What should my Target look like at 7 Yards?

[marksiwel]

What should a Target I shoot look like at 7 Yards?
I mean, how Do I know if I'm any darn good?

Should I try shooting at 15 for awhile and then go back to 7?

(7 15 and I think 25-30 are all the ranges we have at the Local Range for pistols)

[dicion]

One Ragged Hole... about a golf ball in size XD

In reality, as long as you keep them mostly in an 8" pizza pan centered around your aiming point, you're fine for defensive purposes.

But at 7 yards, I can pretty much maintain a grapefruit-to-orange size with my 3" Kimber Ultra easily.
At 15, I can do the 8" pizza pan fine.

[marksiwel]

One Ragged Hole... about a golf ball in size XD

In reality, as long as you keep them mostly in an 8" pizza pan centered around your aiming point, you're fine for defensive purposes.

But at 7 yards, I can pretty much maintain a grapefruit-to-orange size with my 3" Kimber Ultra easily.
At 15, I can do the 8" pizza pan fine.

Okay I basically can cover all my holes with a closed fist. Is that about right?
I'm using a Browning Hi Power, its an old workhorse not really designed for anything fancy.
I'm also using Monarch Bullets (made in some former USSR country) Do you think any of these contribute to that?
Wheres a good place to learn shooting in Austin? I consider myself average but want to be better.
I never recieved proper training (Military Police ect) I just watched Videos online.

[A-R]

first reply sounds about right. If you're holding steady with both hands, aiming, then squeezing off rounds (target shooting) a softball size hole with a few strays is plenty good enough. If you're doing any sort of draw or raising the gun from a downward angle rest for fast target acquisition, then hitting the 9 or 8 ring in a full-size silhouette is good enough in my book at 7 yards. I know there are others here who can shoot MUCH better than this. But this is good enough for me with a 4-inch or shorter barrel in a weapon intended solely for CCW/personal defense and NOT a range gun or IDPA gun or whatever.

On a related note: The one and only time I ever shot a full-size Kimber, I blew the X out of the center of the bullseye at 10 yards with the first three shots. I can't do that with my carry guns ... and no, I don't carry a full-size Kimber; for the same price and relative use of space, I carry two guns and backup ammo I figure a bad guy will be just as stopped with a .40-cal JHP hitting 2 inches from dead center as he will from a .45 JHP hitting dead center.

NOW, let the Kimber Kadre rhetorically beat me senseless

[A-R]

One Ragged Hole... about a golf ball in size XD

In reality, as long as you keep them mostly in an 8" pizza pan centered around your aiming point, you're fine for defensive purposes.

But at 7 yards, I can pretty much maintain a grapefruit-to-orange size with my 3" Kimber Ultra easily.
At 15, I can do the 8" pizza pan fine.

Okay I basically can cover all my holes with a closed fist. Is that about right?
I'm using a Browning Hi Power, its an old workhorse not really designed for anything fancy.
I'm also using Monarch Bullets (made in some former USSR country) Do you think any of these contribute to that?
Wheres a good place to learn shooting in Austin? I consider myself average but want to be better.
I never recieved proper training (Military Police ect) I just watched Videos online.

Covering all holes with your closed fist at 7 yards is nothing to sneeze at. That's better than 90% of the people I see shooting at Eagle Peak and/or Red's.

[dicion]

You can always shoot 'better', sure, but my goal is sufficient for SD Purposes, to me at least.

I think I'm there on that, and would rather spend my time training on other aspects, eg, moving and shooting, shooting from behind cover, maintaining my current level of skill under duress, etc.
Rather than just straight, stand up target shooting for 1" groups at 15 yards.

[cbr600]

It depends how fast you're shooting.

[Greybeard]

Quote: "One Ragged Hole... about a golf ball in size"

Which, for defensive purposes, often means shootin too slow.

[marksiwel]

It depends how fast you're shooting.

Sadly 1 Bullet per every 2 seconds, darn range rules.
I heard if its slow you can ask them if you can shoot faster.

[USA1]

It depends how fast you're shooting.

Sadly 1 Bullet per every 2 seconds, darn range rules.

Is this an outdoor range?
My favorite indoor range doesn't limit you to the 2 second rule.
You can shoot as fast as you can pull the trigger if you want.

On the original topic, I rarely use the sights when shooting. I have been building my "point and shoot" skills.
When you can quickly put 2 rounds into center mass without using sights at 7 yards, you're doing pretty good IMO.

And don't forget the all important malfunction drills.

[KFP]

If you're located around DFW send me a PM.

I would highly recommend finding a local IDPA club to shoot with.

[karl]

I can do the orange size if I shoot slow, I've never practiced much faster than 1 shot every two seconds but I imagine it'd be a dinner plate.

My favorite indoor range doesn't limit you to the 2 second rule.
You can shoot as fast as you can pull the trigger if you want.

Where do you shoot? I need to practice firing quicker.

[TLynnHughes]

I would highly recommend finding a local IDPA club to shoot with.

I couldn't agree more! It's a humbling experience but over time it will make a difference for the better in your shooting.

T.

[USA1]

My favorite indoor range doesn't limit you to the 2 second rule.
You can shoot as fast as you can pull the trigger if you want.

Where do you shoot? I need to practice firing quicker.

Shiloh. Here's the link..http://shilohshooting.com/zencart/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MoJo]

What should a Target I shoot look like at 7 Yards?
I mean, how Do I know if I'm any darn good?

Should I try shooting at 15 for awhile and then go back to 7?

(7 15 and I think 25-30 are all the ranges we have at the Local Range for pistols)

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