Comments on: Barrel Life and the TRUE Cost of Shooting

By: Ian Hames

Ian Hames — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:03:42 +0000

For crying out loud, don’t publish this stuff where my wife can read it!!! She still thinks I haven’t had a raise in 20 years.

By: Fred Bohl

Fred Bohl — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:46:30 +0000

While I also would prefer lower costs to shoot that is not a realistic expectation.

However, for about he same price of one of the March scopes I have on order I have previously purchased a Kimber VST, Scope, bag, front rest and 5000 rounds of Eley Match EPS .22LR ammunition.

That combo has consistently delivered .25 MOA groups at 50 yards for the last 5 seasons with once a year barrel cleaning and zero reloading cost. Even if it died at 5000 rounds (which I doubt) that would put the total cost per shot for everything at under $0.42 per round and I would still have a nice wall hanger.

I’ll still spend a lot shooting my high cost center fire rifles because longer range 100, 200, 300, 600 & 1000 yards is just more challenging and fun.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:17:04 +0000

You forgot to include the cost per shot of cleaning supplies!

By: Brad Sauve

Brad Sauve — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:25:50 +0000

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has been in this game. No doubt it isn’t cheap to compete, but I think it still is no more expensive than the other alternatives which you would spend time on if you did not shoot competitively (green fees and clubs, boats and fishing equipment, racquets and court fees, season tickets to your favorite team, etc.). Everything is a choice and no one can measure the enjoyment or satisfaction one derives from their hobbies, but it must be greater than the cost of materials consumed otherwise we wouldn’t be participating.