Skill, not stuff 2026 challenge

[goalie]

So, with Black Friday in the rear view mirror, and 2026 on the horizon, has anyone else hit the point where, if you're honest with yourself, it's time to stop thinking about newer, better "stuff" and focus on practice.

I'm going to attempt something my golf buddies and I try (and usually fail at by June) every year: an "I'm not buying anything new" challenge.

Instead of no new clubs (although I'm doing that as well) I'm going to try and buy nothing other than ammo/components from now until next Black Friday.

So, if, like me, you used Black Friday to get everything you need, join in and see who can make it the longest. Print out some targets, load some ammo, and improve yourself, not your gear.

FWIW, I decided to go all-in on the 5.56/223 trainer, and set up a Ruger American Ranch gen2 with flush fit Duramags, a SWFA 3-9x HD, Scope Bumper caps, and some LS Wild lightweight shooting bags. I'm going to spend most of my time shooting anywhere but the bench, and hopefully see significant improvement throughout the year.

So, if you want to try, get your shooting "stuff" by the end of December, and (hopefully) get your skill next year!!!!

 

[Beendare]

I think it's a good idea. What is it they say, "Beware of the man with one gun"

I'm an archery guy and I was flip flopping around with different trad setups for years. It was hurting my shooting.

Now I pretty much stick to one setup focusing on improving my shooting...... resisting the new and improved mentality.

 

[goalie]

Oh, and for anyone joining me, the fine print allows buying/hoarding gen2 6x SWFA scopes if they ever re-stock.

 

[Marbles]

Well, I still have a list of things I want, not needs, but still some of them have been on my list for a while. Perhaps I'll make a list and try not to buy anything not on it.

 

[RockAndSage]

Ammo Harlot Principle #3b: No gear expenditures shall be made exceeding that of ammo purchases across any 60-day period.

 

[Deadfall]

Ha. Been telling hunters that come with us tgat for years...
Getting worse every year

 

[Watcher of the Woods]

There is a lot of power in that mindset. It seems like more and more we're focused on the stuff rather than the experience itself. I think it's because it's a low barrier to entry. Takes way less effort to click "buy" than to load up the truck and hit the range or go hit the woods.

 

[Yoder]

I used to go to USPSA and IDPA shoots all the time. There were always guys that had new $2k pistols every couple months. This next new awesome gun would make them so much better. I beat them consistently with a used $350 Glock 17. The money they spent on guns and nonsense, I spent on ammo and practice. You can't buy skill. There is a difference in gear, but only people with great skill will be able to take advantage of that. If you suck, you will suck just as much with a $5k gun as a $500 gun. You just need something that's good enough to be accurate and reliable. That's probably 95% where gear is concerned. The last 5% is what the elite gear will get you, but only if you have the skill to realize that advantage.

 

[goalie]

I used to go to USPSA and IDPA shoots all the time. There were always guys that had new $2k pistols every couple months. This next new awesome gun would make them so much better. I beat them consistently with a used $350 Glock 17. The money they spent on guns and nonsense, I spent on ammo and practice. You can't buy skill. There is a difference in gear, but only people with great skill will be able to take advantage of that. If you suck, you will suck just as much with a $5k gun as a $500 gun. You just need something that's good enough to be accurate and reliable. That's probably 95% where gear is concerned. The last 5% is what the elite gear will get you, but only if you have the skill to realize that advantage.

I 100% agree.

The "best" gear is icing on the cake, and most don't have the cake to put it on.

 

[Eleven]

I’m in. Just bought a trad setup for archery to finally make the commitment to put down my compound. I’ve dabbled with this over the years but never felt fully confident in me or my setup. Now I’m doing it after being re-inspired by some friends. Might need to buy new arrows etc to fine tune it. But i think that should count as ammo.

 

[2531usmc]

Dang, buying new cool stuff is half the reason we hunt

 

[Billy Goat]

I bought nothing on black Friday, have more gear than I currently need, and know that I need to focus on me not new shiny things to get better.

Next few months, that's the plan, work on me til I'm no longer the weak link.

 

[mtnwrunner]

This is a great idea!


But then something better comes along.......damnit.

Randy
(Self proclaimed GW)

 

[dtrkyman]

I’m an archery guy and a coach, guys will drop thousands on gear and scoff at spending $300 on lessons!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Truck24hr]

So, with Black Friday in the rear view mirror, and 2026 on the horizon, has anyone else hit the point where, if you're honest with yourself, it's time to stop thinking about newer, better "stuff" and focus on practice.

I'm going to attempt something my golf buddies and I try (and usually fail at by June) every year: an "I'm not buying anything new" challenge.

Instead of no new clubs (although I'm doing that as well) I'm going to try and buy nothing other than ammo/components from now until next Black Friday.

So, if, like me, you used Black Friday to get everything you need, join in and see who can make it the longest. Print out some targets, load some ammo, and improve yourself, not your gear.

FWIW, I decided to go all-in on the 5.56/223 trainer, and set up a Ruger American Ranch gen2 with flush fit Duramags, a SWFA 3-9x HD, Scope Bumper caps, and some LS Wild lightweight shooting bags. I'm going to spend most of my time shooting anywhere but the bench, and hopefully see significant improvement throughout the year.

So, if you want to try, get your shooting "stuff" by the end of December, and (hopefully) get your skill next year!!!!

I thought similar when i saw the "Best Gear of 2025" thread.

I've got "good" gear. I'm done buying better shit. I'll spend my time getting better with my good shit.

 

[Chris in TN]

I won't even dream of making a commitment not to buy more gear, but I can honestly say I'm fairly well-set with what I have already.

With myself and three kids that are old enough to shoot, I have to be careful how I structure our ammo purchases, splitting between good quality subsonic .22lr (usually CCI SV plus I buy a couple hundred CCI #056 every fall for use on squirrels and trap dispatches) and decent quality .223 or 5.56 and components for their 6.5cm and a few rounds for various other centerfires. I have to do all of that within limits that still allow me to afford to take them hunting and the dozen other things that interest them.

 

[Rkilgore]

This has been dwelling on my mind a lot lately. I was recently out-shot by my father at a friendly family shooting competition. He taught me everything I know, and I took his knowledge and applied it to more advanced long range shooting over the years. Though it seems over the last couple of years i have turned my new gear into new crutches. I have a better rifle than him, I have a better tripod, better glass, better range finder, and he whooped my tail at a simple 300 yard, no artificial support, competition. Time to get back to the basics of being a marksman.

 

[Billy Goat]

I’m an archery guy and a coach, guys will drop thousands on gear and scoff at spending $300 on lessons!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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[peterk123]

I have found the older I get the less I care about the stuff. Don't get me wrong, love to look but have no desire to purchase.

My wife and I focus more and more on proficiency, which is easier to do if you do not upgrading stuff every six months, haha.

 

[goalie]

With myself and three kids that are old enough to shoot, I have to be careful how I structure our ammo purchases, splitting between good quality subsonic .22lr (usually CCI SV plus I buy a couple hundred CCI #056 every fall for use on squirrels and trap dispatches) and decent quality .223 or 5.56 and components for their 6.5cm and a few rounds for various other centerfires. I have to do all of that within limits that still allow me to afford to take them hunting and the dozen other things that interest them.

I, too, like SV

I have my son shoot his Begara B14R more than anything else.