Target Distance

[Pierre330]

I was just curious.

What distance should a new shooter, such as myself, set his target at the range?

I've been keeping it fairly short. Typically varying between 5 to 7 yards. 5 yards is what the "shooting 101" class I took had us shooting at and 7 is because I'd read somewhere that this is the shooting distance for CCW test. I don't know how accurate the 7 yard info is , but I read that somewhere.

So what distance do you oldies (as oppose to newbies) recommend, and what do you shoot at? What about other beginners - what's your distance?

 

[dullh]

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish with your shooting.

If you're shooting for defense, 10 yards is about the maximum any CCW course expects you to shoot. 7 yards is an excellent distance to start with, and to use to develop speed as your accuracy improves.

I'd go 7 to 10 yards at first, then, if you want to engage targets farther out, you'll one day find yourself hitting center all the way to the back wall (25 yards at most pistol ranges).

Remember...whatever distance you use, get a firm grip and don't flinch!

 

[arjay]

Pop cans at 25 yards and if I'm having a good day,50 yards.Yes I miss...a lot [emoji1]

 

[chuckster57]

FWIW, the furthest distance I have had to shoot as part of qualifying, was 25 yds.

Now that I am retired, the furthest I have had to shoot for my Ret. LEO ccw is about 10 yds.

 

[chuckster57]

Pop cans at 25 yards and if I'm having a good day,50 yards.Yes I miss...a lot [emoji1]

When I bring out the hand cannon (.500 mag), it's lemons @ 15 yds.

 

[Doug M.]

We used to qualify all the way to the 50 yard line, and I was aghast at the poor performance of other cops at the 25 and beyond. This got a lot worse when academies quit training and qualify at the 50. There was a lot of data, and I think it is still valid, that tells us that distance is a cop's friend in a shooting incident. It is also a confidence builder and a good test of fundamentals.

When I did the Master Firearms Instructor program at PTI in the early 90s, we shot moving targets at 70+ yards. I'd hate to embarrass myself with that now, I fear. Our LEOSA qual takes us only back to the 15, which is likely ok for retirees. I prefer not to shot very often without an instructor, except for one hole drills with my K38 and the like. I am afraid of developing bad habits that have to be corrected if I don't have an instructor watching me.

For your purposes, I would focus on good one hole groups at the 5, 7, and 10. I would also invest the money in a good instructor to help you avoid developing bad habits.

 

[Rpg]

The vast majority of sd shooting is under 7 yards.

That said, you should do some shooting at 25 yards.

Groups and poi are hard to interpret at shorter distances.

 

[USMarine1989]

5-10 yards to start out with, get comfortable and work your way out. Have fun.

 

[colt_saa]

Forget about actual distances.

Keep the target close enough so that all shots can be placed in an 8" paper plate.

As your trigger control and aim improve your groups will get smaller. As they do move the target farther out so that you again are filling the plate.

If you get to the point that the target can no longer be moved out, switch to a 5" or 4" or 3" target and repeat the same process.

 

[LedFowl]

5-10 yards to start out with, get comfortable and work your way out. Have fun.

I agree with this. Move the target as close as you need and don't get discouraged. If it wasn't fun and rewarding, how many of us would be doing it?

 

[RobzGuns]

I do this with every new pistol, just to get used to it.
3yds until my accuracy and grouping are what I like. Sometimes this only takes 10 rounds.
Then 5yds until satisfied,
Then 7yds and repeat.

After that, I usually practice at 7yds & 10yds and finish up at 15yds (the range's max) just for the heck of it.

 

[rwsmith]

You're on the right track

Start in close and move back as you progress. I made the mistake of going too far too soon and got myself frustrated. When I got back into shooting I did it right this time.

I can't help but try my 6" .357 at 100 yards, but I don't hit too much.

 

[Ranger17]

i've just been shooting 1.5 years, and the range i use here goes to 25 yds & range i hit when back in Wi goes to 10.
Down here w/ my .22's i would try out to the 25 yd line, mostly for fun and on occasion. Eyes dont care for it much and my accuracy is best to 15. And if practicing here for SC's cwp, their testing goes to 15 yds.
Now that i have a 9 to take with me, and I'm still working on it's grip and feel, i tend to stick in the 5-10 yd area. Keeps my placement reasonable, until i master that then i can go on.
I will add i start each visit at 5 yds regardless of gun, then move out to 7, 10, etc. and am looking forward to getting back out on some family property where there isnt a distance limit and target type doesnt matter, so i can enjoy actually plinking lol.

 

[Ranger17]

Start in close and move back as you progress. I made the mistake of going too far too soon and got myself frustrated. When I got back into shooting I did it right this time.

I second the above, I'd pop a few off then run the target to 25 and wonder why my grouping was poor. Much easier to get confident close now then move out. I've also learned not to get 'smug' if i'm doing much better then the person next to me, and not get down if the next shooter is bullseye each time and I'm not. As long as i'm smiling, then the range visit was worth it.

 

[dlbutler]

Like an earlier post, it depends what you are practicing for. I shoot a lot of IDPA. My varied out to 25 yards. That being said, my grouping varies greatly whether I am slow firing for accuracy or rapid fire/holster draw. Your groups can be really tight at 7 yards when slow firing, but try it with 10 rounds rapid fire. They will definitely widen.

 

[Llando88]

New to shooting also, since May of last year, about 2,200 rounds.

FWIW I shoot at 7 yards and 25 yards.

At 7, I use target "X"'s drawn on a piece of paper with a thick sharpie. That helps me try and match POI to POA.

Occasionally I try my hand at 25 yards, scoring myself with a B-8 Repair Center target:

Amazon.com : Champion NRA Paper GB-8(CP) 25-yard Timed and Rapid Fire Centers Target (Pack of 12) : Hunting Targets And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mcx9VWvrL.@@AMEPARAM@@51mcx9VWvrL

If it helps, my 'how to avoid shooting low/right (lefty)' thread might be of interest. I've learned a lot from the coaching I've received.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...-coach-why-am-i-shooting-low-right-lefty.html

 

[dlbutler]

I forgot to add, I didn't have to shoot for my ccw. In Virginia if you are a veteran, all you have to do is submit your DD214 with your application and it is good to go.

 

[g8rb8]

5-10 yards to start....get comfortable.....work your way out.

....Keep the target close enough so that all shots can be placed in an 8" paper plate. ....groups will get smaller. As they do move the target farther out.

.....Move the target as close as you need and don't get discouraged.

...3yds until my accuracy and grouping are what I like....Then 5yds until satisfied, Then 7yds and repeat.

Start in close and move back as you progress. I made the mistake of going too far too soon and got myself frustrated....

I agree with the above advice -for handguns and shooting off hand. We are all recommending to start close (3-5 yards) and when you can consistently control the trigger and sights and get small* groups then move the target back 2-3 yards and repeat the process. As you move the targets further back allow for the groups to get bigger by about an inch for every 3-5 yards you move the target back.

*My definition of a small group at 5 yards, off hand with a handgun, depends on the handgun. For example you might try to get a group of 1.5" or better with a .22 target handgun before moving the target further out. As the caliber increases and as the barrel length decreases allow yourself larger groups before moving the target back. For example you might allow 3" groups for a .38 special out of a 4" barrel and 4-5" groups for a .38 or .357 snub nose or a .44 magnum out of a 3-4" barrel.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[4011]

I shoot in my garage at a piece of aluminum with a thick phone book on it I set it against my tool box get back to near the door. I use my 34 snub 22 with the sub sonic shorts. I do this just to keep my muscle memory in some sort of shape. Not as good as a range but it works for me. I shoot at a yellow sticky note and am able to hit it most of my five rounds. Usually shoot only ten rounds. Back yard neighbor says he has never heard a round go off. Don't have even wear hear protection. Can't hear it thunder anyway! The 34 is almost the same size as the 37 that I carry.

 

[Pierre330]

Thanks to all for the responses.

I headed to the range after work today and shot off 100 rounds. I took your suggestions and started at 5 yards and ended up at 8. I'll push it back as I get better.

I have to say I was pleased with my shooting today. Sure I still have a way to go obviously, but a marked improvement. I was trying to put some stuff that I've read about or watched vids of over the last week into practice and it helped a lot!

baby steps to marksmanship!

 

[wharvey]

Besides the purpose it also depends on the gun. Today I was doing some work shooting from a holster. Range about 3 yards and firing from a low retention. I shot 24 rounds and managed to keep all but 3 one a paper plate; 9mm shield. Didn't think I was doing too bad as I'm right handed but working from a left handed rig.

When I'm practicing for NRA Action Pistol I typically shoot at 25 yards; GP100 with 6" barrel. This is too far for a beginner but does make one exercise the fundamentals, which may not happen if you just stay at close range.

Handguns can be shot effectively at pretty good distances. Use to have a blast shooting a prairie dogs with a pistol. Even managed to hit the out to a 100 yards sometimes. Wouldn't try this too soon as a beginning shooter but might consider it in the future, with the right gun of course.

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk HD

 

[dajogejr]

5 to 10 yards with my EDC pistol. 15 to 20 yards, I'm good on a paper plate and then some...

I put out a target with 4-5 spots on it and I alternate which one I'm aiming at. Normally, I'll double tap each spot then move to the next.

 

[RalphMP9FS]

Maybe I got it wrong, but after a 30 year hiatus from shooting, I prefer to practice at 40'-60'. If I can consistently hit a 14" x 20" paper target at that distance with a 1 second firing interval, I'm not too concerned at 15'-20'.

 

[GuyFromHuntsville]

In the Texas, the shooting requirements for a CHL are 20 rounds at 3 yards, 20 rounds at 7 yards, and 10 rounds at 15 yards.

Most all SD shootings are at 7 yards or less. And most CC pistols are not very accurate at longer distances due to their shorter barrels and smaller frames. So, IMO, train with drawing and firing at shorter distances (10 yards or less). Long distances, while fun and challenging, is not realistic for SD.

 

[micocyco]

Thanks to all for the responses.

I headed to the range after work today and shot off 100 rounds. I took your suggestions and started at 5 yards and ended up at 8. I'll push it back as I get better.

I have to say I was pleased with my shooting today. Sure I still have a way to go obviously, but a marked improvement. I was trying to put some stuff that I've read about or watched vids of over the last week into practice and it helped a lot!

baby steps to marksmanship!

New gun, new shooter or both you are doing the right thing
First be carful & never dry fire until you make sure the weapon cleared but do dry fire a lot a home with gun pointed in a safe direction, like at the TV : o
Don't worry about hurting the pistol , you will get tired of this long before you have to worry about that.
What ever distance you start at just stay there until you & the gun come to an agreement on where the next round will go.

 

[Doug M.]

And most CC pistols are not very accurate at longer distances due to their shorter barrels and smaller frames. So, IMO, train with drawing and firing at shorter distances (10 yards or less). Long distances, while fun and challenging, is not realistic for SD.

*
Shooting at longer distances is a pretty small percentage shot for civilian SD uses, but has value in skill development and demonstration. The deterioration in skill with a pistol over the last 10 or so years has been so bad that Pat Rogers (EAG Tactical) has changed his teaching to have the transition from rifle to pistol as a malfunction response at 15 yards instead of 25. Based on academy and post-academy experiences, I'd say that there is a direct link between the lack of shooting at the 50 and beyond and that problem.

FWIW: most smaller pistols and revolvers have the same basic intrinsic accuracy capability. It is the ergonomics of the pistol, the less precise sights, etc that will result in poorer performance if one does not put in the work. (A 2" M10 with no mechanical problems should do just as well as a K38, even out to 100 yards.) I can see this to some extent when comparing my performance with my 2 glocks. One is a G33, with XS Big Dots; one a 19L (17 with the grip cut down to 19 length) with Hackathorns.

 

[Pierre330]

New gun, new shooter or both you are doing the right thing
First be carful & never dry fire until you make sure the weapon cleared but do dry fire a lot a home with gun pointed in a safe direction, like at the TV : o
Don't worry about hurting the pistol , you will get tired of this long before you have to worry about that.
What ever distance you start at just stay there until you & the gun come to an agreement on where the next round will go.

I do a lot of dry firing! I truly think it's one of the things that's helping me improve. I am extremely careful about making sure the weapon is unloaded when I do this. But reminders are always welcomed and useful in ingraining it into one's mind! Thanks!

 

[micocyco]

I do a lot of dry firing! I truly think it's one of the things that's helping me improve. I am extremely careful about making sure the weapon is unloaded when I do this. But reminders are always welcomed and useful in ingraining it into one's mind! Thanks!

No problem , you are every welcome , something that all of us shooters can't hear too much. I did a lot of my dry firing practice while watching the news :roll eyes:
I am not new to shooting but did take a long break from it , until an incident caused my wife to want to have some way to protect herself. After taking her to shoot a revolver a few times , the only kind of pistol I had , we decided to both get semiautomatics she has the M&P 9c & I got a SD9VE. Luckily we found a range that gave us a lot of good advice & of course I found this forum with the great members.
I have found now ( after the gun & I are certain we know where the shot is going ) that I like to set the weapon on the bench turn away from the target run it out to 15 yards then turn back pick up , aim & fire 4 shots in 4 seconds if all 4 hit the torso I am pleased.
Be safe, have fun & post often

 

[Don 73]

Practicing at a greater distance can magnify your mistakes, which can be a good thing. A small flinching problem might not show it's head at 10 feet, but it will be plainly obvious at 50' and will allow you to work on correcting it.