I think a lot depends on the discipline and the level of proficiency desired.
Agreed. And, as you also point out, the quality of practice and availability of good instruction play a big role too.
I think a lot depends on the discipline and the level of proficiency desired.
People aren't generally interested in expending effort.
I don't think I fit either category. That is I don't think I've ever acquired more guns just for the sake of acquiring more guns, and I don't think I've ever had a gun I didn't want to learn to shoot well.At what point does one go from a person who mostly just loves to acquire more guns and shooting stuff, to someone who focuses on actually learning to shoot what he/she has really well? Have you done it, or do you even want to? You know the old saying, "Beware of the man with only one gun, he probably knows how to use it"? I don't think you need to limit yourself to one gun, but I recall a line from a book by Jack O'Connor, something like: "there are plenty of 400-yard rifles, but where are the 400-yard riflemen?"
Agreed. And, as you also point out, the quality of practice and availability of good instruction play a big role too.
I suppose higher round counts are likely necessary to become competitive in the action pistol disciplines at the national level (and maybe even some of the more competitive local areas), but I do not have the breadth of experience to be sure.