So, how do the majority of gun owners afford to shoot often? I’m not referring to those who reload.

[Scraper]

In no particular order, here are some of the reasons I believe add up to me being able to shoot frequently (daily unless weather or other obligations interfere):
- Range in my back yard. No fees to shoot, just toss on eyes/ears/shoes/maybe pants and step outside.
- Dual income household, no kids
- No cable/internet/subscription services at house. Internet is via phone, and TV is whatever our antenna picks up.
- No drinking
- All meals prepped at home weekly and all lunches packed for work. Minimal expense for fast food and such.
- Reload where it makes a difference (44 Mag, 357 Mag, 38 Spl, 300 BLK, 10mm, 45 Auto). I still buy most of my 9mm.

I'll generally burn off a bare minimum of 10 rounds of .22 LR each day after work, but I'll bring out my carry (HK45CT) or a fun platform (SP5, M9A4, Shadow 2, DW Specialist, random revolver) if the weather permits and I have time.

Rainy days are for reloading, weapons maintenance, and vehicle maintenance.

For any cartridge that I don't reload, I keep loose tabs on how much I go through and buy twice that amount the next time I'm out and about. Ensures I always have a little bit more ammo than before, and it adds up over the years.

Make no mistake, I still barely have two nickels to rub together but I do a lot of shooting and a lot of driving. Cars and firearms keep me humbly un-rich.

 

[EvanB]

Buy remanufactured loads (Factory reloads). North Georgia Reloaders usually has most everything you might reload yourself already loaded for less than you can buy the makings.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

Ammo costs are keeping me from shooting as often as I used to. And although I have a large supply of some calibers on hand, the high cost (and sometimes lack of availability) to replace that stuff means I'm not spending yet willy-nilly at the range.

 

[Jackspack]

How you train is as important as how often you train.

I used to go the range with all my 15 round Mags loaded. By the time I was in double digits, my shots where all over the place. Why? Because I was tired and no longer being deliberate about focusing on trigger, grip, sight picture, etc.

Now I unload- I shoot 5 round strings. I aim small, I miss small.Bring in my targets, mark them. Do it again. I might shoot a box or two. I learned this from a guy who is a competitive shooter. It really tightened up my groups.

Also, practice drawing and dry firing. But not nearly enough.

 

[above_all]

 

[1gunsnotenough]

A lot of time it comes to priorities. Most people who claim they can't do or afford to do something do other things with their time or money. I have a friend that can't afford to shoot but can afford to play golf. I drive a used car. No car payment. When I get rid of a vehicle it's value is usually scrap value. I don't drink or smoke. I had a guy that worked for me several years ago that budgeted $500 a month for cigarettes for him and his wife. So I am sure most people could find money to spend on ammo that they are wasting somewhere else.

 

[joel2000]

A lot of time it comes to priorities. Most people who claim they can't do or afford to do something do other things with their time or money. I have a friend that can't afford to shoot but can afford to play golf. I drive a used car. No car payment. When I get rid of a vehicle it's value is usually scrap value. I don't drink or smoke. I had a guy that worked for me several years ago that budgeted $500 a month for cigarettes for him and his wife. So I am sure most people could find money to spend on ammo that they are wasting somewhere else.

Wow…6000.00 a year ..up in smoke..literally

 

[roydamnmercer]

I went to Walmart the other day and strolled by the ammo counter. Not only did they have ammo but there was an employee behind the counter… nearly stroked out from shock right there!

Anyway, grabbed five boxes of range ammo for $128 bucks and the clerk says “I wish I could afford to blow over a hundred bucks on ammunition!”

I bit my tongue instead of saying, “Wish in one hand and $&@# in the other and see which one is filled first!”

 

[BigMike]

Good paying job and live cheap. Buy in bulk when it makes since to do so. I don't shoot nearly as often as I'd like but I'm still at 2-300 rounds a week between calibers. I don't reload and never plan to. My current 9mm was bought when it was 170/K.

 

[BigMike]

I went to Walmart the other day and strolled by the ammo counter. Not only did they have ammo but there was an employee behind the counter… nearly stroked out from shock right there!

Anyway, grabbed five boxes of range ammo for $128 bucks and the clerk says “I wish I could afford to blow over a hundred bucks on ammunition!”

I bit my tongue instead of saying, “Wish in one hand and $&@# in the other and see which one is filled first!”

There are several broken shopping cards at outlying Walmart thanks to me and their ammo supply. The look of their face when they ask "how many" and I tell them, all of it. This was back in the zq1 308 days when I flogged my fal and m1a every weekend.