ammo at range

[BanjoGunner]

I will pick up the tab for any new shooter that I have had to convince to go shooting. If they ask to go with me or are otherwise already interested in learning to shoot, they pay.

[thomascrowe]

I agree with the "If you invite someone you should pay for them" but if they ask and it isn't the first time, I'd expect some money or a meal.

Also, ladies are always free I've gotten a few numbers letting girls shoot on my dime.

[tpuig]

First time I cover everything. Then I tell them the next time they can buy lunch and/or pay for the ammo.

Realistically, the first time out is probably .22 rimfire, so the cost isn't very much. Once we get up to the .44 mag, though...

[Bigtwin]

I don't know how kids do it these days, but no matter what the activity is, if I invite somebody to something, I'm paying. Dinner, movie, event, etc. That's just proper etiquette.

If it's a group thing (i.e. let's all agree to go out to the movies together), we're paying our own way.

If you have an issue with paying for ammo, don't invite them or make it VERY clear they will need to bring ammo. Don't make this a mystery or assume they are going to pay for anything. Tell them, straight up so you don't have to face awkwardness when you're at the cash register.

This is my basic way of thought!
For anybody I "invite", I pick up the tab if they are not gun owners! I do it because I want them to be comfortable with guns men or women!
However if I invite my fellow shooters to go well then...your own gun and ammo and range fee! Granted we trade off shooting with one anothers firearms, so that is no big deal! I think that is a norm! But when I do that I have no problem with the gas to go or I would not ask!

I have paid for my brother a few times a year, I have paid for others a few times.
None have put a dent in my supply and I don't care if they did. I reload and that helps, but does not sway my decision to take them shooting!

[BRANCHER]

I never charge for a non-shooter (non gun owner who has never shot, or once (or twice) shot in their lifetimes) --- I am taking a non-shooter to shoot and I consider the importance of getting them over the "fear" the media has instilled. It is an ambassadorship thing. I prefer to go to different friends ranches rather than the range... since I'll even eat the range fees. And always donate the ammo. I have explained trigger time is most important and 99% of my shooting is with 22LR. I'll bring a lot of guns and small amounts off ammo for the expensive guns. But then again for every centerfire rifle or pistol I bring 3-5 22LR guns. I am always trying to "convert" people or at least get them to the fence. I have taken people from work and even their children.

I grew up win a house with a couple guns for defense and only got to shot a few times in my life and then someone did it for me when I was in my late 20's and I believe I would be repaying them poorly if I didn't do the same for others. Do what you can.

Think of it this way: It is another way to "donate". And the best thing about donating this way is you end up have a great day too!

[Super Spy]

Sounds Best To Me

That's what .22 is for.

1st time is on me for everything.

I usually let them go through a mag or 2 or 9mm, .40, .45, 10mm so they can say they did and get the difference between the characteristics of the calibers.

1911 are usually the most accurate/easy to shoot for most new shooters, regardless of it be a .45

I usually start them off on a .22 rifle with a red dot sight and let them blast away until about 20 mins before I want to go.

Then I'll let them try a few mags of different handgun calibers.

I don't let new shooters touch .308 or 12 gauge.

.223 might be okay, but you need to gauge their reaction to 9mm before moving to different calibers.

Most new female shooters are very comfortable with .22 in a rifle and will happily go through 1/2 a brick.

I don't own a .22 pistol, or I'd use that as well.

2nd time for ANYBODY, they pay range fee and I'll cover all targets and .22 ammo. Maybe one box of 9mm. Anything else is out of their pocket.

3rd time, they usually have their own gun.

Nailed It!

[Eljay]

I'm another "first time's free" person. If they insist on kicking in I'll have them cover the range fees. After that I don't really have a system, but usually if they cover both range fees it'll cover .22 ammo and maybe a little something larger. If they wanted to shoot a lot of something larger I'd either start calculating what it cost or get them to buy me lunch or something.

[GW]

First trip is on me. If they are interested enough to go again, they can buy their own ammo on any subsequent trips.
3rd trip they have to clean my guns though...

[ramathorn]

It would be nice if he chipped in. If nothing else he should buy your range pass for the day. Ammo isn't cheap, especially if its gong to be a long day of killing paper.

[s4alex]

For me, it really depends on who it is. If it is one of my nephews or neices or one of my cousins, I usually take the bill for both range and ammo.

Friends.. well, most all my friends have a job, so I tell them to cover the cost of the range and I will handle the rest. That is what the bulk ammo and reloads are for.

Plus, before even heading out to the range, I pack my bags and load up as much ammo as I want to use for that trip. I never bring my whole stash. When I load up, I do not plan on bringing any ammo back, so whether I shoot or the people I am with shoot, doesn't matter to me. Now, if they want to shoot more than what I brought, they can go to the counter and buy as much as they want.

Plus, if I pay for most of the ammo, I like to conveniently stop by a gas station on the way home or stop by some place to eat. Most of the time they will offer to pay for one or the other or both.

Now, going with other friends who shoot? I treat the ammo like women, swap and use em when you want to just let me do the same with yours. Doesn't everyone do it that way?