Are you lonely when you shoot?

[PHC1]

You are at the range getting some target practice in. Are you usually alone? Do any other members of your family ever go? Do you prefer company and to share the experience with friends or family or do you prefer the solitude to concentrate better?

My two boys (men now ) have enjoyed shooting since I started taking them at an early age to teach them how to enjoy the sport of target shooting (we never hunted, at least not yet), rifles, shotguns, pistols in a safe and responsible manner. They can both out-shoot me any day now and know more about guns than I do.

My wife has occasionally joined me for some target shooting and she does like to shoot some clay birds once in a while as well but finds the 12 gauge a bit too much for more than a few shots. (I should get her a 20 or 28 gauge!) She also enjoys shooting any pistol/revolver as long as it stays at 9mm or .38 special and under... But I do enjoy going to the range by myself as well from time to time.. To practice and concentrate better and I find that enjoying some of your favorite hobbies by yourself can also be very therapeutic and clears your head pretty good. How about you?

[Mikado463]

I'd never take my wife to the range........she'd probably shoot me...

on the serious side, alot of my 'range time' is for working up loads, practice before a match, etc , usually alone with the exception of other club members.

Sunday morning sporting clay shooting, our squad varies from 4-6 guys,

[jdandy]

Serge.......Although I have taken Marlene to the range a number of times to help keep her sharp enough to defend herself if necessary and stay familiar and comfortable with her .38 Special, I still prefer to go to the range by myself. I like indoor ranges with electric target positioning and isolated booths for pistol shooting. I like to place my guns and ammo on a bench without worry. I practice on drawing from a concealed holster, target acquisition, steady aim, and trigger squeeze. I prefer shooting full sized center mass silhouettes at 50 and 75 feet. Using two round bursts I look to maintain 3 inch groups at 50 feet and 4 inch groups at 75 feet. I don't care to spend time in conversation or be distracted at the range. Going alone is my preference.

[Allan W.]

If weather and ammo supply conditions are good, I shoot trap on Sunday mornings with a close friend. Once a month based on the above noted conditions my Wife and I shoot hand guns and rifles. Darn woman is a better shooter than I. I am not a lone shooter.

[Yamaki]

I've done both solo and with a group on many occasions. I have no preference although with groups the bragging and trash talking is fun to participate in.

There are times I prefer solo...just to clear my head a bit and focus on something else besides a spreadsheet or a computer.

[2fastdriving]

I prefer to go with friends or family. It would be better if I wasn't the best shot. I want to be challenged! So I need to find some friends that are an awesome shot.

[Formerly YB-2]

With a rifle, unless I'm competing, where there is no choice, I prefer to shoot alone and not be distracted by casual conversation. Can take proper notes, etc., and not have to worry about chatting. With the shotgun or pistol, one of the reasons I go is to enjoy the social aspect of shooting/competing with friends.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

With a rifle, unless I'm competing, where there is no choice, I prefer to shoot alone and not be distracted by casual conversation. Can take proper notes, etc., and not have to worry about chatting. With the shotgun or pistol, one of the reasons I go is to enjoy the social aspect of shooting/competing with friends.

Glenn.......I tend to enjoy contact at outdoor ranges more than indoor ranges. It has been awhile since I've had my 30-30 at the outdoor range. The Leupold scope is still perfectly sighted for 100 and 150 yards so there's no real purpose to waste rounds with it, especially since I no longer deer hunt. I still keep it clean and ready.

The short barreled 12 gauge Ithica pump action is strictly for home defense. In close quarters it is hard to miss, just point, shoot, and rack the next round which will likely not be needed.

My pistols are a different story. I shoot all of them regularly, sometimes out on my property, but usually at an indoor range. I like staying sharp and familiar for personal defense purposes. You never know when an occasion may occur that requires vigilance, preparedness, and skill to be the one who gets to testify about what happened. I much prefer to be prepared and never have a need than to require serious assistance and be unprepared.

[TonyRumore]

I have guys ask me to take them shooting all the time. I just tell them to pick up some ammo and I'll bring the machine guns. As soon as they see the price of ammo, they are no longer interested. It runs about $10 per second to shoot an M60 these days.

Tony

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Glenn.......I tend to enjoy contact at outdoor ranges more than indoor ranges. It has been awhile since I've had my 30-30 at the outdoor range. The Leupold scope is still perfectly sighted for 100 and 150 yards so there's no real purpose to waste rounds with it, especially since I no longer deer hunt. I still keep it clean and ready.

The short barreled 12 gauge Ithica pump action is strictly for home defense. In close quarters it is hard to miss, just point, shoot, and rack the next round which will likely not be needed.

My pistols are a different story. I shoot all of them regularly, sometimes out on my property, but usually at an indoor range. I like staying sharp and familiar for personal defense purposes. You never know when an occasion may occur that requires vigilance, preparedness, and skill to be the one who gets to testify about what happened. I much prefer to be prepared and never have a need than to require serious assistance and be unprepared.

Dan... When I visit you, which I will; maybe I'll bring some of my favorite hand guns.