Change in the pistol match up for consideration

[Blackfeet]

I just had a look at my range and I suspect that there is fowl play afoot. I am thinking that 25 yds may be stretching it for my eyes for pistol. What do you folks think about moving it up to 50 ft?

[pilgrim]

    Those who shoot at a rifle range that is marked as 25 yard pistol,  may pose a problem when standing 8 yards in front of the firing line.   Especially with other pistol shooters shooting from the 25 yard firing line.

[Blackfeet]

Yep, that is a valid concern and the reason that I asked for input. As I have not shot at a rifle range for years, let alone with pistol, I will leave it as is then. Thank you Pilgrim.

We stay at 25 yards.

[pilgrim]

        I have slept on this for several days and awoke this morning with some thoughts and need to present them for your opinions.   While I do not feel it may be safe to shoot in front of the firing line,  BUT,  if no one else is at the pistol range then I don't see any problem.  I have been to the pistol range where shooters will stand only 15 feet from the target on a 25 yard range,  to shoot their personal defense weapons to hone their skills etc.  Also, there are many of us that are aging and/or have sight related issues and would welcome the chance to shoot at a shorter range,  in order to enjoy our sport and be able to hit the target.

     What are the possibilities of having  two pistol shoots,  one at 25 yards and one at a shorter distance??    The more members that  participate  the better.  Since this postal shoot is based on the Honor system,  all should be allowed to participate. 

     I do not know about the rest of you,  BUT,  I have found that I can shoot much better when I wear my eyeglasses.  Although I hate wearing  glasses to shoot,  they do provide  needed eye protection.   I just refuse to accept that I am OLD.   But can't deny the need to hit what I aim at  or at least come close.

[Blackfeet]

I did not want to mention, because different ranges have different rules, but most around here allow  setting or moving the targets closer and some even have target frames at different distances. I have made PVC pipe frames for this purpose that work well until someone  shoots them up some.

[hotfxr]

Over the years I have been to literally hundreds of ranges, military and civilian, private and public. In all that time there has been one constant that has never changed. That is the fact that no one has ever been allowed to stand forward of a firing line while the range is hot. Not ever, not even once, not even a foot. It is always the targets that are adjusted.

[Blackfeet]

"It is always the targets that are adjusted"

I have seen it the other way around  on many ranges where the target frames are fixed. This allows full control of bullet impact area. The problem of setting targets close on a long range is the chance of skipping rounds over the berm. The line being a movable point that everyone shoots from and yes, no one goes beyond that. All smaller High power ranges have only one target location with several firing lines.

I have had the opportunity to see what the woods look like behind a 100 yd range that allowed people to shoot at ground targets closer in, many bullets cleared the shortish berm. Upon inspection, the range rules were modified considerably and a higher berm was constructed.

[Hanshi]

I often bring my chronograph and set up the screens at 15 ft in front of the firing line on the rifle range.  I also have a target stand I will set up at odd distances such as 30 yards or 75 yards; 50 and 100 are the only fixed frames at my range.  We do have a plinking range where one can place targets at any distance up to 50 yds and stand where you want to for shooting.  I like the idea of a closer target for pistol since my eyes are lousy.  I might shoot both, however, just to be contrary.

[hotfxr]

To clarify, the firing line is not just the line painted on the ground. In all the pistol shooting I have done, the firing line is wherever the range master decides it is. It can be painted on the ground, marked with stakes on the side or even marking it with the toe of your boot. When shooting IDPA it is sometimes a barrel in the middle of the range. At the rendezvous I just went to they had a moving rabbit target and you got to choose your distance. They had a range master for that target and once a distance was decided on, whomever wanted to shoot that distance moved to the line and the ones that wanted a longer shot waited until the RM set a new firing line. You could wander between the trail and the line as you wished. But once the line is established and the range is hot, nobody steps over the line. All shooters have their toes on the line. All those waiting have their loads set and un- capped or un-primed.

[Blackfeet]

Now that Hotfxr has clarified his...um..inaccuracy we have a consensus

Regardless of any range rules

We at TMotC do not suggest or endorse standing in front of other folks shooting in your general direction forward of them.

[hotfxr]

Now that Hotfxr has clarified his...um..inaccuracy we have a consensus

Regardless of any range rules

We at TMotC do not suggest or endorse standing in front of other folks shooting in your general direction forward of them./quote]

Inaccurate? I say nay nay. (channeling the spirit of John Pinette of course) However you just summed up in one line what took me several paragraphs to say.

So listen up folks, what Blackfeet said!

[flintboomer]

I could probably get most of them in the center from 12 inches  

30 feet? 45 feet? Lets get a consensus or Blackfeet can just choose a distance and we will go with it.

I can set my own firing line if no one else is shooting in a given bay at the range, otherwise"Safety First"!

[pilgrim]

I could probably get most of them in the center from 12 inches  

    How do you score for Muzzle Blast??     At 12 inches,      not much would be left of the target,  just a charred mess.    

[Hanshi]

I think movable targets/frames is the way to go, at least for the ancient ones.

And unlike pilgrim who slept on the subject for several days; I saved time and simply slept for several days.   

[flintboomer]

I could probably get most of them in the center from 12 inches  

    How do you score for Muzzle Blast??     At 12 inches,      not much would be left of the target,  just a charred mess.   

5-6 gr 3f doesn't have nearly as much muzzle blast as hotfxr's cannon!
I actually use 15 gr, but a friend of mine does use 6 gr in his pistol.