Sustainable shooting ideas

[Armored farmer]

Years ago, i hosted a weekly traditional archery(recurve) league shoot in my shop. If it weren't for my bum shoulder, I would consider contacting the guys and do it again. At least we could get some shooting and competition in.

The ammo crisis hasn't slowed down the bp club too much, at least not the flintlock shooters.

I have ordered a break action .22 pellet rifle.

I shoot a little centerfire or rimfire every week to stay in practice, but i don't want to bite too deep into my supply.

So for now, archery, blackpowder, and airguns are scratching my itch.
What are you guys doing during the component/ ammo drought besides abstinence?

 

[chicharrones]

For me?

.22 short or LR fired out of slow to load guns like single action revolvers and bolt guns with 5-round magazines.

Plus, pellet guns in .177 and .22 variety.

 

[entropy]

Just shooting Trap jackpot shoots over the winter, but will get the new .223's out more come spring.

 

[Armored farmer]

I shot some nerfgun darts over the weekend with the grandkids.
I'm not that desperate yet, but keeping my options open. There's probably a waiting period for them too here in illinois.

 

[BigBore44]

Not really abstaining. I was prepared this time. Components haven’t been hard to find at good prices. The primers aren’t available. But I have plenty for the next several years.

 

[George P]

Been shooting as much shotgun as I normally and my 38/357s; saving the 9mm ammo for some scarce practice. I actually have more ammo and reloading stuff for shotgun than I did a year ago

 

[1KPerDay]

When I run out of SPP I'll have to shoot my few remaining bricks of LPP through my .45s, so my back will get a bit of a workout picking up my .45 brass (I usually don't bother picking up 9mm unless the range requires it), but otherwise I haven't changed my habits much. I do think a little harder before I shoot 500+ rounds of .22 in a range session though. I have been tempted to shoot my cap and balls more but now caps are unobtanium around here and I only have a couple hundred of those left. so... hmmmm...

 

[BigBore44]

Feel like I should add something. My post wasn’t meant as snarky in any way. I’m not a competition shooter and I don’t train/practice as much as many others do I’m sure. So my supply will last me a lot longer than others.

I do shoot my bow fairly often. This crisis just hasn’t hit me hard. I’m much more concerned about the potential tax proposals. That will hit us all hard if it comes to fruition.

If for some reason I had to take a break from my firearms, I can always go fishing. And I can hunt hogs with my bow.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Not really abstaining. I was prepared this time. Components haven’t been hard to find at good prices. The primers aren’t available. But I have plenty for the next several years.

Same here. I will keep up life as normal until we see what happens.
I am starting casting since I've wanted to do that forever anyway.

 

[hanno]

The single digit wind chill has more to do with my shooting habits right now than any shortages.

When I do go out, my routine hasn't changed - 50% .45 Auto or .38 Special and 50% .22. Rifle shooting is more like 20% 5.56 or .30-06 and 80% .22.

 

[hso]

What are you guys doing during the component/ ammo drought besides abstinence?

I'm still shooting, but not running through more than 100 rounds at a time (ok, not as much).

 

[bassjam]

Not much has changed for me. I've always shot more .22lr when I go to the range, and I have enough to last me 5 or more years. I am building a .22lr upper, but I would have likely done that regardless of ammo availability. I'm also setting up my progressive reloader for .223 for 55gr plinking rounds this week. Prior to this I've only used my turret press and only then for heavier bullets focused more on accuracy. Again, I probably would have tried that eventually anyway.

 

[Buzznrose]

Basically paying more attention to the amount of ammo I’m loading. I used to load magazines up to 10 rounds, but now load no more than 5-6 for range. This gives me more thinking time...

I’m also rotating my calibers more...

Finally, I’m shooting air guns too.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/using-replica-bb-gun-for-training.878157/

 

[Drail]

"...this gives me more thinking time..." Ahhh, Grasshopper, now you see the way of it. I have always instructed the younger generation to learn and master archery first. If that is done firearms marksmanship is like falling off a log. To face a target with a bow and focus on it with all your consiciousness and then release the arrow and to KNOW that it will strike the bullseye BEFORE it arrives - THAT is Zen. I truly miss those days.

 

[Laphroaig]

I've been shooting my air pistol in the basement every day. I've stayed away from the indoor club activities so that is mainly it. I did put together a PSA AR15 last week and sighted it in, along with shooting some 9mm pistols that I had lightened the triggers on. That made for a nice trip to the range.

I'm not a hoarder but do buy in bulk for the savings, so I have enough components to get me through a couple of years I figure, I don't compete as much any more but do like to get out every so often to see my old buddies. I was able to pick up a couple of bricks of primers that I was in short supply of last spring from Sportsman's Supply. I'm very thankful that they limited quantities so everyone could at least get something.

 

[Armored farmer]

. To face a target with a bow and focus on it with all your consiciousness and then release the arrow and to KNOW that it will strike the bullseye before it arrives - THAT is Zen. I truly miss those days.

Oh they were grand in our hayday!
We met every Thursday night, shooting for score. Beers and snacks afterwards. Venison sausage, braunschweiger(sp), cheese, jalapeno poppers, wild goose sausage, wings.......etc.
Some of te guys got pretty darn good. A diverse group, all loved recurves. Custom black widows, Hoyt, and old Bears like mine.
I miss those guys, some died, some moved away. Good guys, all.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I'm in the process of setting up an air gun and archery range behind the house.
Between the half dozen bows and dozen or so air guns that I've accumulated over the years, I think that I'll be able to stretch out my ammo pile until folks calm down.

 

[DukeConnor]

I've been shooting revolvers a lot more.
Fun as anything and it slows down the ammo consumption.
Extra bonus I don't have to pick the brass out of the snow

 

[George P]

I've been shooting revolvers a lot more.
Fun as anything and it slows down the ammo consumption.
Extra bonus I don't have to pick the brass out of the snow

Same here; amazing how long the ammo lasts when you hand load 6 rounds at a time into the gun; now to get a .22 bolt action rifle and leave the semis in the safe for now.

 

[NuShootr]

Been shooting Archery every weekend for months now. Compound bow for me. Still trying to get my hands on some 22LR ammo to try out my new rifle. Can't afford to pay the current prices.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

100 rounds of long-time fun.

After that... wadcutters!

Todd.

 

[22250Rem]

I will be certainly be getting my compound bow out more this coming year. It's all set to go and even picked up some new arrows in the past year. Meanwhile something else is calling out to me.. ..The 22 cal Benjamin Trail by Crosman. A 500 round tin of 22 cal. Crosman Premier pellets was recently procured at Wal-Mart for under 7 bucks and I think pellets were the only form of ammo in the whole store. There's enough 22LR here to keep me going for a decade but I still feel as though it should be rationed somewhat so a good reserve supply can be maintained. This coming year may be good for me as I keep talking about getting back into archery more than I have in the past few years and the air rifle has been on the back burner too long.

 

[GBExpat]

... now to get a .22 bolt action rifle ...

When my dad finally decided that my cousin and I were responsible enough to "release" alone on the farm with the single-shot BA .22 rifle that he bought for my initial firearms education, I quickly learned just how_much_fun a single 50rd box of .22rf ammo could be.

We could stretch out one of those boxes for half an afternoon ... and we paid less than 1¢/rd (local country-store retail pricing, too)!

 

[theotherwaldo]

Yep.
Fletching, nocking and tipping Port Orford cedar shafts is replacing reloading for the time being... .

 

[herrwalther]

I have plenty of BBs, airsoft, and pellets to work through. And enough land to safely shoot them on. My son can get plenty of practice. Hopefully by the time I get him to 22LR, there will be ammo again.