Getting tired of the equiptment race.

[JamesnTN]

You want an expensive hobby, try drag racing. I sold my car and trailer for a little over half what I had in the engine alone.

I got out of that before the technology changed so much. Now if you don't have big named sponsors you're dead in the water.

 

[dragman]

You want an expensive hobby, try drag racing. I sold my car and trailer for a little over half what I had in the engine alone.

Feel your pain!!!! Nothing to put 15k in a quality build then get pocket change back

 

[nosualc]

No matter the sport, if you cannot invest (time, energy, money) in your sport, you will fall behind those that can.

Aint fair, just reality.

-nosualc

 

[johara1]

Everybody forgets, some win stuff, like Matt won a bunch of stuff…… gets some return for his money invested……… jim

 

[NateHaler]

I've tried that rationale myself, and even I realize it's ridiculous -- and my wife is too polite to reply except to say "good for you".

For example, I'll spend a couple of weekends at the range, getting ready for a competition. The drive each way (about 100 miles), the loads, letting other projects around the house lapse (e.g. new storage in the garage), and then finally paying the match fees, more driving there/back (or staying in the area if the driving is too much hassle over a 2-3 day shoot).

And if I win half off a barrel from Lilja, or a 1-lb jug of powder, or a cash payout that might be match fees + $10, I'm crowing all the way home like I just made money on the deal. Like I said, ridiculous. ;D

 

[josh.rizzo]

Me and some of my shooting buddies are hell bent on breaking this trend. We have come up with terms for the 2 camps: They labeled us ATAS (All Tactical And Stuff), so we started calling them RGFs (Race Gun Freaks)...you can fill in the gaps where those acronyms get slightly more vulgar. All in good fun and friendliness mind you.

I shoot 3 Gun with the only 3 guns I have and some cheap equipment from the mill surp store. I shoot FTR with a Savage 10 and a $900 optic. I shoot USPSA Open with a Glock 19 that was and old carry gun and a $250 Docter red dot that I got on sale. I don't win Nationals, but I haven't been competing that long to begin with. I do manage to win stages and even squeak out a top 5 spot at local matches now an then. I do not feel limited by my equipment in the slightest. As they say, "it's the Indian, not the bow" so learn to make good arrows (reload) and anything will shoot good enough.

In 3 Gun specifically, I REALLY enjoy seeing people clear consecutive malfunctions on their $5000 race guns because they are fine-tuned to the point that they barely run. I then throw my rifle in the mud, kick some dirt on it, stomp on it a couple times, pick it up, and proceed to make first round hits out to 500 yards. One of my buddies shoots a bone stock AK-74 in and hit 500 yard targets with irons that weren't even sighted in because he just bought the rifle and never shot it before the match.

In F-Class, I always go to lunch with the guys afterwards and talk about reloading. I really enjoy hearing people talk about neck turning, meplat uniforming, and $500 trimmers to get their loads shooting perfect. Then I tell them that my entire brass prep consists of FL resizing with an X-Die...and I get a 1/2" vertical dispersion at 300 yards.

In USPSA, nothing beats the look on people's faces when I unholster a Glock 19 open gun and get top 5. It doesn't happen that often, but man is it satisfying when it does.

These are the things I live for.

If you hate the equipment race, then don't participate in it. I have picked up some better gear, holsters, and scopes since I started, but it was because I wanted them, not because I had to pay to play. Use what you like and have fun. Few people make a living shooting matches. When you have fun and prove the RGFs are crazy, it makes winning all the more satisfying.

 

[Patch700]

In 3 Gun specifically, I REALLY enjoy seeing people clear consecutive malfunctions on their $5000 race guns because they are fine-tuned to the point that they barely run. I then throw my rifle in the mud, kick some dirt on it, stomp on it a couple times, pick it up, and proceed to make first round hits out to 500 yards. One of my buddies shoots a bone stock AK-74 in and hit 500 yard targets with irons that weren't even sighted in because he just bought the rifle and never shot it before the match.

In F-Class, I always go to lunch with the guys afterwards and talk about reloading. I really enjoy hearing people talk about neck turning, meplat uniforming, and $500 trimmers to get their loads shooting perfect. Then I tell them that my entire brass prep consists of FL resizing with an X-Die...and I get a 1/2" vertical dispersion at 300

........ Well the good news is you're probably better off sticking with the equipment you're using... Lol

And as far as your buddy who managed to pick off a target (@500yds) , with an "AK" , with open sights , and never had a notion to sight it in... That has nothing to do with gear or fancy gadgets and more to do with a blind squirrel finding a nut... It happens.

 

[effendude]

The same with the 1/2" vertical dispersion at 300 yards. Ummmm, whatever.....
Scott

 

[double g]

A reply to Z-Fast and Dragman, I have built race engines for 30 yrs. for customers from 10k to 50k and raced myself for over 30yrs. I sold all my equipment, got tired of all the money and time spent for such a short time of enjoyment, 6 seconds a pass. I live in the country and have had guns since at a very young age. I enjoy building and shooting my guns and don't regret my racing days, but your return on money spent is way better with guns than racing. Very few have full blown sponsors to pay their way. Play within your means and have fun because that is what it is all about. DG

 

[josh.rizzo]

And as far as your buddy who managed to pick off a target (@500yds) , with an "AK" , with open sights , and never had a notion to sight it in... That has nothing to do with gear or fancy gadgets and more to do with a blind squirrel finding a nut... It happens.

Absolutely. Still fun to see it.

As to the car discussion...The AK guy I mentioned also "races" a tricked out 1000HP Corvette. I say that in quotes because he will race it when he stops having to feed it money to make it work Shooting definitely gets more "bang for your buck" than cars.

 

[shooter63]

IN SEARCH OF A LESS EXPENSIVE HOBBY & I DONT LIKE IT EITHER SHOOTER63

 

[Raythemanroe]

Once you get your set up it should be just barrels and bullets..Don't tell me gas and meals because you will be paying that no matter what hobbies your into..I would be shooting if I shoot competition or not, so the expense part is out the window.. I just love to shoot and have always been loading since i was in middle school and shooting a couple times a week..If you gotta have whatever is new or most popular to shoot then that is on you not the sport...


Ray

 

[savagedasher]

3 simple rules can fix the problem. (1) Gun weight Without scope like 17LB. (2) 30 seconds between shots. (3) Have Fun. Equipment spoiled stock car raceing because of the weight. Same as shooting Scopes actions stocks mounts to name a few. The second shooter no longer just shoot one shot and adjust they have learn to run and gun work best. Without equipment it is not possible. Fast smooth actions Hi dollar rest and stocks. 30 seconds between shot cures that . None of the above cost money. Having fun is what life is about.
I will be 75 in a few days. I have seen Equipment spoil many sports. Nothing I have suggested will cost anybody anything. It will somewhat level the playing field . At the end of the day the same winners will still be there. Larry

 

[Raythemanroe]

I like weight without scope, really heavy scopes will make your gun top heavy so nothing gained except you don't need a March to compete..

Ray

 

[butchlambert]

Donovan,
Some folks just don't get it. I put my BAT actioned BR rifle together about 11-12 years ago. I did build with Al Flores help a laminate redwood carbon fiber stock. It ha a 45X Leupold. How much has it cost me over 12 years? A few barrels and my time chambering them.
Ain't no equip. race. It is just as competitive as any out there.

 

[savagedasher]

My time limit reference was a suggestion. When I go to a match and someone shoot 10 shots in 15 seconds that is not skill it is all equipment. Do I want to play that game The answer is No.
I was suggesting something that would make skill win. Right now bench rest shooting is on a big decline. Most rim fire and center fire bench rest matches are way down.
With a time limit between shot mite help bring the shooting numbers up. It will not change who wins. Larry
Weight is another factor We as shooters should try to get more to our shoots

 

[johara1]

Butch and Donovan, Buy right the first time is the key, but most don't ……. jim

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Bottom line, there are many classes of shooting, pick the one that suites you and strive to be the best you can, not to bring others down to your level. There a lot of very high $$$ rifles that have never won.

 

[butchlambert]

My time limit reference was a suggestion. When I go to a match and someone shoot 10 shots in 15 seconds that is not skill it is all equipment. Do I want to play that game The answer is No.
I was suggesting something that would make skill win. Right now bench rest shooting is on a big decline. Most rim fire and center fire bench rest matches are way down.
With a time limit between shot mite help bring the shooting numbers up. It will not change who wins. Larry
Weight is another factor We as shooters should try to get more to our shoots

What World are you living in?

 

[dkhunt14]

I only have one question. How would you keep track of who shot what when? I was rangemaster and never would I want to do the job under those circumstances. It would be impossible for you to keep track of 30 seconds a shot and your voice would be shot calling all the voice commands. In a big shoot like our World Open with the number of shooters we get we would never be able to finish in a day. Let alone if you get a bad rain shower or delay. We are only allowed to shoot to a certain time and Sunday it is earlier. Matt