Target Shooting Distances n Tactics

[DonNikmare]

What's considered a standard distance for target shooting with a pistol?  
25 yrd/75 ft?  
In oder words when are you considered to be accurate/good shooter when you can make tight groups at what distance?

I'm asking because i can hardly hit the target itself at 75 ft. - 50 % to 60 % of my shots will actually hit it, the rest don't hit it at all  much less land anywhere near the bullseye.

Secondly, are there good on-line sites where I can learn how to improve?  i know some very basic things (like timing my shots with my breathing n such) but thats about it and it really show at more than 33 ft.

Thanks for your help.
Nik

[Walt-Sherrill]

Pistols are NOT rifles.  They're really intended for "closer" rather than "more distant" shooting.  

I'd argue that shooting a pistol beyond 50 yards is pushing the envelope, as the ballistics of most handguns loads (especially those used in target shooting) simply aren't up to the task.  In a life-or-death situation, if you've got to shoot at someone at that distance, you should be running for a long gun or the next county.

A gun that is very accurate at 50 yards is much sought after, but few shooters can take advantage of that sort of accuracy.

A lot of competition is done at 25 yards or less.  And for combat shooting, much is done at 20 yards; most is done much closer.  If you can hit things well and consistently at 15-20 yards, you're doing alright.

(There is and has always been a group who enjoy shooting at greater distances -- its a sport in and of itself -- 100 yrds, 200 yds., etc.  Some hunters go beyond 50 yards with handguns, too.)

You might check to see if there is a BULLSEYE club in your area.  But be prepared to spend money on guns and ammo.
Try this for starters:

www.bullseyepistol.com/

[Unregistered(d)]

To be competitive, one MUST be able to make an accurate shot on demand, and its hard to say what is the desirable distance to be considered accurate. If you can shoot accurately at 20-25m, chances are that will keep you in the game, no problem. An excerpt from Brian Enos' book:"......And it's pointless to impose a limitation by defining what 'acceptable' accuracy is...... Your only limit is your equipment............." Club level shooting, I'm not an IDPA shooter,(IPSC) but at the local level, certainly 20-25m accuracy would be mandatory. Strive for improvment.

 My 2 cents.

[DonNikmare]

Thank you guys
The bullseye siteis very good - I've been spending some time there every night, a few minutes to a few hours.

[Unregistered(d)]

You'd be surprised on how much you can benifit from dry-fire practice too. There's all kinds of different things you can do. Are you Bullseye shooting??or are you shooting practical-IDPA,IPSC???My dad shot bullseye in the 60's and 70's. He told me he would sit on the chair or couch after work and watch TV holding a dumbbell in his shooting hand, which is similar to what lots of shooters have done. Getting your arms in shape will help your steadiness, to make those accurate shots. I do this at home and I'm an IPSC shooter

[cs1sales]

Don:
   I learned from a certified NRA Pistol instructor over 20 years ago. He was a bullseye shooter and after he showed me the basics, I just spent a lot of time and money at the range. All the reading in the world WILL NOT HELP unless you PRACTICE! Get out at the range and start shooting.

Tim

[DonNikmare]

Quote:Are you Bullseye shooting??or are you shooting practical-IDPA,IPSC???

  LOL with a 2'' barrel on my 38 S&W I'm a "greenhorn" who just loves to shoot at targets and improve on accuracy.  With two small kids and not too much cash I'm lucky if I get out to the range once every month or two.  I have been getting better (have snap caps for the 3  although I'm afraid I might making a bad habit or two, tilting my head to the right too much n such but will work on those.  Hopefully work on them with a 97b I plan on getting in about a week.
Don't know if I'll have the money or the time to get into any specific competative shooting anytime soon though.  but there's "time for everything under the sun."
I have been learning a lot on this forum and the links I have gotten here.
Thanks again for all the help and advice!
Nik