Many times in posts I've seen that the poster believes a particular handgun is "accurate" without specifications on group size or the distance the gun was shot at.

When you test your hunting handgun for accuracy, at what distance do you test it? I presumed, perhaps wrongly, that handgun hunters would sight in at no less than 25 yards; anything less and you might as well use a bow, a spear or rocks.

Question:
At what range do you test/sight in your handgun for hunting?

Choices:
25 to 49 yards
50 to 74 yards
75 to 99 yards
100 yards
Over 100 yards

 

I test my handguns at 25 yds because it's convenient.I don't have scopes on them ,if I did I'd test at 50 yds. For iron sighted handguns max range for deer is 60-70 yds [a point where the 1/8" front sight will cover a 10" vital area ! ] 25 yd groups should not be more than 1 1/2" for acceptable hunting accuracy.

The results will most probably be skewed due to the various types of handguns. I answered 50-74 only because I use revolvers as my handgun of choice. Were I to include a 260 Encore with a scope, the answer would be different.

I go out to 100 yards and practice there, I also shot at 25, 50 and 75 yards just to see where I am hitting. I also shoot out to 200 yards. I am using a S&W 460 Mag and always shoot off shooting sticks or some kind of shooting rest.

My 500 Mag I shoot from 25 yards to 100 yards and not beyond. I no longer own any other hunting handguns, the 460 & 500 Mag do everything I need.

I assume you are talking about open sights. I have 2 categories of handguns that I use. Those with shorter barrels, 4", and those with medium length 6-7.5". For the shorter sight radius I use 25 and 50 yards, the longer 50 and 100.

I used to practice at 25 yds until a friend a friend suggested that if I don't practice at longer distances, I wouldn't be able to hit at longer distances.
After getting a good load worked up, I like to sight in at 100 yds and then practice on clay pidgeons set out on the 100 yd berm at the range.
I think long or short barrel is more of a personal preference.

I test loads at 50 to 100 yd's and sight in at 75 for deer. That way I am on from zero to just over 100. I shoot for fun to 500 meters.

This answers some questions I've had. I've seen posts about a particular handgun being accurate when I haven't had the same experience with that type. I guess it's all a matter of communication. I want a scoped hunting handgun to get no less than 2 to 3 inch groups at 100 yards off the bench. That apparently is more ridgid criteria than many use.

with my 45 or 9mm I shoot at 25 yds.with the anshutz 17 p (17HMR) I sight in at 100yds for varmints.shoots sub moa at that range.

I shoot my handguns to 100 yards usually.

All of my load testing is done at 50 yards and then I practice and site in at 100 yards. If a range has a 200 yard range I will also shoot there quite a bit. It makes the 100 yard shots easier and also lets me know what the bullet is doing at 200+.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
This answers some questions I've had. I've seen posts about a particular handgun being accurate when I haven't had the same experience with that type. I guess it's all a matter of communication. I want a scoped hunting handgun to get no less than 2 to 3 inch groups at 100 yards off the bench. That apparently is more ridgid criteria than many use.

Actually this is exactly the process I use as well. Since I use a T/C Contender, 12" barrel, scoped in .44 magnum. I expect this pistol to do well at that distance. I have taken deer anywhere from 20 yards to 120 yards with this weapon.

Jim