Getting tired of the equiptment race.

[butchlambert]

NZ guy,
Don't you think most shooting is between the ears?

 

[WyleWD]

NZ guy,
Don't you think most shooting is between the ears?

Agree that a lot more is done between the ears than most people give credit for. WD

 

[6BRinNZ]

Yes I do....to a point (a big point but still a point)
I won plenty with my 6Br varminter up to regional level. I think this is where plenty come unstuck, to a certain level rock up with what you have and focus on the wind, good chance you will win.
But guys focus on what is winning at a National level and buy that with no idea as to what the problem is and how this new stuff might help. I run an equipment log that lets me identify and clarify what I do and don't like and why I might change it..hence my 8-32 NXS selection.
Having said this even within what I was shooting I was constantly looking at gear that took pain points away and would simply let me focus on the wind (let me use the bit between the ears to best effect)...I didn't go out and buy it straight away but it has had a huge influence on my FTR rig, which has left me happy apart from my rear bag choice.

An explanation that hopefully clarifies things a little better.

In NZ we get very little mirage - there is no point in me getting better glass to help see through the mirage. If I went March or NF comp, this would simply be feel good factor...not equipment race. I did however go from NXS 5.5x22 to 8-32 as it had the 1/8 clicks, the more granular click means if my group is forming at the top or bottom of the 10 I can now click it centre. Previously I had to hold, taking a little away from my focus and timing. This aspect of equipment race and improvement has been worthwhile in my opinion.

There are other examples such as tuners and SRP in .308 but hopefully my point above clarified.

 

[K22]

When it is no longer fun / a source of enjoyment and it becomes more of a job than a hobby then it's time to move on.

You can still have a lot of fun shooting against yourself, recording your scores and tracking your improvement - and it's stress free - be happy - it's suppose to be fun!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Do we have any golfers on here? How 'bout racers or boaters? Those things cost WAY more than most of the competitive shooting sports do... if you want to be good at any of them. I guess even competitive knitting could get pretty pricey, if you want to be the best at it. It's not the game, my friends...it's the competitive spirit that each of us has...the desire to win against others that want it, too, that drives the money end of it. If you found that a new bullet that cost twice as much, but guaranteed you to win, would you buy it?


If you said no, you should probably find something else to do with your time, because you likely don't have what it takes to win in much of anything.


Sorry, but we are our own worst enemies.

 

[338 Mollett]

Golfer here !Man I go this morning to double check a load and this thing blew up lol.I agree with you Guns,we are our own worst enemy.I have often said "Your greatest strength is your mind,your greatest weakness is your mind"

 

[stinnett1981]

I personally think its crazy when normal mid class people spend $50k-$60k and sometimes even more on a thing with 4 wheels that gets them from point A to point B. A buddy of mine came over a few weeks ago in his new F350 (no he is not a construction worker or owns a farm) and I brought him down stairs to my reloading room and showed him all my stuff and my 2 custom rifles. He thought it was cool, but said I was crazy to spend all that money on my hobby. I laughed at him and said your hobby is to give a bank $700 a month to drive a truck! The point of my story is PICK what you wanna spend your hard earned cash on and a lot of things cost a lot more than "our" shooting hobby. Good thread!

 

[Michael Courtney]

My daughter and I are enjoying F Class and other long range practical/tactical types matches. But the real contest is with the targets. Can I shoot a better score than last time? Can my daughter shoot her best score ever? The goal is to hit small targets at long distances. It is fun and challenging.

Scores in the 190/200 - ?X definitely leave a lot of room for improvement, but we're shooting factory rifles (sometimes with a custom barrel) with Harris bi-pods and Leupold scopes. Most of our room for growth is in reading the wind. Secondary issues are consistent hold and working up good loads given the component shortages. A $5k equipment spree would not put either of us in the winner's circle.

I actually won the light rifle category of a practical/tactical type match back in 2012 shooting steel prairie dogs at ranges out to 650 yards with a completely factory Rem 700 ADL in .223 with a 1 in 12" twist, a Leupold 4.5-14 scope, and a Harris Bipod. It was a crazy morning with rain, wind, snow, and sleet plus sun glare making it hard to acquire the targets in the 10 sec time to shoot. My children have shot decent F class scores with this rifle. I doubt this rifle will ever win an F Class match, but one can learn a lot about reading the wind in the process.

The contest was with the targets.

 

[VaniB]

And when you throw in the factor of powder and component shortages, and long waits from the barrel makers and gunsmiths, sometimes I wonder if it's time to take up a whole new hobby. A new Canon or Nikon camera costs less then most guns, and you can shoot all you want without worrying about stuff being on "backorder". ;D

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

And when you throw in the factor of powder and component shortages, and long waits from the barrel makers and gunsmiths, sometimes I wonder if it's time to take up a whole new hobby. A new Canon or Nikon camera costs less then most guns, and you can shoot all you want without worrying about stuff being on "backorder". ;D

You're kidding, right?
http://www.vistek.ca/results/DigitalSLRs/cameras-camdslr-bodies/Find-Your-Digital-SLR--Compact-System.aspx?pr1=4790&pr2=9999
and some very nice lenses
http://www.vistek.ca/results/CameraLenses/camlenses/Find-Your-Lens.aspx?pr1=7903&pr2=11000

 

[M-61]

I always thought a hobby was an option.

 

[dragman]

I personally think its crazy when normal mid class people spend $50k-$60k and sometimes even more on a thing with 4 wheels that gets them from point A to point B. A buddy of mine came over a few weeks ago in his new F350 (no he is not a construction worker or owns a farm) and I brought him down stairs to my reloading room and showed him all my stuff and my 2 custom rifles. He thought it was cool, but said I was crazy to spend all that money on my hobby. I laughed at him and said your hobby is to give a bank $700 a month to drive a truck! The point of my story is PICK what you wanna spend your hard earned cash on and a lot of things cost a lot more than "our" shooting hobby. Good thread!

+1

And he's throwing most of that money down the drain as the truck value depreciates rapidly. At least with firearms as a hobby, our rifles, components, and certain equipment lose little to no valu. It all often gains value over time. At least that's how I justify my spending to the wife.

Hit the nail on the head, Most you loose if you buy a top end used rig is the price of a new barrel, and if you buy a good rest heck you can make money after a little while. I have spent a lot of money doing the actual "shooting" but for equipment sake I think I have broken even or made money.

 

[BigDMT]

I always thought a hobby was an option.

Unfortunately for some of us it's not an "option" because it has become an obsession

 

[M-61]

I always thought a hobby was an option.

Unfortunately for some of us it's not an "option" because it has become an obsession

Been there with racing sailboats. Cubic money was mandatory. I fell short by a whole bunch. Broke the obsession and the bank!
(Not in that order...LOL)

 

[Michael Courtney]

I think pride leads folks to jump into the equipment race. It's easier to hypothesize that one's failure to win is due to substandard equipment than to focus on wind drift, shooting fundamentals, and load development.

If you are only managing 1 MOA at distance with a 0.5 MOA rifle, a 0.25 MOA rifle isn't going to help much. The contest is with the target.

 

[dragman]

My favorite:
I know lots of people with all the best equipment and if I win or just beat them the first words I get to hear are "well you got them young eyes" ,but I don't ever get to say well I don't have 5K spotting scope lol.

It is all about enjoying the game last I checked .001% of us are getting paid to do this professionally so lets keep some enjoyment in it.

 

[butchlambert]

My brother is a golfer and he always says"It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian". He says this as he buys the latest and greatest clubs.

 

[jimcasey01]

Why not have "claiming" matches, as they did in stock car racing and horse racing years ago. In a $2500 match, any competitor in the match can claim the winners complete firearm, and any accessories used in the match, for the claiming price. That will keep the expenditures down to a set price.

 

[butchlambert]

Hey Jim,
How in the 'ell are you?

 

[effendude]

Why not have "claiming" matches, as they did in stock car racing and horse racing years ago. In a $2500 match, any competitor in the match can claim the winners complete firearm, and any accessories used in the match, for the claiming price. That will keep the expenditures down to a set price.

Great idea! Organize a match, advertise and promote it. See how many serious competitors show up. My life is busy and I won't waste my time or money using equipment that is less than the best I can afford. I am sure most serious shooters feel the same way.

With all due respect to the OP, there is nothing wrong with coming to matches and shooting with safe, decent equipment for the joy of the sport. The problem is our egos won't allow most of us to simply enjoy the sport without being competitive. Maybe we shouldn't keep score, just like youth soccer? We could simply give out participation ribbons at matches.

Scott