I just recently started shooting .45. I've got 7 or 8 semis in 9mm that I love. So now that I have .45 in the mix, I always shoot that first then go to 9mm. After shooting the .45 the 9mm feels like a 22. Any one else plan their range session so that a larger caliber goes first so that a less powerfull caliber is even more fun than it used to be?
Do you shoot .45 first if shooting more than one caliber?
- Thread starter wbwanzer
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Smith357
Member
I start with the lightest recoiling caliber and save the boomers for the end of the session. I will typically start with a .22 and work on the basics with the cheap ammo. Once I'm warmed up I will move up the chain to the loudenboomers. Never start with the Contender .45-70 pistol as your hands and arms will be shaking by the time you are done getting the tar beat of you. 
fastbolt
Member
If I'm going to be doing a lot of shooting with multiple calibers, I'll usually start with the lesser recoiling calibers/handguns first. Might as well try to stall off the inevitable fatigue factor as long as possible.
Jath
Member
I personally don't plan my trips according to caliber. I plan according to target. The calibers are pretty much random.
If my range session starts off with some standard paper targets, I'll randomly shoot a grouping with each gun I'm firing that day.
Then I'll run my obstacle course, which is basically a bunch of party balloons placed randomly behind cover and concealment down a ravine (I've been wanting to change to steel.) We usually compete against each other to see who can shoot all of their targets in the fastest time. Reloads and Backups are always allowed.
Then we'll do some skeet.
After that we'll shoot some longer range targets, again randomly mixing handguns and long rifles in. Sometimes I'll use my scoped .22 to pull headshots on a silouhette from 200 yards, and snipe green army men from 25 yards.
After that, we use whatever ammo we have left to shoot all the soda and beer cans we just emptied full of holes, and have a trick shot competition where we shoot from strange positions, and at strange objects, and axes, etc. I recently won the golf competition, and hit my golf ball first, and the farthest, from 15 yards with my FNX 40.
I find mixing your shooting scenarios during your trips really improves your skills quickly.
It's fun for everyone too. I usually like to make it a picnic sort of trip. I have yet to bring the grill out with us yet though, I keep forgetting it.
I live in Phoenix and the dessert is a 40 minute drive from my house. Its a lot of fun.
If my range session starts off with some standard paper targets, I'll randomly shoot a grouping with each gun I'm firing that day.
Then I'll run my obstacle course, which is basically a bunch of party balloons placed randomly behind cover and concealment down a ravine (I've been wanting to change to steel.) We usually compete against each other to see who can shoot all of their targets in the fastest time. Reloads and Backups are always allowed.
Then we'll do some skeet.
After that we'll shoot some longer range targets, again randomly mixing handguns and long rifles in. Sometimes I'll use my scoped .22 to pull headshots on a silouhette from 200 yards, and snipe green army men from 25 yards.
After that, we use whatever ammo we have left to shoot all the soda and beer cans we just emptied full of holes, and have a trick shot competition where we shoot from strange positions, and at strange objects, and axes, etc. I recently won the golf competition, and hit my golf ball first, and the farthest, from 15 yards with my FNX 40.
I find mixing your shooting scenarios during your trips really improves your skills quickly.
It's fun for everyone too. I usually like to make it a picnic sort of trip. I have yet to bring the grill out with us yet though, I keep forgetting it.
I live in Phoenix and the dessert is a 40 minute drive from my house. Its a lot of fun.
Valkman
Member
I always shoot .22 before .45, a habit from shooting Bullseye. Flinching is bad enough but if you do it shooting the light stuff first may help, then move on the the bigger stuff.
Dnaltrop
Member
If I'm testing loads, I run through the bigger stuff first... when I'm the least numb to the feel.
If I'm just having fun, I mix a cylinder or two in every once in a while to break up the semi-autos.
The revolvers just seem more conducive to relaxation for me, mix them in all day.
(Goes without saying they're both .45's... Of course)
If I'm just having fun, I mix a cylinder or two in every once in a while to break up the semi-autos.
The revolvers just seem more conducive to relaxation for me, mix them in all day.
(Goes without saying they're both .45's... Of course)
iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns
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Funny you should ask, because my EDC is a .45acp.
First thing I ALWAYS do upon settling into my shooting stall at the range, is to practice drawing from my holster and firing with my carry gun. Usually I'll fire two shots and re-holster, draw, fire two more shots, and repeat until empty. This is more often than not at an indoor range and helps me evaluate myself, especially if it's been a week or two since my last shooting experience. I can't always afford to do it with the ammo I actually carry, but either way, FMJ or JHP, I like to see how accurate I can shoot before I'm adjusted to the indoor gunshots. Most folks I bring to the range aren't nearly as experienced or regularly practiced as I am, so I always start them off with .22s and work them up from weakest to heaviest caliber, to ease them into dealing with the noise and recoil without 'traumatizing' them with heavier calibers. I feel that this practice has been nothing but beneficial to me, might not work for everyone, but it has certainly helped me in the long run.
The way I figure it is if I ever need to use my carry gun for defense, I very likely won't be 'ready', so why would I want to give myself that privilege when first beginning practice. Those first 9 shots usually give me the best indication of what I need to focus on improving with my shooting for the rest of the range session.
First thing I ALWAYS do upon settling into my shooting stall at the range, is to practice drawing from my holster and firing with my carry gun. Usually I'll fire two shots and re-holster, draw, fire two more shots, and repeat until empty. This is more often than not at an indoor range and helps me evaluate myself, especially if it's been a week or two since my last shooting experience. I can't always afford to do it with the ammo I actually carry, but either way, FMJ or JHP, I like to see how accurate I can shoot before I'm adjusted to the indoor gunshots. Most folks I bring to the range aren't nearly as experienced or regularly practiced as I am, so I always start them off with .22s and work them up from weakest to heaviest caliber, to ease them into dealing with the noise and recoil without 'traumatizing' them with heavier calibers. I feel that this practice has been nothing but beneficial to me, might not work for everyone, but it has certainly helped me in the long run.
The way I figure it is if I ever need to use my carry gun for defense, I very likely won't be 'ready', so why would I want to give myself that privilege when first beginning practice. Those first 9 shots usually give me the best indication of what I need to focus on improving with my shooting for the rest of the range session.
I generally take just one gun to the range. Being a caster and hand loader my sessions generally run 300-400 rounds so a additional guns and their ammunition gets too heavy to carry comfortably ... I need a luggage carrier with wheels really. But since my wife bought her guns and now carries them and ammo she needs herself, things are easier to move from truck to table.
I'm a very old school kind of shooter: warm up with what you intend to use for the session. Only takes a shot or two to get "into the zone".
I'm a very old school kind of shooter: warm up with what you intend to use for the session. Only takes a shot or two to get "into the zone".
glassman
Member
I guess it's a function of age and/or fatigue but I find that my hands and arms start to shake after about 50 rounds of .45. I hate it when that happens because the .45 is my favorite round (shot from my favorite gun). I have found that shooting a lighter recoiling round at the beginning of the range session will allow me to extend my time at the line.
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MICHAEL T
Member
If Iam going to be shooting DA autos Then I will start with the SA 1911 first . The difference in the Trigger weight is my reason.
Notoast
Member
I always finish with my carry weapon. Like iLike, I also occasionally begin with it from the holster with its mag of carry ammo.
beatledog7
Member
I usually shoot my carry gun first, mirroring reality. Beyond that, I don't follow any particular protocol.
Me too ILike...I carry sig 229 .40, 1911 .45 and sig 226 9mm. They are always the first on the line in a SD mode. After that I shoot ........22 and then larger cal,s on the 22 paper. Before I start shooting for accuracy fun, I also start with the moving/shooting drills at 10 yards, different calibers. Most of my distances are 20 to 50 yards, depending on what I want to accomplish.
orionengnr
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I always bring a .22LR, and always start with it. Focusing on the fundamentals at the beginning of the session pays dividends later.
It's way too easy to waste your time and your ammo. I go to the range to hone my skills, not to make noise and smoke.
It's way too easy to waste your time and your ammo. I go to the range to hone my skills, not to make noise and smoke.
Today was "accuracy be damned", I was just shooting to function test/break in some that I'd bought and never shot.
I shot the 9 first, then the 2 .45s, and then the AK pistol.
Funny thing, the 9 was the one that made me bleed (hammer bite from a TZ75).
That AK pistol sure is a lively little bugger. Loud and fun.
I shot the 9 first, then the 2 .45s, and then the AK pistol.
Funny thing, the 9 was the one that made me bleed (hammer bite from a TZ75).
That AK pistol sure is a lively little bugger. Loud and fun.
Dudemeister
Member
I start with the lowest recoil, and move my way up; .22LR -> .38 spl -> 9mm -> .45LC.
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