What kind of groupings should I be seeing at 10 yards rested with pistols?

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Pizzaman2976

Pizzaman2976

Member
Feb 27, 2020
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Pizza, United States
Should it be pellet on pellet/ragged hole grouping at that close range if I could eliminate the human error part? I feel like my pcp rifles like my dreamtac or taipan vet could more or less do that shooting off of bipods. 

I spent today shooting my 1701and zoraki ultra in177. Both are super accurate, but I did not get pellet on pellet accuracy. I got maybe pencil eraser size groups shooting both off a bag and the zoraki off a bipod for a while, which is still good, but I guess I would have expected better for such a close distance and with the help of a bipod or bag.

I figure it's me that's pulling shots and that my groupings should close up as I get better, since these are both accurate pistols. But who knows. I tried to keep the aim consistent between shots and thought I did. When I shoot groupings, I would get a few shots in the same exact spot where I was aiming, but a couple fliers every time.


 
Thanks everyone for the input. Sounds like its human error on my part! And there's no way I'm getting anywhere close to these groups without a crutch like a bag or scope. My eyes and arms aren't as steady and new as they used to be. Pistol shooting has been one of the most addicting AND most frustrating new hobbies I picked up recently... looks like I need more practice!
 
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I know the 1701 can do one hole groups at that range.Yes indeed more practice with the right pellets.

I shoot at 25yds with a sloppy rest and do good.

When I first started shooting a pistol it was because I wanted to be able to hold my camera study and at first I could not hit "the broadside of a barn".really was frustrating because I could shoot a rifle good,of course I shoot offhand....

It is ok to use a rest and a scope,the goal is to be able to shoot better.

Sometimes shooting at a farther distance can be better,I say this because the scope may need a longer range "to see better".and also the pellet may need a little more distance.....

I started with a Daisy 717,very low power and accurate,I used to shoot it in my house while watching TV, yea no one else around to scold me,

It takes a Lot of practice to get good at shooting a pistol,good luck and keep at it.


 
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Pizzaman

I would also move back to 15 & 20 yards rested. Shoot groups with different weight & size pellets. Head size 4.49 through 4.55 etc. Weights 7.0 gr. on up with several different brands. Although my 1701p isn't very pellet picky, it clearly has some favorites. Moving back gives the flyers a chance to open up. The goal here isn't to shoot pellet on pellet, it's to determine each guns best ammo. Then move back to 10 yards and try again. You might be suprised.

I can't believe the difference between 4.49 & 4.51 same brand and weight in some of my pistols. Just a thought. 
 
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Thanks hawkeye and shambozzie. I'll try those out. I just ordered a bunch of different sizes and brands and will have some fun finding out what they like best. I got a zoraki blister on my thumb from pumping it too much! Hah - I'll have to stick to the 1701 for now. Appreciate the tip on the 8.4 jsb's. I'll give them a shot. I normally don't shoot a lot of groups either, but I want to make sure I can give these stupid squirrels a lead Q-TIP accurately in their earholes or eyeballs depending on the angle (especially with lower calibers)!
 
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@Pizzaman2976. This is my cure for The Zoraki sore hand blues. Works for me.
Screenshot_20210609-075248.1623240004.png

 
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Getting good with a pistol just takes time. The main thing is to be absolutely comfortable when your locked into your shooting bag. You don’t want to be fighting comfort or it will show up in your groups. Parallax is also a demon when it comes to pistol scopes. I don’t use rifle scopes on a pistol because it defeats the purpose of why I use a pistol. Most pistol scopes don’t have parallax adjustable down to 10yrds but that shouldn’t stop you from still getting nice little groups. If you’re using a dot scope, just make sure your dot isn’t too big.
 
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A pencil eraser is approximately .30 caliber. Aka approximately a third of an inch. 5-10 shots that make a .30 caliber hole at 10 yards may not be an Olympic class group; BUT, and this is kind of a big but...

When hunting? Pencil eraser sized groups at 10 yards are more than adequate for head shots. Your game will not notice the difference between air pistols that shot one hole groups and/or air pistols that shoot 5 shot .30 groups. It will still be DRT.

My Beeman P-17 w/ its Feyachi RDS-22 MOA red dot sight does .30 groups w/ Jsb 7.33's at 10 yards all day. That pistol is my tacklebox pistol for poisonous snakes when I'm fishing. A close runner up is a modded 1377 that will do 3 tenth's of an inch to 4 tenth's of an inch at 10 yards w/ Jsb 7.33's or Crosman 7.9 cphp's.
 
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I'm a purist. Most folks cannot shoot a hand gun period. That include the police. Some of the police that I have practiced with should not be allowed to carry a pistol they are that bad it's scary. That said, most folks can only shoot tight groups when the pistol is supported, but if your object is to truly be able to shoot a handgun accurately, you need to practice without a magnifying scope and do it off hand. That is how they are supposed to be used by design. I think it is important to define a good shooter, which is what this thread is trying to do. 

I define a good pistol shooter as one that acquires the target quickly., always grips the pistol exactly the same way with the same grip pressure and hand location and most importantly has smooth consistent trigger action. These attributes promote consistency. Many shooters are far too concerned with a clear target picture. If you are looking correctly, a clear target is a mistake........it is not possible when your focus is on your front sight or red/green dot. The target will always be a blur as well as the rear sight if using iron sights. Too many of us judge our performance by only tight groups on paper. That is only the first step in shooting skill. Consider that your bullet or pellet trajectory is not a straight line and the actual curve of the pellet depends on the attitude of the pistol, the target's height either above or below you, its relative motion to you, the air temperature and density and of course the wind. A good handgun shooter will feel all those things in a fraction of a second. If you can do that, you are a good shooter, not before. Obviously, it is a feel thing.and that takes an enormous amount of CORRECT practice.
 
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steve-l

My Dad back in the 70's got me a brand spanking new Crosman 1377 for a birthday present. I tried it out and couldn't hit squat w/ it. I was REALLY unhappy. I was getting on my Dad's case for getting me this 'inaccurate' air pistol.

Dad says: Show me what you're doing. I chose this rock about 30 yards away and cut loose. Missed it by a foot at least. When my Dad stopped laughing he said he'd teach me how to shoot a pistol.

My Dad was a cop. He taught me how to shoot the same way any rookie at any police academy is taught. He set up a target, had me walk right up to it, place the muzzle at the middle of the bullseye and fire a shot. Said to take a step back and fire at the hole in the middle of the bullseye. Told me, the 1st step back is easy. The 2nd shot should be right alongside the 1st hole. I did so. 

He told me to take another step back. Told me to fire at the 2 holes. I did and the shot was maybe an inch away from the previous 2 shots. He told me to start working on all of the things you just posted about. Said when my subsequent shots stayed alongside the 1st 2 shots within an inch or so, to take another step back. I did as he said and before long I was shooting pretty good at 10 yards.

He also told me the Crosman 1377 was a decent air pistol; but, to only use it at 10 yards (or less) until I got used to it. Said the effective range was only about 50 feet and not to try to shoot past that.

I was a little disappointed at the lack of max effective range; but, that 1377 served as a GREAT tackle box pistol for various reptiles. I still use one today for the same purpose, although more recently I've been using a Beeman P-17 w/ a Feyachi RDS-22 MOA red dot sight for ... whatever.
 
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