Am I the last person on earth

[Love Life]

who still tests loads and accuracy at 25 yards with pistols?

[williamwaco]

Nope!

[koehn,jim]

No you are not

[Ickisrulz]

I am curious why you'd ask.

[6bg6ga]

I do 30 yards

[Love Life]

Because it seems that way after browsing multiple gun boards over the last couple days.

[FISH4BUGS]

I test my loads (for functionality) in the back yard into a stump. I once learned the hard way by loading 500 45 acp's that wouldn't function properly. DUH!
I usually test accuracy from a rest at 25 yards. Then 50 yards to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Try some at 100 yards sometimes. It is interesting how good you can shoot from a rest at 100 yards!

[1Shirt]

Another Nope!
1Shirt!

[shooter93]

I always start at 25 yards and then I fully zero the gun at 25 yards while shooting offhand. I generally sight them a bit high at 25 since most of my shooting is offhand from 50 to 125 yards or so. There is or can be a big difference between poi between a bench and offhand. I was never a good bag shooter with handguns, riles yes but not so much handguns. I was surprised when for a number of years the magazines showed great groups and then see the range was 15 feet. Many people think I am lying when I tell them that any handgun that would not shoot 2 inches MAXIMUM at 25 yards was either fixed or sold the exception being mini guns like derringers. That used to be the maximum standard for us. In our bull's-eye days a 1911 was built to shoot at least an inch at 50 yards from a ransom rest. You're not alone Love Life that's for sure.

[RED333]

Depends, my little 25 ACP, 10 yards, every thing else 25 yards.

[GL49]

Either 25 yards or 100', depending on which of the two ranges is not in use.

[jsizemore]

I start at 25yards and move back to 100. I can't remember the last handgun I had to start at a shorter distance then 25.

[BrassMagnet]

25 and 50 yards.

[Heavy]

I'm with brassmagnet.

[MaryB]

25 is the distance form the pistol range shed to the target board so 25, then the 50 yard board. Then the 25 yard dueling tree to have some fun

[MtGun44]

No. The overwhelming majority of my pistol testing is at 25 yds. I have been
forced a few times to use the 12 yd range and that is pretty much useless, almost
anything will shoot into 1-1.5" and you can't really find out anything useful.

For some guns, where long range use might be contemplated, I test at 50 yds,
and occasionally at 100 yds.

Bill

[Houndog]

I function test at 15 yards, zero most handguns at 25 yards and final test at 50 yards.

[Harter66]

I shoot them all at 25 Cap an ball, autos and revolvers. Then the 45 Colts and 357 get shot at 50 and 75 w target sights zeroed at 50. I don't shoot them much past 50 other than to prove loads, I don't feel like its really game ethical to push much past that .No I really don't care that Elmer did it all the time.

[tomme boy]

I am not a good handgun shooter. So 15-20 is good for me. But I am also not using my pistols for hunting, so 20 yards is good enough for me.

[jeepyj]

I used to test everything at 50' now that my wife bought me a range finder I find that I'm at 25yds then50yds then 75yds. I try to zero in at about 30-35yards. For fun I'll drop back to 100-125yds off the rest with the 357 with a 358156 GC at a 5" steel swinger it's quite remarkable how little they drop.
jeepyj

[Beagle333]

7 yards.... Cowboy style! :mrgreen:

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

When I'm with friends, we'll shoot at 50 feet (or closer if they are that bad).
When I'm alone, it's always 25 yards.

[GhostHawk]

Nope!

I've seen my wife take a 9mm she'd never shot before, and with her second shot drill a 2 liter pop bottle at 25m.
When my buddy and I act surprised she says, "what, wasn't I supposed to hit it? "

I've also seen her take a new Ruger 22/45 and put 7 into a group the size of a golf ball also at 25m.

Across the room is fine, but you check accuracy and function at 25m, and maybe longer.
If you can hit a stationary 2 liter at 25m a 8" head moving at 2-4 meters is no big deal.
Now if I can just teach her to call her shots. :)

[runfiverun]

some of my revolvers/pistols actually shoot quite well at 50+ yds, and a couple were designed to shoot silhouettes at much greater distances than that.
I can hardly hit something at 100 yds with them so i keep it a LOT closer.
most of my fun shooting is at 5" steel plates and the rope goes to 40' or so, so I mostly stand there, our 45 acp house gun laughs at 20 yds, so i'll back up under the sunshade [awning] and shoot from there.
I try to shoot at distances I can see small game and such [for those appropriate calibers] or to the guns [my] capability's with it.
with some of them 7-10 yds is about it, others will shoot magpies at 60 yds without too much trouble and will scare a starling to death on occasion at that distance.

[tygar]

Test at 10yds to zero + 2". Then 25 for people guns except snubbies at 10. Mags & hunting guns 25 & also at 50 & 100 yds.

[TXGunNut]

Acuuracy testing closer than 25 yds can be a bit misleading but my handgun shooting is mostly offhand practice or play these days so 10-15 yds is my norm. I don't want to get in the habit of spending a lot of time on my sights with carry guns. I know what the guns will do, shooting fast & close lets me work on what needs work in my case.

[MT Gianni]

25, 10 and 50 for most of mine. I have some that if the target is 25 yards I have no need to shoot at it. I have others that 25 yards would be a close shot. TC Hand rifles get started @ 50 and if scoped worked on up.

[Driver man]

I sight all loads at 25m then 50m.Never worry about closer.

[M-Tecs]

Small carry guns mostly 28 feet.

General revolver and pistol 25 yards

Competition pistols and revolvers 50 yards

Iron sight hunting revolvers 75 yards

Scope sight hunting 100 to 200 yards depending on gun and caliber. TC contenders or Remington XP100R. I have a 223 XP with a Burris 3 x 12 that will hold 3/4" MOA at 200 yards. Wicked on prairie dogs out to 300.

[snowwolfe]

25 yards is my gold standard for sighting in revolvers and pistols. But since I moved to Colorado and have been going to a new range I have been seeing at least 90% of other shooters using the 10 yard range for handguns.

[35 shooter]

Test for accuracy at 25 yds. with handguns initially, then practice at all ranges. Initial testing with rifles @ 100 yds.
Nope... you are not alone!

[snuffy]

You're NOT alone!

I test loads and shoot for groups @ 25 yards with iron sighted revolvers or pistols. My club does not have a closer range outside. The indoor range is 50 ft. and you cannot shoot closer than that.

My technique is to rest my wrists on sandbags with both hands firmly grasping the grips. Sometimes I let the bottom of the grips or the magazine touch the sandbags. This quiets the wiggles, twitches, and wind blowing the sights off the bullseye. My 68 YO eyes are weak now, so I have to choose which to focus on, the front sight or the bullseye.

I was a pretty good shot way back when I shot a lot of sillywet,(70's). Production standing with my very accurate Ruger 44 SBH was my best course of fire.

For the big guns, like that 44, or the beast, 500 S&W I do shoot at 50 yards and sometimes 100 yards. I just got a truglo red dot with 4 different reticles and red - green. I'm going to try the 500 at 50 and 100 yards, if that goes well, we do have 200 yard targets. My .357 is a 6" bbl. so it could be a 50 yard gun. Gotta get some big bullseyes.

[Artful]

Nope, not alone but it does depend upon what handgun.

[bobthenailer]

I first test loads at 25 yards outdooors or at times 50" indoors . I sometimes test loads at 50 yards or even less often at 100 yards after loads have been worked up at the shorter distances first.

[dagger dog]

I thought 25yds. was the norm also, I zero all my loads at that range, from a bench then offhand if I'm going to hunt with that handgun, I'll move back to 50, and shoot from the setting position elbows over the knees.

[HATCH]

When I am working up loads, I go by the numbers
Velocity and standard deviation.
I normally shoot 10 rds of factory ammo to give me a base line and to test the chrony.
I then start testing loads. 10 rds every 2/10ths of a grain
I looked for the lowest standard deviation and look around my base line (factory ammo)
Typically speaking loads with the lowest standard deviation will be the most accurate as the boolit is traveling close to the same velocity every time.
The method has been VERY successful for me. The last caliber I worked up was 300 blackout. It was a 240 grain (accurate molds 240e) using 10.4 grains of AA1680 traveling at 1081 fps.

Here is a typical range test

Factory Remington 220
1102,1056,1085,1078,1038
H-1102
L-1038
Av-1071
Es-64
Sd-25

10.2
1053,997,1037,1039,1044,1070,1101
H-1101
L-997
A-1046
Es-104
Sd30

10.4
1080,1086,1087,1051,1105,1091,1067
H-1105
L-1051
Av-1081
Es-54
Sd-17

10.6
1108,1118,1141,1138,1125,1115,1104,1104,1112,1100
H-1141
L-1100
Av-1116
Es-41
Sd-14

10.8
1185,1117,1101,1142,1151,1144,1130,1131,1142,1120
H-1185
L-1101
Av-1136
Es-84
Sd-22

11.0
1157,1136,1151,1150,1152,1129,1142,1178,1145,1180
H-1180
L-1129
Av-1152
Es-51
Sd-16

11.2
1201,1175,1179,1166,1184,1173,1175,1183,1188,1157
H-1201
L-1157
Av-1178
Es-44
Sd-12


As you can see 11.2 has the lowest overall SD of the loads tested however it exceeded the velocity as we were trying for subsonic loads.
You can also see that factory ammo has a SD of 25 yet as tested the SD on the load we picked is 17.

[WILCO]

Because it seems that way after browsing multiple gun boards over the last couple days.

Take a break from that and get a book on the subject.

[leadman]

My pocket guns I shoot at 10 yards, some larger guns at 25 yards, hunting handguns 50 yards to 400 yards.

[LUBEDUDE]

If you have the eyes for it, then by all means go for it.

But when when your aged eyes begin to fail you and you just can't see the target anymore; as hard as it is to admit, it's time pull it back where it is doable and fun and not just throwing noodles on the wall to see if they stick.

Yeah, I remember when 25 yds was no problem, and 50 yds was fun!

[osteodoc08]

who still tests loads and accuracy at 25 yards with pistols?

No. Half the fun of reloading and casting is load development. Cant test it without a benchmark. My benchmark is 25 yards for irons and 50 yards for scoped pistols.

[wallenba]

I used too. Eyesight is poorer now. To make sure I've got the windage right I start closer, then work out to longer distances. Elevation is easier.

[Love Life]

Take a break from that and get a book on the subject.

I don't need a book on the subject.

[silverado]

I read online that most self defense situations are between 3-7 yards, so that is all I shoot, but I can get 10 shots in a pie plate really fast from that distance :Fire:
Seriously though, the range I usually go to is only 12 yards :( One 25 yard range had a fire, one wont let you pick up empties, one is far away and (IIRC) is $15 an hour. Can't wait to move from this area.

[kenyerian]

Depends on what pistol. I have several contenders and encores that I usually start at longer ranges. I shoot at closer ranges with My revolvers and other hand guns. I have my own range in my back yard so I'm pretty flexible. I was having trouble with my 7 tcu and the soup can and I ended up having to start at 25 yards.

[shooterg]

The target frames and plates in the side yard are 25 yards. The backyard has the plate rack, usually at 10 yards back to 50. At the local range, the 50 yard Pistol range has short range sockets for target frames at 7,10, and 15 yards. Most of the splinters are at 7 yards ! The current crowd is more concerned with how fast they can shoot instead of how close the holes can be. Makes the ammo makers happy and as long as they're hitting the berms, OK with me.

[rking22]

Nope, not alone. Load tesing for accuracy at 25 most of the time. Point shooting at the closer distances, check the hunting stuff at 50. Used to be 200 when shooting the iron animals.Not interested in hunting past 50, Iron sights and 55 YO eyes, besides, gettin close is the fun part! Mainly shoot at random distances ,just a plinker:)

[jabo52521]

25 and 50 yards.That's the only way.

[Petrol & Powder]

Well this question brings up a bunch of new questions.

From a rest or unsupported?
What type of rest? sand bag? mechanical rest? Fence post?
A real 25 YARDS ?? Not feet? (had a lot of people tell me yards until I started asking questions and then they said, no..no I meant to say feet not yards).
Actually measured from muzzle to target? with a tape measure? and not just paced off by a midget with one wooden leg??
Hit the target OR measured the group ? How big was the target? How many groups did you shoot before you measured a group for the record?
I've been doing this for a lot of years and I'm not a great marksman but I'm not horrible either. There's a LOT of wiggle room in informal bragging rights and a LOT of ways to make yourself look good with a handgun.

If I clamp a gun in a Ransom Rest that is bolted to a concrete bench at 25 REAL yards from a paper target and shoot a bunch of five shot groups.... I'll come up with some idea of what that gun & load are capable of......
Pretty much everything else I can fudge to make me, the gun, the load or some combination of all three;== look good.

None of this is really important unless you're comparing one test to another IDENTICAL test. Or just bragging :popcorn:

I'm not that good but when someone says pistol X will hold a ___" group at 25 yards; I have a lot of questions.



I've just heard too many people claim a certain gun & load will shoot 1/4" groups at 100 yards, free hand, in a hurricane , every time.......

[Love Life]

Doesn't matter if it is supported, bagged, from the standing, or the sitting, or standing on your head in the sitting position.

It is quite awesome to see the center shot out of the X-Ring on a post, but when asked it is confessed that the distance is 7, 10, or some other close difference. Well...a slingshot could do the same at 7 yds so the posted target provides no relevant information to anybody.

What I'm saying is, is that in the last...mebbe 3-4 years, the practice of shooting super close followed by "Good enough for some killing" or some such has become a common and accepted practice.

It's like the guys cherry picking groups and talk about "My rifle is .0000000000004 MOA all day if'n I do my part. Yes I know that is world record material, but my rifle can do it...if'n I do my part."

Just pet peeve of mine I guess.

Carry on all.

[tomme boy]

My eyes can't shoot that far. Thats why I mainly shoot rifles with scopes. Handguns are something to do while the rifles cool off.

[Petrol & Powder]

Got to agree with Love Life. The distance to the target is often the variable left out of the discussion or it is often simply inaccurate. I don't know how many times I've heard someone say yards when they were really talking about feet. Or their 25 yards is about 15 yards when actually measured. I believe a lot of that error is unintentional as opposed to flat out lying.
I've seen some people that are incredibly good with a handgun and I'm impressed by their skill; and for the record, I'm not that good! I've seen targets that were purported to have been shot at 25 yards, with a handgun, that I'm seriously skeptical about.

[snuffy]

Well I wasn't there when the 25 yard range was built, so I can't say it really is 25 YARDS.* And the benches are wood and moveable/removable so they can shoot off of mattes for rimfire 4 position. So the measurement might be a few inches off. If I arrive and am alone, I can walk closer to the target holders, but then it would have to be offalhand,,--awfullhand? (A term my dad used to describe off-hand shooting.)

When I shoot for groups while testing load work-ups, my hands are resting on a sandbag on top of a Caldwell rifle tripod. That's adjustable for height, and pretty darn solid. I'm going to test whether contact between the grip or bottom of the mag with the sandbags is different from being gripped by my hands resting on the bag. I suspect the only difference would be in POI,(Point Of Impact.) I'd never rest the barrel or bottom of the lower of a semi-auto on the bag, that can cause rebound inaccuracies.

* Now I'm curious, I'll take a tape with me next time I go shooting.

[Idaho Mule]

I'm a 25 yard sighter too. Some of my revolvers will shoot quite well out to 50 yds. Beyond that, I fail the guns abilities. I have about an 8 inch swinging square plate and have hit it at 100 yds. ( a couple of times).JW

[dtknowles]

I'm a 25 yard sighter too. Some of my revolvers will shoot quite well out to 50 yds. Beyond that, I fail the guns abilities. I have about an 8 inch swinging square plate and have hit it at 100 yds. ( a couple of times).JW

I am a 25 yard handgun tester myself. For sighting in, I start with a big target about 2 feet x 2 feet, as big as the range's target frame will hold then shift to multiple 8 inch bullseyes to shoot tests groups. This is for centerfire revolvers and semiautos. For most that is it. Long barreled revolvers that shoot well I move the frame back to 50 and see if the grouping still holds. I will sometimes toss a few shots at the steel plates at 100 yards. I was hitting the plate pretty regularly one trip to the range and the guy at the bench next to me was kind enough to notice and say something nice. I have never measured the distances at this range, I just go by the marks on the anchors. For pocket pistols I don't take much time shooting groups just get chrono data to check the load and then shoot offhand at mansized targets at 7 to 10 yards to see if it shoot to point of aim center of mass.

.22 LR target pistols are a different story, when I was shooting hunters pistol I had sighting dope for 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. Tested ammo either at 25 or 50 yards until I got my Exemplar then I started testing ammo at 100 yards. I was practicing offhand with my Ruger MKII's at 25 yards almost every weekend and never got past 9 out of 10 on at 3 inch bullseye. Seems one and sometimes 2 would get away from me mostly from trying to force a shot that was not there, holding position too long.

Tim