50 per week... enough?

Is 50 rounds enough practice ammo for one week?

  • Yes

    Votes: 50 78.1%

  • No (then how many?)

    Votes: 14 21.9%
  • Total voters
    64
  • Poll closed .
M

Model12Win

Moderator
Basically what I'm asking is, would firing 50 rounds of ammo every seven days (once per weak) be enough to maintain proficiency or even gain proficiency with a handgun? Specifically, 50 rounds of 230 grain hardball in a Glock 21 Gen 4. I would be supplementing with dry-fire practice, reload drills, malfunction drills, and sight picture/trigger control techniques probably bi-weekly.

So what do you think, is 50 rounds enough ammo to shoot per week in practice at the range in order to maintain effectiveness with a handgun?

Thanks!
 
IMHO - shoot because you want to, not because you have to.

There's no set amount of ammunition needed to maintain a high level of proficiency.
 
would firing 50 rounds of ammo every seven days (once per weak) be enough to maintain proficiency or even gain proficiency with a handgun?
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That all depends on how you train. Reinforcing bad habits with 50 rounds of live practice every week will easily cause you to LOSE proficiency, not maintain or gain it.

Have you ever taken a multi-day handgun class (Gunsite, etc) with a recognized training facility? It'll do more to improve your proficiency with a handgun than firing 1,000 rounds per week.

Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent.
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Maintaining proficiency yes, to increase proficiency, not so sure.
Of coarse it depends on the individual, as for me to increase proficiency I would need more, a lot more.
 
Back in the 80’s when I was really trying to learn the basics of shooting I started out with a Ruger MKII in 22.
I shot a box of 50, 4 times a week, weather permitting. I did this for more than a year.
The same gun today I shoot at a minimum of 100 a month due to the fact that it’s cheap to shoot and for me the best gun to work on basics.
After 30+ years of being a serious shooter I don’t need 50 rounds to remain proficient. I’m not saying that I am a great shot just good enough to stay away from the bad traits/habits.
But summer months I shoot a lot more than 50 a week, a lot more. 44 specials alone it probably in the +500 a month, 9mm 4 times that much.
To your question is 50 enough a lot depends on your experience level. It could be enough or way short on the number you need to put down range.
If you’re fairly new without a lot of experience I would suggest a professional trainer and just a couple of sessions. I was lucky that when I started out I was trained by a good friend that used to carry guns on trains with Harry Truman.
 
I answered, yes, 50 is enough though I'll do closer to 100 a week because I live close to a range and I reload.

But the question amuses me because there are those out there who think 50 might not be enough for self defense at home or on the street. Hence they talk about 15 or more in the gun and two spare magazines at a minimum. :)
 
Not that cops have a reputation as the best shots (we actually suck pretty bad) in the world but most agencies recommend we shoot about 50 rounds a week. They recommend 3 mags (15x3=45) and a field load in between. Considering they spend tons of money on their studies, I figure that if you are practicing good habits and making the most out of those 50 rounds, it is probably a great number.
 
There's no set amount of ammunition needed to maintain a high level of proficiency.
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True statement.

An Army Master Sergeant told me at a US Army small arms training course that I was a student at, “Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. A practice session of Ten shots in the X-ring, is better than 100 shots in the 5-ring.”
 
See - "Ammo Shortage Solutions: One Box Workout" at http://www.officer.com/article/10882618/ammo-shortage-solutions-one-box-workouttm

Youtube video "One Box Workout" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvvWteMhrqs

Of course you can develop your own personal "one box workout" too.

Another useful tool is Trident Concepts "TACOST" (TAsk, COnditions and STandards) training program - http://www.tridentconcepts.com/tacost-training-program/

You can also put together a "cold skills test" of critical skills that you perform first and then plan the remainder of your training session based on the results.

Good luck!
 
I said No.
I shoot with my peeps every Sunday; rain, sun, or snow, usually bringing two rifles and two handguns each. That comes out to an average of 180-200 rounds per session.
 
depends

50 a week to maintain proficiency might be enough. However, my family enjoys target shooting so we go through much more. Come to think of it, that might be why I am getting into reloading.
 
50 rounds loading your mags full and emptying them isn't going to be IMO.
If you are running something like some of the 50 or 100 round drills available on different sites it will maintain IMO.
As others said, it will only increase proficiency IF you have items you are aware of and working on. It is not impossible to do so without paying a grand to take a two day course. ost of those instructors have videos that are much cheaper and if you are disciplined you can learn just as well from the videos and a video camera. Yes, I said tape yourself.
 
50 rounds a week enough to maintain proficiency?

Depends on who you are, what you skill level is now, and what level of proficiency you want to maintain.

Match winning skill? I think more than 50/week would be needed.

45+ years shooting experience and currently needing nothing more than being able to hit something across the room? 50 rounds a year might be more than enough....
 
I shoot with my peeps every Sunday; rain, sun, or snow, usually bringing two rifles and two handguns each. That comes out to an average of 180-200 rounds per session.
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Summary: Weekly shooting, 4 different guns, 200 total rounds = 50 each gun/week. So that means you agree that 50 is enough.

I also say that the 50/week should maintain your present level of proficiency. If you are bad now, you'll practice bad. If you are extremely good then you should maintain that level. Once you reach a level you are satisfied with then the weekly practice of 50 should keep you there.
 
although i shoot roughly 4x that much, i would think that it would be plenty to keep your skills sharp and keep your muscle memory

but you will the first and only to know if your skills are waning or you are not shooting at the par you would like to be
 
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