I'll bring a couple boxes to the range with me and some friends. They bring no ammo and buy a couple boxes from the range shop. Being the friends that we are, we all just kinda share and shoot whatever (as I think most everyone does). End of the day, they split their range/ammo charge at the gun shop.... and even though I simply owe a range fee... I've in fact paid more than they did overall.

haha I know it's really not that big of a deal. But we all scour the net looking for a deal that's 20 cents a box cheaper than the last. Then on one small trip, we waste $4 over some friends and have completely eaten away any money saved.

I know. My fault. I could not allow them to shoot my ammo. But that's kind of a jerk move.... so be it.

/end rant

For me, and I suspect for you, the small ammount of money is not an issue. I like letting friends shoot my guns and ammo without worrying about the $$. On the other hand, in trying to be a good friend I keep a sort of mental accounting of what I use. If I am using up a friends resources at a noticeably higher rate they they are mine then it is time for me to buy lunch, or pick up a box of ammo for them etc.. The friendships that work the best are the ones where nether is worried about what they are giving but both are concerned about how much they may be taking....Good friends can "use" because they are not "users". You wind up treasuring those freindships.

Treeman, I could not have worded that better. I agree 100%. It's sad though how many people are oblivious to this little difference in friends though.

Treeman and Maximumbob54, I'm with you fellas. Friends, real friends you can count on, are few and far between. For those friends I'll do anything and never keep "score". They are the kind of men and women that reciprocate when they can. If someone I run with doesn't fit in that category I'll still help them, but let's just say I'm a bit guarded in what I'll do for them.

I think you guys can tell from my post that I don't really think it's a big deal either. I'd rather pay a couple extra bucks than owe a couple extra bucks.

Just thought it funny we all buy in bulk online to save a couple bucks. Then, because we have a stock of ammo at the house, we usually end up spending a couple extra bucks at the range. lol

I'm wierd with money........I got banged for $8 for a garbage footlong Spicy Italian and a soda from Subway and it irked me for hours, but then on the way home I spent $23 for a box of .38 Special at a small bait shop, took it home and test fired a new wheelgun with it and never even thought twice about the cost.

I'll buy off brand shampoo,toothpaste and soda at the DG to save $3, but I'll go online and order a set of Ahrends grips for $60 and not blink about it.

I've learned not to sweat a few bucks here and there, it's a lot of stress and I figure at this point, my money either gets eaten, burned in my gas tank or shot down a barrel......

firebirdude,
I have an idea... Since those guys are such good friends why not offer them to get in on the cheap ammo buy? Buy in bulk as usual but buy more and split the costs equally. You don't have to lay out extra money and they get to save a few bucks too. It's better to save the extra money that would have been spent on range ammo for buying lunch instead. Everyone gets to save a few bucks that way...

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Sorry, but I've never heard of anyone coming to our range to shoot w/o bringing their own ammo. Of course, our range does not sell ammo.

I belong to a group who shoots aspirin tablets at a 100 yds. with .22 RF. We each put in $5. in a pot with winner takes all.

If someone finds a new round, they will bring a box for everyone to try. No one is obligated to try them or we will take 5 rounds each to shoot a group. Since we all are finding the "perfect" ammo, it pretty well equals out.

I usually go with my buddy and sometimes his next door buddy and his two sons. I really don't care about who shoots what. And I get to shoot their toys. So as far as I'm concerned it all evens out at the end. One day I noted that a young kid was watching me shoot my CZ82 in 9mm mak. I told him if its ok with his dad he could shoot a few rounds. Dad came over and I introduced myself and if his son wanted to try it it was ok by me. Dad said ok also. Loaded it up with 5 rounds after I showed
the youngster how to hold it and explained how to shoot it. 5 rounds later the youngster had a big grin on his face. i've done that quite a bit and folks have also asked me if I wanted to shoot their rifle or handgun. Sort of a pay it forward. Best one was one of my friends had a ruger in 454 casul. Gave me two rounds that were left. Each time I shot this little kid must have jumped about two feet at each shot.
At my age going to the range is like a social event. See old friends and ask how they're doing and maybe get to pop a few caps. Frank

i got friends that think that just because i buy bulk military ballistics ammo from luckygunner.com for cheap that they can just shoot till its gone! i guess i need to not show them all my ammo...

Since I'm training him, my 13yr old son is my shooting buddy, my daughter will come along sometimes. Its usually just him and I, an he shoots more than I do. He's already been to a few different matchs here in Oklahoma, and even though he's shooting against folks twice his age and older, he makes a good accounting of himself.

Nothing against my friends, but the bond that I build with him is something that will last way after I'm gone, and he has his own kids.

Over the years, I have found genuine "real friends you can count on" are so uncommon I can count then on one finger. Or less.

And people that will take advantage of me are all around me.


Anyone that feels they have multiple "real friends you can count on" are either"
1. very lucky and blessed
2. never had to count on a friend
3. mistaken

If Senator George Graham Vest coined the phrase, "a dog is a man's best friend" then he was indeed a wise man.
The problem with this is Walmart won't sell ammo to my dog. But then again he never shoots my guns anyway.

Groucho Marx said, "Outside of a dog, a man's best friend is a book. And inside a dog it is too dark to read."

I too, share my ammo but it is not because I think they are my friends, it is because I like to shoot with my buddies.

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A real sucker for the J-frames

I buy all my range and target ammo in bulk from a commercial reloader in Kansas. I don't hesitate to share and, fortunately, don't have to care. I buy it because it's the best, cleanest and most uniform in performance available, in my opinion. Now, that said, I think a remedy to your problem is to buy your ammo in bulk... and offer to let your friends in on the deal. Some of my friends, from all over, now have "ammo groups" going where they make the bulk order and split it up amongst their groups. That way, nobody gets the short end of the stick.

I pay $270.00 per thousand, .45acp 230gr copper clad roundball or flat tip (my preference) plus delivery. This maker uses only the best Hodgen's powder, CCI primers (large) and a well know brand of bullet and brass cartridges. At any rate, not making a free ad, here, but if you have an interest, email me.

My favorite shooting buddy and I analyzed our relationship one time. We each agreed that the other had special talents and skills we felt confident and free to call upon. We just naturally fall into the "it's my turn to get this one" mode, especially after calling on the other's skills. We both sub-consciously try to do a little extra for the other, yet always feel like the other guy has done a little extra for us. Is it any wonder we've been shooting and traveling together for over 20 years?

Froggie

Another good reason to bring a couple of nice .22s to the range with you. Ammo is so cheap you don't care who shoots it.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I am in such an agreement with you ! ! !
Most people do not understand the difference between friends and buddies .
Your thoughts on "any one that thinks he has multiple real friends " are hitting the nail right on the head .

I by choice have few friends, and I treasure them beyond belief. I've gotta go with the others in the idea that friends do share but they also share equally.

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Always Stay Strong!

I often shoot with some guys from work. Other than at the range, we don't socialize much.

I bring MY reloads & they bring THEIRS.

They TELL me how good their ammo is & I SHOW them.

I've encountered too many instances of hurt feelings when folks trade off with them buying lunch & me buying ammo, or situations where the "I owe you for next time" comes up. When the 'next time' is far off on the calendar, memory lapses lead to 'forgetfulness', arguments or attitudes.

Same at restaurants. Some friends like to drink like amphibians, while I drink iced tea. At the end of the evening they want to just split the tab 5 ways, some get miffed when I don't want to average in my $2.95 tea with free refills with their $15 per head beer tab. Sure they may be friends, but there's no need for me to subsidize their evening. All but one or 2 of them know it...

ArchangelCD may be onto a good idea; Ask your buddies to chip in on a good deal, with the idea of shooting it all up at the range, on the
next outing.
I know where the OP is coming from on the issue of sharing. It's
not the money, it's the principle of the matter that irks. Kind of like
a guy who says he's quit smoking, and then bums off others when he back-slides....on a regular basis. You don't mind it once or twice,
but Every Time?
I found out who my real friends were when I had trouble finding
enough money to buy food for myself. Boxes of food showed up on my porch, from people not much better off than I was.
They are strong Christians, and it shows. TACC1

This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about.