What defines “long range”

[AirSupply]

Usually you would think of a particular distance to define long range shooting. For Airguns I would have thought anything over 100y? Well I read something that made me think about a way to compare different calibers/pellets/slugs. That was to define long range shooting by the flight time of the projectile. 

The article was about long range shooting with centre fire rifles and they where talking 4 secdond flight time as long range.... Most pellets wouldn’t still be in the air after 4 seconds. But what about defining long range with airguns as 2 seconds it flight time?

That is going to put your average pellet somewhere around the 200y mark. It is probably a better way of comparing the skill of the marksman. Can’t image it will take the place of the benchmark 100y group! 

 

[Macros]

I think whatever the metric used for long range, no consensus will ever be reached simply because of the differing skill levels you mentioned among so many other variables. The sheer complexity of it all makes any definition seem arbitrary to me...

For me long range is simply the distance beyond which I start to lose solid confidence in making a good shot with whatever gun I'm using. Commonly around 100+yards, and I suppose that's why that particular definition exists.

The flight time idea seems to have merit especially when comparing guns shooting projectiles at differing velocities and with different bc's?

Don't know about comparing something like a similar quality bullpup and rifle, shooting the same pellet at similar velocity. 'Long range' here may be more a function of the mechanics and ergonomics of the gun.

Tough one! 

 

[Sell682]

I consider long range for airguns is 100yrds and anything 150+ is extreme long range.

I believe someone from UTAH Airguns put a report about the technics to shoot an airgun at 100yrds and the environmental effects on a pellet was the same as shooting a powder burner at 500yrds ..problem is I cannot find the article.

 

[outdoorman]

Flight time alone says nothing about range. If I fire, perpendicularly to the ground, my pellet gun next to an AR-15, the projectile flight times will be the same. Only when firing at an angle to the ground, does velocity have a play in flight time.

 

[Keyman62421]

I concur with Sell682

 

[18.13]

Looking at a ballistics chart on a .308 Win. has a flight time of .64 at 500yrds my .25 cal has a flight time of .64 at 150yrds.

 

[outdoorman]

Exactly. At 0 degree angle. To get a 4 second flight time from a pellet at 700fps is going to require about a 5 degree angle of shooting. That pellet will travel several hundred yards. Do that with your .308 and it's going to be over 10 seconds of flight time and go miles.

 

[addertooth]

I use a simple metric. When my air rifle has dropped to 3 or 4 MOA of error at a given distance, that is "long range" for that gun. It is when Luck starts being the predominant factor on whether you will hit a 1 inch target, instead of simply a steady hold and skill. Long range for a Red Ryder BB gun is much closer than on an Air Force Texan. 

 

[Centercut]

I would compare shooting an air rifle at 100 yards to shooting a powderburner at 600 yards. Here’s my reasoning. Most of us zero at 50 yards, and most powderburners at 100 yards. With my .22 shot at 860 FPS, the holdover at 100 yards is about 3 1/2 to 4 mil dots. With the common long range 6.5 Creedmoor, the holdover at 600 yards is about the same. Windage effects are similar also for the same comparison. So hitting a one inch target at 100 yards with an air rifle is very comparable to hitting a 6 inch target at 600 yards with a modern powderburner. 

 

[LDP]

I would compare shooting an air rifle at 100 yards to shooting a powderburner at 600 yards. Here’s my reasoning. Most of us zero at 50 yards, and most powderburners at 100 yards. With my .22 shot at 860 FPS, the holdover at 100 yards is about 3 1/2 to 4 mil dots. With the common long range 6.5 Creedmoor, the holdover at 600 yards is about the same. Windage effects are similar also for the same comparison. So hitting a one inch target at 100 yards with an air rifle is very comparable to hitting a 6 inch target at 600 yards with a modern powderburner.

Not really.

My .22 is shooting at 830 fps and has a drift of 12.6" at 100 yds in a 10 mph 90 degree crosswind.

My .25 shooting at 887 fps drifts 10.9" at 100 yds in 10 mph 90 degree crosswind.

My 6.5 creedmoor shooting at 2800 fps with a 142 gr. SMK drifts 20.1" at 600 yds in 10 mph 90 degree crosswinds.

Your drop numbers do match up but the wind drift numbers are quite different. I do agree that its similar to hitting a 6" target at 600 yds as long as theres not much wind. I find pellets less predictable in wind than bullets.

 

[1BadDart]

I'm with Macros on this one, to many variables to call one distance as "long range". What's long range for a rifle like a Diana 75 or a FWB 300S? Whats long range for a springer in .177? What's long range for a guy like Ted with his new .30? 

 

[18.13]

I know years ago 50 yds was considered long range with a pellet gun but I'm sure that has changed. Also like others have mentioned are we shooting a Red Rider or Ted's new .30.

 

[Centercut]

@ldp, thanks. I've only shot my buddy's 6.5C at 600 and 800 yards, and don't have one of my own. Good info, appreciate it...

 

[kaylaindy]

I think the long range is being able to shoot accurately at 75 yards and beyond. If you can get a half inch group at 75 yards, that’s a long range gun. If you can get a .50 piece size group at 75 yards. That’s no big deal to me. I would not trust that to do accurate shot placement for hunting.

A really cool long range gun would have sub MOA groups from 100 to 150 yards. Does the RAW do this. 

I just got an FX boss. So I guess I’ll be finding out what long range is all about. Too bad I have no place to shoot it. I’ll have to shoot it when I’m on vacation at Thanksgiving. I can’t wait. 

 

[Fredeich]

Kaylaindy,

Just received and fired my brand new, second hand FX Boss. Shot it at 72 yds after sighting it in. The upper left and middle target are the Boss targets. Upper left is actually 2 magazines(8 shots) each. The first 8 shots are left and centered, with a little windage and up adjustment, I shot the second a little high and centered. The middle target is 3 magazines. Not bad for a 2nd hand Boss. I purchased it from a terrific seller on AGN. You are going to love that rifle. LOL I shot this in my backyard, even with the Donny FL 6.5 in sumo it still has a sharp report. Its not loud but its not quiet either. 

Fred

 

[Imold]

Since I got into airguns I’ve always thought that anything farther then 100 yards is considered long range.

 

[Imold]

@ldp, thanks. I've only shot my buddy's 6.5C at 600 and 800 yards, and don't have one of my own. Good info, appreciate it...

I have to drive 45 minuets south of my home to shoot my LRP 6.5 creedmore out to 1000 yards being our clubs range only goes to 300 yards and well with a 6.5 that’s not very far.





p not t

 

[Haganaga]

Sheesh, I made a shot today at 85 yards to drop a squirrel... for me that was long. 

 

[Imold]

Sheesh, I made a shot today at 85 yards to drop a squirrel... for me that was long.

Nice shooting, Potato’s and carrots or just pan fried? J/K you need some cream of mushroom soup also hahaha.

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

Either the outer limit of the pellet ( skip bullets on air as they just arent main stream in airguns as of now) or the shooter.

Personally I've never seen anyone - some skilled person might tho- use an RWS75 ( & similar) past 55 yards and hold good groups.

My shooting in .177 at sub 12fpe 100 yards is doable & fun. 115 yards is VERY difficult and shooting at a color change target taped to cardboard at 115 some pellets did not penetrate the card board. Seemed about the end of the useful range. 20fpe does extend range but environmental factor's are so limiting somewhere further than 100 it just never seemed to apply to anything worthwhile. Maybe hit a gong at 100+ but not worth store bought targets.

Novelty airguns such as a .45 shooting heavy ammo at 900fps seems long range would be the same as a PB with the same numbers.



I personally dont get the firearm replacement mentality these days. If you need a firearm use one. Airguns are excellent practice and certainly have a place in varmint dispatch ...

We all remember the quigley bucket challenge set to scale and mini-sniping right.



Nor for terminal range I think Harry ( down under ) has pretty well explored that.



John.