Author Topic: 100yds with a pistol? (Read 6519 times)

drewtam · « **on:** November 19, 2011, 01:07:36 PM »

How far does the APS brigade practice with their hand guns?

I recently found that I can consistently hit 10" diameter targets at 100yds with my FNP-45 (.45 ACP).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_FNP
[The pistol is unmodified from factory. I usually buy the cheapest 45 ammo I can at the local store.]

This is achieved in a position where the forearm or elbow is supported while either standing or sitting. I usually have to go to the rifle range to get this much distance. The most I can practice at the pistol bay is 25yrds. My accuracy at this 100yd range has increased from 10% to about 90% recently, that is 90% of shots are on 10" target at 100yds.

I tried it only once unsupported, the accuracy dropped back down to 10-20%. I might work up the standing unsupported position by using 50yds as an intermediate step.

That makes it ~10MOA accuracy, roughly speaking. (Maybe better on a benchrest?) Not spectacular, but I was thinking this is pretty decent range for an auto-loading pistol.

Anybody else practice at this range? Is this average? above average? just unusual?

Ben · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2011, 01:23:34 PM »

The range where I shoot has a few 5gal propane tanks up on a hill at right about 100 yards. I can pretty consistently (~80%) hit them with my TRP after a shot or two to get my range. 5.0gr W231 and a 230gr LRN. I find barrel length really has an effect for me, as I am much less consistent with my Combat Commander at that range.

I always send a mag or two downrange at the tanks just for fun when I'm done with my regular pistol drills. I shoot at them standing and unsupported.

CNYCacher · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2011, 01:29:18 PM »

At the club I used to be a member of, the pistol range was 100 yards and they had hanging targets at each of the 25 yard intervals. I think they were different shapes like sheep, pigs, etc. I used to do a couple mags at the 100 yard target just for fun and I remember being able to hit about 50% or the time, while standing. This was with my P89

geronimotwo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2011, 02:33:53 PM »

isn't that within 5moa?

French G. · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2011, 04:01:25 PM »

100 is pretty common for me, never really had a chance for longer range practice except for a few potshots at a 200yd running coyote using a J-Frame. I think I got close, it definitely checked its run and reversed course.

Pharmacology · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2011, 04:42:45 PM »

http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHJF10/?page=34

kgbsquirrel · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2011, 04:55:16 PM »

Last official qualification I did was out to 35 yards and shot Expert. I feel comfortable achieving minute-of-badguy out to 50 yards but I hadn't seriously considered or attempted to practice any farther than that.

When I take my M1A out to zero I'll have to see if the fellas at Cherry Creek will let me do some benchrest pistol on the rifle side. Thanks for the motivation, Drewtam.

Jamisjockey · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2011, 05:01:27 PM »

Ayoob wrote an article some time back about a police shootout. Armed with a 1911, one officer attempted to take down an active shooter who had several officers pinned down. Range was about 100 yards and he was unsuccessful. Upon review, they found a com sized grouping about 2' above where the perp's head had been. The officer had never fired his pistol at that distance and over estimated the holdover.
His point was that being familiar with your firearm at distances outside your normal comfort zone could one day make a huge difference when you least expect it.

French G. · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2011, 06:53:51 PM »

I remember that article, the point being that a .45 was only dropping 7-8 inches from a 25 zero but people heed to gunshop wisdom and assume it is falling like a brick. I was rather surprised with my 9mm, at 75 yard gongs with hot carry ammo I had to aim underneath them. A center hold and they were flying over, so my 25 yard zero was probably also about dead on for about 120.

Monkeyleg · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2011, 07:24:56 PM »

With me getting almost no practice the last several years (versus 3-5 days a week prior), 50 feet is my limit.

At my former club, there were two or three guys who were exceptional shots. One could hit the 18" gong at the 125 yard line with a 2" .38 snubnose, and do it all day long.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2011, 07:52:32 PM »

I haven't tried hardly at all at 100 yards yet. However, I have started to work on 50 yards with a few of them and done some pretty good groups with my 357 mag revolver. I'll have to pull it out and try it at 100 yards next time.

That said, I have heard of decent shooters doing quite well at 100 yards with pistols once they figure the hold over and know where to aim.

RoadKingLarry · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2011, 08:26:50 PM »

I like to put a box or two through my 1911s at the 100 yard pig silly-wets when I make it to my gun club.
After a few ranging shots I can usually hit 60% or maybe a little better.
Fun to hear the bang then the clang after the pig starts to fall over.

Ron · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2011, 08:44:00 PM »

Years ago I had the opportunity to take a weekend practical pistol training class held at Chapman Academy in Missouri, run by a former instructor of the school.

On the way walking from the movers to the steel targets we paused and each were to shoot at a steel gong until we hit it, it was 75 yards out.

Using my commander sized 1911 I aimed right at the top of the gong and nailed it on the first shot. For the record I was using Speer Lawman 230 gr TMJ.

That's the only time I've ever shot any pistol over 25 yards on any type of standard range :)

I've plinked at longer ranges but don't really know how far out I was shooting nor how accurate I was.

seeker_two · « **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2011, 09:13:17 AM »

I once was able to keep all my shots from a Rossi 4" .357Mag on an 12" gong at 100yds......but that was many years and a few eyeglasses rx changes ago.....I need to get out my Blackhawk 6" .357Mag and try it sometime....

209 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2011, 09:31:35 AM »

From time to time, I'll include handgun from 25yds out to 100yds (actually about 97.7 yards to be exact because the fence at the back of the range is just shy of 100yd) during training. Most everyone can get a few hits shooting 12 rds. I started doing it because 25 yds was the max distance we qualified at and almost everyone was developing a mindset that was incorrect.

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2011, 09:36:59 AM »

I'll do 100-150 yards about once a year with my Redhawk. I'll get it down to COM. My regular spot out in the desert has a big white chunk of limestone on a hillside about 140 yards away, about 20" in diameter. I use that as a target.

The sight elevation is QUITE different between 200gr .44 specials and 240gr .44 magnums.

280plus · « **Reply #16 on:** November 21, 2011, 09:37:23 AM »

IIRC Browning makes a sight good to I think 500 yds for the HP. Always wondered about that. lol...

At 500 yds a 9mm would probably just annoy you, no?

mtnbkr · « **Reply #17 on:** November 21, 2011, 10:23:31 AM »

I'm currently working my consistency with an 8" gong at 50yds. I'm just about there, but not quite enough for my comfort in hunting scenarios (the whole reason for the exercise). At 25yards, it wasn't even a challenge. Once I get comfortable with 50yds, I'll be moving the gong out to 100yds.

I shoot my Redhawk with heavy hunting loads (300gr at 1300fps), my 629 with light 44mag loads (260gr at 1100fps), my S&W K22, and my K38 Masterpiece at the gong.

My eventual goal is to replace my rifle with the Redhawk for hunting. It's rare to have more than 100yds between you and the animal, so a rifle is overkill and unwieldy in the mountainous and brushy terrain I hunt. For example, I had a doe walk up on my stand Saturday evening (bucks-only day of course). At her furthest visible range, she was just over 50yds away. She got within 50ft of my stand. That's rock throwin' distance. :)

Chris

lee n. field · « **Reply #18 on:** November 21, 2011, 11:02:38 AM »

Quote from: 280plus on November 21, 2011, 09:37:23 AM

IIRC Browning makes a sight good to I think 500 yds for the HP. Always wondered about that. lol...

At 500 yds a 9mm would probably just annoy you, no?

With the tangent sight.

Grebnaws · « **Reply #19 on:** November 21, 2011, 12:50:07 PM »

There is an 85yd max outdoor range at my club. I do not shoot often anymore due to the cost of driving and ammo (not to mention the absurd ever stricter range rules). Ninety miles round trip to the club at 15-18mpg plus ammunition adds up too quickly. When the hobby was fresh and I didn't mind throwing a paycheck at it every month I was able to chase golf balls on the ground with my S&W 617 .22 and my Baby Eagle 9mm. Factory sights on both. Tough to dial in for cheap .22 but the BEagle was fairly consistent with all ammunition. The hotter and heavier the better. It was only a few years ago but today I can't even see a golf ball in the grass at that distance.

On paper I have never been a a good shot. Real targets or reactive targets always helped me to step up my game. Trading shots on cans, golf balls, clay birds, etc. was the most fun I ever had in shooting. It's against the rules now and has severely dampened my enthusiasm.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #20 on:** November 21, 2011, 01:31:33 PM »

Quote from: Grebnaws

On paper I have never been a a good shot. Real targets or reactive targets always helped me to step up my game.

Same here. If I put up a paper target the size of the gong I mentioned above, at the same distances, I'd miss it completely. I don't know why. I rarely shoot paper (with handguns) further out than 15 yards.

Chris

Fly320s · « **Reply #21 on:** November 21, 2011, 02:08:56 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on November 21, 2011, 01:31:33 PM

Same here. If I put up a paper target the size of the gong I mentioned above, at the same distances, I'd miss it completely. I don't know why. I rarely shoot paper (with handguns) further out than 15 yards.

Chris

Smaller targets make you concentrate harder.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #22 on:** November 21, 2011, 03:10:39 PM »

How does that matter at all? I'm saying I can take two targets of identical size, one a physical target (gong, clay pigeon, can, etc) and or a paper with B/E of the same size, hit the physical target but not be able to hit the paper representation.

Chris

Fly320s · « **Reply #23 on:** November 21, 2011, 03:52:28 PM »

Same color targets? Maybe the 3d target gives you better aiming point? Or it could all be a mental trick you're giving yourself.

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 21, 2011, 04:04:15 PM »

Something about a target being "special" makes you concentrate harder.

So many people go to the range and blast away at a paper target until you can't tell whether you even have a hit or not from shot to shot.

I go downrange between strings and patch my paper targets and then re-shoot them, so I can tell one group from another. After 3-4 strings, time for a new target entirely. This is something I've appreciated since starting on High Power shooting... I like knowing if a shot is "worth-while" or not.

Same satisfaction or "specialness" with a ceramic garden gnome, canteloupe, or bottle of water. Something valuable is derived from the trigger pull. The target breaks into a spectacular shower of water/fruit/ceramic, or you are rewarded with a clearly legible hole in paper in the 10 or X ring and are rewarded with a good score.

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Author Topic: 100yds with a pistol? (Read 6519 times)