point-blank range

The term point-blank dates to the 1570s and is probably of French origin, deriving from {{lang|fr|pointé à blanc}}, "pointed at white". It is thought{{Cite book |last=Forsyth |first=Mark |title=The etymologicon: A circular stroll through the hidden connections of the English language |publisher=Icon Books Ltd |year=2011 |isbn=9780425260791 |language=English}} the word blanc may be used to describe a small white aiming spot formerly at the center of shooting targets. However, since none of the early sources mention a white center target, blanc may refer to empty space or zero point of elevation when testing range.{{Cite web |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/point-blank#etymonline_v_17539 |title=point-blank {{!}} Origin and meaning of point-blank by Online Etymology Dictionary |website=www.etymonline.com |language=en |access-date=3 October 2018}}

The term originated with the techniques used to aim muzzle-loading cannon. Their barrels tapered from breech to muzzle, so that when the top of the cannon was held horizontal, its bore actually sat at an elevated angle. This caused the projectile to rise above the natural line of sight shortly after leaving the muzzle, then drop below it after the apex of its slightly parabolic trajectory was reached.{{cite book |title=Instruction Upon the Art of Pointing Cannon |author=Unknown |publisher=J. and G. S. Gideon |year=1848 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9NdqRRblXkkC&q=%22point+blank+range%22+cannon&pg=PA12}}

By repeatedly firing a given projectile with the same charge, the point where the shot fell below the bottom of the bore could be measured. This distance was considered the point-blank range: any target within it required the gun to be depressed; any beyond it required elevation, up to the angle of greatest range at somewhat before 45 degrees.

Various cannon of the 19th century had point-blank ranges from {{convert|250|yd|m}} (12 lb howitzer, {{convert|0.595|lb|abbr=on}} powder charge) to nearly {{convert|1075|yd|m}} (30 lb carronade, solid shot, {{convert|3.53|lb|abbr=on}} powder charge).

File:Torso Lethal Shot Placement rectangle of 450 × 225 mm (17.7 × 8.85 in) superimposed over silhouetted soldier.png

Small arms are often sighted in so that their sight line and bullet path are within a certain acceptable margin out to the longest possible range, called the maximum point-blank range. Maximum point-blank range is principally a function of a cartridge's external ballistics and target size: high-velocity rounds have long point-blank ranges, while slow rounds have much shorter point-blank ranges. Target size determines how far above and below the line of sight a projectile's trajectory may deviate. Other considerations include sight height and acceptable drop before a shot is ineffective.{{cite web |url=http://www.exteriorballistics.com/ebexplained/4th/55.cfm |title=Point Blank Range |publisher=exteriorballistics.com |access-date=11 September 2007 |archive-date=10 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010141631/http://www.exteriorballistics.com/ebexplained/4th/55.cfm |url-status=dead }}

A large target, like the vitals area of a deer, allows a deviation of a few inches (as much as 10 cm) while still ensuring a quickly disabling hit. Vermin such as prairie dogs require a much smaller deviation, less than an inch (about 2 cm).{{cite web|url=http://www.loadammo.com/Topics/February02.htm |title=Point Blank Range |publisher=Load From A Disk |access-date=11 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070801101808/http://www.loadammo.com/Topics/February02.htm |archive-date=1 August 2007}} The height of the sights has two effects on point blank range. If the sights are lower than the allowable deviation, then point blank range starts at the muzzle, and any difference between the sight height and the allowable deviation is lost distance that could have been in point blank range. Higher sights, up to the maximum allowable deviation, push the maximum point blank range farther from the gun. Sights that are higher than the maximum allowable deviation push the start of the point blank range farther out from the muzzle; this is common with varmint rifles, where close shots are only sometimes made, as it places the point blank range out to the expected range of the usual targets.

Known also as "battle zero", maximum point-blank range is crucial in the military. Soldiers are instructed to fire at any target within this range by simply placing their weapon's sights on the center of mass of the enemy target. Any errors in range estimation are effectively irrelevant, as a well-aimed shot will hit the torso of the enemy soldier. No height correction is needed at the "battle zero" or less distance, but it can result in a headshot or even a complete miss. The belt buckle is used as battle zero point of aim in Russian and former Soviet military doctrine.{{cite book|author=Gordon Rottman |title=The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series Assault Rifles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qK9Nn-2xocUC&pg=PA42 |access-date=24 December 2011 |date=24 May 2011 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84908-835-0 |pages=42–}}{{cite web|url=http://russianoptics.net/400mzero.html|title=Using a 400 meter zero with 5.45x39|access-date=16 November 2014}}

The first mass-produced assault rifle, the World War II StG 44, and its preceding prototypes had iron sight lines elevated over the bore axis to extend point-blank range. The current trend for elevated sights and flatter shooting higher-velocity cartridges in assault rifles is in part due to a desire to further extend the maximum point-blank range, which makes the rifle easier to use.{{cite web|url=http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=599 |title=An Improved Battlesight Zero for the M4 Carbine and M16A2 Rifle |access-date=11 September 2007}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ar15.com/content/webPDF/TM9-1005-319-10.pdf |title=TM 9-1005-319-10 (2010) – Operator's Manual for Rifle, 5.56 MM, M16A2/M16A3/M4 (Battlesight Zero pages 48–55)|access-date=3 June 2014}} Raising the sight line {{convert|48.5|to|66|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} over the bore axis, introduces an inherent parallax problem as the projectile path crosses the horizontal sighting plane twice. The point closest to the gun occurs while the bullet is climbing through the line of sight and is called the near zero. The second point occurs as the projectile is descending through the line of sight and is called the far zero. At closer ranges under the near zero range (typically inside {{convert|15|to|25|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}), the shooter must aim high to place shots where desired.

• Table of handgun and rifle cartridges

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• Nosworthy, Brent. marconibrenner. Constable and Co. Ltd, 1995 {{ISBN|0-09-477240-1}}

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{{wiktionary|pointblank}}

• [http://civilwarartillery.com/tables.htm Tables for Cannon & Artillery Projectiles used in the American Civil War] (includes point blank ranges).

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Category:Ballistics

Category:Firearm terminology