Got a new to me shotgun of the riot gun variety: 12 gauge, cylinder bore, 18.5" barrel.

Took it to the range for the first time today. With shotgun shells being difficult to find, especially the reduced recoil slugs and 00 buckshot which are my favorite, my range time with my new riot gun was 3 shells with slugs and 10 shells with 00 buck. Fortunately, I was able to also shoot off a half box of .38's and a whole box of .40's.

If this is the new normal I am looking forward to the new new normal.

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It’s hard to be a range rat when policing ones brass is the new normal.

So you.... enjoy short range sessions? Im confused.

I am hoping the new new normal will be less like the new normal and more like the old normal
And soon

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With that Cyl bore your pattern will open up quite fast if you use trap loads.

At ten yards your pattern will be arond 20".

At twenty yards arond 40" and

At thirty yards the pattern will be about 60" in diamiter.

However you can use it to shoot steel loads for ducks, if needed.

So you are continuing to experiencing the consequences of not seeing this crunch coming and stocking up when prices were cheap. Look forward to a new normal of better planning.

The Old Normal is likely gone forever.

Lots of "old normals" have disappeared over my lifetime. Some for the better, some for the worse. I just shoot less, even sparingly, now. If ammo comes back, I'll shoot more. If it doesn't, I'll shoot even less. Change happens . . .

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I misread your first post, I apologize. All makes sense now

I envy you your range opportunity; our range is under 18" of snow, and won't open til the end of April. OTOH, that means I can theoretically save all my winter ammo for summer use. I'm thinking that less ammunition used, and more attention paid to accuracy, form, and control, might not be a bad thing.

I personally wouldn't call shooting up 50 rounds of 12 ga. slugs and 50 rounds of 00 buckshot in one range trip normal ... just way too much of a good thing . Some of the fillings in a few teeth are still in place .
Gary

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Spent 3 1/2 hours at the range this morning shooting a Swedish CG 63 Mauser in 6.5X55 MM. Will spend Friday morning (Lord willing) at the range shooting handguns. My shooting partner and I are lucky and we reload and have enough supplies to last us for years. Guess all my buying and stockpiling was a judicious move.

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We seasoned citizens who have been through a variety of ups and downs in the firearms and ammunition market. Few of us alive today were around for the worst of the Depression, although some experienced it as youngsters, but we Baby Boomers saw some moderately bad times, and more importantly have seen that there is an ebb and flow to commerce. As someone said, we can't expect a full return of "the old normal" - also known as "the good old days" but I honestly feel like things will get better and some of the signs are already here that this will happen sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, my 89 year old shooting buddy and I are expecting a 22 pistol (not a S&W, but it is a new gun) later this week. I'll break out a box of bulk 22s and we'll go out and break it in. Also, since I've been loading some 9mm ammo, I'll probably take my 639 Franken-Smith out for a little exercise as well.

Like the Boy Scouts used to say, "Be Prepared." Life is a lot more pleasant when you are ready to face it!

Froggie