What shooting does for you

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rangur1

rangur1

Member
Jan 4, 2018
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peoples republic of New York
This in a way is tied to my other thread "purpose of a gun" or something similar. This thread is dedicated to what shooting does for you. Yes , we all shoot for satisfaction, question is , what? Speed metal targets, groups on paper for FT, live pests, bb's for rapid fire plinking. Big bore to smack the crap out of metal paddles/ gongs. All is good. We all know that we get jacked up smacking targets no matter what and where they are. Describe your preference and why.
I shoot groups on paper so as to make sure when I go live , I deliver ethical kill shots - job well done. That's the satisfaction for me, but mine is not the only one of course.
 
I remember when I was a kid I used to get Cabela's catalogs in the mail. I would sit on the toilet and browse through the Airgun section and circle ones I wanted. Every weekend and after school I would work my butt off on the ranch to make enough to where my father would order one with his CC. Now that I'm older it's gotten bad because I can actually afford more expensive things. I agree with @L.Leon , I feel like a kid again having that weekend adventure with my airgun back on that old ranch. That place is long gone, my family is gone but I still have my Airguns. My wife actually searched and searched and found one of my old Crosmans, it was a 262 Sporter that got stolen from me. Having that gun back was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done, it meant so much to me.
 
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I shoot out of necessity. Squirrels got me into airgunning.. Now its sparrows and other crop damaging birds.. I absolutely love hearing a sparrow take a JSB.. That sound is So satisfying's!! I almost wish i shot slugs like Gerrhard because that is the shi! seeing those POS birds come apart... When my gun is on and birds are are on feeder nothing better than just shooting and shooting..
 
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I am a retired engineer. Sometimes I shoot for data, like the fairly long shot strings on my P35-177 this week. I discovered it's velocity is about 20 fps lower near the regulator set point than it is at full pressure. Not great but not a huge issue either. It is pretty new so maybe it will get better. But if not, that much fall over 100 shots is managable.

Sometimes I shoot to see how well I can do with a particular gun and pellet. I've shot a bunch of 30 yard challenge targets for that purpose and also to get a little better allowing for wind. I discovered in this process cheaper Crosman 10.5 pellets shoot about as well as H&N Match pellets in the same gun. I also confirmed what I thought I knew, my P35-22 is my most accurate gun. If I shot my Avenger more it might get closer but I don't think it would beat it.

I also enjoy tinkering. My front rest, used when I do not use a bipod, is home made as is the height adjustable box for my rear bag. My portable shooting bench is home made as is my pellet trap. Most of my wind flags are home made. I've tried casting my own pellets but haven't made any my guns like yet. My Prod wears a home made stock.

Mostly I shoot paper but I also have a home made know your limits target I shoot for fun sometimes. I really enjoy shooting squirrels and the season starts October 1 so that will take priority soon. I eat them but the most fun part is a well placed shot resulting in an immediate fall from the tree they were in.
 
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It's pretty simple for me — strive for that magical one hole, 5 shot group. I don't care the distance. I spend a lot of time previsualizing the pellet going through the same hole as the last one. It's all in my mind. I don't generally compete, except our 25 yard indoors bench shooting in winter. During milder outdoors weather, it's just me and my rifle willing the pellet to do what I want it to (interspersed with awe poop). If this is Zen, then I'm guilty. Even rainy days are often spent sorting pellets to try to find those errant pellets that might screw up my group. I don't hunt - I garden. I'd like to shoot those pesky tree rats that are knawing on my squash, but the city won't let me. So it's one more try for a one-hole group.
 
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I am addicted to the sound of pellets impacting steel. Especially steel targets that are of proper size and thickness for air rifles. And now I have begun learning welding and I’m making my own steel targets. That makes the game all the more interesting. I actually giggle like a child when a well placed pellet smashes one of my steel targets to the ground and then reverberates that magical “plink” music back to my ears.
Kenny
 
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It puts me in my own element and bubble. Definitely a stress reliever from the daily grind of work. With the advancement of PCPs', I'm still amazed at how accurate they can be compared to what I use to shoot as a kid. In regards to what I shoot, from groups on paper, to steel, or a spot on a tree branch, it's all satisfying. In the end, as long as it translates to a kill downrange on pest. I'm also amazed at the technology of ballistic apps like Strelok Pro. Punch in the necessary numbers and watching it hit your mark.
 
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I am like member (rsfrid).
I shoot for maximum precision. I want to shoot 5 shot groups that look like the target has only one pellet hole. Like many others, I think of the simplest time of my life. Shooting reminds me of when I was just a kid. Back then I killed everything that walked or crawled. With the exception of livestock,state animals, and of course people...lol. After the military, I no longer care to kill anything unless it's doing damage to my property or posing a threat to me or mine.
I have found that the only way I can shoot truly "one hole groups" is to sort my pellets.
One day this week I was shooting 65 yards and my first 4 went through the same hole and I dropped the last one around 1/4 inch low. I was bummed,yet encouraged. I'm a perfectionist at heart. So only achieving excellence seems to be unacceptable at times. It just makes me strive to do better by using calculations, modifications, and a little luck! Lol. From time to time I will put some targets out to 150+ yards to test my tunes. It is satisfying to shoot long range also. I just don't have unrealistic expectations of shooting one hole groups way out there!
 
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