The airgun disease making my PB's very lonely

[Saltlake58]

OK, so I was looking through the gun safe the other day. Couple springers, couple .22 rifles that haven't been shot for a couple years, one still new in the box, unshot, unloved. Realized I needed to find my deer rifle, son has it. Hadn't shot it in a couple (OK, more like 10) years. Ammunition is just too expensive at $1.00 per shot, hurts shoulder when I shoot way too much.

Then I got to my airguns. Beeman P17 (Yeah, that $30 pistol) probably put 500 or more rounds through it last winter

1701P Pistol, at least a couple thousand rounds last winter.

Marauder, don't shoot it much anymore, maybe 2 or 3 tins of pellets in the past year

Impact, don't want to count the number of pellets.

Anyone else had an experience like that? Started in PB's and ended up in airguns, and have a few lonely PB's laying around feeling unloved?

 

[L.Leon]

 My powder burners had taken a backseat before I started shooting PCP now it seems that most are going to be sold. While my home club is a few miles away I prefer to shoot in my yard. No driving, set up, break down involved, love being able to send hundreds of round down range from the deck without disturbing anyone. 

 

[crittahitta]

Yes big time. The only time i touch one now is during deer season and i wish big bore air guns were allowed here. I just gave a good friend of mine my nice .270 PB for his birthday. I was looking through all my ammo, to give him my old .270 ammo and realized I have a lot of other caliber ammo sitting around I will probably never get to, unless the zombie appocolypse happens. lol. My airguns give me so much more joy than my PB's ever did. Nothing against them but there is something about quiet accurate and no kick that appeals to me now that im getting older. I will keep them for my son if he ever wants them, (doubt it) but i will anyway. No hate please its just my little opinion.

 

[Rico_navy1]

I justified the expense of getting into this hobby by saying I could improve my PB skills by getting more trigger time with PCP, but I haven't touched my PB since I started shooting PCP. I've had several friends begging me to go to range even offering to pay for everything so that they can get a chance to shoot my gun. I'm running out of excuses for turning them down now lol, but too busy enjoying my pcp to be bothered going to crowded noisy PB range. 

 

[Imold]

I still shoot my 22LRs and AR.223/556’s, AR10, Handguns but my Lever’s and Long guns only get shot once a year and my shotguns have been quiet for a couple years being I haven’t had the urge to shoot skeet other then that I like shooting my PCP airguns, there quiet, no recoil to speak of and I don’t need to clean them after every outing like my PB’s and the ammo is cheaper.

 

[Sell682]

I am in a similar situation. I used to go trap shooting once a week and once my kids came I just don't have the time to pack up and head out as I like too so I got into PCP. 

PCP I can shoot off my deck and don't need to plan ahead to get free time. Now I have a couple trap guns which got no love for over 2 years and maybe 2k worth of 12g shotgun shells. I do take them out time to time to shoulder and lightly oil. Depending how things go I may sell one as my air rifle expenses have gone up. 

 

[Saltlake58]

Oh and I forgot the other reason I don't shoot PB's much anymore. CLEANING! I hate cleaning guns. The thought of shooting, and spending a half hour breaking the gun down for a proper cleaning vs shooting a PCP, and putting it back in the case is most appealing. I do clean once in a while, but nothing like the PB's.

The only disadvantage of PCP's is the air supply. Just bought a new air tank, so, between the two tanks that problem should be much easier to deal with.

I suppose I should take the .22's and blow some of that 4000 rounds of backup ammo I have. Then again, I hate cleaning. Maybe I'll just leave it in the box till the Zombie Apocalypse arrives, then break it out.

Funny story, when I was in college, I had about 3000 rounds of 22lr and then got married, got a job, you know, stopped shooting. Fast forward 30 years. Both son's and my daughter got into shooting, and when they were short of ammunition, raided my antique supply. They all said, the antique supply shot a whole lot better than any new ammunition (proper storage, consistent temp, airtight containers, etc). Then I had to replace it all. Oh well, we live and learn. 

 

[Elbowgrease]

Same here. I rarely take my PBs out anymore. Ammo costs suck also for one. It also seems like a hassle to go out shooting the PBs now days. Im not one who goes to a range. I like to go out into nature. So between drive time, gas, and then looking for a spot to shoot because of the other people shooting its just to much of a hassle. One advantage is having a 4x4 because I see a good amount of people in non 4x4s that cant get to some areas. Then there is the issue of all of the no 4x4/atv markers going up all over the place on trails that have been used for countless years. It just makes for congestion in some areas with to many shooters. Now there are no shooting signs going up because people leave all of their shot up targets and casings/shells all over the place. It is far easier to find a spot to shoot a PcP without disturbing anyone also. Like camping where there are other campgrounds near by. Shoot a firearm there and some tree hugger is bound to cause an issue. With an airgun I can shoot in my yard without any issues. Or I can and have even tossed my leshiy or ocelot into my bag when I go fishing or hiking.