Sylvilagus Aquaticus
Member
.22lr is cheaper than Prozac.
How many of you actually like to shoot?
- Thread starter WhiteKnight
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Moparmike
Member
I wish I could enjoy it more.
I like the idea of having guns. I would like shooting more if I could hit something. I was not really taught how to shoot, so I just line up the sights and pull the trigger, hoping I hit something. *shrug*
Its ok. I havent tried many 3d targets, although shooting the hell out of an AOHell disk is quite satisfying. Paper targets suck, and my pistol groups turn into patterns. For some odd reason, if you give me an AOL disk flopping around in the wind, I can put 5 bullets in an area the size of a shotglass at 9yds. You put me at a peice of paper, and I am lucky to keep the whole magazine on an 8x11 sheet of paper. I dont get it at all. The shotgun is much more fun with real targets too. Although if they are moving they had better be the size of a barn for me to hit them.
Shooting in general is painful. My 10mm hurts my wrist, my 8mm and 12ga hurts my shoulder, and the AK isnt too comfortable either. Although I can hit the best with the AK. My recently aquired H&R topbreak .22lr is rather nice though. Now if I can find a comfortable shooting position that doesnt make my back hurt.
I like the idea of having guns. I would like shooting more if I could hit something. I was not really taught how to shoot, so I just line up the sights and pull the trigger, hoping I hit something. *shrug*
Its ok. I havent tried many 3d targets, although shooting the hell out of an AOHell disk is quite satisfying. Paper targets suck, and my pistol groups turn into patterns. For some odd reason, if you give me an AOL disk flopping around in the wind, I can put 5 bullets in an area the size of a shotglass at 9yds. You put me at a peice of paper, and I am lucky to keep the whole magazine on an 8x11 sheet of paper. I dont get it at all. The shotgun is much more fun with real targets too. Although if they are moving they had better be the size of a barn for me to hit them.
Shooting in general is painful. My 10mm hurts my wrist, my 8mm and 12ga hurts my shoulder, and the AK isnt too comfortable either. Although I can hit the best with the AK. My recently aquired H&R topbreak .22lr is rather nice though. Now if I can find a comfortable shooting position that doesnt make my back hurt.
michiganfan
Member
I go as often as time permits. Usually twice a month in the summer. It goes to about every week in the winter.( No golf in Michigan.)
I shoot, what I consider, a lot. In my peak during the year I'll shoot up to 5 times a week. Most of the time it's more like 3 or 4 times a week. This is coupled with 30-60 minute dry fire practice on the off days. So, I would say I like to shoot.
Every year towards the end of the summer I tend to get a little burned out. I start skipping practices and local matches. I start shooting my bow for deer season, spending a little more time with the family, and transition into hunting.
I'm at that point right now. I jammed my strong hand thumb pretty bad last night and it's swollen and painful. I just cancelled my spot at the match tmoro and I'm a little disappointed.
Every year towards the end of the summer I tend to get a little burned out. I start skipping practices and local matches. I start shooting my bow for deer season, spending a little more time with the family, and transition into hunting.
I'm at that point right now. I jammed my strong hand thumb pretty bad last night and it's swollen and painful. I just cancelled my spot at the match tmoro and I'm a little disappointed.
Wow - looks like I'm the only "no" up there.
For me, firearm ownership is about utility and responsibility; shooting can be fun, but it's not fun enough to get me to go to the range and spend range fees more often. Generally, I'd rather hang out with my wife, or play computer geek (maybe gaming), or take pictures, or go smoke a cigar and enjoy a good book at the park with my dog, or hang out with friends, or...
Shooting socially is different, but as a general rule I shoot enough to stay comfortable with my arms, and to keep my abilities "good enough" (generally hitting a pie plate at 50' is good enough for handgun use; with a rifle if I can hold a consistent 3" at 100m that's good enough for all practical purposes.)
Now, if I ever get a .22 revolver so I can practice some of the techniques in "fast and fancy revolver shooting" by McGivern that might change, but right now shooting for fun is _expensive_.
For me, firearm ownership is about utility and responsibility; shooting can be fun, but it's not fun enough to get me to go to the range and spend range fees more often. Generally, I'd rather hang out with my wife, or play computer geek (maybe gaming), or take pictures, or go smoke a cigar and enjoy a good book at the park with my dog, or hang out with friends, or...
Shooting socially is different, but as a general rule I shoot enough to stay comfortable with my arms, and to keep my abilities "good enough" (generally hitting a pie plate at 50' is good enough for handgun use; with a rifle if I can hold a consistent 3" at 100m that's good enough for all practical purposes.)
Now, if I ever get a .22 revolver so I can practice some of the techniques in "fast and fancy revolver shooting" by McGivern that might change, but right now shooting for fun is _expensive_.
I love to shoot whenever I can afford it. I am a self defense type and do not hunt. I shoot and practice whenever possible, close contact drills, man down drills, move to cover, etc..
Same thing with my rifles.
It annoys the deer hunter types who go through 20 rounds a year but I don't care. When they can't remember how to zero a scope, I get asked.
I've shot :
.22, .32, .380, .38, .357, 9mm, 9mm Mak, 9X21, .357, .380/200, .40, .41 AE, .45, .45 Colt, .455 Webley, .454, .445 Super Mag, .41 Mag, .44 Mag, 8mm Nambu,
.222, .223/5.56, .220 Swift, .22 Mag, 6.5X55, 6.5 Carcano, 6mm PPC, 7X57mm, 7.62 Nato, 7.7 Jap, .303 British, .30-06, .30-40, .30 carbine, 8mm Mauser, 7 Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, the various WSSMs, .30 Gibb, .45-70, .45-90, .50-110 (thanks Sharps guys!), .30-30, .35, .416 Rigby (ouch) Two shots of .458, .50 BMG in rifle and HMG flavors...... 40mm grenade launchers, 75mm howitzer, 120mm main gun..... even a blank 155mm howitzer round.
.410, 28, 20, 16 and 12 ga, plus a couple 10ga.
Most of those were in multi-thousand round groups, including full auto. So yes, I would say it's safe to say I love to shoot. I've also taught over a dozen people how to shoot.
And I probably forgot a few calibers I've shot in there.
Same thing with my rifles.
It annoys the deer hunter types who go through 20 rounds a year but I don't care. When they can't remember how to zero a scope, I get asked.
I've shot :
.22, .32, .380, .38, .357, 9mm, 9mm Mak, 9X21, .357, .380/200, .40, .41 AE, .45, .45 Colt, .455 Webley, .454, .445 Super Mag, .41 Mag, .44 Mag, 8mm Nambu,
.222, .223/5.56, .220 Swift, .22 Mag, 6.5X55, 6.5 Carcano, 6mm PPC, 7X57mm, 7.62 Nato, 7.7 Jap, .303 British, .30-06, .30-40, .30 carbine, 8mm Mauser, 7 Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, the various WSSMs, .30 Gibb, .45-70, .45-90, .50-110 (thanks Sharps guys!), .30-30, .35, .416 Rigby (ouch) Two shots of .458, .50 BMG in rifle and HMG flavors...... 40mm grenade launchers, 75mm howitzer, 120mm main gun..... even a blank 155mm howitzer round.
.410, 28, 20, 16 and 12 ga, plus a couple 10ga.
Most of those were in multi-thousand round groups, including full auto. So yes, I would say it's safe to say I love to shoot. I've also taught over a dozen people how to shoot.
And I probably forgot a few calibers I've shot in there.
JuniorG
Member
I try to shoot twice a week and will shoot any where from 50 to 500 rnds, depending on what gun I'm into at the time.
The only thing I enjoy more is sitting at my bench and handloading more ammunition.
The only thing I enjoy more is sitting at my bench and handloading more ammunition.
2nd Amendment
member
Let's see, there's now a small gunshop at the front of my drive, my back yard is my own 125yd range and across the tracks I've got 30 acres of prime deer hunting property... Nope, shooting holds no appeal at all.
BerettaNut92
Member
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Outside of training, it's more of a social thing for me now.
Gun dorks
Gun dorks
I understand what the original poster means.
Kent Lomont once told me that if every gun he sold didn't have a firing pin, only a fraction of his customers would complain.
Many people buy guns for the pleasure of owning fine equipment or for the emotions they evoke, but shoot rarely.
I, too, own guns I haven't shot yet, that I bought because they excited me or interested me in some way, and I knew I'd get around to shooting them sooner or later. That said, realize that once you get much past a couple dozen, it's very difficult to NOT have guns you haven't shot in years, or at all.
I shoot once a week on average, always 200 to 500 rounds out of handguns and rifles, sometimes an additional 500-1000 out of full autos.
My students in CCW classes leave all my magazines loaded before they leave the range, and I have LOTS of magazines.
I got interested in shooting as a young boy andforty years later I like it more than I ever have. I've met men in their eighties that have said the same thing.
If shooting a lot seems too much of an ongoing expense but you don't mind investing money up front, get a good used S&W M41 and 20 spare mags. If that's too rich for you, get a Ruger Target, but don't ever shoot a Smith or you'll be unhappy.
Shoot at least 200 rounds a week of whatever ammo the gun likes best. If you can't afford $5-$8 a week in ammo costs, IMO your priorities are screwed up.
JR
Kent Lomont once told me that if every gun he sold didn't have a firing pin, only a fraction of his customers would complain.
Many people buy guns for the pleasure of owning fine equipment or for the emotions they evoke, but shoot rarely.
I, too, own guns I haven't shot yet, that I bought because they excited me or interested me in some way, and I knew I'd get around to shooting them sooner or later. That said, realize that once you get much past a couple dozen, it's very difficult to NOT have guns you haven't shot in years, or at all.
I shoot once a week on average, always 200 to 500 rounds out of handguns and rifles, sometimes an additional 500-1000 out of full autos.
My students in CCW classes leave all my magazines loaded before they leave the range, and I have LOTS of magazines.
I got interested in shooting as a young boy andforty years later I like it more than I ever have. I've met men in their eighties that have said the same thing.
If shooting a lot seems too much of an ongoing expense but you don't mind investing money up front, get a good used S&W M41 and 20 spare mags. If that's too rich for you, get a Ruger Target, but don't ever shoot a Smith or you'll be unhappy.
Shoot at least 200 rounds a week of whatever ammo the gun likes best. If you can't afford $5-$8 a week in ammo costs, IMO your priorities are screwed up.
JR
Brrlgrrl
Member
Yes. I practiced often with my revolver, but found I really, really, really enjoy my new rifle!
Range and paper is kind of boring, yet I recently had the opportunity to visit some friends who live in an area of CA that still resembles the USA. We were able to shoot unconventional targets that aren't allowed at the local ranges.
I have Caulrophobia, and worked through some of my fear by wasting company ink on lots of evil pictures and turning them into mulch. You could probably hear the hysterical laughter for miles after shooting their noses off! Best defense for "C" words- start with 357 lever action, noses, eyes, balloons- then go to the shotgun, no more "C" word! I also had the opportunity to "triple tap" (not sure that's what its called) Boy was that fun, but still paper. Then came the grapefruit. Oh my goodness, if I had the land I would build a rifle range and grow grapefruit trees!!!!!!! Those were so much fun I just can't get over it! And sodas! They were a treat! Range time will never be the same again.
So in closing, yes I enjoy shooting, have all my life, and enjoy it more and more! I need a shotgun next.
Range and paper is kind of boring, yet I recently had the opportunity to visit some friends who live in an area of CA that still resembles the USA. We were able to shoot unconventional targets that aren't allowed at the local ranges.
I have Caulrophobia, and worked through some of my fear by wasting company ink on lots of evil pictures and turning them into mulch. You could probably hear the hysterical laughter for miles after shooting their noses off! Best defense for "C" words- start with 357 lever action, noses, eyes, balloons- then go to the shotgun, no more "C" word! I also had the opportunity to "triple tap" (not sure that's what its called) Boy was that fun, but still paper. Then came the grapefruit. Oh my goodness, if I had the land I would build a rifle range and grow grapefruit trees!!!!!!! Those were so much fun I just can't get over it! And sodas! They were a treat! Range time will never be the same again.
So in closing, yes I enjoy shooting, have all my life, and enjoy it more and more! I need a shotgun next.
I dislike hunting simply for not being able to shoot. Hunting is simply getting food and 99.99% of the time you're not shooting anything.
If I had a decision between a day at the gun range or a day in the field, it would surely be at the gun range.
If I had a decision between a day at the gun range or a day in the field, it would surely be at the gun range.
jefnvk
Member
You are now my role model!
As for do I like shooting, I can't decide whether I want to join the competition rifle team or the pistol club. I think I'll do both. 30 hours of free range time a week sounds good to me!
Just gotta hit the right day duck hunting. You'll be out of ammo before you know it (at least if you're a bad shot)
firearms_instructor
Member
I love to shoot. I am a recoil masochist.
ReadyontheRight
Member
I love to shoot, but I dislike how far I have to drive to do so.
ReadyontheRight
Member
Also - Reagrding hunting. I've hinted most of my life, but I figured out a few years ago that I really like shooting more than hunting, so I started looking for more info on other kinds of shooting. This led to discovery of The Firing Line and eventually THR.
Rockrivr1
Member
I love to shoot and went to the range whenever I could. I noticed last year that I wasn't getting to the range as much and when I thought about it I realized I was getting very bored shooting at paper. Because of that I wasn't going as much. That is until I started shooting competitively. I started out shooting HighPower and Trap on a regular basis. Now I've expanded that to doing some IDPA at my local range as well. Shooting in competition has opened up a whole new chapter in shooting for me. I can't wait to get to the range again. I love that feeling. Now that I'm out of commission with a bum shoulder (Due to shooting) I'm going to miss it a lot. Can't wait to get back at it once my shoulder heals up!!!
It is sort of a mix up for me. On the one hand, it's fun to have a chance to practice and see what other folks are shooting. On the other hand, you have to get your equipment in order, ensure you have ammo, then drive a distance to the range. At my range, there are no automated target holders and such, so invariably I get there and then have to stand around waiting for the line to go cold. That can take a while and then if you want to change targets you have to wait again. So, sometimes the prospect of all these hassles sometimes outweighs the fun of going. That and sometimes I feel guilty when I go.
Eskimo Jim
Member
I do enjoy target shooting. I tend to shoot handguns more often than rifles since the handgun range is pretty much set up all the time. I'll probably drag a rifle or two out this Autumn now that the cooler weather is coming in.
A couple of times a year I make a day of it and drag out as much gear as possible and put a couple boxes of ammunition through everything that I own. Then I make a night of it and clean up the mess.
-Jim
A couple of times a year I make a day of it and drag out as much gear as possible and put a couple boxes of ammunition through everything that I own. Then I make a night of it and clean up the mess.
-Jim
0luke1
Member
I ended up shooting a lot more once I got involved in competitive shooting. I enjoy high power a great deal and once I get my high master ticket, I'm going to take sporting clays a lot more seriously.
Being a competitor gives you a source of pride, a challenge and a sense of purpose. I find that I shoot best at the matches where the shooters are the best. It's kind of like being back in the service - once you get into it, you really tend to feel VERY good about shooting/practicing and competing.
There's a match at Guthsville PA (featured in the recent Precision Shooting magazine) where lost a match to the guy featured in the article. He turned to me after the match, smiled and said "Now you can go home and tell all your friends that you got your ass kicked by a 78 year old man."
Bill's offhand isn't as good as it once was, but he still cleans prone regularly. It's just great to see the older guys shooting well - it gives you hope for the future.
Being a competitor gives you a source of pride, a challenge and a sense of purpose. I find that I shoot best at the matches where the shooters are the best. It's kind of like being back in the service - once you get into it, you really tend to feel VERY good about shooting/practicing and competing.
There's a match at Guthsville PA (featured in the recent Precision Shooting magazine) where lost a match to the guy featured in the article. He turned to me after the match, smiled and said "Now you can go home and tell all your friends that you got your ass kicked by a 78 year old man."
Bill's offhand isn't as good as it once was, but he still cleans prone regularly. It's just great to see the older guys shooting well - it gives you hope for the future.
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