Definition

Noun: 1. A place for shooting practice: A rifle range is a designated, often controlled, area where people can practice shooting rifles at targets. 2. The effective distance of a rifle: Rifle range refers to the maximum distance over which a rifle bullet can travel accurately and effectively.

Usage and Examples

• As a place (countable noun):
  • The soldiers trained at the rifle range every afternoon.
  • He joined a club that has its own indoor rifle range.
• As a distance (usually uncountable noun):
  • The enemy camp was still within rifle range.
  • The sniper positioned himself just beyond the effective rifle range of the standard infantry weapon.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in military, law enforcement, and sporting contexts.
• When referring to distance, it is commonly used with prepositions like , , , or .

Variants and Related Words

• Firing range (n): A more general term for an area used to practice shooting various firearms, including pistols and rifles.
• Shooting gallery (n): Typically an indoor range, often for recreational shooting with lighter firearms like air rifles or .22 caliber rifles.
• Range (n): In this context, a shortened, informal form meaning a shooting range (e.g., "I'm going to the range this weekend").

Synonyms

• Target range: Specifically emphasizes the area used for target practice.
• Shooting range: A general synonym for an area designated for shooting firearms.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To be in/out of range: To be within or beyond the effective distance for shooting.
  • We waited until the patrol was well within range before opening fire.
• Point-blank range: An extremely close distance at which a weapon can be aimed directly at its target without adjusting for bullet drop.
  • The shot was fired at point-blank range.

Noun

1. a range where people can practice shooting rifles
   • during the war they turned the bowling alleys into rifle ranges
2. the distance that a rifle bullet will carry
   • the target was out of rifle range