How many rounds do you shoot per range session?

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I'm curious about everyone's typical range session. When you go to the range to fire your centerfire pistols/revolvers what is a typical round count that you run through the gun before feeling like you are getting diminishing returns on your practice?

I usually go between 50-90 rounds and then after that I feel like I am just not doing as well as I was before, I like to end on a high note at that point and pack it in for the day.

I believe that if I keep going I will possibly develop bad habits or shoot poorly and hurt my confidence (a perhaps often overlooked aspect of shooting).

This also; for some reason, doesn't seem to apply to my .22 rimfire. I can shoot that pistol for many hundreds of rounds before feeling like I am shooting worse.
 
"Good Practice" is what I strive for. Some days are just better than others. Some days are just not working, for all kinds of reasons. If I am having a bad day, I put everything up except my carry pistol and just fire at combat distance at a torso target at combat speed then go home . Read the targets and dry fire. On good days, I don't analyze too much about what I am doing, just keep doing it and quit before I get tired or stop focusing. Read the targets and dry fire.
 
FullEffect1911 said:
I usually go between 50-90 rounds and then after that I feel like I am just not doing as well as I was before
If your shooting accuracy is deteriorating after 50-90 rounds, you may be experiencing muscle fatigue due to your grip and use of smaller hand/arm muscles. My range sessions will run at least 100-200 rounds and often 300-500+ of 9mm/40S&W/45ACP loads.

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I would suggest a two handed grip that utilizes larger shoulder/back muscles that won't tire as fast as using hand/arm muscles. I use a neutral modified isosceles grip that hooks (pulls) with the supporting hand and pushes with the "V" palm of the shooting hand that allows full contact on the pistol grip by the supporting hand. This grip primarily utilizes the larger shoulder/back muscles that won't tire as easy/fast as smaller hand/arm muscles.

This grip also allows relaxation of the shooting hand and independent movement of the trigger finger without exerting input on the grip that translates to movement of the front sight. If I need a tighter grip, instead of tightening the shooting hand, I provide a firmer lock on the shooting arm (push) while pulling firmer on the supporting arm.

Take out your pistol and try the grip and compare to your usual grip while watching the front sight. Remember to relax your shooting hand but provide a firm push with the shooting arm and firm pull with your support hand/arm mostly using your shoulder/back muscle. You should be able to maintain a firm grip while providing independent movement of the trigger finger that will release the hammer/striker without moving the front sight.
 
I shoot steel plates. Speed is the goal, 8" plates at 10 yards is trivial if you go slow. Yesterday was pretty typical, 50 rounds 9mm, 100 .40S&W, 150 .45ACP 700 rounds .22lr, although usually its just 9mm & .45ACP but the centerfire round count averages about 300 rounds a session. Usually 500-600 .22lr, but the weather good and I was "on" so I did a little extra.

About 20% was left handed, done in a little over two hours.
 
When I was shooting .40S&W caliber...
200 rounds maximum....before hand fatigue set in.

My current carry weapon is 9mm....and I can shoot all day long!

When practicing with my j-frame....50 rounds is enough!
 
I average between 100 - 200 rounds a session with one of three calibers. I rarely take more than one gun at a time to the range but often shoot twice a week. I shoot a couple of 9mm, 45 acp and 45 colts. I haven't shot a 22LR now in about a year though I have a couple they bore me.
 
100 to 300 depending on the gun in question and cost of ammo.

Rimfires may go through 1,500 rounds in a single trip between 2-3 people.
 
Usually 50-100 rounds 22 lr followed up with 50 rounds CF (10 MM,45 ACP).
Rifle .223 100 rounds & 308 50 rounds per session and I shoot twice a week.
 
100 - 200 a month for personal practice if its a outdoor family range trip much more
 
With the .45 Colt 20-30 rounds.
.40 S&W - 75-100 rounds
If we take the .22s it can be a couple hundred.

Centerfire rifle, prolly 20 or so rounds per rifle, maybe a little more if we're testing out new loads.
 
I think I am going to try and incorporate more of a push pull grip as mentioned.

I would like to add that it isn't that I feel exhausted and can't go on, I can just tell my shots aren't as good as they were at the start.

I am also a believer in perfect(good) practice makes perfect.

Good info so far, pretty much what I expected really.
 
I usually put about 200-300 rounds downrange, especially if I bring along my AR or AK. I try to work in at least 50 rounds of pistol, and a lot more if that's what I'm focusing on that particular day. Oddly, it feels as if I'm shooting a lot more than most at the range.
 
I get to the range about once a week. Usually take 2 revolvers (45 colt, 44 mag, or 357/38 spl) and one semiauto (9mm, .40, .45). Depending on how much I've had a chance to reload and whether I'm shooting for fun or working up a new load, I'll shoot between 200 and 400 rounds. I like shooting the revolvers because they tend to slow me down.
 
FullEffect1911 said:
I usually go between 50-90 rounds ... I can just tell my shots aren't as good as they were at the start. I am also a believer in perfect(good) practice makes perfect.
We are human and our muscles will tire to some extent from start of range session to the end. But in my opinion, that shouldn't happen after only 50-90 rounds which leads me to ponder if proper technique is being utilized. Try the following exercise and resources and see if that helps on your next range trip.

1. After checking that the pistol is not loaded, duplicate the same grip you normally use at the range. Using the same trigger pull/squeeze, drop the hammer/striker on the pistol WHILE watching the front sight. If the front sight moves, note which direction it is moving.

2. Review some resources on basic stance/grip/trigger control and practice until the front sight doesn't move when the hammer/striker is released.

Todd Jarrett(Stance/Grip/Trigger) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48
Max Michel (Stance/Grip)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgByPFHCpQE&feature=relmfu
Hickok45 (Stance) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Cf0WEeXZk&feature=relmfu
Hickok45 (Grip) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22msLVCtPk8&feature=relmfu
Hickok45 (Trigger Control) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xa5JPLGIsU&feature=relmfu

3. After practicing at home, at the next range session, set up target at 5-7 yards and dry fire to verify that front sight is not moving when the hammer/striker is released. Next place a dot on the target and fire (I keep a bingo dobber in the range bag to place the dots). If POI is consistently different than POA left-to-right, drift the rear sight so POI is same as POA.
 
We are human...

I do ball and dummy drills at the range to test for flinch. The front sight doesn't move at all when I dry fire when I know the gun is empty.

I have been shooting for a number of years and try to keep improving my stance, grip and overall technique. I compete in IDPA matches and can hold my own locally. I have looked over many different techniques and settled on a Modern Isosceles stance and Dave Sevigny's version of the "combat handgun grip" outlined in the article found here (good article btw) http://www.handgunsmag.com/2007/05/08/the-combat-grip/

I will say one of the reasons I bet my shooting gets worse is because my flinch might be getting worse as the range session wears on. Truly I think this is the heart of my challenge to become better.
 
FullEffect1911 said:
I do ball and dummy drills at the range to test for flinch. The front sight doesn't move at all when I dry fire when I know the gun is empty.

I have been shooting for a number of years and try to keep improving my stance, grip and overall technique. I compete in IDPA matches and can hold my own locally.
Got ya.

To test muscle fatigue vs technique, we have set up USPSA stages for close range accuracy (7-15 yards) and did push ups/jumping jacks until our arms were tired and heart rates were up. Stage scores were interesting to say the least and our shot placements/groups revealed a lot about us.

Perhaps you can try the same at home/range? Do some push ups/jumping jacks to stress the body and perform dry firing exercises/live fire to see how it is affecting the front sight/shot groups?

FWIW, another thread discussion on POI deviation from POA - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8184869#post8184869

This is what I went through to help improve my accuracy and match scores - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8186360#post8186360
 
Depends:
-Full-size 9mm...250ish
-Subcompact carry 9mm...120 (100 FMJ and 20 of my carry load)
-.22LR...untill I run out (which is usually 500-1000 rounds)
-Revolver 4" .357 mag...50 (10 .357 and about 40 .38--for cost more than recoil)
 
Usually between 100 to 200 rounds unless I take a .22, then the round count doubles.
 
Depends, last week we had a lot of wind and I was able to get out a couple of times 100 rounds the last session and 450 rounds earlier split between a Browning Hi Power (9mm) Colt Government in 45 auto.

Since the end of January round count is a little over 5600 center fire jacketed and lead.
 
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