Trying to decide if I want/need a rifle

[Jason_W]

I’ve owned a lot of rifles over the years and with the exception of a Marlin 1894c (which I had to sell during a period of financial hardship) I don’t seem to hang onto them very long.

For some reason, I repeat a pattern of thinking a particular rifle is interesting, buying it, and then being completely underwhelmed actually shooting it. For some reason, I just don’t find shooting rifles all that fun. I can’t get excited about them.

Now, part of that could definitely be due to age. I’m in my late 30s and this seems to be about when the novelty of existing completely wears off, nothing is really exciting anymore, and enjoyment is a far more muted experience than it used to be.

I’d chalk it up to that if it weren’t for the fact that that shouldering a shotgun still gets my blood pumping a bit. Watching a clay bird turn to dust at the pull of a trigger is way more interesting than 100+ yard paperwork, and sending a mag full of slugs down range reminds me I’m alive.

I want to like rifles since they are the great American firearm and are just super “in” right now (shotguns have fallen out of favor in the US). Maybe if I thought I was going to hunt big game some time soon, I’d feel differently. Even then, a shotgun can be pressed into service as a big game gun if need be.

I feel like some sort of firearms blasphemer for having little interest in becoming a “rifleman”

 

[Hokie_PhD]

We all have tastes change.
We all have ebbs and flows in life.

The beauty of our country is we’re still free (in most states). So if you want a rifle get one. If not. Don’t. No one is forcing you.

Personally, I’m not into shotguns but having a chance to get some instruction and shoot a semi auto 3 gun shotgun that’s changing. I’ve been wanting to try 3 gun and doing a few stages was fun.

So I’d say, either let it go and if the desire comes at a later time then do what feels right. If it really bothers you, maybe find a 3 gun match or other event and go talk to people. Maybe join if if someone will let you use their gear.

 

[Jason_W]

I might be inclined to give handgunning another try if for no other reason than the fact that it’s way easier to find a nearby place for that than long gun shooting. The nearest outdoor range to me is about an hours drive.

 

[Legionnaire]

Hey, if rifles don't float your boat, don't sweat it, and certainly don't waste money on one. What you describe is the way I feel about 1911s and AR15s.

 

[milemaker13]

Life goes on long after the thrill of livin' is gone.
I'm 38 and have been shooting since i was a kid. Only recently have i started getting into some of the tactical ranges. Recently got back into shotguns. I love shooting rifles and am hoping to eventually make it onto a 600 yard range (relatively) near by.
Recently had a kid of my own. Can't wait to show him how to shoot.

Point is, never give up trying new things. May like them... maybe not. Like Hokie said, its a free country. Enjoy it for all it has to offer.

Have fun out there!

 

[Riomouse911]

Everyone of us has had a phase or two (or six) that we go through relating to firearms.

I have always loved the hunt, but after moving to So Cal I just can’t seem to find the time, location and money to do it anymore.

I was into Cowboy Action Shooting about 15-20 years ago...still have most of my guns and shoot them on occasion. But CAS isn’t being shot by me anymore.

I shoot pistols now more than trap... and my rimfires have recently been getting a workout that they haven’t had in a decade... but smoking a bunch of clays with a 28 is one of my favorite pastimes.

I’m still liking hunting rifles, and if a buy I can’t pass up comes my way I’ll buy more...but in all honesty I may never use them on a hunt.

So...it’s normal to have enthusiasms wax and wane as you become more knowledgeable and experienced with firearms...just don’t let it die out altogether!!

Stay safe!

 

[George Dickel]

If you enjoy seeing clays explode give metallic silhouette a try. You stand on your two hind legs and shoot offhand at steel silhouettes of chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams at 40, 60, 77 and 100 meters. You shoot, hear a clang and the silhouette topples over. The hard part is getting the clang. Silhouette is a very difficult shooting competition, maybe the most difficult, and can be very discouraging for new shooters. I have seen many people try and find that they don't do well in unsupported offhand shooting and not return. It is practice, practice and even more practice. There is small bore bolt rifle silhouette, rimfire lever gun, pistol cartridge lever gun (.38/.357, 44special/44 mag, etc), centerfire lever gun (200 yards max) and centerfire rifle long range with 500 yds max distance. All you need is a rimfire rifle and a scope with target knobs, nothing else is required so the initial expense is minimal compared to other shooting disciplines. There is a lot of silhouette shooting in your area of the states, just do a google search or go to steelchickens.com and you can find information on silhouette in your state.

 

[doubleh]

If rifles don't excite you don't get one. I'm not going to twist your arm try to convince you that you should.

If shotguns get your blood pumping that's what I would concentrate on

Need hasn't entered my considerations for a new gun of any kind for years and years now.

 

[caribou]

Dont go with the flow, be stedfast and true....

The responsibility of owning a rifle is more than a trend, its part of being a Citizen, to get food, defend ones self, ones Country and develop skills on shooting, while hurting no one.

Whats out of 'fashion' is patriotism, citizenship and being a Real Man.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

How 'bout a 9mm AR or an M1 carbine? Light, compact, cheap ammo, low recoil, and, best of all, most indoor pistol ranges will let you shoot them!

My Dad is an old-school "rifleman," been shooting shoulder bustin' Mauser's and Arisakas for decades but never an M1 carbine until just recently.

I've never seen a bigger grin on his face!

 

[LoonWulf]

I’ve owned a lot of rifles over the years and with the exception of a Marlin 1894c (which I had to sell during a period of financial hardship) I don’t seem to hang onto them very long.

For some reason, I repeat a pattern of thinking a particular rifle is interesting, buying it, and then being completely underwhelmed actually shooting it. For some reason, I just don’t find shooting rifles all that fun. I can’t get excited about them.

Now, part of that could definitely be due to age. I’m in my late 30s and this seems to be about when the novelty of existing completely wears off, nothing is really exciting anymore, and enjoyment is a far more muted experience than it used to be.

I’d chalk it up to that if it weren’t for the fact that that shouldering a shotgun still gets my blood pumping a bit. Watching a clay bird turn to dust at the pull of a trigger is way more interesting than 100+ yard paperwork, and sending a mag full of slugs down range reminds me I’m alive.

I want to like rifles since they are the great American firearm and are just super “in” right now (shotguns have fallen out of favor in the US). Maybe if I thought I was going to hunt big game some time soon, I’d feel differently. Even then, a shotgun can be pressed into service as a big game gun if need be.

I feel like some sort of firearms blasphemer for having little interest in becoming a “rifleman”

It's not the equipment that needs changing, its the targets.

shoot reactive targets, especially in longer range and it becomes interesting again.

You want a puff on a hit? Shoot at clay pigeons, or cans filled with colored water.
Shoot anything besides paper (just pick up your trash), it's not much fun unless your doing a load work up or chasing groups (And even then). Some place are ok with that some aren't.
Steel, is a good no mess option, and has become very popular. I still need to build a little mobile plate hanger.

 

[Jason_W]

It's not the equipment that needs changing, its the targets.

shoot reactive targets, especially in longer range and it becomes interesting again.

You want a puff on a hit? Shoot at clay pigeons, or cans filled with colored water.
Shoot anything besides paper (just pick up your trash), it's not much fun unless your doing a load work up or chasing groups (And even then). Some place are ok with that some aren't.
Steel, is a good no mess option, and has become very popular. I still need to build a little mobile plate hanger.

Back when I lived in the sticks, deadfall apples or whatever fruits and vegetables had been in the fridge too long were always fun targets.

I don’t know of a range nearby that allows anything but paper targets, though. I understand that rule, but it does make it less fun.

 

[LoonWulf]

Back when I lived in the sticks, deadfall apples or whatever fruits and vegetables had been in the fridge too long were always fun targets.

I don’t know of a range nearby that allows anything but paper targets, though. I understand that rule, but it does make it less fun.

Yeah shoot an apple with a 17hmr, or even a .22 still get and it will blow up pretty good. I like shooting washers @ 30-50yds with my airgun also.

 

[z7]

If you want to get the blood pumping, look around and see what, if any, shooting competitions are happening near you. if you have the gear needed to participate (not be competitive) go shoot it.

rifle or otherwise, that will bring more enjoyment out of shooting because you are challenging yourself to something new.

I have found that shooting any sort of competition makes a rifle way more fun.

that being said, if you don't want to do that, find another way to have fun, life is too short to spend it doing things you don't enjoy.

 

[Mn Fats]

I like shooting washers @ 30-50yds with my airgun also.

So when you miss you can blame it on going through the washer hole?

 

[Jason_W]

Yeah shoot an apple with a 17hmr, or even a .22 still get and it will blow up pretty good. I like shooting washers @ 30-50yds with my airgun also.

There was a history channel special a few years back that featured a lot of exhibition shooting. The Tom Knapp segment was pretty cool to watch.

I don’t think there are too many ranges that would be ok with me practicing shooting aspirin tablets out of the air with a .22, though

 

[LoonWulf]

That was supposed to say .22 stinger's....they blow up apples too.....
But yeah probably not gonna.want u trying the flying asprin with .22 lol

 

[Whiterook808]

Now, part of that could definitely be due to age. I’m in my late 30s and this seems to be about when the novelty of existing completely wears off, nothing is really exciting anymore, and enjoyment is a far more muted experience than it used to be.

Wow! You need something to fire the passion in your life. I am 65 and still look forward to everyday. It may not be rifles, or handguns. If you love skeet or trap go for it. Get totally into it so that you have something to look forward to on the weekends.

 

[BigBore44]

I have a friend who is very much like you. He consults me on at least 2-3 rifles to buy every year. Then he sells them 6 months later and buys new ones. He’s owned some really fantastic rifles. And ends up selling them all.

Being 36, I’m really hoping I don’t encounter your issue. I love all my rifles and I very much enjoy shooting them. I was gifted a Pedersoli Sharps last year. https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/pride-of-the-plains-sharps-rifle-45-70-30-oct-barrel.html It was probably my biggest bucket list gun. And it is by far my most enjoyable rifle to shoot. I am very much looking forward to developing an accurate load and starting to shoot long range. No scopes. No bipods. No computers. Just iron, big lead, and black powder.

Punching holes in paper has never been exciting to me unless I’m developing a load. Once I have it, paper punching becomes very boring. I want to see something happen. I want to see plates fall, fruit vaporize, water bottles explode. Step it out to a couple hundred yards and those clay pigeons become great targets too.

If rifles aren’t your thing right now, that’s fine. If it never comes back, that’s ok too. Do what makes you happy. Just don’t be afraid to expand your horizons.

 

[Mn Fats]

Punching holes in paper has never been exciting to me unless I’m developing a load. Once I have it, paper punching becomes very boring. I want to see something happen. I want to see plates fall, fruit vaporize, water bottles explode. Step it out to a couple hundred yards and those clay pigeons become great targets too.

Same. I own rifles to extend the range I can harvest meat. I do like reloading as a hobby and like to "chase groups" in the off season.

If I was op and didn't do either of that, I most likely wouldn't own a rifle. Aside from 22 plinkers.

No harm in not having an interest in certian areas of the sport.

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

Personally, I think every law-abiding, and capable adult should look own a rifle and know how to use it. It’s part of the responsibility of being a mature adult and citizen. Being prepared to be a Militia at any time is our right as citizens, and that right should be treated with the utmost sense responsibility to excercise that right. Of course, part of being free means you shouldn’t be mandated to excercise that right, but just like not voting, I think that there is a certain civil responsibility that is being shrugged by not excercising it. It’s definitely not meant to be offensive or a personal attack, I just hope that you will weigh this as a consideration.

As for your enjoyment of the rifle, it would be a shame if you couldn’t find a way to also enjoy it. You obviously have an interest in sporting related to firearms. Perhaps punching paper or hunting isn’t of interest to you, and it isn’t to everyone. Maybe finding an interest first in a different type of rifle shooting, 3 gun, tactical ranges, long distance, that would make staying well trained more interesting.

 

[Dibbs]

Well if a rifle ain't gonna take, it ain't gonna take.

Have you tried a S&W Governor, or a Judge? That's a revolver that shoots .410 shotgun ammo.
You'd think they would be ridiculous with recoil, but even a boob like me can easily
hold them on target. And they also shoot 45 Colt. Wotta deal!

 

[someguy2800]

I agree with the above that a change of target is whats needed. If you like shooting clays I bet you would like shooting a pistol caliber carbine at steel challenge targets like a texas star, a dueling tree, or just knocking over steel plates. Also if you like the tactile experience of loading and shooting a shotgun with slugs, I bet you would love shooting a 45-70 lever gun with peep sights, again at hard targets. Paper punching is lame unless your doing load development.

 

[Nature Boy]

If you think you might be susceptible to catching the accuracy bug STAY AWAY from rifles.

Trying to put bullets through the same hole is a death spiral

 

[Labguy47]

Needs vs wants, I have become quite practical in my older self. Due to medical complications I can no longer shoot large bore rifles, therefore I don't intend to buy anymore. Reactive targets are awesome, freeze some rotten fruit in liquid nitrogen or get tannerite. Both have equal fun value. I don't see any reason you should have to buy a rifle if you don't have a reason to use one.