Well, I didn't really start shooting until this year, and I just turned 21. Buddy of mine is like you and has been shooting as long as he can remember, so he's the one that got me started. I'm definitely learning that it is not a cheap hobby. Paid $120 for a package Marlin .22 with cheap scope early this year & that gave me the itch to try reaching out to those farther targets. Mid-summer came a used $400 Savage 10FP .223 and a $360 6.5-20x44 Nikon Monarch. Next gun is going to be a deer rifle, either .300 or .308 and probably a 3-9 Monarch.