point blank

Point-blank range is any distance over which a certain firearm can hit a target without the need to compensate for bullet drop. Like any object in flight, a bullet is pulled downwards by gravity, so for distant targets, the shooter must point the firearm above the target to compensate. Otherwise, the bullet will hit the ground in front of the target. But if the target is close enough, bullet drop will be negligible so the shooter can aim the gun straight at the target. Point-blank range will vary by a weapon's external ballistics characteristics and the size of the target; the flatter the bullet's trajectory or the larger the target, the longer the point-blank range will be.In popular usage, point-blank range has come to mean extremely close range with a firearm, yet not close enough to be a contact shot.

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