Where does pistol range stop and rifle range begin

I see reviews all the time with guys claiming 1 inch groups at 100 yards, with a 223, or 308, and seem to be overjoyed with that. Now I am not Buffalo Bill, but if you can't shoot a quarter sized group with a thousand dolar rifle, at 100 yards, I guess I have been out of touch. My cronies and I always shot 25 yards with our pistols, usually the lenghth of the indoor range, Now that would be with a 19, 23, or a 1911 easilly. "a good one". Now I can say that a 357 with a 6 inch or longer barrell should go way past that, even a 22 mag with a 8 or 10 inch barrell. So where is the line generally drawn. To me rifles are for over 100 yards unless an animal is what we are talking about. but paper targets, that seems like not much of a challenge or reason to buy an expensive rifle that can shoot 1000 yards. Am I wrong or has the world gotten smaller. Maybe this is just the way it is now.U tube, also has ruined the perception of what guns are for, and how they work.

I quit shooting a pistol and go to a rifle when the range gets far enough that I can't make hits most of the time...Just yesterday, I was shooting a 12" gong for 50 yards off hand with a 6" .357. I could hit it everytime. That might not be good shooting for some of the better shots out there, but I got a joy everytime I heard the gong ring.

I think it's a sliding scale that depends on the skill of the shooter, the gun, and the caliber he's shooting.

For a hard and fast rule of thumb, practical pistol distances are generally around 35-40 yards. Much beyond that, and it's going to be easier to make fast and accurate hits with a rifle.

Too many variables here. Shooter, gun, distance, target size, etc. My measure is human torso size out to about 50 yards, rifle over that.

If you only have a pistol, then everything is pistol range.

If you have a rifle, why are you using the pistol?

My AK's cannot shoot a 1" group at 100 yards with Wolf ammo. The ammo is not capable of it. It's likely gun and ammo are not capable of it either. I am testing to see what my AK gets with Hornady SST's...hopefully it will be better than the 3.5-5" Wolf Military Classic yields.

A 1 MOA AK is probably not what I want either because reliability would be affected. A bad guy isn't going to notice the difference between a 1" three to six round group in his body and a 4" group. Actually, I'd prefer a wider spread for improved bleed out. But that's just me. Others have odd notions and believe that a target gun is adequate for a fighting rifle.

M1A...different story.

Savage 10FP...3/4" all day long, even with a goobered up barrel. Clean the copper out of the bore and it shoots a bit better.

Too many variables here. Shooter, gun, distance, target size, etc.I'd add "rest" and "bullet," too.

What does it matter if I can get rested 1/4" groups @ 100 yards with a target bullet, if the gun is for elk, and I won't be shooting from bags and bench?

As to range: Jeff Cooper seems to have believed that pistol range (even with the 10mm) ends at 50 m:The full-house, 10mm cartridge – definitely not the attenuated 10s which are popular now – pushed the effective range of the combat sidearm out beyond that which is usually expected. But extending the manageable range of a combat pistol out beyond the ability of the shooter to utilize it does not accomplish much. The full-house Bren Ten should be able to achieve reliable one-shot stops out to at least 50 meters, but pistol actions do not take place at 50 meters. The combat pistol is best employed at distances hardly more than across the room, and the Bren Ten will not do this any better than the venerable 45 ACP, or so it would seem.

Jeff Cooper, Commentaries, Volume 11, Number 12

What does it matter if I can get rested 1/4" groups @ 100 yards with a target bullet, if the gun is for elk, and I won't be shooting from bags and bench?


If one gun is more inherently accurate than another, then it will be easier to make hits at distance, even when shooting from field positions or unsupported.

Roughly stated, a more accurate gun helps to compensate for the difficulties of making a shot under less than ideal circumstances.

Where does pistol range stop and rifle rane begin

Pistol range stops as soon as I can reach a rifle.

:D

Seriously though...

Based on my experience shooting and watching shooters over the years, IMO, if you've got 7M on the shooter and you can move FAST, then you've got a pretty good chance of not getting shot. Your odds decrease the closer you are, and increase as you gain further distance.

If one gun is more inherently accurate than another, then it will be easier to make hits at distance, even when shooting from field positions or unsupported.I see that.

But for at least some of my hunting rifles, I frankly don't know how accurate they "can" be. I do know at what max range for each rifle I can consistently get 4" groups with my preferred hunting loads from field positions. As long as that distance fits what I need from them, good to go.

Where does pistol range stop and rifle range begin
Depending on the gun, I think it overlaps at about 50 yards.

I like to shoot small handguns out to about 50 yards and I like to plink with some rifles as close as 50 yards.

Two days ago I was shooting a foot square steel plate at 52 yards with a Ruger Bearcat.
Yesterday and today I was sighting in a new .223 rifle at 52 and 100 yards.

I have two nice M1 Garands and thousands of rounds of 30.06 but I find I hardly ever shoot them because my range is only 115 yards and 100 yards is just too close for shooting a M1.
Wish I had a 300 to 500 yard range.

Great. Another "Back in mah daye . . ." thread :D.

People shoot how they want, and range isn't the only factor. Optical sights can take shots much farther than iron sights. Shots from a rest can be made to much farther distances than off hand. Shots against a clock (ie, when shooting QUICKLY is part of your goal) are a different critter altogether than a benchrest guy waiting 10 minutes between shots.

Why worry one's self about the way another person shoots? Unless they're actually doing something unsafe I don't consider it my business to tell another shooter that they're "doing it wrong". If they wanna shoot their scoped .243 from a bench at a target 25 yards away then more power to them.

I recently took a serious look at this in relation to my failing eyesight as age increases.

I've found that I'll usually reach for a longgun when the range gets much beyond 50 yards...I'd engage at 100 yards from a solid roll over prone position if it was all I had at the moment. Caliber has a bit to do with it as I'd be much more confident in being able to hit with a handgun at 100 yards with a 9mm or 357SIG than a .45ACP or .40

I am no great shakes as a pistolero, or a rifleman, but this target shows what the difference is between rested and not. The taped over holes are my CZ SP-01 Phantom at 50 yards, two hand hold standing. The untaped holes are the same gun, same range, rested. The fact I can't hit center of the target is all me.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/Phantom%20targets/Phantomat50yards-1.jpg

I usually shoot the other sidearms at 25 yards max, like my training, but the Phantom I feel I could reasonably make a 50 yard hit on a felon sized target. Hope I never ever have to find out.

After all that, I usually shoot handguns at 10 yards, for load testing. ;)

Rifle, well, I shoot carbine length rifles, and yes, I am happy when I get a good group at 100 yards. I am really happy when I get semi-good groups at 200 yards.

But like I said, I make no claims to fame as a shooter, that's for certain!

Depends entirely upon the skill of the shooter. Some folks can cleanly take game at 150yds with a scoped revolver. Along the same thread are shooters who can routinely hit inanimate objects at 500yds. Others are lucky to hit the broad side of a barn at 25yds.

I think it depends upon the pistol in question.

Does it have a scope?

Long sight radius?

Chambered for a powerful flat shooting round?

Are you shooting from a sturdy rest or off hand?

Too many variables to make a blanket statement about where pistol range ends. I have shot a Remington XP 100 that would hold 1 MOA at 100 yards and several pocket pistols that did good to stay on a dinner plate at 10 yards.

Kinda depends on the amount of damage one wants to do. My 30-06 or .338 will do the job on just about anything, the pistol not so much. On the other hand a hand gun is sure a lot handier in a building. Any pistol or revolver is mighty puny compared to a good rifle so it depends on what and why you're shooting at someting.

At the range, pistol range ends at about 25 yards for me. I don't have any pistols with scopes or really nice target sights.

If I was at a point where I actually have to worry about the difference between pistol and rifle ranges, rifle range becomes "as soon as I can shoulder the rifle."

As previously said, it depends on the shooter, gun, type of ammunition, etc.

Forty years ago I could keep all 6 rounds from my S&W Mdl 27, 357 Mag (Open sights) in an 8" pie plate at 100 yards and 3 or 4 hits out of 6 on the 150 yard silhouettes. But that was then. Now days I don't bother with shooting more than 25/50 yards.

Its well and good to be talking about taking carefully aimed shots but if someone is shooting back at you you are not going to have a lot of time. The correct answer is not the end of your accuracy with a pistol its when it gets easier and faster to make hits with each one. To me that is probably anything outside of 7 yards. Yes, 7 yards is pretty easy, can't remember missing a man sized target at 7 yards. I can't remember trying to make that shot with someone 7 yards away with cover shooting at me either. My rule is if I have a rifle, I'm using a rifle. Hard pistol shots are trivial with a rifle. Cover often becomes concealment as well.

The pistol range I use starts to the right of the rifle range, just beside the creek. ;)
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All depends on the firearm if you ask me !

It depends on what pistol I am shooting. I am a long time bullseye shooter so 50 yards is the norm. Alot of guys that claim minute of angle shooting have their rifle in a holder with sandbags all around it. The only part of the rifle they are touching is the trigger. I, on the other hand, just rest the forestock on a sandbag when I shoot. chris3

I have pistols that I can hit a dime at 200 yds. with ! Such as this one.

Justin wrote:
I think it's a sliding scale that depends on the skill of the shooter, the gun, and the caliber he's shooting.

For a hard and fast rule of thumb, practical pistol distances are generally around 35-40 yards. Much beyond that, and it's going to be easier to make fast and accurate hits with a rifle.

Welllll, yes and no.

Most people aren't too good with a handgun beyond 50 yards, in that they can't place a precision shot at 75-100 yards.

Others, however, are deadly accurate well beyond that, depending upon the gun of course, as you say.

I've hit targets at better than 200 yards with a Colt 6" Python using factory sights and my handloads. At the annual Elmer Keith memorial long range handgun shoot outside of Spokane, WA, I've hit targets at 150 yards or better with a .41 Magnumn S&W, again using handloads and factory sights. Some of the best handgunners I've ever seen - and nobody ever heard of - attend that shoot.

With a scoped T/C Contender in .223, I've popped a small gong at 200 yards off a sandbag rest.

It takes practice. and patience.

I always thought pistol range was zero up until you got to a rifle ;)

If you have a pistol, that's what you'll use. If you have a rifle and a pistol, you'll use the rifle. Any shot that's makeable with a pistol is going to be higher percentage with a rifle.

Any shot that's makeable with a pistol is going to be higher percentage with a rifle.At "bad breath" distance, I'd rather have a pistol. And one with a short barrel, at that.

I have successfully shot B-27 Silhouettes At 100yards with a model 19 4" using 145gr Silvertips. Aim for the neck hit the heart area. I was much younger then.

Im new to thr but i do like most things gun. That being said i look forward to learning more and help others do the same...Redneck1911.45

I believe if you know the weapon be it rifle or pistol and you are comfortable with the distance take the shot...but be realistic in your abilities. If you make a well placed shot the bullet will do its job in most cases. After all accuracy is in "THE PERSON" first in "THE WEAPON" 2nd...

My marine sniper buddy said something today that made sense, He always reverts to me when pistols are involved, but I was looking at that 930spx, or an AR , and he recommended the shotgun, he said remember a pistol is just to get you to your rifle or shotgun. I see these new loads for shotguns, slugs are good out to 150 yards. That's a heck of a lot farther than my 1911's or my glocks, although it can be done . i think I will go with the new 930spx tomorrow, instead of the AR,Dicks is having a big sale "by the way". Prices better than Buds. We just had a group of gangbangers caught yesterday, firing pistols and rifles 100 yards from our development. The police don't play, most of the residents don't know what gunfire sounds like, but it was the 3d day, enough is enough, they eventually would have killed someone, the area is surrounded with private homes. They got here in a matter of 3 minutes, got them all. That's why I said time for a long gun.You think an autoloader with 8 runds of 12 gauge , maybe a mix of slugs and shot would do the trick? Then maybe a 308 down the road or 30-06 used.He was telling me about a new scope that uses lasers to make the adjustments for you, said they run about a grand, I like that idea, especially if someone is firing at you

What do you have in your hands? On your person? Within reach?

Most people who train for defensive purposes don't seem to regularly go beyond 25 yards with pistols.

Too many variables here. Shooter, gun, distance, target size, etc. My measure is human torso size out to about 50 yards, rifle over that.
This is kinda my rule of thumb too ...

I'd love to hit targets at 100 yards with my revolvers but at that point i'm not defending anymore am I.

IMO, I think a 25 yard pistol shot in a self defense situation is a long shot. At that distance I would rather have a rifle than a pistol. Mostly based on my personal experiences in training classes and how I feel.

I believe in
10 meters maximum for a self defense handgun
50 meters for a belt size pistol caliber semi auto handgun or revolver
75 meters for a heavy caliber hunting pistol or revolver
150 meters for a single shot rifle caliber hunting handgun

For me it is the story of bring enough gun for the job intended. If a pistol will reliably do the needed job with certainty then there you have it. If a rifle is needed to get on target with your skill level then don't attempt using a pistol. Practice will move the range used one way or the other. Know your limitations intimately and you will ultimately succeed IMHO

If you only have a pistol, then everything is pistol range.

If you have a rifle, why are you using the pistol?

X ring... ;)

Guess I don't get the question. So if I am at the range and I have a handgun I cannot shoot the 500 yard gong, and if I have a rifle I can't shoot the can of tomato soup at 20 feet? Sounds like someone has to much time on there hands.

Or are we talking serious and not fun? Since I plan on never being in a "combat" situation the answer would be RUUUUNNN!!!!!! If hunting, the question is also convoluted. Pistol calibers should not be hunted with, the big magnums for short range and a good rifle for everything. Buddy got his deer at 12 paces with an '06 last year, nother friend got his deer at 20 yards with his 10mm. What if I have a rifle that shoots 44 mag or a pistol that shoots 308?

Someone is over thinking the question, could be me. Either way, that gong and my 22 are going to have a "talk"

If hunting, the question is also convoluted. Pistol calibers should not be hunted with,

Oh really

Oh really
Well, if you want to hunt a 200 pound deer with a 9mm, go right ahead.

Well, if you want to hunt a 200 pound deer with a 9mm, go right ahead.


You have a HELL of a lot to learn about firearms. Better start reading. ;)

Here is your first task: Explain to me why an 18.5" carbine firing a Buffalo Bore loaded .44 mag is too weak to take out a whitetail deer. Have fun!

i personally disagree with all of you but thats why its great to be american i dont just shoot a pistol to see how far i can be accurate to i see how fast i can shoot small groups
pistols are defensive weapons and in a realistic scenario shouldnt be needed past 10-15 yards 96% of all defensive shootings are 3-7 yards anything over 10 yards is shotgun material until 200yards with slugs and then 200-forever is for rifle in my opinion

That guy 686, I regularly hunt with .22 and .44 Magnum handguns and use several other calibers to dispatch nuisance animals on my property so making the claim that "Pistols are defensive weapons" is a bit misguided and misinformed.

As for 10-200 yards "with slugs", you go slinging Foster slugs from a smoothbore @ 200 yards & report back on how well you have done connecting with a large animal target.

"200 to forever" with a rifle tells me you have never really shot any long range rifle.