6'' G20 - Max Effective Range

[swglock]

I'm still toying with the idea of buying a G20 to hunt whitetail with.

I've addressed the magazine restriction we face here in Michigan in a separate thread.

Now, I'd appreciate it if someone with a 6'' barrel could tell me what kind of accuracy to expect with a 6'' barrel at 50 & 100 yards (or more). What is the maximum range that you can shoot 6 MOA (with or w/o a scope)?

I realize that at longer ranges energy is also an issue, but I'm more concerned about accuracy than power. (Since I bowhunt I realize that its not energy but precision/placement that matters.)

Thanks!

[sandpiper]

I have a 6" barrel due to hunting regulations in my area

1)There is an increase in velocity, however
I don't notice better accuracy because the
sight radius is still the same.

2) I personally think that in a "hunting situation"
any thing past 25 yards is more of a "pot shot"
and would possibly be considered unethical

For your proposed ranges, may a sugest a rifle

[swglock]

Thanks, note that I mentioned use of a scope, so sight radius wouldn't be the controlling factor.

I'm trying to find someone who has shot out to longer ranges at the range and can comment on accuracy.

I can reliably shoot 3 MOA with a bow out to about 40 yards, so I've got to believe that a pistol could do better.

[DavidinSA]

I ran into a marksman from the police dept at the range that took my stock G20 and was hitting a 10 inch plate at 150 yds with 8 of 10 rounds after a magazine of practice. Open sights, no wind.
I can't even see that far but he is apparently an exceptional individual.
He did it to prove a point to us when he heard us talking about pistol accuracy not being very good for long range.
I wouldn't hunt at that range but as far as accuracy, the gun is better than the distance one should hunt with.

David

[swglock]

Wow! I don't doubt that's possible, but with open sights it would be tough.

[DavidinSA]

I wouldn't have believed it myself if I had not seen it.
He was in a V-rest and said that the gun had a very flat trajectory.
I was using DT practice rounds by the way.
His eyesight I am told is better than normal.

What I find really amazing is a coworker of mine that is into "comboy shooting" won a recent match with a reproduction of some old long rifle with iron sights by hitting a bufflo silhouette at 800yds.

And I feel good just being able to hit a target at 50yds with my pistol.

I guess that is why I am a "recreational" shooter.

David

[nickE10mm]

swglock- I have hunted whitetail with my G20L for the last two years and here are my impressions.

First of all, PRACTICE IS PARAMOUNT. During preseason, one needs to practice from the field positions that he/she will be shooting from. This is, hands down, the most important thing to remember. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.

Second, the choice of ammunition is also important for the ethical hunting with the 10mm. I would suggest something loaded VERY HOT, such as DoubleTap (my first choice), Buffalo Bore, Georgia Arms or Reeds, or a good handload. Keep in mind that if you are trying to decide on one of a few different loads, accuracy should be the deciding factor. I personally use the DT 200gr XTPs but I think a good, fast 200gr (or heavier) flat nose hardcast would be sufficient, too.

Thirdly, when I hunt with a pistol, at least this year, I used a tree stand with a shooting rest. My own personal rule for hunting whitetail is NOT to take a shot at a deer without a solid rest. That means no running shots and no standing, unaimed, unrested shots. Not only will the stand help give you better locations but it will keep you elevated above the scent line of deer giving you a higher success rate. Ground hunting (still hunting) can be really tricky if you have to stalk close to deer since being that close makes it inherently easier for deer to smell you. I'll be purchasing a new "climber" stand before next season to pack on my back for my extended whitetail hunting hikes into the backwoods (armed w/ pistol only). It just makes sense, at least for me.

As for the maximum range that a 10mm will work on deer... I would say that a 10mm w/ a 6" tube and hot loads could take deer at 100 yards with proper placement -- however -- you need to truly understand the difference in shooting 100 yards, breathing normally from a BENCHREST versus being freezing cold in tne field with a less than ideal rest and stance and a non-stationary target while out of breath! They are completely different. I can shoot amazing groups at 50 and even 75 yards with my longslide from the BENCH at a range but wouldnt try those in the field. I would probably try and limit myself to 20-25 yards with a less than ideal rest and MAYBE 50-75 with a PERFECTLY SOLID rest (which is rare in itself). You need to think like a bowhunter. Get close to make your shots effective and ethical. Please.

Also consider that I've reworked my Glock trigger to weigh in at about 2-2.5 lbs and extremely smooth. Keep in mind that if you're not concentrating on the KEYS to shooting, the stock Glock trigger will fail you as a hunting piece. My KEYS to shooting are:

FRONT SIGHT - SQUEEZE - FOLLOW THROUGH - OFFHAND 60/40 GRIP - SURPRISE BREAK

Remember: Aim small, hit small.

And there you have it. Now practice up and go get yourself some venison. :supergrin:

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4059/p1010045resizeja9.jpg

[MOHAA Player]

Originally posted by DavidinSA
I ran into a marksman from the police dept at the range that took my stock G20 and was hitting a 10 inch plate at 150 yds with 8 of 10 rounds after a magazine of practice. Open sights, no wind.
I can't even see that far but he is apparently an exceptional individual.
He did it to prove a point to us when he heard us talking about pistol accuracy not being very good for long range.
I wouldn't hunt at that range but as far as accuracy, the gun is better than the distance one should hunt with.

David It would be very foolish to ever take shots from that range with a handgun under any circumstances.
MOHAA

[DavidinSA]

What is wrong with shooting those distances at the range?

David

[nickE10mm]

Originally posted by DavidinSA
What is wrong with shooting those distances at the range?

David

I think MOHAA probably meant under any hunting circumstances.

[DavidinSA]

Got you.
I agree.
I didn't think I implied that especially since I said I wouldn't hunt at that range.

Thanks
David

[BackCountry]

I find I can hit a 10" steel plate at 100 yds 60%+ of the time, but for hunting I would set my ethical limitation to something under 40 yds - preferably 20 yds or less. Getting close to the animal before harvesting is what hunting is all about for me. I gave up the high powered rifle years ago for a flintlock, bow or handgun. I just find the experience more pleasurable in hunting close range. I try not to take shots over 25 yds unless it is the last day of the season. If you want to harvest an animal at 50+ yds get a long gun or a .460 or .500 magnum with at scope and practice a lot. - My opinion.

[nickE10mm]

Originally posted by BackCountry
I find I can hit a 10" steel plate at 100 yds 60%+ of the time, but for hunting I would set my ethical limitation to something under 40 yds - preferably 20 yds or less. Getting close to the animal before harvesting is what hunting is all about for me. I gave up the high powered rifle years ago for a flintlock, bow or handgun. I just find the experience more pleasurable in hunting close range. I try not to take shots over 25 yds unless it is the last day of the season...

I agree for the most part. Times that I would take one of the 'long shots' (50yds+) w/ a handgun present themselves VERY rarely. In fact, I've never been presented a time that I would feel it acceptable. Get close! :thumbsup:

[eddief4]

Originally posted by nickE10mm
swglock- I have hunted whitetail with my G20L for the last two years and here are my impressions.

First of all, PRACTICE IS PARAMOUNT. During preseason, one needs to practice from the field positions that he/she will be shooting from. This is, hands down, the most important thing to remember. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.

Second, the choice of ammunition is also important for the ethical hunting with the 10mm. I would suggest something loaded VERY HOT, such as DoubleTap (my first choice), Buffalo Bore, Georgia Arms or Reeds, or a good handload. Keep in mind that if you are trying to decide on one of a few different loads, accuracy should be the deciding factor. I personally use the DT 200gr XTPs but I think a good, fast 200gr (or heavier) flat nose hardcast would be sufficient, too.

Thirdly, when I hunt with a pistol, at least this year, I used a tree stand with a shooting rest. My own personal rule for hunting whitetail is NOT to take a shot at a deer without a solid rest. That means no running shots and no standing, unaimed, unrested shots. Not only will the stand help give you better locations but it will keep you elevated above the scent line of deer giving you a higher success rate. Ground hunting (still hunting) can be really tricky if you have to stalk close to deer since being that close makes it inherently easier for deer to smell you. I'll be purchasing a new "climber" stand before next season to pack on my back for my extended whitetail hunting hikes into the backwoods (armed w/ pistol only). It just makes sense, at least for me.

As for the maximum range that a 10mm will work on deer... I would say that a 10mm w/ a 6" tube and hot loads could take deer at 100 yards with proper placement -- however -- you need to truly understand the difference in shooting 100 yards, breathing normally from a BENCHREST versus being freezing cold in tne field with a less than ideal rest and stance and a non-stationary target while out of breath! They are completely different. I can shoot amazing groups at 50 and even 75 yards with my longslide from the BENCH at a range but wouldnt try those in the field. I would probably try and limit myself to 20-25 yards with a less than ideal rest and MAYBE 50-75 with a PERFECTLY SOLID rest (which is rare in itself). You need to think like a bowhunter. Get close to make your shots effective and ethical. Please.

Also consider that I've reworked my Glock trigger to weigh in at about 2-2.5 lbs and extremely smooth. Keep in mind that if you're not concentrating on the KEYS to shooting, the stock Glock trigger will fail you as a hunting piece. My KEYS to shooting are:

FRONT SIGHT - SQUEEZE - FOLLOW THROUGH - OFFHAND 60/40 GRIP - SURPRISE BREAK

Remember: Aim small, hit small.

And there you have it. Now practice up and go get yourself some venison. :supergrin:

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4059/p1010045resizeja9.jpg



where did you get the slide and berrel for that gun?

-thanks:wavey:

[nickE10mm]

Barsto. Its an oversized fitted hybrid 45-10mm barrel (10mm bbl w/ a .45acp hood width). There is lots of info at the 10ring here on GT ... do a search on ColoradoGlocker or nickE10mm barsto hunter.

[Lowrangerider]

Originally posted by eddief4
where did you get the slide and berrel for that gun?

-thanks:wavey:

I have one too, will sell the whole set-up for the low low price of $2500. :)

[cookand]

Hi nicke10mm,

What sights do you have on your L? I have a G20 with a 6" SL barrel that I really like and have had Heinie sights(not night sights) put on. I really like the sight picture and have gotten comfortable out to about 35'. Just wondering what your recommendation was, keeping in mind mine is not an L? Thanks for the input.

Andy

[nickE10mm]

Originally posted by cookand
Hi nicke10mm,

What sights do you have on your L? I have a G20 with a 6" SL barrel that I really like and have had Heinie sights(not night sights) put on. I really like the sight picture and have gotten comfortable out to about 35'. Just wondering what your recommendation was, keeping in mind mine is not an L? Thanks for the input.

Andy

Cookand,

Actually, Heinie Straight Eights are probably my favorite all around Glock sight (if they JUST made an adjustable version I'd have it on my L). The sights that came on my slide are BoMar BCMS-2, melted into the slide. I love their sight picture (black on black target sight) and they are fully adjustable. I THOUGHT about getting something w/ a combo tritium/fiber (TruGlo) but they don't make a front sight high enough for my setup. :(

Overall, I like Heinies and I think you will be well served with them on your Glock.

[Carphunter]

I'll just repeat what others have said.... practice practice practice.

The times I used my G20 for deer, I put a lot of rounds through the gun during the proceeding summers.

I'd practice at 50 yards, with a rest.

My intention, though, was to never shoot a deer outside of 35-40 yards. I just wanted to be sure if I misjudged range, I'd be ok.

I had shot at targets out to 100 yards, but didn't put any real effort into it since I knew I wouldn't shoot at an animal that far away with the pistol.

[cookand]

Thanks for the reply nicke10mm.:thumbsup: