Well the way thangs are going with hard to find supplies do you think more are joining shooting competitions or leaving
People are moving around.Well the way thangs are going with hard to find supplies do you think more are joining shooting competitions or leaving
That’s what I‘m seeing more flash and blast with black guns, not seeing young shooter learning about slow fire accurate shootingBoth of the clubs I belong to do not have rifle competition matches.
Both have handgun competition. Defensive pistol match participation and interest is on the rise in both clubs. Precision pistol (bullseye) is declining, rapidly especially among new shooters.
I am at the rifle range about 2 to 3 days a week (except weekends) depending on weather. Most of the rifle activity I see is AR type shooting in sustained fire, lots of noise, not much in the way of precise results on target. Precision shooting seems to be declining, especially with bolt rifles.
Rimfire seem to be increasing in activity. Good rimfire ammo is readily available and quality rifles are available and reasonably priced. This may save the sport in my area. After about a 30-year hiatus, I even reentered this world and bought a new Tikka T1X which so far is proving to be a great move.
Except for "blasting ammo" purchased in bulk, the price of quality factory ammo is staggering, and supplies are limited. While the price of reloading components is also staggering, I have seen some increase in supplies.
Many older shooters and hunters I knew have passed on or are no longer physically able to engage in either activity. Some have dropped out due to the cost of the sport has become prohibitive.
As someone else mentioned, I have seen an increase in new shooters and the associated purchase of more firearms as evidenced by the safety orientations for new member I have seen at both clubs. However, I have not observed any increase in range use / shooting activity.
While it has nothing to do with the availability of supplies, based on my experience of participating in my first ever bench rest match (factory rifle class), that community needs to do a MUCH better job of welcoming new competitors. I know I won’t be back.
I think younger ones shoot other places than benchrest or f-class. Just an observation from being on here.