Have you ever wondered how much time does a bullet takes to travel 1000 yards? Well, the bullet travel speed depends on the type of artillery you are using. For instance, if you are just using a handgun, it has a different capacity and range. A rifle’s bullet could be much faster on the other hand. Other important mechanics like the aerodynamics of the bullet, the environment where it is fired (water, humidity, and gravity), and the direction of the wind equally play a significant role. However, whatever purpose the bullet speed may serve you, the ensuing information will indeed be helpful to you. First and foremost, let’s crack the mystery behind the total time it could take a bullet to travel 1000 yards:

A Standard 9mm Pistol

A 9mm pistol has a muzzle speed of 1,200 FPS (Feet per Second). Ideally, by the time it reaches 500 yards, it is likely to have lost around 50 % of its velocity. This is an indication that once the bullet reaches the intended target at 1000 yards. It would have lost pretty much of its energy. And, the impact will not be very effective. At least, not when it comes to literally pierce the target. Hence, let’s say, if a target is a small animal, it may not get killed but could get wounded. In that case, a 9mm pistol will definitely not have that much of an impact.

Muzzle Velocity Time to Travel 1000 Yards
1000 feet per second 2.17 seconds
2000 feet per second 1.08 seconds
3000 feet per second 0.72 seconds

How About Using a Rifle?

A rifle is a highly effective weapon. It has a remarkable capacity to do 1000 yards considerably more effectively, but there are numerous additional factors to consider. The first is how at ease you are with your firearm. Important factors like as the cheek rest, trigger weight, and length of draw should all be considered in this regard.

Humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction are also influences. Of course, if you fire a bullet into the wind, it will slow down considerably before reaching 1000 yards. Even the aerodynamics of a bullet can work against it at times due to its own weight.

Then, the curvature of the earth is another crucial element. Being round in shape, you have to consider it when taking an aim.

Important Factors to Consider when Buying a Rifle

The most important factor in this regard is to make sure that you are comfortable with the gun. As you step out to shop for one, make sure that it suits you and you are comfortable when it comes to operating it. If that is not the case, you should look for other options. Your satisfaction is indeed crucial.

Second, consider the caliber of the gun. Ideally, either a .308 or 6.5mm Creedmoor would be great for a new shooter as both are easily available. For more experienced and competitive fellows, a 6.5mm Creedmoor is an excellent choice. For those who still want to learn and grow, when shooting is taken into account, a .308 would suffice.

Buying a Rifle

The third factor is deciding on an action. If you are looking for high-quality guns that can be customized according to your liking, the Ruger Precision Rifle, Remington 700, the Tikka 3, and the Savage 12 are great options. It is due to the fact that these guns have immense aftermarket support and any gunsmith can easily upgrade them as per your requirements. These guns are also ideal for new users to learn and develop as competitive long-range shooters.

As you may have noticed, bullet speed is not determined by a single component. There are numerous other factors to examine in order to ensure that your goal is progressing. How are you going to do it? Simply put, the more you train with the guns listed above, the better you will become.

You will learn about the weight and size of the bullet, environmental elements such as humidity and wind direction, gravity, and, of course, the type of gun you are using as you study the trade. You can practice shooting at known distance targets until you feel confident enough to go hunting.