Point-blank range

The maximum point-blank range of a firearm will depend on a variety of factors such as muzzle velocity and the size of the target.

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.

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.

[8] 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.

[10][11] 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.