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.<BR><BR>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.At what range do you test/sight in your handgun for hunting?25 to 49 yards50 to 74 yards75 to 99 yards100 yardsOver 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