OMG...just read an article about grains and bullet weights. Holy cow! There is waaay to much information being poured into my head. Every time I read a post or look up something online I have to google stuff and read stuff! Lol.
"Bullet weight"...
- Thread starter Millie
- Start date
- Replies 39
- Views 847
In 6 months you’ll be belting it out like you’ve been shooting, or at least reading gun mags, your whole life. The learning curve on any new thing is steep, but that also makes it fun. Stick to it and you’ll be fine.
OP
I love learning about new things. This stuff isn't in my usual world, lol. But it's interesting, especially when the physics posts start! Anything with math makes me happy!!!
Jeppo
Bold inspired solutions for America 😂
Staff member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Benefactor
Life Member
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
BigWaylon
Head philatelist
Staff member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Just don't EVER get bullet weight and powder charge (both in grains) confused. 
I was wondering why I couldn't quite fit 147gr of Unique into that 9mm case!Just don't EVER get bullet weight and powder charge (both in grains) confused.
You should when using a 4.0 gr bulletI was wondering why I couldn't quite fit 147gr of Unique into that 9mm case!
Something tells me in a year or two you might be embarrassing some of the long range shooters here. Seriously you would probably love the ballistics side of shooting, which really only comes into play with rifles. I'm talking about figuring bullet drop over distance, etc. and all the little things that affect the bullet's flight path that can be calculated.
Here's a site I like to play with. There are many calculators like this, apps for your phone, etc. but this is one of my favorites. You just put in the critical info (caliber, muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient (basically how aerodynamic the bullet is), the range you are zeroing at, and it shows you both numerically and graphically your drop at various ranges. If you get into subsonic shooting this stuff becomes critical at much shorter ranges, and is great justification to buy a suppressor.
www.shooterscalculator.com
Last edited:
This is the truth. I end up here everyday and ill have multiple windows/tabs open looking at this and that vs this or that. And after a while when you figure out what the best man stopping caliber is from years and years of solid research..... on the internet, the FBI will say you are wrong. Then everyone will hate that old bullet and if you still like it you are stupid.
So all that said, go shoot. Shooting that 38 well is way more effective than quoting the bad guy John Moses Browning poetry. Im not saying to stop learning but to just be careful how you apply your new knowledge.
Don't even worry too much about it. I'm not sure what gun or even caliber you are looking at but just get some ammo from a reputable brand (speer gold dot, Federal HST) , make sure it works in your gun and call it a day. One tip I will offer is that heavier bullets tend to perform better out of shorter barrels.
So you are "all in" about the shooting thing... What got you interested in the sport? We need to attract more people like you who are passionate and wants to learn the sport....
Last edited:
OP
I recently got a new revolver for home defense, and plan to get a couple more guns eventually. I've always been interested in shooting, but only recently decided to go for it with the CC class and doing reading/research when I spot terms or things I want to know more about. I tend to study things a lot and get a lotta info. My friends and relatives have a couple of words to describe this tendency...lol.
You do know the qualification criteria, right? I forget, but it seems like it was a handful of shots in the 9 ring at 3’, 7’ and 10’ but that’s probably wrong and someone will correct me shortly. Don’t think there is a time limit, so take your time and don’t forget to breath.
My wife shot it with a Ruger MK2 (22lr) because she was a little nervous about it. She had no reason to be, just test anxiety.
Anyway, figure out what the test is and shoot it a few times before the real test. Also know that they’ll probably be evaluating if you handle the gun safely, so barrel down range at all times, don’t load until instructed, finger off the trigger until sights are on target, don’t sweep the room when taking it out or putting it up.
My wife shot it with a Ruger MK2 (22lr) because she was a little nervous about it. She had no reason to be, just test anxiety.
Anyway, figure out what the test is and shoot it a few times before the real test. Also know that they’ll probably be evaluating if you handle the gun safely, so barrel down range at all times, don’t load until instructed, finger off the trigger until sights are on target, don’t sweep the room when taking it out or putting it up.
OP
There is no time limit, an I'm probably using the instructor's .22. I'm taking my other guns, in case I get the time to shoot them before or after the test. I'm not going to be able to practice with any gun before I go there, but the guy assures me I'll be fine! He's aware of my situation. He's confident I'll be OK. But yes, I've looked at videos of how to comport myself at a range, and I spent years in school taking exams, so probably no test anxiety....I love a challenge! We shall see in a few days!
BigWaylon
Head philatelist
Staff member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
3 yards
5 yards
7 yards
I think it's a minimum of 40 shots...maybe 15/15/10?
And I far as I remember, it's simply hit the black silhouette. Nothing to do with the 9 ring. This is my wife's target from a couple years ago. Different instructor than I had. She said she strung them vertically because she couldn't really see the holes. It was her second time ever shooting, and first time with that particular pistol.
Heck, I don't even want to admit what we did (for the shooting portion) in our class out of fear of repercussions for the instructor and anybody that got a permit through him.
Last edited:
OP
We need 30 rounds, which I have for my guns, and he'll have the .22 for me to use if I want to, cost of rounds for that $10.3 yards
5 yards
7 yards
I think it's a minimum of 40 shots...maybe 15/15/10?
And I far as I remember, it's simply hit the black silhouette. Nothing to do with the 9 ring. This is my wife's target from a couple years ago. Different instructor than I had. She said she strung them vertically because she couldn't really see the holes. It was her second time ever shooting, and first time with that particular pistol.
View attachment 26500
Heck, I don't even want to admit what we did (for the shooting portion) in our class out of fear of repercussions for the instructor and anybody that got a permit through him.
Please please tell! In PM if you want...you cannot make a statement like that, then hold out on the answer! I won't tell anyone, I swear!!!!
OP
Oh, help me dear Lord! Are you TRYING to make my head explode?Something tells me in a year or two you might be embarrassing some of the long range shooters here. Seriously you would probably love the ballistics side of shooting, which really only comes into play with rifles. I'm talking about figuring bullet drop over distance, etc. and all the little things that affect the bullet's flight path that can be calculated.
Here's a site I like to play with. There are many calculators like this, apps for your phone, etc. but this is one of my favorites. You just put in the critical info (caliber, muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient (basically how aerodynamic the bullet is), the range you are zeroing at, and it shows you both numerically and graphically your drop at various ranges. If you get into subsonic shooting this stuff becomes critical at much shorter ranges, and is great justification to buy a suppressor.
www.shooterscalculator.com
BigWaylon
Head philatelist
Staff member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
I did a little digging and 30 may indeed be the minimum. 10 at each distance. Passing score is 21/30.
I hope that $10 includes the handgun "rental", as that's a ripoff for just 30 rounds of 22LR.
You’ll probably be fine, but if you can show up at the range 30 min before the class and shoot a little it’d help. You could ask your C.C. instructor what he’d charge for a private 15-30 min range session prior to the class.
So handguns in a bag would be concealed, but I’ve never seen anyone stopped while walking into a range. Keep the bag in the trunk while driving (so you’re not carrying at that point, so in a bag is fine) and take the bag out when you park to walk inside. Short of picking up a brick and busting car windows on the way inside, you’ll be fine.
So handguns in a bag would be concealed, but I’ve never seen anyone stopped while walking into a range. Keep the bag in the trunk while driving (so you’re not carrying at that point, so in a bag is fine) and take the bag out when you park to walk inside. Short of picking up a brick and busting car windows on the way inside, you’ll be fine.
Well, here’s my old school take on ammo ... use what your firearms functions best with and don’t buy in on the gizmo ammo of the day. While I have a main ammo for certain calibers there are certain firearms that get specific ammo. For the most part quality ammo from a good company that functions well in you firearm will do as long as the person behind the trigger does their part. One exception is for short barreled compact handguns I like Speer Got Dot ammo designed for them. Another is for my suppressed firearms I go heavy and keep the velocity under the speed of sound.
OP
JimB I'm sure I'll be way early!! I'm Captain Sense of Direction. I'll leave early, and have way too much time on my hands...I've already let my instructor know and he says no problem...lol...maybe he WILL give me some extra instruction, maybe I can finally shoot the revolver!
OP
I don't know yet what my gun likes! The gun guy gave me ammo when I bought my gun and I assumed it was the right one! I'll be finding out all kinds of firearm-y things on Sunday.... Let's hope the revolver likes the hollow point rounds the gun guy sold me for home defense and also the fmj rounds I got for it for practice, as they were cheaper. Who knew?
Geezer
Mama Tried
Staff member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Good luck on Sunday. I have a feeling that you'll do well. Be sure and take some pictures and have someone take a picture of you while your firing away at your target. We want to see that big grin while you're tearing out the center of that target.
BurnedOutGeek
What's this button do?
Staff member
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Multi-Factor Enabled
You're fine with a backpack. Just make sure its unloaded and if you have a separate case for the gun (original box even) wouldn't hurt.
rotorhead
Well-Known Member
Quick note: NC makes no distinction between loaded and unloaded in terms of carrying a concealed weapon. Whether or not a gun is loaded makes no difference in determining if a person is carrying concealed or "transporting".
As to whether or not carrying one to a range in a bag (to and from the vehicle) is legal or not without a permit..I can't quite remember. Sorry
As to whether or not carrying one to a range in a bag (to and from the vehicle) is legal or not without a permit..I can't quite remember. Sorry
Last edited:
BurnedOutGeek
What's this button do?
Staff member
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Multi-Factor Enabled
Quick note: NC makes no distinction between loaded and unloaded in terms of carrying a concealed weapon. Whether or not a gun is loaded makes no difference in determining if a person is carrying concealed or "transporting".
As to whether or not carrying one to a range in a bag (to and from the vehicle) is legal or not without a permit..I can't quite remember. Sorry
Section III part D
OP
Quick note: NC makes no distinction between loaded and unloaded in terms of carrying a concealed weapon. Whether or not a gun is loaded makes no difference in determining if a person is carrying concealed or "transporting".
As to whether or not carrying one to a range in a bag (to and from the vehicle) is legal or not without a permit..I can't quite remember. Sorry
OK thanks. The guy said if it's on me in a holster just not to mess with until he says so. But I'll probably just carry everything in a backpack, unloaded, ammo in separate pocket from guns, and then I can't mess with anything till he says so...lol. Just went and re-read the rules, and must have misread what guns he has to offer, or he changed the list! There's a .380, a 9mm and a .40! So no .22! I'm back to using revolver or the borrowed .380. No biggie, it'll be the revolver! Yay! (And look! Multiple posts lined up together! I hope...lol.)
Don't sweat it! Grains are just another unit of measure for weight. There are 7,000 grains on a pound, which works out to 437.5 grains per ounce.
All you really need to know is what different bullet weights are available to you in whatever caliber you are shooting. When you first shoot a new gun, it's best to try out several different brands and bullets to see what shoots the best in your gun...or if it even makes a difference.
Here...I'll simplify the whole thing for you:
- There are two basic types of bullets: hollow points and round nose.
- These bullets may be lead (no copper jacketing on the bullets) or jacketed lead (has a copper jacket around the lead...either Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) or partially jacketed lead bullets).
- Every bullet has a mass (weight) which is shown in "grains". The more the grains, the heavier the bullet.
For you, just buy some jacketed bullets in the caliber you need for target shooting. Maybe a couple different weights (grains) or different brands. Then go shoot them and see how you and the gun like them. Keep the boxes, which will have all this bullet information on them. If one shoots better than the other, then buy more of that type of bullet next time and stick with it. Or try something new and see how it shoots.