What makes shooting relevant - to YOU?

[MaryB]

I would love to own a 50bmg but my budget says no way! Maybe a 338 lapua some day

[Evad]

Aside from any political (2A) or defense things...

I just like it. I enjoy putting holes in targets. I like the noise. I only shoot when I shoot, I don't worry about the rest of life. Shooting and riding a motorcycle are fantastic activities where you really, really should only think about what you are doing. The both relax me. Since I need clutch work, I should get out shooting

[Viseprints]

Shooting takes me back to my youth which was a happy, secure time. My dad hunted to put some meat on the table, mostly pheasants. But I've alway appreciated guns and studied ballistic tables that used to included in the manufacturer's catalogs (i.e Winchester) while other boys collected baseball cards. Whenever I handle a classic .22 rifle or older shotgun I think of my Dad and those bygone days.

[Jack's My dog]

I came into shooting through hunting when I was younger. Still love to hunt. I like the fact that I can go to the range by myself and be content, or go with a couple buddies and have a great time as well. When I started getting back into shooting, I didn't know that I would become so interested in the physics and engineering involved in the sport, and I think I am on my way to becoming a "Gun Nerd". Physics was something I never paid much attention to, but now that I understand how the basic lessons are applicable to if the deer will go down or not, I am taking notice. I also like the big bang and knocking around tin cans.

[jshuberg]

I've been shooting twice a week or so for the last 8 or 9 years, and I've gone through around 280 hours of defensive shooting classes in the last 5 years. Three years ago this August one of my best friends and his wife were murdered by her ex-husband, and that really kicked it into high gear for me. That's when I decided that rather than simply train myself, that I'd also start training other people as well. Not as a business, but as a way to help balance the odds against the bad guys by turning novice shooters into competent shooters over a several month period of time.

The more well trained good guys with guns, the fewer untrained worthless pieces of $hit with guns looking to do someone harm.

[DoxaPar]

Back in my early twenties I shot a handgun (of some kind) a few times while out a friend's farm. But back then I was more interested in girls and beer and never gave it much thought.

However, late last year a friend (after asking several times) finally got me down to Burnsville Pistol Range to shoot his Glock. I had an absolute blast and enjoyed every moment of it. I also knew absolutely nothing about firearms. No one I grew up around had any interest or knowledge of firearms (although I don't remember anyone being opposed to them); it just wasn't something that ever crossed my mind.

After going to the range with my friend and then the sudden threats to the 2A I threw myself into high gear starting last January. I bought a Glock 19 and a .308 rifle (both per the recommendation of others since I knew nothing about firearms) and started reading, watching YouTube videos and talking with folks here. Also started reloading in that time, got my NRA lifetime membership and P2C. I even tried competing in a 3 gun match (which didn't go as well as I had hoped).

So.. basically I'm a 6-month old babe. But, I've hit the ranged at least twice per month since then (usually 4 times per month) and have had an absolute blast doing so. I got both my brother-in-laws into firearms since then and they've got with several times and we've made a day of it. It's been great to hang out with them while blasting paper, steal and clay.

It is interesting to see that my interests have changed since I started. I preferred shooting my handguns at first but as I've shot more I really enjoy the rifles and the mix that reloading throws into the bag. The hobby + testing + human factors make it really interesting. But more than anything I've enjoyed learning about firearms and reloading. I've always been a sucker for learning new things so combining the "learning" plus the "doing" of shooting has been great fun.

My only gripes are that I don't have enough money yet to buy those firearms that really peak my interest - an AK, an 1873 Winchester, a Mosin, a high quality AR-15, a true long-range .308 rifle, etc. etc...