You need lots of ammo to get really good?

Published on March 13, 2026
Duration: 11:07

This video, featuring competitive shooter Ben Stoeger, explores the necessity of high-volume live fire for achieving elite proficiency. Stoeger argues that while dry fire is crucial and can lead to Grand Master status, competitive success at the national level often requires significant live ammunition expenditure (20,000-40,000 rounds/year) to achieve marginal gains and build confidence. He emphasizes that dry fire is more efficient for specific drills, but a combination of both is optimal.

Quick Summary

Elite competitive shooters often use 20,000-40,000 rounds annually. While dry fire is crucial for mechanics and can lead to Grand Master status, high-volume live fire builds confidence and achieves marginal gains necessary for national-level competition.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Ammo and Skill
  2. 00:27The 'Dry Fire Isn't Enough' Statement
  3. 00:44Speaker's Agreement and Discussion
  4. 00:52Conditions for Ammo Usage
  5. 01:20Achieving Skill with Dry Fire
  6. 02:00High-Level Shooter Ammo Consumption
  7. 02:3520,000 Rounds/Year Baseline
  8. 03:00Marginal Gains at Elite Levels
  9. 03:29Speaker's Training Schedule & Diminishing Returns
  10. 04:19Individual Training Responses
  11. 04:35Audience: GM with Dry Fire vs. Elite Competition
  12. 05:13Audience: Dry Fire Believers and Confidence
  13. 06:08Audience: Ammo Cost and Hobbies
  14. 06:52Audience: Defining 'Really Good'
  15. 07:16Audience: Time vs. Ammo
  16. 07:55Audience: Recoil, Cost, and Effective Training
  17. 08:27Audience: Overcoming the Flinch Instinct
  18. 08:44Audience: Tax Write-offs & GM Schedules
  19. 09:24Audience: Dry Fire Efficiency vs. Live Fire
  20. 10:22Conclusion: Range Dry Fire & Ammo Limits

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you become a Grand Master shooter with mostly dry fire practice?

Yes, it's possible to reach USPSA Grand Master classification with a training regimen heavily focused on dry fire and a limited amount of live fire, as demonstrated by competitive shooter Ben Stoeger's own experience.

How much live ammunition is typically needed for elite competitive shooting?

For high-level USPSA competitors aiming for national-level performance, shooting 20,000 to 40,000 rounds per year is common. A baseline for a competitive schedule is around 20,000 rounds annually.

What are the benefits of dry fire practice compared to live fire?

Dry fire is more efficient for specific drills like target transitions as it removes recoil interference and logistical delays. It's excellent for building fundamental mechanics without the cost and setup of live fire.

Does more live ammunition guarantee better shooting skills?

While more live ammunition exposure is helpful up to a point (around 20,000 rounds/year), there are diminishing returns. Beyond that, the quality and focus of training become more critical than sheer volume for marginal improvements.

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