What do you consider reasonable accuracy?

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ezypikns

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I've been shooting handguns for a while. I try to vary distance from the target but generally find myself shooting at a range of 21 ft. I usually shoot 2 handed, both eyes open. If I'm shooting a revolver (S&W Model 10, 4" barrel), I can usually put all six shots in a 2 to 3 inch group, even firing fairly rapidly (always double action). My problem is that I can never duplicate this same performance with a semi auto, either SA, DA, or DA/SA. I'm just about to give up on semi autos (probably NOT the proper reaction). The revolver just seems to fit my hand better.
How about you? Do you shoot revolvers or semi autos better? Or both about the same? Does your accuracy with a shorter barrelled weapon generally decrease? Does anyone have any general suggestions on improving my accuracy with a semi auto? All comments are welcome.
 
I believe your experience is opposite from most - who can shoot a SA pistol more accurately than a DA revolver.

Three inch diameter at 7 yards is what I would expect from casually shooting my SA (BHP) - that is, not slow fire & not fast fire - just targeting & pulling the trigger. I'm sure my groups would be larger with my DA S&W-442 unless I slowed down considerably.

I can't speak for "real" target shooting - cuz I never do that.
 
I don't believe I really target shoot either.

My shooting is done for fun in the first place, and just to ensure that I can hit where I want to (approximately) if I were ever in a self defense situation.
 
Well, right now I think reasonable accuracy would be keeping 25-30 shots inside about 16 inches by about 24 inches at 100 yards, standing, with my Kimber Tactical ultra.:D

What's reasonable just depends on the shooter, gun, conditions and type of shooting.

Since you are shooting 2-3 inches at 7 yards I suggest you move back to 10 yards and work on 2-3 inches from there.

Put a one inch paster in the middle of the target and shoot that.
Aim small, hit small.
Forget that the rest of the target exists and shoot the paster.:)
 
"If I can shoot a pony keg from 25 yards consistently, I'm good"
------------------------------------------------

Especially good if that's right after you empty it.:D
 
What semi's are you shooting ? I shoot tighter groups with my S&W 696 3" than I do with my S&W 10-5 4" There are many variables at play here . I shoot as good with a E.G. Makarov as the either two above.
 
You guys have it warped! You need to have the best level accuracy that you are capable of, ergo there is no such thing as good enough. That means you practice till they are all going into the same hole! Till then your musings are moot and not valid. You need to have confidence, confidence is validated at long ranges. It is all about grip, presentation, sight alignment, breathing, and trigger press. What is worst is a lot of Wyatt Earp wanna be's are so vain they will not seek out profession instruction. Gunfighting is not games based! Spend money on training in a formal situation!
 
Hi EZ...

There are inherent differences in the grips of semi-autos and revolvers and, once a shooter has learned the grip they need to employ for both, they should be about as accurate with one as the other. As experience increases the semi-auto may provide somewhat better accuracy simply because they involve a much faster lock time.
And within the gun types (revolver and semi-auto) there are different (often subtly different) grips - not all of which will be optimum for all shooters. Paying attention to the grips of your guns and then to the best way for you to grip them are two good things to do always. How well your handgun's grip is suited to you will have as much positive (or negative) influence on your shooting (both speed and accuracy) as how well the stock of your shotgun fits you.... and that's a lot!

Personally, I would suggest that going for the same 2'-3" groups at a longer distance should be put on hold temporarily while the shooter works on increasing their speed at the shorter distance. Two key factors in that enterprise are work on quicker recoil recovery (recoil management to achieve quicker target "re-acquisition") and relaxing one's gun hand/wrist in order to achieve increased control over the trigger pull. Breathing and relaxation of the entire body are important sub-elements of that.

Local opinions may vary.:)
 
P0832177
You guys have it warped! You need to have the best level accuracy that you are capable of, ergo there is no such thing as good enough. You need to have confidence, confidence is validated at long ranges.
Click to expand...

I agree, "good enough" is not good enough but there are also realistic levels of accuracy that you can maintain or try to achieve.

For instance, with my 68 year old eyes and a less than steady hand anymore I can't shoot as well as I did when I was 30. So even though I still try for that 25 yard one hole group, it ain't going to happen anymore.

What kind of long ranges are you talking about?
At present I'm working on getting all my shots in the 4 ring, with my carry gun, a Kimber Tactical Ultra at 100 yards, but that won't be "good enough".
Then I'll try to keep all the shots in the center five ring. Which would darn sure be good enough, but it ain't happening in this life time.:D

100yardkimbershooting-2.gif
 
that depends

What do you consider reasonable accuracy?
Click to expand...

What type of shooting are we talking about? Target? Combat? At that distance, I will guess you are speaking of combat accuracy. If you are talking combat accuracy, at that distance, from a full sized auto, then as long as you can keep your shots center mass, your good. I would expect that anything within 5 inches of “dead center” on a human would be a lethal wound. This summer I saw the “Bodies” exhibit and learned a lot about where the organs are located, and how they are arranged. I have fairly large paws, and I could barely cover the “important” organs with a fully spread open hand (we’re talking almost a 8-9 inch circle). I think that knowing where to aim in paramount. After that, I think that any full size duty type auto is capable of that. At 7 yards I can “dump” the mag of my USP 45 and keep 90% of my shots in a group that I can cover with my palm, slow fire at that distance I can produce one ragged hole.
Practice makes perfect, if you are more comfortable with the wheel gun, stick with it. Or, practice more with the auto. Start slow at first and speed up from there.
 
Plinking?
Hunting?
Self Defense?
Target?

Each has a reasonable accuracy standard a little different based on weapon, caliber, timing, distance, sights, etc...

I always want (and try) to shoot better each time I go out turning money into noise. Sometimes I'm successful. It's like golf. The more I practice and play, the better I am (for the most) yet the more frustrated I can become by my failure to shoot perfectly.

My typical handgun shooting goals:
Basketball sized rocks at 100 yds.
Paper plates and water filled milk jugs at 50 yds.
Soda cans and bullseye targets at 25 yds.
5 shots, w/in 5 inches in 5 seconds at 5 yds.

Using anything from .22 up to .44 mag, snubbies to 8", revolver or semi. It's all fun. Just wish my eyes were younger.
 
You guys have it warped! You need to have the best level accuracy that you are capable of, ergo there is no such thing as good enough. That means you practice till they are all going into the same hole!..........Gunfighting is not games based! Spend money on training in a formal situation!
Click to expand...
I'm sorry but I think you are way off base here. Self defense shooting has almost nothing in common with slow fire "one hole" target shooting. You need to be practicing firing from the draw, firing while moving latterally, engaging multiple targets, etc. NOT standing in one spot with a perfect grip and stance trying to get your shots in one tidy hole, at least for it to be doing you much good in a self defense scenario. Solid COM hits is what you care about. If I shoot someone 5 times I hope they all DON'T go in the same hole!
 
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I'm not talking about match target shooting.

I thought that before I began trying rapid fire, "double taps", and quick drawing from concealment, maybe I should learn to use my sights and try to hit a reasonably small target. I was obviously wrong. Sorry I asked.
 
ezypikns I thought it was obvious I was not responding to you, I was responding to the person I quoted who's comments were related to self defense shooting, or as he put it, "gunfighting".
 
2-3 inches is good double action accuracy @ 21ft.
Autoloader accuracy-shoot lots of rounds through an auto and feel how it recoils, watch where it impacts, feel how your body reacts to it's recoil. Shoot lots and lots and then shoot some more. Change your holds on the gun and shoot lots with each different hold. 1 hand. 2 hands. Left and right hand only. Just like when we were kids and learning with bb guns, if you shot it enough, you knew where it would hit and knew how to release the trigger to get best accuracy. It's all repetitive practice, just like walking, or driving a car or learning a new language.
Folks can give advice on how to shoot, and I think it is good to seek and get tips, but more important is get it right by spending lots of time in front of the target. You have answered part of your question yourself, you already said a revolver fits your hand better.
I guess I shoot auto and revolver equally accurate as I practice them both quite a bit.
Best-MC
 
M2 Carbine did not want that target reproducing...

for me, reasonable accuracy is hitting a 2x4 at whatever range i am standing at. 5-30 yards usually.
 
Shoot to Kill

Shoot at a target, but is the target likely to shoot back? Shoot to kill, and be the first with the most, on target, with careful deliberation, and the target will not shoot back. Probably.

I know, that's easy to say, but that's what an OLD fun fighter will tell you. Have fun, will travel.

Wild Burp
 
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