Max Accurate Range for Handgun?

Well the picture was just to help get discussion going as at first glace it appears at least one of the cops is aiming out into the distance and it's what got me thinking of the question. It has done the trick and got a good conversation going anyway, especially for a noob handgun guy like myself.
 
50 metres for a pistol is pretty much pushing the limit in my books. Beyond that you take out the rifle.

but then, what do i know...:D
 
There is an ex-police 4 inch (prohib) Colt Trooper 357 on the EE right now...

I have the slightly earlier made Colt Model 357, 6 inch revolver.
Three weeks ago I was casually popping away at a small target at 53 yards with great results.

Boy, these NICE Older Colts have a well deserved rep' for accuracy.
Ken Waters concurred as well, and he wrote as much in Pet Loads.

Some lucky guy/girl will someday find out the 'secret' of this, Pre-Python!!!

Off topic a bit, but close enough for me.
 
alexD92 said:
50 metres for a pistol is pretty much pushing the limit in my books. Beyond that you take out the rifle.

but then, what do i know...:D
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I don't think anyone is arguing your point. I think its more of a curiosity as to what range you can still obtain satisfactory hits with a handgun.

TDC
 
It depends on the shooter's ability and eyesight. I suppose a shooter with Chuck Yeager's vision might be able to stretch Elmer Keith's feat: "...dropped a running wounded deer out there at 500+ yards with his .44 Magnum sixgun. (The rifle shooter had run out of ammo)" Regards, Richard:)

PS Yes, it took Elmer more that one shot but no one ever called Elmer a liar as he was not!
 
maybe there's a REASON that a lot of the long barreled 44s have a scope on them?- there's got to more to it than adding weight to the gun( just being sarcastic- i have a redhawk with a 2.5 x in 7.5 inch)- i also know of several that have 3 gold bars inletted to the front sight- line up the bar with the rear sight, and you have the correct elevation for that range with that load- works the same as the top of the sight
 
During the Chinese civil war / WWII, Chinese troops regularly used their Mauser C96s, with shoulder stocks attached, at ranges up to 300 metres. They were quite effective at that range.

Closer to home, a friend once told me he placed a 4x8 foot sheet of plywood at one edge of a field where he lived at the time, then took a .44 magnum and walked his shots toward it by watching the puffs of dust where his bullets hit. After a bit of practice, he hit the plywood with every shot.

The range was 700 yards.
 
Kveldulf said:
During the Chinese civil war / WWII, Chinese troops regularly used their Mauser C96s, with shoulder stocks attached, at ranges up to 300 metres. They were quite effective at that range.

Closer to home, a friend once told me he placed a 4x8 foot sheet of plywood at one edge of a field where he lived at the time, then took a .44 magnum and walked his shots toward it by watching the puffs of dust where his bullets hit. After a bit of practice, he hit the plywood with every shot.

The range was 700 yards.
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Well I have shot handguns out to 300 meters. I have to aim way above the trees behind the berm to get on target. How would you walk bullets in at 700 yards? You would be aiming at about 45degrees up into the air.

I'm gonna call :bsFlag:.
 
I think the shooter has more to do with it then the firearm.
I do shoot alot of pistol, hear are my stat, that i can do, i,m not talking 1 off shot i,m talking any given sunday.
So if i can do i,m sure someone else can

svi 40 cal 10m all rounds in the same hole .
svi 20m 2-3inch full 10rd mag
svi 50m knock down steel pepper popper ipsc 10 our of 10

caspian 9x21 75 m knock down 6 inc plate 8out of 10 time iron sites

glock 17 7m all rounds in the same hole all day long
glock 17 15m 2-3in
glock 17 25m 4-5inc all day long
glock 100m all rounds on a CF issue fig 11 target all day long

bbb
 
badboybeeson said:
I think the shooter has more to do with it then the firearm.
I do shoot alot of pistol, hear are my stat, that i can do, i,m not talking 1 off shot i,m talking any given sunday.
So if i can do i,m sure someone else can

svi 40 cal 10m all rounds in the same hole .
svi 20m 2-3inch full 10rd mag
svi 50m knock down steel pepper popper ipsc 10 our of 10

caspian 9x21 75 m knock down 6 inc plate 8out of 10 time iron sites

glock 17 7m all rounds in the same hole all day long
glock 17 15m 2-3in
glock 17 25m 4-5inc all day long
glock 100m all rounds on a CF issue fig 11 target all day long

bbb
Click to expand...



But that can't be possible! You have to have a tuned trigger, ported barrel, weighted mags and grip, the most expensive adjustable sights and some great pet loads.:kickInTheNuts:

**note the sarcasm***

TDC
 
I have shot out to 100m with my USP on a 12" steel plate with decent success. Iwould not take those types of shots under duress. I don't know how effective a pistol round would be at those ranges?
 
depends on the round as well- something 200 grains or better running at plus 1-1.5k with a jacket is going to be effective, no matter what the range, provided you're on target- the difference will be the pounds of energy exerted on the target
 
If the first shot missed then you keep shooting. I would consider that range to be on the edge for most people given a stressful situation.

I'm sure they would have preferred a rifle but you use what you have.
 
I've occasionally walked my shots up to a 100 yard 12" gong with my .357 Magnum revolvers but my point of aim was about 4-6 inches above the gong or was it 8-12 inches? It's something I don't regularly so I can't really remember. I know for sure I wouldn't be to hit the gong on the first or second shot.

In the scenario, based on the pictures, it looks like it'd be a 25-30 yard shot.....doable, but I'm not sure about the 'margin of safety' if there were a hostage involved......
 
there's a trick to it- you use a set of binocs and a spotter, and have them call the shot- if i can do it with a bp revolver, 250 yards isn't all that hard
 
t-star said:
depends on the round as well- something 200 grains or better running at plus 1-1.5k with a jacket is going to be effective, no matter what the range, provided you're on target- the difference will be the pounds of energy exerted on the target
Click to expand...

Effective? I tell you what, you stand at 100 yards and I'll throw some light weight 115 gr 9mm rounds at you. Tell me if they tickle or just sting.. ft/lbs of energy is a poor barometer for determining the "effective" properties of a particular cartridge or projectile. Its about shot placement and penetration. A 40 Gr .22 LR round in the eye at 100 yards is probably going to be a show stopper.

TDC
 
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