Keeping the sport alive by just helping each other

[Johnboy]

Ok I just read and posted on a forum,and it got me to thinking.Well I have to say that I was going to hi-jack it but didn't.

Now I have had some of the same problems as the forum said I just posted on.So I thought it was a needed idea to share / give on this site.Well just being able to pass on the sport I love the most is sometimes hard for me to support ( for myself ) So I thought that I would share the idea of us being able to help one another out by sharing / giving to one another.Now I am not talking about the small things like bullets,powder and tools ( unless this is what you want to do ).What I am talking about is used barrels that still have life in them for someone to try/put to use.( the bigger harder parts to buy ) Even scope mounts or rings not being used to help get a scope on to be able to shoot.If one feels like shareing bullets or tools then I say go for it.This all sounds wrong but will work if we care for it to work.I have a barrel not being used and rather give it away than sale if need to.I know some will say or ask to how do we tell if the person is true to use for the need of our stuff.Well thats on the person sharing / giving.For me I would just roll with it because its not me they would have to answer to its God.

So I ask if we could come together and try something out to help the sport to stay alive.If so I'll be the first to share or give just PM me and I'll say to if I can help out or not.I don't have much but I am up for it.If my giving /sharing helps out another shooter to help out with a project then so be it.Right now I am wanting to build my daughter a 223 to shoot 80gner bullets but the money isn't there.But she'll get one day one way or another,because I am her dad and want her to pass on the love for shooting one day.So do you think I am crazy or onto something,who nows I hope some one will feel the same.Guys I love the sport just trying to help out not cause a fight or bad thoughts.I know to how much it cost to play,believe me I would have a whole lot more if money wasn't hard to come by around here.So whats your thoughts I can take it.

Please no bad remarks as said before its just an idea not something already in order.Maybe I should have Hi-jacked the other thread but didn't think it was nice.Its the thread about Kids being wrapped around TV games and such,not into the world we grew up in.If this helps you to understand my thread.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

My only experience with anything like what you advocate got me burned and with a sour taste in my mouth. Well, I was burned in my mind more than in my wallet. A guy, such as you, came onto Benchrest Central asking about benchrest take off barrels. We benchrest shooters cling to a higher standard of accuracy than other people. This fellow lived in upstate New York and wanted to know if anyone had a 6mm take off barrel that we could send him for vaminting. I e-mailed him that I had two that I had just taken off and he could have them for the price of postal service to his door. He agreed and I sent them to him that very day. The cost of mailing was clearly on the package. That was probably six years ago. After a few e-mails to him, first to inquire if he did indeed get them. and then to ask about my money, I have written it up as a lesson learned. That lesson is to not trust everyone on the shooting forums. So, with that as my lesson, let me ask you: would you send me the money or the trade bait first? I won't unless I know you.

 

[jonbearman]

This will always happen,there are scammers everywhere not just new york. I have given stuff away before and didnt care if they sold it or kept it.The trick is to get the shipping up front as a matter of insurance that some unscrupulous jerk doesnt ruin it for all of us.I have a need but not alot of money and havent posted my need yet as I am still selling things to have the loot ready to pay for it.I need a chamber reamer to practice with,I dont expect someone to just hand it over. I expect to give something for it to learn. I suspect if we charged a minimal fee for whatever a person is looking for and wait for the funds as usual,it will keep most people honest. It is a great idea to help continue the sport of shooting by helping out,the only problem is there are just a few that prey on generous folks and makes everyone suspicious of each other unless you know the person. It is just like the pay it forward on another site and the same couple guys keep posting to take it,and the site does nothing about it.

 

[Johnboy]

Hey guys this is all good info to work with.Trust me if feel your pain I too have been burnt but not with a gun YET.I too have read many post about people burning others for stuff.Trust me I know the taste to well.I'll all so add that I have been a great customer to some of you as to me in return.

yes,the idea of a small payment and waitting for the money to be in hand is great.( any kind of help to the guy in need will work )Again it was a thought that just came to me right then,so ideas to a better program or way to run it is needed.Even making it a ( sticky ) on the main page will be good if allowed. Its just that I am one of these guys needing help, so I just wanted to feel the water before jumping in.I could go on and tell my story but rather not for personal reasons,but will if one or the site was willing to hear.This is why I posted before going on a limb and getting hurt or run off.This site with others is all I have now.My go to guys are dead,said this before in other postings.I wouldn't have it any other way,its the way my cards had been handed to me.

Ok I can be the first to offer,I have a 223 barrel ( remmy ) with a 1:12 twist,varment contour,and the crown has been recut.I cannot say to how many rounds but its ready to be on an action if needed.Me I am looking for a faster twist, ( 223 ) this is why I am willing to pass on my barrel.

so again I would love to see this take off and running if we all can come together and agree on SOMETHING.Paying it forward is a great thing to do no matter what happens.I know I have payed it forward many times but not in a ( gun ) way of things.My thing is that I just don'y worry about the guy being good or bad I just do,for I know to who they will have to stand up to one day and it's not ME.It's hard I know I was ounce their myself,thinking is this guy for real or did I just BURN myself.I can go on and on but want,so lets get the ball rolling guys it's worth it trust me,in many ways you wouldn't believe in.

 

[Eagle Six]

I think the best way to keep the sport alive is to bring new shooters into it, replacing those that pass, and also building the ranks. Information and services don't have to be free, they need to be of value. There are different levels in the market for pricing, and different levels of incomes to seek those markets.

There are times when I offer my services for a fee and others I volunteer, even times at my own expense. Dealing with the students/customer/friends I have built up, I see the "pay-it-forward" spirit is alive and well.

I've been rich and poor several times through the years (I'm in one of my poor states currently!!), and despite my income, I have always felt rich with family, friends, freedom and carrying my own weight. I've always felt blessed that I can manage and balance my wants from my needs. Nonetheless through the years I have conducted my life from the perspective of "whatever is mine is your if you need it".

Although I have given many firearms and gear away over the years, pretty much I don't think a gun, part, or shooting equipment is something someone should want and receive free, rather something they should want and work to obtain by earning it themselves.

I think there are exceptions, so I'm always ready to help out a fellow American. I'm just wondering if a person can't afford a take-off barrel, can they afford to shoot?!?! I'm not sold on sharing equipment or gear will actually help keep the sport alive, but I am willing to listen, learn, and help if I can.

Best Regards.......Eagle Six

 

[Johnboy]

I feel and hear ya Eagle Six,but really think that my idea will work.Now I know that I am not the only one who shoots to have ever been in a pickle if I may say.Well I think that this is one of the reasons to help out.It may be a money issue or a cannot order in time problem ( out of stock ) who knows.Heck I have given my last box of A-maxs for a friend to shoot a at match before and he did really well.( made 1000,900 and 800 JR recored's ) with my bullets.I loved every bullet I did not get to shoot for it,plus the cost of them I spent my money on.I never asked for anything back,but friendship.Plus as said before this site with others is my got to place for help and shareing when I can.

Now to my story that I would not share till now.Well this is hard so bare with me OK.Ok here goes,well I am in a hard place right now ( No biggy money ) My wife lost her job and went back to school.Plus my kids will always come first such as cloths,food,school work supplies and so on.Heck me I am still puttong on cloths that are a few years old.Am I proud of it HELL YEAH,I know that one day my wife will be in a better place with getting her degree and making more money.( plus I have God ) BUT its been hard for use,so all of my shooting and reloading has somewhat come to a stop.Now I still have some supplies but no where the ammont most here have.I've been loading for about 15 years and had a huge stock,now it looks like I just started.OK I've said enough it hurts me but still proud I told it.

Now with all that said I will say again.THIS WILL WORK.You see its about knowing you helped out a fellow shooter.For me if some one offered me the barrel I am looking for,I would be in debt to them wheather I owed them little or not.The fact is they offered it and worked out for me, and my dream or build got put together to give it a try.Now I know my little rifel 5R in a 223 with a 1:9 twist can shoot better than I,But my goal is to push an 80gner past 500 one day 9 with my daughter ) with good accuracy.( just good accuracy not great )Does it have to be a one holer NO,just being able to get the fare with that type of bullet would make a dream come true.Now I have did my digging around and even had a great few chats with one of our own.So I know to how much it will cost and to what I am wanting,but as said before money is the issue.SO my dream is on hold for who knows to how long,hopeing sooner than latter.

Now I hope one doesn't seem to think this is a cry out post or idea to get something,NO its not.Its just me being me and trying to get a great group of guys and gals to wanting to help out some one like me.I have to think that most of you have trashed,or for some other reason done away with a still ggod barrel or other type of shooting tool for a rifel or reloading.So why not pass it on to help out some one try the LONG RANGE world or make a dream come true.So come on guys and gals let do this.

 

[Johnboy]

well said you took even more words yet to come from my moth to why this will work.I too can chat about the sport or even offer a test run.So fare its been great just being able to do that my self,and I have hooked a few myself along with my reloading room.


one more thing,this will be hard for me to watch die off and not get up and running.The shooting sport is what I have to keep me in line each day from day to day.If I may say its my taste of heaven,and cannot wait to be able to shoot again wit the best teachers I could have ever had,Plus you guys.

 

[lightman]

I sent a new shooter/reloader 300 pieces of .308 brass,for free.I never heard a thank you or anything.On the other hand,I have sold dozens of items, on this site and a few others, and mailed the goods before receiving payment.All went well. I guess you just have different strokes for different folks. I'll still help others when I am able. Lightman

 

[necchi]

I've seen several Forums try a "Pay it Forward" type section, but have never seen it work out for very long,
There always seem to be more taker's then giver's and the value of items seem to be a huge issue. Someone will accept an items worth 100, and pay it forword with a handfull of range pick up brass.

There's a member here I meet on a different forum, I guided the man here and it's like he discovered sliced bread for the first time, he's gleened information like all of us and shared with some helpfull tip's too.

I sent him a box of a particular name brand brass he was searching for that I had a bunch of, I got a "Gee, Helping a total stranger, thanks" message and that was it.
(by the way he's a local boy, bout an hours drive)(never got so much as an invite for coffee)
Sure I got a warm feeling, but I could have gotten the same by wetting my pants wearing a dark suit.

I've learned to keep my "giving" local, I need to see the benefactor of my gift actually help someone else.

 

[Johnboy]

Well done Lightman,this is to what I am talking about.All though I hate that you got nothing in the end,other than knowing you helped some one.You are right some will be that way but its out of our hands.To this is why you walk away and let God deal with them.( you did your part ) I know its hard but we are better men for it.


Keep it coming guys we can do this trust me.Lightman just showed us the way to a really sweet start of giving to the sport.

Again I have a barrel,I even ran up on some 270 brass at the range,but its only a hand full and two different types.

heck even post to what might help you out,then this way some one can come in and save the day

 

[Johnboy]

I feel ya I really do,and I think its really great that you are keeping it close to home.My thing is that I had to learn was its not my place to judge to what that other person will do or say.I did at one time and sometimes still do want that ( pat ) on the back or a really good ( at-a-boy ) Ounce I got over the judgeing of that other person I found better happiness and gifts in the end.

I too am not asking to just give away what we have and to what they want.We can offer a really good deal like a half used barrel for $100 or less.I would think the reason for a new barrel woud be to replace it.( right ) for what ever reason.Well then its not going to be used again in my book.Heck most of the time we guys just put things like this against the wall,and never look back at it.( till we clean up or get to looking for something )

perfect reason to my thinking,found a Lee priming tool ( the old style ) the guy wants I think over $30 for it plus shipping.Well I am sorry I want pay much more than what I paid for a new one 15 years ago.Even though the older Lee Priming tools are great in my book.Thats just too high for a tool that one got in a buy out from some one who didn't want to load any more or passed away.Now there is nothing wrong with making some money back but hey lets not try and get rich from it either.