How many guns; how many bullets at a range session?

Redcoat3340 · Mar 26, 2016

Wondering how many pistols folks take to a "normal" range session and how many rounds you shoot through each one each time.

I've got some real nice pistols (I think) and I like shooting them all. But I'm wondering if I'd do better shooting fewer pistols more often. I shoot for fun not for competition and to grow proficient with the guns I own.

I always shoot at least a mag or two with my carry pistol (9mm Shield) and then usually have three other guns in the range bag.

Tomorrow I'm thinking of taking my just-back-from-Sig-for-night sights and maintenance workover-package P226; a Beretta 92 FS and a Beretta Cougar. Figure I'll shoot a box of bullets each and the probably another box though the Sig, a total of about 200 rounds (or about $50 in bullets if I'm not shooting reloads.) Next week I'll probably take out my S&W 5906, a SW990L and a Walther PPX.

What's your general practice when it comes to a half-day at the range?

murphydog · Mar 26, 2016

What you describe sounds fine. It is a very individual preference as to range time, rounds and methods (as I'm sure you're about to find out

) - three different guns and a few hundred rounds is about my limit, probably less in an indoor range with 2" .357s and .44 Magnums being fired in the adjacent lanes.

If you have 6 9 mm semi-autos, personally I might concentrate on my regular carry gun and (if you have one) the "house gun" if that is a different one, so that operating them under stress/in the dark/etc. is instinctive. Enjoy!

Hotshot9 · Mar 26, 2016

I take two my EDC and Home defence most of the time. But about once a month I'll take one different. But like to stay sharp with my EDC and HP. And at minimum I'll put 100 rounds through each some times more depending on time and cost.

TTSH · Mar 26, 2016

Redcoat3340 said:
What's your general practice when it comes to a half-day at the range?

I don't do half-days anymore because I'm currently having to employ a pay-by-the-hour indoor range.

I gave up my outdoor club membership in December because we plan to move out of the area this year.

That said, I normally take 2, 3 or sometimes 4 pistols with me to the indoor range. Always a nice variety. Whatever I bring gets a minimum of 50 rounds though it. Sometimes, they'll get 100 rounds. I'm old. By the end of the hour, I'm getting tired and my accuracy and consistency is going downhill fast. My ears are probably giving out too depending on who is shooting what on either side of me.

Besides, ammo cost money and I'm a bit on the "financially-challenged" side now deep into retirement.

Between the range fee and ammo, that's a fairly expensive day out for me.

scooter123 · Mar 26, 2016

I'll generally use two handguns. Normally I like to start shooting something in double action because I find shooting in double action improves my trigger skills and I carry a DA/SA semi auto.

Lately my DA practice handgun is a Sig P290 in 380 because 380 ACP is really cheap to reload for and I like the challenge of shooting this tiny little pistol at 30 feet. However, I also have a 2 1/2 inch model 19 that I really like a lot so it gets takeout rather frequently.

After that I either practice with my 40 caliber Sig P239 carry pistol or my Ruger SR1911 CMD. I'll admit I rarely actually carry the 1911 but it's so enjoyable to shoot it does get shot a lot.

As for round count, generally 200 rounds per range session. Before I started loading my own that would have been just 100 to 150 rounds but reloading has allowed me to shoot more. I'll also note that I made up a hand mounted brass catcher so I don't have to chase down very many cases. At first it disturbed my accuracy a bit but now I don't even notice it when shooting.

retiredbadge8091 · Mar 26, 2016

I take at least two guns to the range with at least fifty rounds per gun. Of course my range is less than twenty miles from my home, and weather allowing, I'm able to go on a fairly regular basis. Quality over quantity is my motto.

petepeterson · Mar 26, 2016

I generally take my carry gun, plus a .22 pistol, auto or revolver depends on what "season" I'm in. I also usually take either my Camp 9, or my Rossi .357 to plink with.

Since my lady-friend started shooting with me, most of the time is spent working with her, so I usually shoot less than 100rds. I do make a point to take a day every other month or so for myself, where I work on drawing, shooting on the move, etc. Those sessions usually involve 2-300 rds. That's plenty for me in a day. After 200, I almost feel like I'm forcing it.

Donn · Mar 26, 2016

It varies. Last time I took three, my EDC's. How many rounds depends on how I'm doing. I've put three rounds thru my AR, shredded the X, and put the rifle away, same-same with my M1 Garand. The weapon's zero'd and I'm doing my part, why waste any more ammo? I generally do five round groups with a short gun. Seated bench rest, standing two-hand and off-hand. If I'm printing good groups in the black, that's it. Still buying ammo off the shelf. Till I get my re-loading bench set up, I'm not burning up ammo just because. YMMV.

rjm6120 · Mar 26, 2016

I'm also in the 200 round camp. I use an indoor range, and usually pick two guns and shoot 100 rounds each through them. Every once in awhile I'll take a third, and shoot 50 through that and 50 through one of the others.

M29since14 · Mar 26, 2016

I have trouble with vision so shooting iron-sighted pistols for more than an hour is non-productive for me, unless I can take a long break and come back to it. In an hour I can usually fire three 10-round targets with two guns. That works out pretty well for me, and the guys I go with are also limited to about an hour so it all works out for the best.

Rifles are a different story since they heat up and have to be set aside to cool. I'll take four or five if I am going to spend much time at the bench, but probably only shoot 20-30 rounds from each, or less. Shotguns - only one per game. I may take both a skeet gun and one for five-stand, and I'll usually end up telling myself it was a bad idea on the days when I shoot both.

Arik · Mar 26, 2016

One. My carry gun. This is what I bring 95% of the time. I bring about 500 rounds. Most of the time I go through it all or get close. The problem is that this is a typical range. ...meaning you can't practice much of anything except maybe quicker follow up shots. They let you get away with quicker shots as long as you can keep it where you aim. Unfortunately the range gets busy and I want to be in and out before it starts to resemble a cattle car

The other 5% of the time varies. I may have bought a new gun and want to see how it compares to my carry gun, or I'm trying new ammo that's not the same caliber as my carry gun, or occasionally I jest feel like bringing a different caliber or style gun (striker vs DA/SA) to practice with

glenwolde · Mar 26, 2016

Two, one of which is a .22, and 400 rounds of ammo. 100 .22 and 300 centerfire. Sometimes I take a third gun.

jmace57 · Mar 26, 2016

I usually take 4 or 5. I shoot 2 mags thru my carry piece. Then shoot from lower to higher caliber - .22 or .32 working up to .44 or .45.

Derosa · Mar 26, 2016

Whatever my wife says I have time for...I have learned not to "shoot off" my mouth. There are reasons why we are in our fourth decade of wedded bliss. ;>)

bigwheelzip · Mar 26, 2016

Number of firearms (1 to 3) is mood dependent, but the range bag is setup for 300 rounds, so that's what I bring. Only rarely does any ammo make it back home. I need to take breaks after every box to try and stay sharp.

moosedog · Mar 26, 2016

I'm lucky enough to be able to shoot out back, so I do it at a much leisurely pace.
I only shoot about two dozen rounds per gun at a session, but try to shoot each round as if it's my last bullet.

loeman · Mar 26, 2016

I go to the range about once per week. I never take more than two guns and often only one. Usually I will shoot only 50 rounds per gun. If I have a .22 auto I will probably shoot 100 rounds. My guns are rotated but I have to say my 4506 seems to sneak into my gun bag more than the others.

Buford57 · Mar 26, 2016

3 handguns, tops. Usually one is a .22. I start and end with the .22 (usually a 17-3, sometimes a 22A or the .22 upper for my Witness). 50 rounds each time. Nice and slow. (warm up, cool down).

100 rounds of a centerfire from my carry rotation.
20 to 50 rounds of either my house gun or whatever is going hunting next.

If I'm breaking in something new, I may focus all my centerfire time on wringing it out, as I did with a little RM380 this week, except for 20 through one of the rotation guns. (The Remmy passed the 200 round test, proved out on 3 types of HP and has earned a place in my pocket)

Rifles - 20-40 rounds from whatever is next up for hunting and about the same from something fun: Garand, Sharps or pistol caliber lever gun.

End with 100 rounds of .22 in the plinking pit bouncing pop bottles.

Shotguns are a separate trip.

arjay · Mar 26, 2016

2 at the most any more.I enjoy cleaning one gun.Any more than that and they sit dirty for awhile and then I feel guilty [emoji14]

LedFowl · Mar 26, 2016

I usually take three handguns, one of which is a 22. I fire about 200 rounds, I'd say. I share a range lane with a buddy, so that stretches out the time. Just being at the range is interesting.

I go to the range every other weekend now. I mention this because, when we went every weekend, I only took two handguns. I take three now because otherwise I'd have to wait too long between range trips to shoot some of them.

How many guns; how many bullets at a range session?

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