Minimum rounds at a range?

[P5Ret]

I usually try to shoot a few thousand if possible. I take it to the next level though, I'm a perfectionist in every way possible. Practice makes perfect!

I don't think you have a clue as to how much time you would be spending at the range to do that. I've been to a couple 3 and 4 day courses and didn't shoot more than 1500 rounds. The most was a 5 day sub-gun instructor's course where went spent 3 full range days, and that was 2500 rounds. Shooting that many rounds a range session you should be able to compete at the top levels, and I don't think that is happening.

My average is 200 to 300 depending upon what I'm working on and where, and what I'm shooting.

[SoCalEnthusiast]

I don't think you have a clue as to how much time you would be spending at the range to do that. I've been to a couple 3 and 4 day courses and didn't shoot more than 1500 rounds. The most was a 5 day sub-gun instructor's course where went spent 3 full range days, and that was 2500 rounds. Shooting that many rounds a range session you should be able to compete at the top levels, and I don't think that is happening.

My average is 200 to 300 depending upon what I'm working on and where, and what I'm shooting.

I'm not trying to toot my horn but I've shot with some of the best marksmen in the game. Military trained, Grade A material. Some of the best in the business.

[elSquid]

I'm just curious to what a few of you have as your personal minimum amount to make it worthwhile to go to a range, pay fees, and shoot? The last time I went, I put about 140 rounds through my 1911. I think I paid around $18 or so for the range fees.

It's always worthwhile to go to the range!

One thing that I try to do is make the rounds count; I try not to shoot just to send rounds downrange.

Invariably, the first 30-60 minutes of range time I'm shooting at my best. As time goes on I start to get tired and sloppy. It's not an immediate transition, but it's noticeable.

Yesterday I ran 100 rounds through a Glock 19 and around 75 through a Glock 21. My trigger control was lacking near the end, middle aged eyes having problems with focusing - resulting in me pushing rounds to the left - so that was my clue to pack it up and go. No sense in shooting to make noise, and no point in creating and reinforcing bad habits.

So I'd say that a minimum round count isn't a useful metric. A better one might be: what was your goal for the range outing? Did you accomplish that goal? If so, .

( ...and yeah, having "fun" is a worthwhile goal! )

-- Michael

[Sharp Shooter]

I'm not trying to toot my horn but I've shot with some of the best marksmen in the game. Military trained, Grade A material. Some of the best in the business.

It must be nice to live in your fantasy world.

[P5Ret]

I'm not trying to toot my horn but I've shot with some of the best marksmen in the game. Military trained, Grade A material. Some of the best in the business.

That is exactly what you are trying to do. But that's not who I'm talking about anyway. Top competitive shooters who make their living shooting, and training.

By the way military weapons training is not the best in the business. If it was then the military would not be sending top tier guys to places like Gunsite, Craft international and other's for advanced training.

[SoCalEnthusiast]

It must be nice to live in your fantasy world.

whats that supposed to mean?

[bsg]

I have some Hornady Critical Defense (orange plugs) that I want to try out in both guns. I've heard more than one person say I have to shoot at least 500 rds of a certain round to make sure it feeds fine through a gun before deciding it's okay to use for home defense etc. I'm thinking that is way too excessive/expensive.

my number is 200 for testing defensive rounds, but 500 with all ammo to assess handgun reliability is gtg. my old w german Sigs take close to 500 rounds for the trigger to smooth out the way i like. ensuring magazine reliability can be done during this period as well.

it is expensive to test a round for defensive application. picking the right defensive handgun and matching it with compatible defensive ammo is all-important; reliability is king.

[Sharp Shooter]

Oh, I'm able to convey it politely but that doesn't work with SCI.

[whipkiller]

I'm not trying to toot my horn but I've shot with some of the best marksmen in the game. Military trained, Grade A material. Some of the best in the business.

Like who? Name some names, if they're that good we've probably heard of them.

Back up your claim with some facts, and maybe people will finally see just how uber cool you are.

Where did you shoot with them, and exactly how do you know "some of the best marksmen in the game"?

whats that supposed to mean?

I can't speak for him, but if he's anything like me, he probably means that you're full of crap and the only one here who is being the least bit fooled by your inane bloviating is you.

[ARDude]

Last time I went shooting, I used up 700+ rounds of 22lr. Geez that was fun.

[P5Ret]

Like who? Name some names, if they're that good we've probably heard of them.

Back up your claim with some facts, and maybe people will finally see just how uber cool you are.

Where did you shoot with them, and exactly how do you know "some of the best marksmen in the game"?




I can't speak for him, but if he's anything like me, he probably means that you're full of crap and the only one here who is being the least bit fooled by your inane bloviating is you.

Can't wait to hear the answer to this one. Some how I doubt there will be an answer though.

[JDay]

I brought over 2000 rounds last time I went.

[JohnnyBravo]

I just discovered that on Hornady's website, they have a part that talks about the difference between Critical Duty and Critical Defense rounds. It says their Critical Defense rounds are "optimized" for shorter barrel guns while their Critical Duty ones are for full size guns. Maybe I'll get some Duty rounds to put through the 1911 and just the Defense ones for the G36. And some Federal FMJ 230 grainers, from WalMart since they seem to be under $15 a box. I'm thinking that going to the range w/ at least 100 rds makes sense and/or worthwhile to me. But to reserve the right to not just shoot it all, if I choose to call it a day and go home...

[44fred]

I have some Hornady Critical Defense (orange plugs) that I want to try out in both guns. I've heard more than one person say I have to shoot at least 500 rds of a certain round to make sure it feeds fine through a gun before deciding it's okay to use for home defense etc. I'm thinking that is way too excessive/expensive.

Yes...500 with zero failures is required for SD.
When I bought my Glock 36 I put 470 rounds of Gold Dot before a failure and moved on.
Picked up 500 rounds of Critical Duty and ran 490 before a failure then moved on again.
Turned to Critical Defense where I managed to get 462 before a failure.
Now...Momma didn't raise no dummies. I just stopped, thought about my $500 gun and $2500 ammo purchases to check for reliability.
I cleaned my Glock and started all over again!
I was only able to get through 420 rounds of Gold Dot before a failure.
I've left it alone for a couple weeks thinking the G36 needed some "time out".
Headed back to the range next weekend with 500 rounds of Critical Duty. I really hope it works out this time.
Oh...range fees don't seem very much at all.

[JDay]

Hornady ammo has issues in some guns.