Informal Shooting - Alone or with Friends?

When testing whatever at the range (different gun, different powder, different something or other) I can understand just wanting to be left alone to concentrate.

How about just wanting to get out and shoot?
Do folks prefer to be on their own or is it more fun with shooter friends?

I prefer to shoot alone. When I shoot, I am practicing for a match.

Have shot with a couple of folks and seems all they want to do is talk about such and such on U-tube and what a great learning experience it was.

I like shooting with someone, usually with my brother. A fellow always needs a witness to his spectacular shots . We shoot on my range and he's only a mile away and retired too

By myself when doing serious work like testing new rifle and components. Just practice and having fun, with friend(s).

98% of the time..I shoot by myself. I can't find anyone in my area that enjoys shooting BP guns like I do.
However, I do enjoy plinking with others occasionally and usually travel to other areas or states to do so....

I PREFER to do more exacting work like load development and sight adjustments by myself, though where I shoot I almost never have the range/s to myself, even during "work days" for others.

Though I would like to practice by myself, I've found it excellent practice when there are others there shooting. That means I also have to really be "in the zone" mentally, exactly as I have to be during a match.

Gus

If I have my choice I will always shoot with my son.

I'm not sure about the definition of 'formal' when you are the only one present. It's like the eternal question of the tree falling in the woods, or even Schroedinger's cat.

I like to shoot alone when I’m sighting in or for load development, i dont talk and concentrate well. The remainder I enjoy with my friends or wife and son!

Being a bit of an introvert, I prefer shooting alone. I enjoy shooting with my brother now and then, but it's more like parallel play than a group activity; he concentrates on his guns and I concentrate on mine. Most of the conversation is before and after the actual shooting. My brother is not into muzzleloaders, but is more interested in precision and high-powered rifle. I'm usually content with setting up targets at 25 to 50 yards and hoping I can keep all the shots on the paper, but we both have a good time.

Notchy Bob

I mostly shoot alone, but do quite enjoy shooting with my son and grandsons. I prefer when it is just us, or just me on the range. I don't like when others are around because it's always a case of having to wait for them to put up or take down targets, and somebody always wants to strike up a conversation. I'm not rude but am also not there to chit chat. I don't get to know other club members for that very reason. I'm there to shoot not to be somebody's buddy.

What are friends.

When I’m alone no one else can see what a bad shot I am.
While I’m noisy on a forum I’m a very taciturn fellow. I might sing at an event but tend to be very quiet. Listen more then talk.
I find a few hours alone with horn and gun very soothing.
Plus my work schedule makes it very difficult to coordinate with someone

I shoot my friends. But after a while I didn't have any more friends....
oh wait, I read that wrong.
Never mind.

oops

Usually my wife and I. Nearly everyone around here shoots those "abortions" that are ... well ... just intended to get more days of hunting. The range where we shoot is pretty isolated and we are almost always alone.. That's OK but I miss the guys I used to shoot with [lousy english Dale] Polecat

Alone. But that's because no BP shooting friends close by. I do relish shooting with the three friends I have who DO shoot muzzleloaders exclusively. But two live in other states and I can only get with the "in state" friend on occasion - he has a good ways to drive. I'm basically a "loner" anyhow and my squeeze says I'm a hermit.

I shoot alone because I don't know anyone who shoots muzzleloaders. During the muzzleloader season, I occasionally run into another hunter but I haven't seen anyone else carrying a traditional style rifle.

I shoot alone when sighting in and working up loads. Otherwise I shoot with friends and my Son.

I have a range and my shooting bench is on my front porch. I live in a cabin way back in the woods. I shoot like some people watch tv or read a book. Sometimes every day. I enjoy shooting, tinkering and experimenting with my firearms. There are probably 100 lbs of spilled black powder and 10,000 brass cases that have fallen through the cracks of my porch. I attend a monthly blackpowder match and enjoy it a bunch but I enjoy my quiet time making lots of noise.