practical information for effective range

[mephisto]

With all the knowledge that is available from the subscribers of this site I would like to ask for some practical information. I would like to know the effective range for any and all weapons such as M-1, M-16, AK-47 and any other weapons, including handguns and shotguns. I am not talking about a weapon that would be used by a match grade marksman, that would be some good info though, but rather a “good†shooting individual. And any other information that you see fit to give. Thanks.

Mephisto

 

[Preacherman]

Mephisto, you need to clarify what you want to know. A firearm's "effective" range is as far as the bullet can carry with enough energy to cause a wound. This can be a mile or more. The weapon's "accurate" range is the distance at which it can be aimed accurately to hit the intended target. This, in turn, depends on the sighting system. Someone could put a humongous 20x scope on an AK-47 and hit a target at 1,000 yards, I'm sure (if the target was big enough... ), but this is NOT what the weapon was designed for, and the group size at that range, with typical ammunition, would probably be several feet across. Using open sights, that same AK might be accurate in most shooters' hands out to 200-300 yards.

Handguns have almost the same effective range as many rifles - a 9mm. or .45 bullet can easily carry a mile or more. Shotguns - well, depends on the load. A low-base light target load of #8 shot might all hit the ground within 100-150 yards: a 3" Brenneke rifled slug might carry half-a-mile or more. Aimed fire, too, depends on the load.

 

[mephisto]

Intended use is what I’m looking for. I know a .22 can travel a mile or so but where is its best range, or effective range. I guess this post could be used for any kind of sighting system but I was looking for standard issue, ie iron or any other standard issue sights.

[Someone could put a humongous 20x scope on an AK-47 and hit a target at 1,000 yards, I'm sure (if the target was big enough... ), but this is NOT what the weapon was designed for, and the group size at that range, with typical ammunition, would probably be several feet across. Using open sights, that same AK might be accurate in most shooters' hands out to 200-300 yards]

That is what im looking for.