Why shoot 50 yds w/PB's at low vol?

[KHornet]

Know that there are a lot of folks who say why shoot at 50 yds? Well, there are a number of reasons. For me, this time of year, it is a tromp thru crusted snow, and at 50 yds, it is half the distance that 100 yds , and is much easier walking. A second reason, is that even with low power scopes 4-5x you can most likely see the bullet holes without setting up a spotting scope. Third, in theory at least, what ever you can shoot group wise at 50 will double at 100. Fourth, there is half the chance at 50 of wind being a problem that there is at 100. 5th, there are usually fewer people on the 50 yd line than on the 100. Probably other reasons that I can't pull off the top of my head that may come to me later.

Now on a nice clam warm day in the spring/ summer, with temps in the 70's, and some cloud cover, I don't at all mind a stroll down to the 100 yd line. Also, at that time, it is good to test the theory that the 100 yd groups should be double the 50 yd.

Anyhow, that's my thought on the subject for what ever it is worth.

 

[KHornet]

Oh yah, forgot, some folks only have a 50 yd range capacity!

 

[9.3X62AL]

I think the question is VERY dependent upon the caliber of the arm and its intended use. I like having enough range space to realistically estimate bullet strikes at field distances. I sight in the 30-06/jacketed bullets at 200 yards, the 22-250 at 300 yards, then actually shoot the ammo at varying distances to test outcomes. Having a nice, big desert near at hand helps immensely.

Cast bullets........50 and 100 yards with my rifles get most of the attention. If a combination works well at 50 yards, then the target marches out to 100 to Take The Polygraph Exam. I have found lies and deceptions from time to time, but more often than not a load that does good work at 50 yards won't completely fall apart at 100.

My ventures past 100 yards with castings are not frequent. I did some work at 200 yards and 400 yards a few years ago with my 9.3 x 62/270 grain flatpoint by Mountain Molds. Pet load of 23.0 x 2400 held together pretty well at 400, once the sighters found paper. I didn't win the match--I was fifth out of 15 shooters, and stirred some interest with my home-poured bullets finishing in the upper third of the pack against match-grade 308s using Matchking store-boughts. The winner, the lovely and very range-capable wife of a local gunshop owner, was the most curious about the Hows and Whys of cast bullet usage in rifles.

 

[Rick]

Certainly nothing wrong with low vel at close range if that's where your interests lie. Much like a faction of casters on a high velocity quest, if that's where their interest is they certainly should be pursuing it. Seems though that some in both camps can't understand that everything isn't for everybody. I'm not too much in either camp but still enjoy reading about & seeing the results from both.

 

[Farmerjim]

I do the workup loads at 50 then move out. No snow down here, but you can see the .22 holes in the target at 50 yards with just your scope.

 

[Brad]

Certainly nothing wrong with low vel at close range if that's where your interests lie. Much like a faction of casters on a high velocity quest, if that's where their interest is they certainly should be pursuing it. Seems though that some in both camps can't understand that everything isn't for everybody. I'm not too much in either camp but still enjoy reading about & seeing the results from both.

Exactly.
I do a little of both. I also tend to be a handgun plinker but will admit that Rick made me really rethink things when I decided to shoot the 44 mag for groups at 100.

Some people even think double action revolvers should always be shot that way, don't they Rick?

In the end, do what makes you happy.

 

[Ben]

My mother told me when I was younger...." Son, if everyone had the same identical interest, this would be a pretty boring world."

 

[JWFilips]

Also Low Velocity means easier on your shoulder and neck vertebra! Which means I can shoot a lot more shots per range session / plus it is much cheaper.
One ragged hole groups are easier to come by and that boost your morale ! I'm not sure that what you shoot at 50 yards is only doubled at 100 yds? For me I can see better at 50 Scope or no scope which improves my chances at a good score. Not really trying to fool someone or even myself I'm much worse of a shot at 100 yds ( no 2x groups)
So to break it all down 50yds with light cast loads; gives me enjoyment, satisfaction, easy on the wallet, easy on the body & I still get to impress the black rifle guy next to me on the other bench once in awhile!
Jim

 

[KHornet]

Hard to disagree with either Rick or Ben or JW. Different strokes for different folks!

 

[telebasher]

I will buy in to this if you are talking about handguns/straight walled cases. Now if we're talking rifles, not so much. I have targets and data that shows many loads need at least 125-150 to go to sleep. In other words to quit osscilating and stabilize and fly true. many targets shot at 100 yds show oblong holes yet shoot the same load at 200 and groups tighten with round holes. Only testing out to your intended max range will prove or disprove this. As usual , YMMV

 

[KHornet]

I have noticed this once in a while. However, it is one of those things you don't know unless you try and either succeed or fail. Lots of variables in this with twist and vol probably toping the list.

 

[RBHarter]

I prefer 100. Time and patience as well as exaggeration of my own control issues are of great value in my loading regimen. I load every load as if it were a hunting and shoot it as such . It makes a huge difference when the business date comes calling .
I use half speed half scale targets to master hold over for a given rifle as well . I also have the luxury of 10 zillion miles of empty desert to shoot in .

 

[freebullet]

I just like to shoot a lot. The pb low velocity is the cheapest way to get more trigger time. We shoot gallon ziplocks full of them between 25-100yd.

Pushing the limits with plain base boolits interests me as much as pushing the limits with checks on.

 

[KHornet]

RB, I am jealous of your open empty desert to shoot in! Did some of that in AZ a couple of dozen or more years ago. And just like Freebullet I also like to shoot a lot, and cheap it good.

 

[Ian]

I have reasons for doing what I do as I expect everyone else does. I've been shooting my airsoft 1911 at ten feet into a cobbled-together cardboard trap at work in the hallway behind the parts counter, great practice and takes my mind off of people I'd like to slap....

As far as yaw damping or linear dispersion, it only matters if it does. Most good loads will have achieved stability and damped the muzzle yaw by 5,000 caliber lengths, others do take 100 yards or more to fully straighten out if the stability factor is borderline (rotational velocity might match forward velocity well at 80 or 125 yards but not at muzzle velocity and thus a steady yaw from muzzle exit might be maintained well past 50 yards). Likewise, I've seen many many loads that would shoot holes at 50 and patterns at 100, so no assumptions allowed for hunting loads and all must be confirmed at expected hunting ranges for me.

 

[JWFilips]

Ian,
So true: but if one is in it for trigger time and just the paper punch, it works very well. Trigger control is learned at at range and the more time on the trigger... that is one variable well learned. Folks keep in mind we " 50 yd, PB, LowV shooters" are not in it to punch critter hides but to enjoy the range time and enjoy the ability to see well enough at that distance to shoot a nice group without the need for a Chiropractor the next day....Yah! I guess we are old but trying to enjoy our rifles!
Jim

 

[Brad]

Ian, I need a range at work for an air soft pistol. Great idea.

 

[Ian]

Jim, I couldn't agree more. I love a good, accurate mousphart rifle load as much as anything else. Recoil is NOT my friend and I have had enough laser surgeries (six) on my left retina to forever prohibit shooting much more than a .30-'06.

Brad, do it. Someone gave me that airsoft pistol a while back and I took it to work to practice some grip strengthening drills an Olympic shooter recommends (also for a little physical rehab for the finger I nearly lost a month ago). Turns out someone else gave me a whole big jar of airsoft bbs some years ago and I found them again.....so I started doing "live fire" drills too. Yeah, it's good times if you have a safe place to sneak off to on your breaks.

 

[Winelover]

Some people even think double action revolvers should always be shot that way, don't they Rick?

Hehe....I wonder where Brad got that sentiment......could it be when he bought that 44 SPL from Rick and tried it out on my backyard range?

 

[Brad]

Maybe?