What target distance and which guns?

[petepeterson]

The range I use has 10, 15, 25, 50, and 100 yds. Fortunately, it's usually empty and you can move around a bit. I shoot handguns at 15 generally, but practice a lot of close-in drawing and point shooting, too.
25 and out gets a carbine.

 

[OLDSTER]

For a self defense pistol/revolver. Rapid fire, off-hand, pie plate accuracy at 3, 5, 7, and 10 yards. Anything else is for the movies. The shooter wants build familiarity, confidence, and competence in their firearm. And the shooter ( especially a new shooter) needs to be armed with a gun that they are comfortable with, and enjoy shooting

 

[6518John]

Fun, Fun, Fun.

We recently got a plate rack and some other steel target and we absolutely love them. The Plate rack is at 20 yards, some small silhouette at 30 (over his left shoulder), a full size silhouette and gong at 100 yards, and a small coyote at 125 (over his right shoulder). There is also a small hog over his left shoulder at 80 yards.

Of course, the far targets are for rifles, but we shoot at them regularly with our revolvers and you can get amazingly good with practice. There is wisdom in the ole "beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it" adage. Because you learn where and how to hold it shooting at those steel targets at 80-125 yards or all you do is kick up grass.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I love this picture. A fine handsome young man with a big smile.

Work boots on and dirt on his jeans, breathing fresh air out in nature, and he's happy.

Standing straight, making eye contact with eye and ear protection on, S&W secured in his hands, and he's happy.

Not staring blankly at a cell phone or TV, and he's happy.

As one of our forum members says, "A tip of the Stetson" to those that raised him.

 

[rockquarry]

I try to improve my shooting skills by practicing at 25 yards one-handed with any handgun regardless of size or chambering. As someone mentioned, it's quite humbling. Shooting up close will provide the shooter with small groups but little in the way of skill improvement.

Occasionally, I'll try 50 yard shooting with handguns, but I still do this quite poorly.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

From muzzle contact to 300 yards. The key to be the best YOU can be is to do it EVERY day. Pulling a gun and shooting it must become as natural as walking. The only way to get to that is to do it every day. That is all that works for thick heads like me. If you do it every day, there is no figuring out what to do next. The draw, the presentation, the alignment, the press, all becomes one natural movement.
You do NOT have to go to the range every day to do this!! The sound of gunfire is useful for affirmation of your practice. I am lucky, I can and do shoot every day, BUT it is the practice of the essentials that is necessary not the bang. Practice daily and when you get to shoot, check for affirmation. If it isn't working, adjust at the range and then go home and practice THAT way til you return. Test again. Go through the movements daily. It's not necessary to do it for an hour at the time, that's nice but not necessary. Do it , instead, 50 times a day. I have my hand ON a gun about two or three hours a day. They are in my pockets so it's easy. Try this for a couple of months included with whatever range time your finances can support. Daily familiarization will serve you greatly. If, as one poster said, the costs is overburdening, this daily practice becomes more important.