[Jeff Higgins]

Now that I think about it, my club's monthly gun show has become dominated by the "tactical" crowd as well. Not that our bench rest competitor really fits into that niche, but I guess he is a lot closer to that segment of the shooting sports than he is to mine. His rifle sported a stainless barrel and action, and the stock was grey plastic. Eminently practical, of course, but completely lacking any soul. And yes, I did drive my '72 911 hot rod to the range... I assume he arrived in one of the nondescript SUVs adorning the parking lot. Certainly "different strokes", but we both had a great day.

I guess I'll never fully appreciate the "utilitarian" approach to life, or at least to our hobbies. To me, while it may be less practical, a rifle of blued steel and oiled walnut will always find favor over the "tupperware" rifles. I've used them my entire life, often under extremely harsh conditions in the field (like a non-stop, two week long driving rain on the coast in Southeast Alaska while hunting out of a wall tent) with no ill affect - if properly looked after.

I guess I also a find a bit odd the guys who are really into shooting, but have no interest in hunting. The shooting becomes and end unto itself, with no purpose. I see all manner of insanely impractical rifles at the range that would be utterly useless anywhere else; they appear to have followed the same evolutionary path as Top Fuel dragsters or something.

And, finally, I find the "tactical" crowd the most bewildering. Their rifles are very practical, very useful, and certainly quite effective at getting lead in the air (it seems actually hitting things might be secondary, though). That's all well and good but, unlike the hunter or competitive shooter, they really don't have any kind of goal, or purpose, other than having fun. Which is good enough, I guess. I do, however, worry about the ones who appear to be living out some sort of fantasies...