Shooting "guilt" is finally getting to me...

I don’t feel guilty, but I do feel kind of awkward when tossing 100, rounds of 9mm, 100 rounds of .38 Special, 100 rounds of 300 blackout and whatever else I’m shooting that day into the range bag and think that equals around $250+ if purchased new today. Thankfully I cast and reload, so the actual coat is pennies on the dollar, but it still feels different from when you could go find ammo or supplies anywhere.

I have shot only 22RF for the last 5 years.
1. It is-or at least was -cheap.
2. Easier on the shoulders and ears.
3. IMHO shooting is a matter of coordination, proper habits, developing skills, the caliber isn't that important.
4. Still have my reloading gear and a modest amount of supplies, the next icy, snowy, rainy stay at home day I will start reloading again.

BLACKHAWKNJ said:

MHO shooting is a matter of coordination, proper habits, developing skills, the caliber isn't that important.

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I partially agree with that , but one cannot entirely dismiss the very real factors of managing recoil , report and flash.
If all a person wishes to do is shoot .22 for recreational purposes , then those factors are moot.

Deviation from topic acknowledged. (But then , ".22 only" didn't address the original topic either , that being feeling guilty about shooting during the shortage , so I am guilty feeling after all - of compounding the deviation.)

Typetwelve said:

It really bums me out to admit this, but the guilt of shooting is starting to get to me...

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Understandable. When even .22 cal is becoming unaffordable it's pretty hard to justify blowing off hundreds of rounds during a day at the range anymore. Laser-based practice systems are nice, but really don't provide the full training experience. I'm hoping that capitalism will come to the rescue, since the supply is going to be hurting even worse when the incoming "president" bans ammo imports.

Find the proper balance of having what you need and too much.

Nursing homes are filled with people who hoarded items in excess, their kids got rid of it all at a garage sale.

Rembrandt said:

Nursing homes are filled with people who hoarded items in excess, their kids got rid of it all at a garage sale.

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I laughed out loud at this. But it is PERFECT.

Unfortunately, I have cut my recreational shooting to the minimum. No guilt involved here but, the only ammo I have fired since this madness started has been fired while either actually hunting or confirming zero. I laid in a decent stock of ammo back when it was dirt cheap. And, the way things are currently looking, the ammo I have on hand now may be what I have to feed my hobby for quite a while...
On a side note, I have taken an increased interest in Archery and Air Rifles. I gain some personal satisfaction knowing that I do have some alternative to firearms should the RKBA be severely diminished or abolished altogether. ☹

RexFeral8 said:

... I gain some personal satisfaction knowing that I do have some alternative to firearms should the RKBA be severely diminished or abolished altogether. ☹

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It distresses me to see someone so thoroughly prepared for uncontested defeat.

Teachu2 said:

It distresses me to see someone so thoroughly prepared for uncontested defeat.

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I believe the word you're looking for is "realistic." It must bother you to see people being realistic about the current situation. I for one, am a realist.

But we're about to be way off topic.

Feeling guilty about shooting the ammo you bought is like feeling guilty for eating the food you brought home from the grocery store. Makes no sense at all.

As long as you don’t run out of your favorite ammo “chamberings” long before the panic “Bubble” shows consistent deflation,

then there’s no reason to worry.

Many of us have the same questions about "when" the anxiety bubble will show some clear deflation.

Typetwelve said:

I think some of you misread what I was saying...I don't feel guilty that some do not have supplies and I do...I feel guilty shooting my own supplies when I'm uncertain about the next time I'll be able to restock.

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I think I understand but I wouldn't call it guilt. IF you've got "all kinds of reloading supplies" be happy you've prepared for lean times and enjoy your shooting. I'll budget my shooting to make my stockpile last and enjoy it until I get down to bare bones. At my age I don't have time to waste waiting for the drought to end.