Distance to shoot when trying new loads

[dearslayer]

So at the one club I belong to it's around 21 yards for the indoor pistol section and no automatic target retrieval so I can't bring the target up close to see how a new work up load is hitting and have to sandbag a Pistol to see how they are hitting/ grouping. Realistically is that distance ideal?

 

[Eduardo]

HI,

What discipline do you intend to shoot? IPSC, PPC, Cowboy, just plinking? When testing loads for IPSC, I adjust sights and test my loads at 15m.

 

[tbhupe]

Our club has a similar set up. 25 yds
Set up lots of targets and a pair of binoculars should do the trick. If there are lots of loads/targets in play, have notes or a master plan at your shooting bench to keep the groups straight until you can actually move forward to the backstop.

 

[dearslayer]

HI,

What discipline do you intend to shoot? IPSC, PPC, Cowboy, just plinking? When testing loads for IPSC, I adjust sights and test my loads at 15m.

Right now it's just for plinking. I purchased a new Lee mold ( 452-230_2R ) and dropped a bunch of pills that I powder coated and needed to figure out a safe load using CFE Pistol. I used the data for Campro 230gr Rn copper plated bullet but started on the minimum charge to see how the pistol performed and how it grouped.

 

[Eduardo]

Nice, o like the powder coated bullets a lot! More velocity with less powder and you keep the barrel clean! Keep developing your loads, for
Me 15 mts is enough but if you want to push it further, enjoy it!

Cheers

Ed

 

[cattabliss]

So at the one club I belong to it's around 21 yards for the indoor pistol section and no automatic target retrieval so I can't bring the target up close to see how a new work up load is hitting and have to sandbag a Pistol to see how they are hitting/ grouping. Realistically is that distance ideal?

Those white paper picnic plates should still make decently visible holes at 15-20 yards if you want a cheap hi viz target alternative because no auto target thingy.

 

[marshall]

I can see 38/9mm holes on white paper ok at 20 yrs , if in a black bulls eye ,I can't , so I would just print off target with a small red dot and maybe a couple circles
If I was setting . checking sights ,I would shoot off a bag
22 holes I have trouble seeing at 20 yr .
Had the eyes done 12 or so years ago, helped a lot.

 

[alpining]

Spotting scope or binos might be the easiest solution for you.

 

[dearslayer]

think my question was taken another way. It isn't a matter of seeing the POI from the bench. For that matter I'm usually the only person there that early in the morning when I go so I can easily walk to the target's anytime I please to check the grouping. I guess what I was asking was is the 21yds the best distance to see how a bullet is actually performing/ grouping. I think the further away from the bench you are the more likely the smallest movement will be magnifying the further away the target is there by spreading the group over a wider area whereas if the target were closer the bullet is more likely to go closer to the POA. Not sure if this is making sense.

 

[Standardvel]

I try new loads at 25yds, if they are accurate at that distance then they are tested at 50yds. For plinking I would develop and test a load for accuracy at the distance that you usually shoot them. I go out to 50yds because I shoot bullseye, 1/3 of the match is fired at that distance.

 

[dearslayer]

I try new loads at 25yds, if they are accurate at that distance then they are tested at 50yds. For plinking I would develop and test a load for accuracy at the distance that you usually shoot them. I go out to 50yds because I shoot bullseye, 1/3 of the match is fired at that distance.

Cool. So what group would normally be considered acceptable at 25 yds. Obviously the smaller the group the better but would a 3-in group at 25 yards would be acceptable?

 

[dan belisle]

Cool. So what group would normally be considered acceptable at 25 yds. Obviously the smaller the group the better but would a 3-in group at 25 yards would be acceptable?

Depends on the gun. I have some that cant manage that, for various reasons. - dan

 

[VICIOUS]

Group acceptable depends on needs. Minute of cowboy is paper pie plate at 10 yards. IPSC is tested off the bench rested at 25 yards, looking for maybe 2 inch group.
Precision 22RF rifle I look for 1 inch at 50 yards, or less. Even cowboy shooters like a small group, that is repeatable.

 

[dearslayer]

Group acceptable depends on needs. Minute of cowboy is paper pie plate at 10 yards. IPSC is tested off the bench rested at 25 yards, looking for maybe 2 inch group.
Precision 22RF rifle I look for 1 inch at 50 yards, or less. Even cowboy shooters like a small group, that is repeatable.

Hey it's been a while. I guess it's all relative given the particular discipline. No right answer.

 

[Standardvel]

With my 1911 off of a rest an 1.5”- 2” group at 25yds would be acceptable for competition. My centre fire 32s&w long I strive for 1”-1.5” group and .22lr less than 3/4”. 10 shot group off a rest, shooting freehand these measurements can easily double and maybe triple on an off day!

 

[dearslayer]

Delete double post

 

[alpining]

Agree with all that it is relative to your ability and setup. For handgun for most people, practical accuracy can be checked at 20yds regardless of your ability.

To exaggerate a bit: If the shooter is only capable of 10" groups at that range with a known--to-be-accurate load/pistol combination, then if you're getting 12" groups with a different load/pistol then that tells you just as much as when a 2" group shooter gets 4" groups. You need a baseline to compare to if you're checking practical accuracy. And you need to be consistent enough and shoot enough 10-shot groups to get a meaningful average.

On the other hand, the only way to check mechanical accuracy with with a machine rest, and you can do it at 20yds. But that's probably not what you're interested in.

 

[dearslayer]

Agree with all that it is relative to your ability and setup. For handgun for most people, practical accuracy can be checked at 20yds regardless of your ability.

To exaggerate a bit: If the shooter is only capable of 10" groups at that range with a known--to-be-accurate load/pistol combination, then if you're getting 12" groups with a different load/pistol then that tells you just as much as when a 2" group shooter gets 4" groups. You need a baseline to compare to if you're checking practical accuracy. And you need to be consistent enough and shoot enough 10-shot groups to get a meaningful average.

On the other hand, the only way to check mechanical accuracy with with a machine rest, and you can do it at 20yds. But that's probably not what you're interested in.

That makes perfect sense. Thank you. I'm casting and powder coating my own projectiles and I'm trying to see if the accuracy was just my shooting or the developed load or combination of both. I didn't take any factory loads with me at the time to compare too. If the factory's grouping is better under the same circumstances then I'll know it's the load and if not then perhaps it's just me. I'll see how it goes next trip.