Great topic! I will share my story:
I have had multiple hobbies: Autocross, Drag racing, Road bike racing, Running, even a little guitar playing.
I typically get very focused and involved in the activity and generally reach burnout due to one thing or another. Usually, it is time. I got so involved in cycling that I was spending 3-6 hours per day riding. It literally took over my life. Since then my family has grown, my free time has shrunk and so has my hobby fund. At the root, I think I was looking for an "outlet" more than anything. A place where I could escape the world going on around me, clear my mind, and focus on something entirely different. I was addicted to "getting in the zone" more than anything else.
Here are a few reasons I continue to shoot, and why my main hobby is shooting:
I can shoot when I want to and not worry too much about "getting out of shape" or something like that. Fundamentals in shooting seem to stay with us fairly easily whereas other hobbies have constant upkeep. My gun understands if I can't see her for a month. I'm a full time husband, father, teacher, soldier, son, brother and whatever else. Sometimes my hobby will have to wait. It is best if it can do so patiently.
Shooting is hard. Darn hard. Especially shooting handguns. There is always something to improve upon.
There are a lot of fringe benefits to shooting sports: natural improvement in defensive skills, reloading and other aspects, a culture involved politically, and a connection to the principles that make us uniquely American.
There is a unique bond. I've been in cycling clubs / teams, running clubs and the like, but nothing is as laid back or has the same camaraderie as a good range group. All of the guys in USPSA / GSSF / IDPA I have met are super cool. Willing to teach you. Willing to cheer you on. Willing to see another person in the sport.
It's an easy activity to enter. Most of my friends have guns and it doesn't take much groundwork (other than safety fundamentals) to go to the range and practice. This is much different than convincing my friends and relatives to run 5 miles or bike with me for three hours, or buy a car to autocross.
Guns are an equalizer: it doesn't matter much if you are short, tall, strong, weak, male, female, young, old. Anyone can outshoot you.
It is good training and upkeep for the reality of my part time military gig. We don't have the time to train like we should, and guncraft is absolutely something that could save those around me.
When I shoot it is just me and the target. My mind is clear, and the world around me melts away. When I can't shoot I can reload, research, dryfire, and plan for the next match without much time or obligation. It truly is the perfect release for me.
