All Shoters: Why do you shoot/compete?

[X-Caveman]

Motorcycles became too dangerous once I got real responsibilities. Hanging out in bars with buddies went away when I moved back home from MI. There are no nice lakes near me.

Shooting & working out with friends is what I've got. The best part of competing is having it in common with buddies & the BS'ing that goes along with it. That, and for a brief few moments during your relay, shooting is the only thing on your mind. It also gives me a whole new set of stuff to be disappointed about & second guess.

I also like supporting small American manufacturers with my "disposable" $. I can think of no better hobby for that.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I like small groups at long range. I still get very excited when I see someone else shoot really small ones. Kind of an odd thing to get excited about I guess. Thats why I did it, I wanted to shoot small groups. The people are a big part of it too. So long as there was some set of rules I didnt care what they were. Winning or points was never a goal. Just smaller groups than the last time.

 

[bpmoss1]

Got a bb rifle at 5yrs. Lived on 2 1/2 acres and shot who knows how many million bbs. Got a Ruger 10-22 at 8 yrs old. We had a cabin in mountains and spent many weekends there. I shot my 22 from sun up to sun down til we went home. Happiest kid on earth. Didn't know of any kind of shooting comp til 4 yrs ago. Now I'm an addict. Shoot 22 falling plate match from 75 to 175yd., centerfire longrange steel varmint 200 to 600 (something about watching that steel fly off the rails sure is fun) but 5hrs away, handgun steel challenge and uspsa (once) but my passion is 600 and 1000yd br. Love the competition, challenge and people I shoot with. Can count the a$$holes I've met on one hand without using all fingers. Barry.

 

[CaptainMal]

Fun.

If/when I get to Georgia at the end of October for that weekend shoot, I will do it for fun.

Always avoided competition. Yet, I coached many high school championship rifle teams for decades in Pa. Never had a losing season and I just like the fun of being around shooting. Personally, I detest competition and gambling, but sure like to shoot. As a long-range varmint and big-game hunter/shooter, the practice these 600 and 1,000 yard shoots provide makes me a better hunter and is FUN to do.

There are times when I use non-competitive equipment or "throw" the shoots to encourage others to participate with a chance to beat someone. Do that because it's fun to be around shooters that win and I learn from so many. Expect to learn this Fall at Cool Acres. Just being around the Manatee guys is a fun way to spend the day.

To me a "winner" is one that experienced the event. May we all be winners.

 

[hogpatrol]

Don't shoot competition but am a range denizen. I like the camaraderie of fellow shooters, checking out the different cartridges and rifles they are shooting, talking with them about reloading, hunting and any other aspect of firearms. One meets good people and "characters" at the range, some of which frequent this site.

 

[people]

Shooting is easy. I enjoy it. Do not like going to the range as there are too many who want to tell me how great they are or what I need to do to do better.

Competition? I have stopped except when my friend wants to go. Nothing worst then shooting groups having crazy stupid rules or just blasting stuff at close range with way more ammo than you need to shoot to prove anything. The latter is 3 gun.

 

[Damfino]

I ask this question to better understand what brings us out to the Range. I operate Cool Acres located in Ga. and strive hard to provide a Safe, fun and positive experience for all the shooters. Hopefully I can obtain some feedback here that will assist growth at this range as well as others. Also if you shoot f-class, Prs, Benchrest or some other format please share and tell what you like about it?

Good question and lots of good answers above. There is something basic, fundamental, and inherently satisfying just about any kind of shooting. Shooting well is not easy and even poor shooting can be hard work. So many decisions and variables about equipment, ammunition/reloading, techniques and skills. What works for me may not work as well for you and maybe that's part of its charm and appeal. You can shoot when you're young and when you're old. If you are so inclined, you can even compete at a high level well into your seventies. To name just a few sports, every motorcycle racer, competitive golfer and runner is familiar with age-related performance decline that happens much earlier...

Shooting provides a challenge and the opportunity to do something authentic and for everyone to achieve their own goals. Manage expectations, overcome problems, refine skills, and make ideas fact. I've shot lazily and non-competitively, everything from smallbore, smallbore silhouettes, high power silhouettes, service rifle, benchrest, and now I've fell into F-class with a whole set of new challenges and goals. And the men and women I shoot with will generously share their time, equipment, expertise in order for me to improve my scores and, possibly, even beat them. Hmmm. As I stagger towards old age, I also appreciate that every match I attend is also an opportunity to learn and spend time with people I like and respect.

 

[Ghansen]

I do mainly Short and medium bench rest and enjoy the skills associated with reloading and getting it all together to find eventually what works, and working on my shooting technique to get it in the bag. So many quality people participate that make the sport worthwhile, it just isn't dull or boring. I don't make bones about losing to better people, and it makes me want to hone up and learn from my results.

 

[walker2713]

It also gives me a whole new set of stuff to be disappointed about & second guess.

Love it!!! As though I'll ever run out of those things!!

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

I shoot and recently started competing as part of an elaborate plan to avoid working or fishing.

 

[Torge]

I like to win , so I confess to being competitive. A disorder all it’s own.

I like the comradery with a fue hardworkers like me, guys and gals (OK kick Glen’s a$$) that get it done, then have some fun. Some hard workers have a hard time with this and I don’t get it (think load left eject right Glen or drop port).

 

[kzin]

I can shoot as much as I want (every day) and nothing hurts!!

 

[foxguy]

Shooting @ Deep Creek sounds like a lot of fun. I just checked, it's about 1625 miles away for me. It may have to become a Destination for me and a Road trip for me and the wife in a couple of years?? shooting a 1000 yd match sounds like it would be fun.

 

[Terry]

It all started with the Varmint Hunter Assocation Jamboree. 100 friends shooting balloons for a week. The biggest decision was who you were having dinner with. We all compete against the elements. This is something that sets this sport apart. We strive to do our best and celebrate each other's success. We help each other any way we can.

I have competed for points, won a national championship, today I'm consentrating on having fun. This year we are traveling to matches where we have had the most fun. Cool Acres is number one. Great friends there. The people make the difference.

For years I have shot 600 Benchrest. The 2 target, shoot off format at Cool Acres is even more fun. There are 4 chances to qualify in each class. Winning relays is great, shoot offs are tough. Once again you are competing with friends against the elements.

Thanks

 

[David 0306]

It all started with the Varmint Hunter Assocation Jamboree. 100 friends shooting balloons for a week. The biggest decision was who you were having dinner with. We all compete against the elements. This is something that sets this sport apart. We strive to do our best and celebrate each other's success. We help each other any way we can.

I have competed for points, won a national championship, today I'm consentrating on having fun. This year we are traveling to matches where we have had the most fun. Cool Acres is number one. Great friends there. The people make the difference.

For years I have shot 600 Benchrest. The 2 target, shoot off format at Cool Acres is even more fun. There are 4 chances to qualify in each class. Winning relays is great, shoot offs are tough. Once again you are competing with friends against the elements.

Thanks

Thanks Terry for the kind words and you action speak louder than the words .The whole staff at Cool Acres puts having fun near the top of the list and we think it’s very important . I like many others that have posted like to shoot as small as possible and win but that doesn’t always happen but if I had a good time with good people I’ve had a successful weekend. It helps when the range and it’s staff and core shooter make everyone feel welcome and are helpful and supportive of each other and the sport I know Cool Acres and Hawks Ridge both have tried very hard the last few years to make it about the shooters expesially the new and younger shooter because they are the future of the sport with out them we do not survive.

 

[retired]

Because I LIKE IT. Build /develop a load, shoot for accuracy.
Accuracy is based on the quality of the rifle and the planned distance.
I own mil surplus, factory and rifles built by me.
I shoot cf rifles out past 2000 yards...for fun.
I compete to see how i stack up against others on the same day.
Hanging out with like minded people ain't so bad.
True personal satisfaction in building a rifle, developing a load,
and winning a national match.
Life does not get much better.

 

[cheyenne01]

I shoot FTR.
I got into it as I was involved with dirt track racing. I got tired of the whining and complaining lol
I do this now to travel to different spots meet new people. And to challenge myself.
So far it's been great. And I look forward to seeing more ranges and meeting new people.
It's amazing how friendly every one is.
Accommodating and willing to help.
Shooters are an amazing bunch of people.
And very happy to be one as well
Thanks everyone for all you do in this sport!!!!

 

[Jeff A]

I started shooting as a pre-teen. I joined the Army at a young age but when I got out after a three year commitment I bought a Handgun and a Deer Rifle, a Remington 700 BDL. I bought an RCBS Junior press and started handloading. My goal was to shoot a five shot group as small as 1 inch. That never happened with the Rem 700 so I moved on. At one point I met a friend who, like me, was a Professional pilot AND a handloader. We started Varmint hunting and we both worked on that Magical 1" group. Our Varmint rifles finally achieved our big breakthrough and we could even shoot 3/4" groups! Wow, we were in tall cotton then. Years passed but my handloading and shooting continued. Groups continued to shrink. A few months back I was invited to shoot some 600 and 1000 yard Benchrest. I then discovered that 100 yard groups in the 2's and 3's pretty much suck. Now, Alex Wheeler is building me my first dedicated BR rifle. Hopefully, it will group less than one inch at 100 yards.

 

[onelastshot]

Your opening post answered your question; I shoot because it provides a Safe, fun and positive experience, I find it relaxing and affords me an opportunity where I can compete against myself striving for better and better shot groups.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

Always liked to set a goal to see if I could attain it. Otherwise, just enjoy any kind of shooting.