Range junkies, how do you keep costs down?

[Rigma]

Anyone else find it odd how it's the same 5pt score for hitting the bad guy in the left arm as a headshot?
Yes, we know about training for center of mass, but still, headshot, not any better than the left shoulder or arm?

Elbows and knees...elbows and knees.

[PutTogether]

The "start reloading" advice isn't a cure all. It is great advice, but understand that you need to shoot a lot of whatever you are shooting to hit a break even point. Depending of course, on the machine and setup you use, and the caliber you shoot.

If you start with a single stage press and are shooting .308, you'll hit "break even" a lot faster than if you buy a Dillion 650, case feeder, bullet feeder, all the extras, and only load 9mm.

Reloading is certainly a solution, but it is a process. That said, it is a fun hobby in and of itself.

The fast and easy solution is buying .22 guns. When you get bored of one, sell it and buy another. Easy to get money back out of a .22. Buy a cheap 10/22 and shoot the hell out of it. Then try a revolver. Then get good with a rifle.

I've been reloading a LOT of .45 ACP lately, and I can't come close to the cost per round of a .22 lr.

The last thing you can do is the simplest, but maybe the hardest. It sounds like "well duh" but AIM EVERY SINGLE SHOT. Don't bang away, don't waste one single round. Go with a goal/purpose in mind, and don't let even one round get wasted by saying "screw it" and pulling the trigger. Line up the sights, breath, press, call the shot, evaluate, and try your absolute hardest with every single shot you take. That takes time, uses less ammo, and makes you better.

[Call_me_Tom]

Thanks for all of the input.

Some of things that I've already done are to buy ammunition in bulk online when I see good deals and to not buy ammo at the range. I also have a membership to an indoor range a couple of miles from my house and I print my own targets. I've consolidated my pistols to just two calibers, 9mm and 357. I mostly shoot 38spl through the 357 as 357 ammo prices are climbing.

The .22 suggestions were really helpful and seemed to be the number one suggestion. I never even thought of this route. I'll have to look into some conversion kits for my 9mm auto's or for a decent plinker pistol.

I'll also look into reloading. My father used to reload and has a single stage system that is no longer in use. I don't know much about reloading but if it saves money and allows me more range time then it's worth a look.

How do you reloaders handle ranges that keep your brass?

[car15]

http://troyind.com/flv/TroyGame2.html

[ScorpioVI]

$75 a year gets me unlimited access to an indoor range, pretty much 24/7 unless there's a scheduled event or I get beat there by another club member who isn't willing to share space.

Lots of dry-firing and lots of .22s. I pretty much limit myself to 50 rounds of .45/.40/9mm for my handguns. I shoot for accuracy, really slow aimed shots.

[USMC_2651_E5]

I saw some guys drawing targets on paper plates with sharpees and thought it was a good idea. Each paper plat probably only costs 2-3 cents.

[Rudolf the Red]

I became an NRA Pistol Coach and volunteered with a local BSA Venturing crew helping kids shoot better. Now I can go to the range and have fun without spending a dime!

[Super Spy]

I became an NRA Pistol Coach and volunteered with a local BSA Venturing crew helping kids shoot better. Now I can go to the range and have fun without spending a dime!

Best answer yet!

[k3nnex]

sharpie + post it notes

[jaustin612]

For some reason I have a habit of while shooting to not stop till the mags empty.

So with rifles I only load 3-4 shots per mag, makes me take more time.

Also I focus more on accuracy rather than speed. burning through ammo just standing there has gotten sorta boring for me.

[dustoff31]

I've consolidated my pistols to just two calibers, 9mm and 357. I mostly shoot 38spl through the 357 as 357 ammo prices are climbing.

I'll also look into reloading. My father used to reload and has a single stage system that is no longer in use. I don't know much about reloading but if it saves money and allows me more range time then it's worth a look.

If you decide to get into reloading, you can save more by using cast lead bullets rather than FMJ. You could save even more if you wanted to cast your own bullets. Being that you are only shooting 9mm and .38/.357, you could buy/cast .357 lead bullets in bulk and size them down for the 9mm.

How do you reloaders handle ranges that keep your brass?

Me?, I don't go to those places.

[spencerhut]

My range is at my house. No range fees, but I have to mow it myself.

[GrayWolf09]

Get old. Metcalf Range in San Jose only charges seniors $7/day which includes a free target!

That plus reloading keeps is cheap.

[PutTogether]

How do you reloaders handle ranges that keep your brass?

What range keeps your brass? That sucks. Is it actually a rule that you can't pick up even your own brass, or is it something they implement so that people aren't fighting for each other's brass?


My response to a range that refused to let me pick up brass would be to only shoot .22 there. I'd also shoot revolvers and slip the brass into my pocket. If they wanted to kick me out for that - let them.

Oh, and steel cased ammo. Though something tells me that if there is a range that won't let you pick up your own brass, I bet they won't let you shoot steel or aluminum cased ammo either.

[Connor P Price]

My range is at my house. No range fees, but I have to mow it myself.

I'm sure you could find plenty of calgunners that would be more than happy to mow it for you for some range time.