Dearth of shooting

[Chuck R.]

My range is in my back yard, I reload and have set aside enough components for the next few years, so no substantial change for me.

The matches I attend though; IDPA and 3Gun, have seen a decline in the numbers of shooters. Tuesday night's IDPA match only had 15 shooters show, down from 25+. Biggest issue from talking with the guys I shoot matches with is lack of primers...

I'll get a decent feel for how the neighbors are doing over Thanksgiving weekend. Usually IF the weathers even remotely OK, the countryside "opens up" due to relatives coming to visit over the holiday.

 

[Zendude]

The number of new shooters is growing, and the concealed carry classes at my local range have high attendance. That said, I think people are shooting less ammo at the range and I’m seeing more 22 LR brass on the floor than usual.

 

[BobABQ]

At the gun club that I belong to I have noticed a distinct reduction in people coming out and shooting. I have always assumed that it is because of the lack of readily available ammo.

 

[Scooter22]

Yeah we have noticed a big decline in shooting at the different ranges we belong to. All the shortages and high prices are blamed on the Covid and supply chain. Maybe it is but seems convenient. I've always said the antis don't have to get rid of the 2A. Just put a strangle hold on ammo supplies so you can't get any. A gun without ammo is just a expensive club.

 

[Steve S.]

I saw plenty of ammo at the Hazelwood, MO Cabelas - especially 9mm and .223 - tons of it - albeit expensive. I do not think that there is some dark power implementing some dark ammo shortage conspiracy. - our sport is simply costing more right now as are many other items in our economy - is there an auto conspiracy, is there a bacon conspiracy- how about a restaurant labor conspiracy. It is all the very bad leadership and crazy politics of our economy at this time - just plain terrible leadership.

 

[MAKster]

I am a member of a large outdoor shooting range. Aimed more at guys shooting bolt actions, 22s, antiques, and trap and skeet. They place is basically empty and it's just the same half a dozen retirees every time I go. I also shoot at an indoor public range that is better for handguns and more semi-auto friendly. That place is always packed with customers.

 

[HowieG]

It's alive and well in SE Wisconsin. The ranges I've gone to have been busy and it's common to hear gun shots from my house- the good kind, hunters and people shooting on their property.

It's good to hear the things are near normal somewhere.

 

[Steve S.]

Ammunition is at a price point that makes people reconsider, uncomfortable about cost and availability - so some degree of less shooting is very normal I should think. The MO firearms deer season (the big turnout one) just ended -.harvest numbers were (if I remember correctly) about 10k greater than last year - so the hunters had enough ammo - ammo is available but expensive.

 

[DustyGmt]

Surprisingly there are still piles of brass for the taking at my local range, you're not even supposed to leave it behind, it's a carry in carry out and that goes for brass too but nobody takes their brass or empty ammo boxes, targets, etc...

 

[JEBruns]

Surprisingly there are still piles of brass for the taking at my local range, you're not even supposed to leave it behind, it's a carry in carry out and that goes for brass too but nobody takes their brass or empty ammo boxes, targets, etc...

That's too bad. Went out to a public state run range yesterday. All brass was in the provided bucket, no targets left down range, no trash laying around.

Lots of shooting in my area, pretty much year round. Several folks must have ranges on their properties, plus the city and police ranges are close enough to hear off in the distance. I have a range down in one of my hollows, but don't use it much as I loose most of my brass in the underbrush.

 

[webrx]

Our range used to be full all the time, last few times I have gone one side has been closed, they could obviously open it if needed, but lately I see a dozen or so people there in a 50 bench range.

Interesting enough was at Scheels on Saturday evening, they had HP-38 in stock, full shelves of ammo, and more bullets and brass than I have seen in a couple years. 223, 556, .308, .22, 9mm, .38, .357 etc. it was like "Christmas" Prices were a little high and manufacturer variety was lacking, but, ammo was there.

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[foresthawk]

where you can't buy ammo online, there's a lack of ammo supplyavailable to shooters (if you don't reload.)
overall, lack of supply and generally high prices contributing to less recreational shooting; not good as this won't attract and hold new shooters, which we need.

 

[Ignition Override]

No apparent change is noticed at our eight or so separate alleys for Action Pistol which I use (and rifle targets allowed on berms >>>if kept clean<<<).
Also no change for the number of people at the Covered ranges.

As for the Select-Fire (oh yes-once you "quallify"), 200 and 600 yard ranges or the isolated clay pigeon ranges, no idea. But so many guys reload anyway.

Being by far the very best (and largest), extensive private club within a 200 or so miles radius, membership has recently grown by a few thousand since 2018 or 2019.