N/A Determining Pistol Range

[Ezana4CE]

I’m relatively green to shooting PCP air pistols. I probably shoot my CO2 pellet pistols as a child more than I have shot PCP pistols. Thanks to the GK1 I have renewed interest in air pistols. Communicating with members like @steve-l and @AirNGasman I have received some valuable instruction - which leads me to my question. When I’m not shooting at a target from a fixed position, what is a good method of ranging targets before taking a shot? An obvious answer would be to use a rangefinder. I’m im around my livestock and something rouses them and I have an air pistol on my hip, how would I range the threat before taking a shot to know if to need to hold over?

 

[Moog]

Just from doing a lot of shooting on my property I've gotten a feel for distances to targets and also from shooting at various ranges I've seen how much drop I get at different distances. I've developed a "feel" for it after awhile.

Not very scientific but that's how it worked out for me.

 

[boscoebrea]

Yes,get a feel for it.....post small targets at known distance,then practice sighting at the known distance ....you do not need anything, but your eyes.make it fun......it takes time ,but you can get really good at it...... once you get good at you then shot your air gun at the know distance with the ammo you will use.you then check out where the shots hit at each distance,then you know the drop at each of those distance......OK it takes a lot of practice,but make it fun.Can you "range" 25yards yet?
I got a range finder a couple of months ago,I only use it to verify my guesswork,I am pretty good.I also ran track,like 25 and 50 yards .
I hope my answer was what you are talking about.

 

[steve-l]

I’m relatively green to shooting PCP air pistols. I probably shoot my CO2 pellet pistols as a child more than I have shot PCP pistols. Thanks to the GK1 I have renewed interest in air pistols. Communicating with members like @steve-l and @AirNGasman I have received some valuable instruction. Which leads me to my question. When I’m not shooting at a target from a fixed position, what is a good method of ranging targets before taking a shot? An obvious answer would be to use a rangefinder. I’m im around my livestock and something rouses them and I have an air pistol on my hip, how would I range the threat before taking a shot to know if to need to hold over?

That is an excellent question. The best answer is to know the area you are shooting in, like distances to trees or any other objects from your position and the range ballistics of your gun and load. both are necessary. In other words, you need to create a range cheat sheet and memorize it, then review your hunting area before you attempt to shoot there. As you get more experience, doing this will become second nature and your instantaneous WAG will be relatively accurate. It's called practice. Even if you have an accurate range finder, without a ballistic cheat sheet is does you no good.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Thanks for the replies. Here’s what I had in mind. When lowing my chickens to forage in the yard I keep my K1 close for most feral and wild animals That may attempt to attack and/or eat them. I was thinking at times it may be more convenient to use the GK1. As for practice, I have designated areas that I shoot. I don’t want to shoot all over the yard and increase the likelihood that the birds will ingest lead from random areas on the place.

@steve-l I hadn’t thought about a cheat sheet for air pistols. I like the idea of using landmarks, I just haven’t been doing that from random positions in the yard. I guess now is a good time to start.