Opinion
“When ‘favorable outcomes’ occur mostly due to pure luck, the prudent abstain from congratulating themselves” ~ Carr.
At a Defense Training International Urban Rifle Class last weekend, we (as always) conducted nearly all our training scenarios within 75m. In fact, the majority were within 25m!
Students asked about shooting at greater ranges, and I would like to give them the opportunity to do so (when the facility permits) so that they understand the full capability/limitations of their equipment.
Yet, we have limited range-time, and we need to use it as wisely as we can.
High-BC (ballistic coefficient) “Creedmore Calibers,” now superseded by the “PRC Calibers” (a Hornady project), are designed to appeal to competition shooters who want to compete at distances as far as 1k meters even further. These calibers are all relatively new, so rifles designed for them are very precise, and chamber dimensions are tight, all for the sake of long-range (purely academic) accuracy.
The trajectory of rifle bullets is fairly predictable so long as they remain supersonic (in excess of 1125 f/s at sea level). When rifle bullets drop below the speed of sound, they destabilize. High BC, sleek/skinny bullets stay supersonic longer than lower BC bullets, and that is their appeal.
Within 300m, the foregoing is mostly irrelevant. Within 200m, it is utterly irrelevant, at least with regard to any practical purpose!
Ballistic drop is surely calculable, as gravity is pretty consistent in most places one goes on Earth. And, with modern laser range-finders, distances can be precisely measured within a meter or two. However, what is nearly impossible to measure, with any kind of precision, is the effect of wind, and the longer the distance to the target, the longer the time wind has to work on a bullet during its flight.
Long-range military snipers do have a legitimate interest in predictably making lethal shots on human targets at ranges out to 1k meters, even beyond, but as noted, at these extended ranges, it’s more art than science, particularly with regard to wind.
Big-game hunters do not, in my opinion. For one, I’m not comfortable shooting big game beyond 300m, and that represents an absolute maximum. In fact, any shot at a big-game animal beyond 200m, I’m probably going to decline because I don’t want to chase wounded animals the rest of the day!
And, with regard to domestic self-defense, 75m is about the maximum any of us can positively identify a threat via only the naked eye. At greater ranges, shooting at threatening people may be reasonably arguable under some esoteric circumstances, but at those distances, “disengage and separate” usually represents a better strategic option.
Of course, catastrophic political upheaval could radically alter the foregoing, no doubt!
But until then, it is my opinion that we should spend most of our firearms training time on domestic self-defense scenarios, which are (at least for now) most likely.
/John
Live Inventory Price Checker
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About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor, John Farnam will urge you, based on your beliefs, to make up your mind about what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to ensure that its students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
Word, per usual from Mr. Fanham.
In over 38 years of instructing shooting, I have come to realize the best advice is to do what you are capable of doing at the distances that are practical for you. This changes as one ages, too. Not everyone is a Delta Force sniper and not everyone is a Fudd who cannot hit a stationary silhouette at 50 yards (never mind a moving deer, Elmer). Work on your skills. The majority of gun owners do not or do very little to improve those skills. Work on quickly moving and responding to an ambush. Work on responding under intense stress… Read more »
Even a fifty-yard shot is probably gonna be a tough sell to the court as “self defense” unless returning fire is the only option. Anyway, my long gun days are over, so I shouldn’t be flapping my beak about it.
Spot on, Mr. Farnham.
Just because one is uncomfortable does not mean someone else is uncomfortable in doing the same.