competition guns that we need for our collection, the annual budget is really way up there.

[MNgoldenbear]

1300+ rounds per 1lb of powder $20
Range pickup brass- Free but an initial expense to get the first 1000
Primers $15/1000
Lead Free to say $10/40lbs
Bullet molds, lead melting equipment- Less than $200
Progressive Reloading Equipment $$$ Depending on how elaborate the equipment
...getting to shoot thousands instead of hundreds of rounds per year... PRICELESS! :D

[Jeeper]

If you want to cut down the cost.

Dryfire daily and RELOAD!!!

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

For me,... I shoot anywhere from 250-500rnds a week in the summer. Involved in league in Winter, the amount actually goes down. But as I add .45acp Duello and Bowling pins in the spring, that amount will double if not tripple.

(Ok, I've shot as much as a few thousand rounds on a Saturday, but that was competition with friends. Out in the woods, trimming trees or squirls from trees, where the squirl or bird or tree has the distinct advantage)

That's enough to keep me competitive. But, then again, I think I'm a slightly above average shooter in my neck of the woods. Maybe not in your area. I don't have "too many guns", (is this possible?), that I don't know the nuances of each trigger movement of the mix. -Gawd, why can't they all be the same?!!!

Do I turn down an opportunity to shoot? Buddy and his wife were shooting three varmint rifles this weekend. They needed to fireform 500rnds of brass for each. Do ya think I turned them down at the offer to shoot something that's capable of sending 8 of 10 bullets into one hole at 200yrds? :D

A few hundred rounds and two cups of hot cocoa later.. It's all practice.

So, I'd like to give you one thought. "It's not the amount of bullets you throw at paper, but rather the quality of shooting time you have". Some of us need more practice than others, but none of us should run from opportunity. Because, with more practice, even the best get better.

-Steve

[Jon Coppenbarger]

This time a year untill sometime in Jan I might shoot 100 to 150 rounds in competition and really load for the next year. At least get my stuff loaded untill mid july done.

Come Jan or feb I will start to get out and test loads and practice a little more untill the season really kicks off about the first of april. After then it is most all matches everyday of almost every weekend and the weekend days I do not compete will be for actual distance practice on items I need to work on.
By the first of june until the middle of sept. I will really be spending the time. I will dry fire very little at home but will shoot hundreds of rounds in my head everyday during those peak times.
The positions are getting down so it is more the mental part and the visual training in my mind.
When I dry fire in my head the same shot hundreds of times a day by the time I get to a match the shot is automatic.

[warriorsociologist]

about 200 (at least that's what I try to maintain).

[Fly320s]

I feel comfortable with some dry practice and 100 well-practiced rounds a week. But since my favorite range is a 45 minute drive one-way, I tend to shoot several hundred rounds while there.

Lately, I've been finishing well in USPSA and steel plate shoots while getting in less practice. :confused: I'll take it, though.

[rick_reno]

I typically shoot less than 50 per session during the competitive season, and I'll shoot two sessions per week. I'm worn out after 50.

[Scoupe]

I shoot between 500 and 1000 rounds a week in about 3 separate sessions. Depends on when it is. During actual competition season I slow down. Practice has slowed a little for weather lately. I end up with about 26K shot a year.

I shoot skeet, and of course I reload and reload and reload. I love my MEC 9000s. :D

[Malfader13]

I know this thread is about staying competitive, this is just my thoughts about knowing how to use your weapon for more practical purposes, though there is nothing wrong with competative shooting.
I say 100 rounds through your primary defensive weapon a week should do the trick. But slow firing at a stationary target isn't all you need. Practicing double taps is important, drawing, clearing a room, and possibly multiple targets in a quick succession are also. How many of us in a true life or death situation are going to have a bad guy that will stand there like a paper target, allowing us to draw, release the safety and take a nice certain bead on them? So don't just practice hitting accurately, practice drawing and hitting quickly. Create the muscle memory with your handgun that you can un-holster it, take the safety off and line up a decent shot in a split second. At first please don't do this with live rounds. :)
I am no expert but this is my two cents worth.

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I shoot Bullseye, and am venturing into Pins. I might go to falling Plates some time, but if I want to slip in some rifle shooting, until I'm retired, there just isn't enough time in a week to add another discipline. To add to the Bullseye, I shot a Duello league this year. What fun. Bullseye slowfire for two targets then three sets of Deullo where the target faces you for three seconds, then turns away, then back for three seconds. One shot each turn. Pistol in hand, but resting on bench in front of you. Now, this isn't quick draw, but the 10 ring is a heart shot. Anyone that shoots this or Bullseye regularly will develop instinctive movements ready for when it's time to use a weapon in defense. Not that the other disciplines wouldn't, In fact, they are based more on fast shots at blinded targets. That which a peace officer might encounter. But, remember, Bullseye has three stages. Slow fire (ten rounds, ten minutes- Twice), Timed fire (five rounds 20 seconds- Four times), and Rapid fire (five rounds, ten seconds- Four times), shooting at a 10 ring the size of a Silver Dollar. (50' indoor 600 series) As with the Duello there is by design habit forming motions that will be very useful in a defensive situation.

Now I'm not putting down the other tacticle practice's. Not at all. I'll even include Bowling Pin shoots for this. For one to handle a heavy magnum or warm .45acp, knocking down five pins in less than 4 seconds from 20 feet, is no small matter.

What I encourage is league shooting. Any discipline. I never tested myself, really tested, until I put myself against a clock or another person. Even shooting with buddies out in the hills. Bragging rights go a long way to build confidence. We need to be confident to shoot well.

There are other things to keep you sharp too. Out in the hills. A pit somewhere with a buddy. I had a friend toss a pop can away from me at a safe burm while I was blind folded. Standing in that direction. Pistol holstered. I was quite surprised at how close I came to hitting that can on every try. Not quick draw, but fast movement. No, I can't shoot asprin from the sky. That's not what I'm promoting. What I'm promoting is enough practice, and practicle shooting that the firearm becomes the extension of one's hand.

That's if you're looking at your pistola as a defensive weapon. If you're just using it as a piece of sporting equipment, To stay competitive, you need to shoot as often as possible.

Oh, and as my signature says in red...

-Steve

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I will add a little more to my earlier thoughts.
It depends on how good you are? You are always going to have a tier in everyones skill level no matter which sport you try out in competitive shooting.
The beginner or someone that thinks the more they shoot is the answer to success is thinking all I need is more practice and I will get where I want.
The only thing true about that is either a low goal or the lack of know how to achive something they think they want but do not know how to get there. So they fire more.

The so-so shooter who does not fit the above more than likely is the one who has peaked out at a low to mid level and is satisfied with being so-so or does not know except for more firing what will make me better.

Then you have the one who wins at a local level but finds it very difficult to compete at a national level and tacks it up to if I only had the time to practice more it would happen.

The last one is a hanicap when you compare it to shooters from the Olympics or the AMU or other military teams but they do something that allot of folks do not do.
They practice right! Yes they do practice more but it is a constructive practice with a meaning and they do it for a living. The normal Joe has to work, take the kids or better half out on the weekend or work on the house or lawn and many more things.

You and me who do not fit into those last two classes have to do it right to get better. By that I mean do you just go out and think "if I only get 300 rounds in a week instead of the normal 200 I will get 50% better". It does not work that way does it?
Ask yourself this question: What percentage of my shooting is physical and what percentage is mental. Do you think it is say 50-50 or pick out what you think it is. To a new shooter it may be like 80% physical and 20% mental. But you ask a world champion in the olympics or a national champion long range rifle shooter and he would say its like 90% plus mental and 10% physical.
Your practice should be to learn the muscle memory skills that will allow you to get to the later percentages.
By doing that you will get from say a for example 70% to 80% score on your targets to a higher level much faster than if you did not. Now the shooter who is at say 96% to 97% scores can not find to many large gains by practice alone so they must seek out the mental part or even on the outside a change in equipment for a few extra fractions of a percent.

I do not ever plan on being in combat or for that matter have a race to stop a touchdown from Reggie Bush of the USC football team either. I may like to throw a football in my younger days but I do not have to either.
What I like about some forms of shooting is that I do not have to be the fastest, strongest or leap tall barricades. I do not care if you like it or not thats your choice of your sport thats fine and I find it offensive that some folks preach if you do not do it you are nothing! but I see quite a few folks humbled by a 14 year old 80 pound female who just blew the center out of the target or just handed you your ass at 600 yards when they only get to shoot at those long ranges only a few times a year. Trust me it was not that they fired 200 or 1K rounds down range at 600 yards every week and then go win a national title at 19 or 18 or what ever. It was the quality of the practice.
I am not the best but I have my days and my bad days are better than 90% of the others in the world that do what I do but I find it really weird when I just get done shooting on a target that I find hard to see because of my almost 52 year old eyesight. And I mean that old front sight disapears in the target I find myself shaking my head when I find out I just won or the only difference between myself and the guy shooting a better rifle and ammo or using a scope is not much of a difference if any. Its fun to win a match against some usa champions at their own game with a open sighted service rifle. I did it twice this year out of 3 tries and it was not all luck or skill but it was because I practiced right. My mental attitude was right and I found it easier to take the shot I practiced in my head every day and when I did train it was the same practice with a purpose of learning.
Lanny was right when he said the same thing. How do you win a gold medal when you live sometimes many hundred of miles away from where you can compete. It is not the amount you practice its how you practice.

[losangeles]

I do not ever plan on being in combat or for that matter have a race to stop a touchdown from Reggie Bush of the USC football team either.

I see quite a few folks humbled by a 14 year old 80 pound female who just blew the center out of the target or just handed you your ass at 600 yards when they only get to shoot at those long ranges only a few times a year. Trust me it was not that they fired 200 or 1K rounds down range at 600 yards every week and then go win a national title at 19 or 18 or what ever. It was the quality of the practice.

All good points! Also, to add to that, I think there's an aptitude issue at work here too. Including for the said 14 year old 80 pound female, who I may never ever be able to beat. Same with Reggie Bush even if I were to go back to my high school playing days. No matter how much quality practice I could muster under expert tutelage, there's no way I would have consistently tackled a flying Reggie Bush on a punt return.

[wanderinwalker]

I typically practice about 50-100 rounds a week for Highpower shooting, depending on the exact time of the year and how many matches I've fired recently. Mostly it is just working on the things I need to improve. Such as getting over to the 600 yard range to practice more than once a season before the matches. Or practicing my offhand until the drill is down.

Most of this is position and technique refinement, as I discover things I thought would work did not and others posed problems that were difficult to work around. My biggest goal for the upcoming year is to get my shots off faster with less looking at the sight picture to refine it. So knowing this is an issue, it will be what I practice.

I also like to take out the Walther KK100.22LR on occasion. Of course the thing feeds on $30/500 Wolf/SK ammo, which doesn't bother me too much. I've found it excellent for offhand and prone practice (still haven't figured out how to fit the rifle to me for sitting), as the low velocity and loooooong barrel make me work to stay with the shots after the trigger breaks.

The rimfire practive should improve my offhand scores in Highpower, but I had a hell of a time breaking 91% there this year and tanked badly at Perry during those critical first 10 of the match. Which is odd, because the year before my offhand average was more like a 93, with the occasional 95, 96 and a 98 thrown in here and there. Practice and focus.

[Ankeny]

I usually dryfire about 20 minutes every day...and I try to shoot once or twice a week about 200 to 300 rounds per session..depending on skills and drills that I am working on..then I try and shoot 2 or matches a month..

That pretty much describes what I do during the season. In the winter months I usually quit altogether for a couple of months. Quality of practice means more than the number of rounds fired. I know guys who shoot until they are ankle deep in brass and they show no improvement.

[f4t9r]

How many rounds a week do you need to stay competitive

If you are talking top performance the guy at the range shoots 1000 - 1500 a week, then he shoots comp every weekend all over the USA

[Ankeny]

Just thought I might add, Brian Enos has written about a period of time when he and Rob Leatham traveled all over the country shooting IPSC matches. Brian writes about how just about the only live fire they performed was during the match. No live fire practice to speak of at all. The results? They almost always took first and second. Just some food for thought.

[LOST SOUL]

I try and hit the range once a week and shoot about 1000rds between three pistols. 9mm,357 sig,45acp