Thinning the Herd

[jimmymac]

I love shooting Benchrest as much as the next guy, but I think it is time to simplify my game and try to increase the fun factor if I can just figure out how to do that. I am a serious type "A" personality, so my natural tendencies have always been to throw myself full force into anything I sink my teeth into.

This trait has served me well in shooting and other activities but has also worked to my detriment at times as I have turned extremely pleasurable non-work activities into full time non-paying jobs at the salt mine. When I let the script flip on me, I end up stepping back to reevaluate where I'm at and where I am going when the once pleasurable activity ceases to be fun!

I am not done here, but it is pretty clear I need to scale back and try my best to not let the competitive juices dominate the process. That is way easier said than done for me. We shall see. Owning five BR rifles at this point seems excessive. Not really sure why I started this thread. Probably mostly wondering who else falls into the trap I outlined above.

 

[jelenko]

I completely get the dilemma.

I think my first question would be what activities have you found pleasurable and what is causing them to not be now?

I am also driven/passionate about my non work activities which drives me to put in a lot of effort and to endure some unpleasant weather conditions.

 

[Bc'z]

I love shooting Benchrest as much as the next guy, but I think it is time to simplify my game and try to increase the fun factor if I can just figure out how to do that. I am a serious type "A" personality, so my natural tendencies have always been to throw myself full force into anything I sink my teeth into.

This trait has served me well in shooting and other activities but has also worked to my detriment at times as I have turned extremely pleasurable non-work activities into full time non-paying jobs at the salt mine. When I let the script flip on me, I end up stepping back to reevaluate where I'm at and where I am going when the once pleasurable activity ceases to be fun!

I am not done here, but it is pretty clear I need to scale back and try my best to not let the competitive juices dominate the process. That is way easier said than done for me. We shall see. Owning five BR rifles at this point seems excessive. Not really sure why I started this thread. Probably mostly wondering who else falls into the trap I outlined above.

I got dibs on the 8208 pull down powder

 

[nmkid]

Likewise, almost. After all these years, rifles, and countless memories I have also backed way, way off. I have given all my rifles and reloading equipment to my nephews. I am tired and shooting centerfire was not as much fun anymore. However, after all the dust settles, I am sure I will revert to where it all started...22 rimfire or possibly 17 HMR or 17 WSM.

 

[jimmymac]

I got dibs on the 8208 pull down powder

Too funny! I may actually part ways with it. Have not decided.

 

[JFrank]

I

I love shooting Benchrest as much as the next guy, but I think it is time to simplify my game and try to increase the fun factor if I can just figure out how to do that. I am a serious type "A" personality, so my natural tendencies have always been to throw myself full force into anything I sink my teeth into.

This trait has served me well in shooting and other activities but has also worked to my detriment at times as I have turned extremely pleasurable non-work activities into full time non-paying jobs at the salt mine. When I let the script flip on me, I end up stepping back to reevaluate where I'm at and where I am going when the once pleasurable activity ceases to be fun!

I am not done here, but it is pretty clear I need to scale back and try my best to not let the competitive juices dominate the process. That is way easier said than done for me. We shall see. Owning five BR rifles at this point seems excessive. Not really sure why I started this thread. Probably mostly wondering who else falls into the trap I outlined above.

I scaled way back as well, i’m happy to just keep it small and simple.

 

[Just Dave]

A moment of clarity I had recently had me realizing that due to my choices thus far in life I might only have 20 good years left. And by "good" I mean not dependent on others for daily care.
I enjoy shooting in the FCSA, and have begun a quest to eliminate all other calibers, and related equipment
( hence the recent sale ads)
It's incredibly expensive, and alot of ranges have a special fear of the 50BMG, so at my income level it means only 2-3 events per year given the cost per shot, and distance to travel to those few places that still allow us to compete.
I'll shoot as much as I can before my final dirt nap, or until my health no longer allows me to travel effectively.

 

[Bc'z]

Too funny! I may actually part ways with it. Have not decided.

You could throw some of those Pineharts in ther too. lol

 

[7br]

Capital A type here. When something catches my fancy I’m neck deep into it before I know it. Back in my silhouette days, IHMSA & NRA handgun & rifle, all of the rifles, revolvers, XP-100s, Contenders (I had upwards of 25 barrels), and all of the gear that goes with it. Nowadays my enjoyment comes from spending my shooting time with my grandsons at the bench and the groundhog fields. Focusing on them instead of myself helps to keep me in check.

 

[nakneker]

Sounds like I must in that type A category too. I don’t shoot competition but tend to go deep down that rabbit holes I enjoy with shooting. Funny to think back on how it all started with a kid and his 22 shooting countless rounds every chance he got.

An older gentleman in town owned a mom and pop shop called cash and carry and he traded for everything, anything that had value he would trade for, the old guy kind of took me in and when I found time I’d go to his shop and he would show me the guns and knives he had taken in and take the time to explain to me what they worth and how he traded for the them. I think he knew I was really interested. That’s what really started it all and I’ve been entrenched ever since.


Post#7 mentions that dirt nap we will all take eventually, I plan on spending as much time in this hobby sharing it with friends and family as much as I can. We all go through phases, thank goodness there is much variety when it comes to firearms and the activities we enjoy with them.


There are no ATM machines after you take your dirt nap, something to keep in mind.

 

[Doug Casner]

I bought a used benchrest 6ppc from a guy and never shot a match. Too much cleaning for me. Took the fun out of it. I like 22 rimfire in my old age. My shoulder likes rimfires too. Im not sore from the 06s and 300 mags anymore. Doug

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I bought a used benchrest 6ppc from a guy and never shot a match. Too much cleaning for me. Took the fun out of it. I like 22 rimfire in my old age. My shoulder likes rimfires too. Im not sore from the 06s and 300 mags anymore. Doug

Yup,. My .338 Win Mag FLINCH, is finally, Gone !
Thanks to, a Braked, 6.5 Creedmoor, shooting, 130 grain, Bullets ! ( Sweetest, Rifle/ Cart.,.. I've EVER owned ! )
It's my Biggest LR Rifle, Now and I Don't Miss, ANY of, the OTHER,.. Magnums !
And when Tired of, Re-Loading Ammo, I too, grab my Custom, 10-22 rifle for Pure Steel Fun at, Closer ranges !
I've given more than, 1/2 a Dozen,. Pistols, Rifles and Shotguns to, the Grandkids and they Love them !
My old .270 WSM ( Deer / Elk, Rifle ) has Been Braked and my 14 y/o grandson Killed, a Nice Antelope a Few Months ago with it ( It's Been, Nicely "Tamed" with, a Newly designed, PVA, Jet Blast Brake for, Him ).

 

[Explorer1]

Well... Started looking at logistics if I could shooting score nationals this year and am not sure if the barrel on my HBR gun is legal. Ended up with another rifle! Now I need more space in the safes...

Now I need to make more bullets, confirm a load... The next journey has just started.

Didn't I start shooting .22 BR as it was "easier?"

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

About 1/2 of, my Gun Collection, is gone now and I still don't have, enough Time to, Shoot ALL, the Rest that are, Left.
Maybe when, the Weather warms Up a bit and the Mud, in the Desert, finally,.. Hardens.
I Just gotta, Make time !
With shooting my Tikka, 6.5 Creedmoor, a Lot more Lately, my 6 XC gets Lonely, sitting in the Safe,.. Un-used !

 

[Bob3700]

I have not considered myself a "Type A" person and yet I really enjoy the competitive shooting. (NRA mid and LR Prone game). My shooting partners (Team Members) regularly shoot practice sessions every Sunday (weather permitting). We have a dedicated 600 yd range with E-targets.
All that said, I really don't shoot unless we are practicing for matches. If someone said, lets go plink, I would say, "Whats the point"? Just for fun! Fun, is shooting a high X count clean. Shooting thru a wind reverse and still catching the 10 or X ring. Now that is fun!

 

[rwj]

Made the transition to “shooting only for fun” about 15 years ago… one of the best decisions I’ve made. Activities/engagement levels that detract from enjoying life just are not worth the effort…

 

[ricco1949]

I love shooting Benchrest as much as the next guy, but I think it is time to simplify my game and try to increase the fun factor if I can just figure out how to do that. I am a serious type "A" personality, so my natural tendencies have always been to throw myself full force into anything I sink my teeth into.

This trait has served me well in shooting and other activities but has also worked to my detriment at times as I have turned extremely pleasurable non-work activities into full time non-paying jobs at the salt mine. When I let the script flip on me, I end up stepping back to reevaluate where I'm at and where I am going when the once pleasurable activity ceases to be fun!

I am not done here, but it is pretty clear I need to scale back and try my best to not let the competitive juices dominate the process. That is way easier said than done for me. We shall see. Owning five BR rifles at this point seems excessive. Not really sure why I started this thread. Probably mostly wondering who else falls into the trap I outlined above.

I understand but still sad to hear...

I'm planning just the opposite. I'm building a LRBR for a friend and said I would attend a few matches with him this year to help him acclimate to the game.

I've wanted to shoot again for awhile but never found the impetus to put it all together again. Offering to help my friend is providing that impetus.

I haven't shot LRBR since the late 00's. I'm actually looking forward to it, however, I don't expect much immediate success in today's shooting environment.

I'll try to do it for the fun and camaraderie and just remain competitive..but like you...that's gonna be hard to keep those competitive juices in check, even after a 15 year hiatus.

 

[spike-55]

Jimbo my buddy- take a sip and relax, feel the moment and take in the breeze!! Once you get to a stage in your life when retirement happens your type "A" personality will move to hoarder status and you will wish you had all those guns you have sold!!!! Take it from one who has pursued the prize and now has 10 times your number and still can't resist one that is just too cheap for the components or package. Hell I got stuff I find that surface from years back, barrels-stocks-all kinds of stuff!!! Remember you took up this as a hobby, then moved to a sport and now you have an addiction like the rest of us lol!!!
Remember - out of my COLD DEAD HANDS
Stan

 

[jimmymac]

You could throw some of those Pineharts in ther too. lol

Don't get too carried away.

 

[Bob3700]

My one friend gave me a reality check the other day.

Take out ur tape measure. Put your thumb on 85. Now put your other finger on your age. Your HERE! How much is left and what do you think ur relatives will get out of all your "Toys" in the estate sale? Who even know what half the stuff they are combing thru actually is (and what it is worth).

I attended a recently departed shooting buddies auction/estate sale. He was a dedicated MR and LR prone shooter. Few bidders had any idea what most of his rifles and loading gear even where. One fellow purchased a bunch of loaded ammo that he thought was 22/250 (Head stamp). It was actually 6XC. The family got pennies on the dollar.

You might want to make a video/picture catalog on your "Collection" so someone has an idea what the important items are and an approx. worth.