How far will they go?

Millie

Millie

Get on with your life!!!
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2017
Messages
11,565
Location
NC
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I'm going outside to shoot at trees. How far will my .38 SPL rounds travel? In case I miss the tree.
 
Don't shoot at trees. They're innocent.

The short answer is up to a mile depending on the angle. If you see daylight behind the target and not dirt, don't shoot!
 
J R Green said:
Don't shoot at trees. They're innocent.

The short answer is up to a mile depending on the angle. If you see daylight behind the target and not dirt, don't shoot!
Click to expand...
All I can see is more trees. There are houses either side of mine, but the forest is behind us. A mile? For real? Might want to rethink the tree, though it's really wide.
 
It really isn't cool to shoot at trees, is there not a hill of dirt high enough to set a target in front of? Even level ground is safe as long as you are shooting at a downward angle and there is nothing right downrange in case of ricochets.
 
Besides being ill-advised, are you certain you live in an unincorporated area where shooting is legal?
 
J R Green said:
It really isn't cool to shoot at trees, is there not a hill of dirt high enough to set a target in front of? Even level ground is safe as long as you are shooting at a downward angle and there is nothing right downrange in case of ricochets.
Click to expand...
Like shooting at the ground a few feet in front of me? I don't want to shoot the tree, really, but I can't get to a range right now for various reasons and really want to get a feel for my gun sooner rather than later. That tree did absorb some .25 rounds when I was in my 20s, many eons ago, and it's survived, I'm happy to say! But I will not shoot it anymore.
 
What if there's a rock buried just under the surface? If you can't get to a range, how about wandering around until you find a gully? I built a pistol range in a gully on my property and it provides me a nice tall backstop.
 
Mirac said:
always know whats behind your target... in case you miss.
Click to expand...
What about an old cinderblock garage that's not in use and has forest behind it? Even I can't miss a garage! I'm doing my qualifying soon, and was chastised for not having fired my new gun yet. I'd like to at least know what it's going to do, so I won't look like a big dummy on the day! It's going to be louder than my old gun for sure. Even with ear protection....
 
Jeppo said:
What if there's a rock buried just under the surface? If you can't get to a range, how about wandering around until you find a gully? I built a pistol range in a gully on my property and it provides me a nice tall backstop.
Click to expand...
Not to sound all girly, but it's thick woods with probably snakes and stuff! Maybe some feral cats, too! Lol. Mice for sure! OK, I'll think on it.....
 
Millie said:
What about an old cinderblock garage that's not in use and has forest behind it? Even I can't miss a garage! I'm doing my qualifying soon, and was chastised for not having fired my new gun yet. I'd like to at least know what it's going to do, so I won't look like a big dummy on the day! It's going to be louder than my old gun for sure. Even with ear protection....
Click to expand...
No! don't shoot buildings either!
 
Millie said:
What about an old cinderblock garage that's not in use and has forest behind it? Even I can't miss a garage! I'm doing my qualifying soon, and was chastised for not having fired my new gun yet. I'd like to at least know what it's going to do, so I won't look like a big dummy on the day! It's going to be louder than my old gun for sure. Even with ear protection....
Click to expand...

@Millie, please find yourself a range. We'll take up a collection and pay the fee for you to shoot there and also spring for a box of ammo for you. I'll pony up the first $5. Set up a PayPal account and the money will magically begin arriving.

Regarding the noise of the gun, if you can detect a difference, I worry your hearing protection isn't sufficient.
 
Don't shoot at trees. They're not a great backstop, and in some cases, a bullet can bounce off and ricochet. Same goes for shooting down into the dirt. Its a bad idea.

If you're in the Raleigh area, there are several indoor ranges in the area you can shoot at. Distance isn't a replacement for a good backstop unless you're in an area where there are literally several miles between you and the nearest person. And even then, a good berm is better.
 
If you are in a rural area and have no close neighbors go get two round bales of hay from a farmer. Since you are not using them for feed ask for older ones (cheaper) and use them for a backstop if you HAVE to shoot in your yard.
 
Jeppo said:
@Millie, please find yourself a range. We'll take up a collection and pay the fee for you to shoot there and also spring for a box of ammo for you. I'll pony up the first $5. Set up a PayPal account and the money will magically begin arriving.

Regarding the noise of the gun, if you can detect a difference, I worry your hearing protection isn't sufficient.
Click to expand...
I appreciate all that! I actually have 100 rounds all ready to do my qualifying. Won't use them all, he said bring 30. There's a range somewhere near me, but things are keeping me tied to the house right now. As to my ears, I was foolish in my youth and shot the .25 with naked ears. I do have muffs now though, and can hear my blood rushing in my head with them on! But I'm a good student, so I'm sure I'll be fine on the shooting day! The instructor has said he'll spend plenty of time with me. I don't have a good reason for you guys to send me money, sigh...but thanks for the offer!
 
Tortuga!
 
nchunt101 said:
Is this a real post?
Click to expand...
It is a real post!!! Amazing isn't it? OK, all, I'm not going to shoot outside in the woods! I get it! Calm..... I won't even mention what my gun is, for fear I'll get banned, shunned, or worse! I'll go to the nearest range once I can get away from the house..promise!
 
I don't really care what kind of gun you shoot. Just trying to make sure everyone uses some common sense. See my haybale post.
 
No answers 'cause we're all on the way to Wal Mart for blood pressure meds.

o_O
 
nchunt101 said:
If you are in a rural area and have no close neighbors go get two round bales of hay from a farmer. Since you are not using them for feed ask for older ones (cheaper) and use them for a backstop if you HAVE to shoot in your yard.
Click to expand...
I have a small sedan. No place to put hay if I knew where to ask for some...but thanks! Decided NOT to shoot in my yard! I think I'm scaring people in the forum!
 
We were all new to the firearms at one time ourselves. Some here may have forgotten that themselves.

You are doing the right thing by asking any and all questions. The only dumb question is the one you dont ask.

In the end, everyone here wants to help and see others advance within the 2nd Amendment
 
Last edited:
Listen up! I'm not going to shoot my gun in the woods! I wanted to know how far a round would go...covered. I'm not going to shoot at trees or the ground or the garage! Covered. All your points are great and I've gotten the benefit from them. Now we can all get back to our normal programming, right? Gotta admit, there were some pretty funny responses!
 
Mike Overlay said:
We were all new to the firearms at one time ourselves. Some here may have forgotten that themselves.

You are doing the right thing by asking any and all questions. The only dumb question is the one you dont ask.

In the end, everyone here wants to help and see others advance within the 2nd Amendment
Click to expand...
That's right I'm a newbie! I'm sure I must sound like a moron, but I was a great student! I'm smart, because I asked questions! I'll be fine on my qualifying. Fast learner.....
 
Back in the 80's some folks were shooting a AK47 at a sheet of plywood propped up against a tree. They were using the trees as a backdrop. Well one magic bullet found its way to the Carowinds water park and killed a young girl. They thought they were far enough away not to present a danger. They were wrong.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk
 
At various points in my shooting experience, I have shot everything you mention...even the garage. So, I'm not sure where you're going with this, but....Whoo hoo! Go for it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom