Gambling at the Gun Range

[jamesinalaska]

Some of the funnest times we have when we get together at the range is when we start taunting each other with money.

The baiting usually goes something like, "Billy you've been bragging about that rifle for quite a while now. I'll bet you fifty dollars you can't hit a soda can at 300 yards a single time in three shots." And that dare gets accepted and everybody is in on the howl.

Anybody else gamble with their friends at the range?

 

[whm1974]

Sounds dangerous...

 

[LoonWulf]

No moneys every actually changed hands amongst my group. Some of my finest moments have been ruined my the realization that "betcha cant!" was a trap........

 

[BigBore44]

It happens fairly often. But money is always produced before the bet is accepted. I’ve won some, and lost some. But hey, that’s gambling.

 

[Pat Riot]

My friend and I would bet lunch on shots when we used to go to an outdoor range that had a little cafe.

 

[BWS]

I have 4 grown sons. All are very accomplished trad bow shooters having grown up literally from diapers shooting stick bows. We bet on everything shooting related.

They got me nowadays on trad bows and can do pretty well with long guns..... but handguns?naw...... no way,no how. I'll take the little 45 commander and make them look stupid at anything under 20yds. Then out to 50,the Gold cup keeps'm flapping gums with excuses. Want 100? An 8" Python hunter shuts'm up for good.

 

[Steve S.]

I like to go to the range alone, when it is empty and quiet - when I can concentrate on shooting and be relaxed - I just compete with myself and I always win - funny how that works.

 

[DoubleMag]

Pepsi.

 

[Chuck R.]

Not gambling, but after most range sessions when i have friends and co-workers out, we'll square off for a little man on man comp using AR500 bowling pins:



You've first got to take down your pins, then a hit on your 4" yellow circle and the 1st to ring the white center steel wins. I've taken several defensive shooting classes that ended with similar and it's fun to watch the effects on guys that have never shot "head to head" with an audience.

I of course have a serious hometown advantage.

 

[mmb617]

I like to go to the range alone, when it is empty and quiet - when I can concentrate on shooting and be relaxed - I just compete with myself and I always win - funny how that works.

We must think alike. I go to the range with my son a lot of times and while that's certainly enjoyable, my favorite times are when I'm there by myself.

 

[Jessesky]

Often I’ll use my smith and Wesson 629 with full house loads when betting with friends. “You get half of a cylinder, first one to hit that bowling pin wins”

no money has been exchanged but after reading this.....

 

[Jessesky]

We must think alike. I go to the range with my son a lot of times and while that's certainly enjoyable, my favorite times are when I'm there by myself.

I agree, I had a new barrel installed and I’m going to have to break it in over about 40 rounds cleaning in between. I’m actually looking forward to it

 

[glaizinman]

I really never gambled at the range. But I did entice my Grandson with money for bullseye's. I forget how much for the center bullseye then how much for each outer ring. He was shooting a Ruger 10/22 @ 50 yards 1 mag he was 10 yrs old. He got me for $ 48.00. We walked up to the target he said Papa you owe me $ 48.00...lol. That was many years ago that day was priceless for me.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
Never let money get involved when I am shooting.
Usually it is just my son and I...on occasion another friend might be there.

We just have a good time shooting...not interested in turning it into a competition.
When my older brother was alive, we might bet on who shot the best group once in a while to decide who would pay for lunch.

 

[WheelGunMan]

Betting on who's a better shot would definitely add a little pizzazz to the range experience. Whether I go solo or with friends... ANYTIME... at the range is time well spent.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

All but one of my shooting friends got jobs elsewhere and moved away, with one exception. And he isn't competition.

But if they were still here, I'd have to say no, they were way too cheap to ever bet money. A beer though for afterwards when the guns are put away and we are just cleaning up targets? Sure.

 

[Howland937]

Most of my shooting is by myself. Seems like I get more accomplished in less time, and I don't really enjoy watching other people shoot. When I do shoot with other people, it's usually my dad. Which is more about spending time than shooting. On rare occasions when it's my dad, brother, cousin(s) and me, we finish with a .22 shoot-off. Bragging rights only though, which in my family is better than money.

 

[JERRY]

I won my first rifle/shotgun that way. a Savage .22lr/20ga. O/U.

Empty shotgun shells on a fence post weren't challenging enough. So, a big green grasshopper with its legs wedged into a split in the post.... the grasshopper would move a bit and was a lot harder to see with the field as the background... my mouth and the $50 in my pocket (1986, all the money I had in the world at age 18 before I shipped off to boot camp) were put up that I could hit the grasshopper with one try from the .22 bbl (it was open/iron sights). The old guy whose rifle we were using said he'd put his Savage up against my bet. I was relieved that I made the shot. At the time I was too stupid to backdown from a near impossible task for little gain.

Subsequent bets were more tame..... some co-workers and I would go to an indoor range and use a roll of masking tape to trace a circle.... most shots outside of the circle had to pay for the range time.

 

[Jim Watson]

If you want to see real gambling on the range, go to a regulation ATA Trapshoot. There are options and purses and added money and auctions. Hundreds, thousands of dollars change hands in standardized formats.

 

[Jack B.]

I know better than to bet at the range as to who the better shot is. I usually only shoot with my wife and she is a far better shot than me, I'd lose every time.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Nothing serious.
Shooting clays from a little thrower, we've bet lunch on who could get the most out of 20 and stuff like that.

 

[Frulk]

I prefer to shoot by myself mostly. I do a lot chronograph work and like to go at my own pace and not get distracted.

I do however run in a small close knit group of friends that are also firearms and whiskey enthusiasts. On the occasion that we're all together shooting we usually end with some type of impromptu shoot off that always involves a bottle of whiskey as the prize (never cash). Upper cost limit of bottle is stipulated or a specific type/brand of whiskey is agreed upon in advance. Losers pay equal share of the bottle.

Until they're gone, those bottles are tangible reminders of good times shared with close friends.

 

[Rudolph31]

We shoot three games of Skeet every Wednesday, $1 per game. It usually costs me $3 a week. But a couple of months ago I got home and my wife asked how I did. I walked over and dropped eighteen one dollar bills in her lap. I still have a few left.

 

[Cemetery21]

One bet - many years ago. A few guys used to bring deer rifles for me to sight in - maybe I had a rep as a decent shot. Anyway, I got this 270 sighted in and the guy bet me - one shot closest to a mark. I knew how the rifle grouped and he hadn't fired it so I thought I had him. I was close, but he nailed it. I learned right there that you can't beat dumb luck, so no more.
I don't even remember what was bet, but never forgot losing. Yeah, I'm probably a bad loser, but he was a friend until he died.

 

[armedwalleye]

We shoot golf balls off a bunch of tees drilled into a 4 x 4. Two of us both shoot the S&W 15-22. Start at 25 yards, then 50. Then see if we can shoot the tees.
If you hit the 4 x 4, you're out.