What caliber of handgun is most accurate at 100yards +? - Page 2

**44 AMP** · November 29, 2010, 12:48 AM

I'll chime in.

There are several factors involved when you ask which caliber is most accurate. And most folks confuse the hell out of them and answer with which gun they shoot best, or have seen shot best. And that's not what is being asked, even if the OP thinks it is!

Leaving aside the human element, and those mechanical factor dependant on the handgun construction (chamber alignment, fixed vs. tilting barrel, etc.) and focusing only on which calibers are most accurate at 100yards +, he answer is......

The larger ones.

The reasons is basically mass. The larger the bullet, the less it is affected by outside forces, both in and out of the barrel. A minor barrel flaw that spell shotgun pattern accuracy for a .22, a .45 slug rumbles over it, without giving it any notice. When you even out all the factors, it is generally the bigger bores that are more accurate, overall.

Now, if you want to look at all the "hand rifles", & Contenders, and compare them against more traditional handguns, or just look at conventional pistols and revolvers and want to know which is the most accurate at 100yds+, you should ask a different question.

And, when you add in the human element, well, that's a whole 'nother question again!

Archie · November 30, 2010, 06:40 PM

The most accurate handgun at 100 yards is probably the most accurate gun at 25 yards?

I shoot bullseye (among other things) and have a S&W M41 (.22 long rifle). The pistol is very accurate. I also shoot a Government Model in .45 ACP which was worked by the late Jimmy Clark. It is extremely accurate as well.

The problem with the .22 long rifle at 'extreme' range is wind drift. Larger calibers and heavier bullets tend to drift less.

Silhouette shooters have more to consider than basic accuracy. The bullet must also knock over a target at the given range. Usually, a .22 lr won't topple a ram at 500 yards - but that doesn't affect accuracy per se.

Yeah, I'd go with a 'one-hand rifle' as the most accurate. But I don't find a Remington XP100 or Wichita International to be convenient to holster and carry in normal life.

For general carry handguns, I'd go with a four or five inch barreled M29 (which is about as big as I care to carry holstered in 'normal' mode) as the most useful long range handgun. But, as I mentioned, that also considers usable power at range.

Skipping back to my Clark built .45 ACP, I could hit pretty well at 100 yards with it, but the .45 wadcutter isn't overwhelming in horsepower.

Buzzcook · November 30, 2010, 08:30 PM

I've frequently read that the .32 long is a very accurate cartridge.
I'm not sure if it's true or if people are thinking of the S&W .32 Target Masterpiece. Which is a very accurate revolver.

One thing that 44amp might have mentioned is speed. A sub-sonic bullet stays relatively stable; while one that drops from super sonic to sub-sonic looses some of its stability.

Not sure if that's an issue at 100yds, just something to consider.

EnoughGUN · November 30, 2010, 10:39 PM

WHat about the 5.7 x 28?

kinoons · December 1, 2010, 12:05 AM

My thoughts exactly. I was thinking of the fn5.7 myself. 2133 ft/s should shoot pretty damn flat. Relatively longer barrel and low recoil as well.

MadHatter1 · December 1, 2010, 08:41 AM

For a caliber that is primarily a handgun load, I'd say the .460 S&W is the most accurate I've used at longer ranges. Its easily a 200 yard revolver with a 5" barrel

pythagorean · December 1, 2010, 10:15 AM

On a calm sunny day the SW 41 is a sobering surprise to handgun ability beyond 100 yards--with the factory sights alone!

I know because I've done it many times with cans downrange beyond 100 yards.

If the handgun is accurate with a good trigger (like the 41) then you can be quite dangerous beyond 100 yards with ease.

Ditto_95 · December 3, 2010, 07:19 PM

Elmer Keith used to shoot very accurately with a .44 special out to 600 yards.
That was pre .44 magnum. Since he is considered the father of the .44 magnum, I understand the .44 special loads were quite hot.

Hoss Fly · December 3, 2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

I think this is the oldest zombie thread I've ever seen...

Nine years! WOW!

Wonder how far back Silverbullet had to dig to find it

Morgo · December 3, 2010, 09:01 PM

For long range handgun, TC Contender 14" barrel in 7mmTCU.

Hoss Fly · December 3, 2010, 09:28 PM

Not really realivant i guess but i had a custom Para P18 with a Caspian top end / J Point red dot that i could hit gallon milk jugs at 100yrds

charlie73 · December 3, 2010, 09:45 PM

long range my xp100 in 221 fireball..its a prairie dogs worst nightmare..ok I guess that does not count as it's not a standard pistol round..but oh man

Nite Ryder · December 8, 2010, 10:27 PM

One of my revolvers that seems to be the most accurate revolver is a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag with a scope mounted on it. However, I have many Contender & Encore barrels, all scope mounted, that will outshoot many revolvers as far as group size goes. My15" ported 308 Encore barrel has amazing accuracy.

Magnum Wheel Man · December 9, 2010, 08:26 AM

wow dug this one up from china...

accuracy ... um...

OK... I have several Contenders that I regularly shoot to 300 yards with handloads ( but honestly... they are rifle calibers ) the 7-30 Waters is a particular favorite of mine, as well as the 17K Hornet, 5.7 X 28, 222 Remington, 7mm TCU, & an actual pistol cartridge, the 357 Maximum

honestly, IMO, shooting cartridges like the 44 special at anything over 100 yards is more a testiment to the shooter than the cartridge... ( Keith could have probably killed buffalo at 400 yard with a sling shot ) doesn't make the sling shot that accurate, only a testiment to the man...

when you get into "real" handgun cartridges, I think you need to look at standard twist rates, bullet weights, & ballistic coefficients ( when was the last time you heard a pistol shooter worried about bullet coefficients ) but the same rules apply for long range handgun rounds as do long range rifle...

my most accurate at distance revolver... ( currently )

scoped Dan Wesson 357 Max

Semi Auto...

scoped Automag 4 in 10 mm magnum

Hand Cannon...

scoped Contender 14" barrel in 7-30 Waters

of course changing out a load could easily move another gun & cartridge into any of my top spots...

BTW... a close 2nd, & worthy of an honorable mention, is my custom fast twist 22 Hornet revolver... & handloads using 45 grain boat tail spitzer bullets... just confirming the twist rate & bullet coefficient thing

coyote_slayer · December 9, 2010, 10:35 AM

FN 5.7 all the way. Most accurate thing out there for 100yards. I hunt a lot of coyotes and it's my weapon of choice for coyotes. Super fun with the 20 round clip. Even shot a lynx cat last winter in Alaska with it!!

t45 · December 9, 2010, 10:01 PM

It would be my Sig 22. I did however hit a 100yd target with my 1911 45acp through a .451 hole.

rogerxvr · December 13, 2010, 08:45 PM

smith-wesson 460xvr revolver.......

thekevin · December 15, 2010, 11:27 AM

I have had really good luck with the longer shots out of my Ruger .357 with a Burris red dot on it, however I think my 625 .45acp will out shoot it at 100 yards.

darkgael · December 16, 2010, 03:18 PM

Accurate at 100 yards. Some one asked about the 5.7X28.
Here's a five shot group from the FiveSeven handgun; it was shot during load development:

There was a whole lot of shooting with powder/bullet combos that were not nearly as good. This one was a keeper.
Pete

BIG P · December 18, 2010, 10:49 PM

T/C 7mm-08 with 15'' barrel aint bad.

T. O'Heir · December 19, 2010, 04:10 AM

Despite this being an old post, accurate 100 yard shooting with a handgun isn't about the calibre. It's about the shooter.
A .25 ACP ball round will go right through a 2 x 4 at 100. Won't if you can't hit it.

darkgael · December 19, 2010, 07:41 AM

Quote:

A .25 ACP ball round will go right through a 2 x 4 at 100.

Is a .25 ACP bullet stil stable at 100 yards? (MV = 760 fps/ BC = .110)

Pete

P97 · December 19, 2010, 09:10 AM

44Mag.

ky hunter · December 19, 2010, 06:34 PM

Ask the nine point buck whitetail deer that was head shot at 210 yards with my 270win 15 inch TC encore with a 2/6 Bushnell.

November 29, 2010, 12:48 AM	#26
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	Since this one has come back to life..... I'll chime in. There are several factors involved when you ask which caliber is most accurate. And most folks confuse the hell out of them and answer with which gun they shoot best, or have seen shot best. And that's not what is being asked, even if the OP thinks it is! Leaving aside the human element, and those mechanical factor dependant on the handgun construction (chamber alignment, fixed vs. tilting barrel, etc.) and focusing only on which calibers are most accurate at 100yards +, he answer is...... The larger ones. The reasons is basically mass. The larger the bullet, the less it is affected by outside forces, both in and out of the barrel. A minor barrel flaw that spell shotgun pattern accuracy for a .22, a .45 slug rumbles over it, without giving it any notice. When you even out all the factors, it is generally the bigger bores that are more accurate, overall. Now, if you want to look at all the "hand rifles", & Contenders, and compare them against more traditional handguns, or just look at conventional pistols and revolvers and want to know which is the most accurate at 100yds+, you should ask a different question. And, when you add in the human element, well, that's a whole 'nother question again! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 30, 2010, 06:40 PM	#27
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	May I suggest... The most accurate handgun at 100 yards is probably the most accurate gun at 25 yards? I shoot bullseye (among other things) and have a S&W M41 (.22 long rifle). The pistol is very accurate. I also shoot a Government Model in .45 ACP which was worked by the late Jimmy Clark. It is extremely accurate as well. The problem with the .22 long rifle at 'extreme' range is wind drift. Larger calibers and heavier bullets tend to drift less. Silhouette shooters have more to consider than basic accuracy. The bullet must also knock over a target at the given range. Usually, a .22 lr won't topple a ram at 500 yards - but that doesn't affect accuracy per se. Yeah, I'd go with a 'one-hand rifle' as the most accurate. But I don't find a Remington XP100 or Wichita International to be convenient to holster and carry in normal life. For general carry handguns, I'd go with a four or five inch barreled M29 (which is about as big as I care to carry holstered in 'normal' mode) as the most useful long range handgun. But, as I mentioned, that also considers usable power at range. Skipping back to my Clark built .45 ACP, I could hit pretty well at 100 yards with it, but the .45 wadcutter isn't overwhelming in horsepower. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

November 30, 2010, 10:39 PM	#29
EnoughGUN Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2009 Posts: 538	WHat about the 5.7 x 28? __________________ GLOCK Austrian for Lemming

December 3, 2010, 07:19 PM	#33
Ditto_95 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 154	Elmer Keith used to shoot very accurately with a .44 special out to 600 yards. That was pre .44 magnum. Since he is considered the father of the .44 magnum, I understand the .44 special loads were quite hot. __________________ Finem Respice Consider the end Principils Obsta Resist the beginings

December 3, 2010, 09:45 PM	#37
charlie73 Member Join Date: December 1, 2010 Location: twin cities,Minnesota Posts: 35	long range my xp100 in 221 fireball..its a prairie dogs worst nightmare..ok I guess that does not count as it's not a standard pistol round..but oh man __________________ plan for the worst..and hope for the best

November 30, 2010, 08:30 PM	#28
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I've frequently read that the .32 long is a very accurate cartridge. I'm not sure if it's true or if people are thinking of the S&W .32 Target Masterpiece. Which is a very accurate revolver. One thing that 44amp might have mentioned is speed. A sub-sonic bullet stays relatively stable; while one that drops from super sonic to sub-sonic looses some of its stability. Not sure if that's an issue at 100yds, just something to consider.

December 1, 2010, 12:05 AM	#30
kinoons Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2008 Location: las vegas, NV Posts: 409	My thoughts exactly. I was thinking of the fn5.7 myself. 2133 ft/s should shoot pretty damn flat. Relatively longer barrel and low recoil as well.

December 1, 2010, 08:41 AM	#31
MadHatter1 Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2010 Posts: 151	For a caliber that is primarily a handgun load, I'd say the .460 S&W is the most accurate I've used at longer ranges. Its easily a 200 yard revolver with a 5" barrel

December 1, 2010, 10:15 AM	#32
pythagorean Junior member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 970	On a calm sunny day the SW 41 is a sobering surprise to handgun ability beyond 100 yards--with the factory sights alone! I know because I've done it many times with cans downrange beyond 100 yards. If the handgun is accurate with a good trigger (like the 41) then you can be quite dangerous beyond 100 yards with ease.

December 3, 2010, 09:01 PM	#35
Morgo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 471	For long range handgun, TC Contender 14" barrel in 7mmTCU.

December 3, 2010, 09:28 PM	#36
Hoss Fly Junior member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: East Texas Posts: 849	Not really realivant i guess but i had a custom Para P18 with a Caspian top end / J Point red dot that i could hit gallon milk jugs at 100yrds

December 8, 2010, 10:27 PM	#38
Nite Ryder Member Join Date: June 29, 2009 Location: So. Oregon Posts: 81	What caliber of handgun is most accurate at 100yards +? One of my revolvers that seems to be the most accurate revolver is a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag with a scope mounted on it. However, I have many Contender & Encore barrels, all scope mounted, that will outshoot many revolvers as far as group size goes. My15" ported 308 Encore barrel has amazing accuracy. __________________ "Except For Ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism, and Communism, WAR has never solved anything"

December 9, 2010, 08:26 AM	#39
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	wow dug this one up from china... accuracy ... um... OK... I have several Contenders that I regularly shoot to 300 yards with handloads ( but honestly... they are rifle calibers ) the 7-30 Waters is a particular favorite of mine, as well as the 17K Hornet, 5.7 X 28, 222 Remington, 7mm TCU, & an actual pistol cartridge, the 357 Maximum honestly, IMO, shooting cartridges like the 44 special at anything over 100 yards is more a testiment to the shooter than the cartridge... ( Keith could have probably killed buffalo at 400 yard with a sling shot ) doesn't make the sling shot that accurate, only a testiment to the man... when you get into "real" handgun cartridges, I think you need to look at standard twist rates, bullet weights, & ballistic coefficients ( when was the last time you heard a pistol shooter worried about bullet coefficients ) but the same rules apply for long range handgun rounds as do long range rifle... my most accurate at distance revolver... ( currently ) scoped Dan Wesson 357 Max Semi Auto... scoped Automag 4 in 10 mm magnum Hand Cannon... scoped Contender 14" barrel in 7-30 Waters of course changing out a load could easily move another gun & cartridge into any of my top spots... BTW... a close 2nd, & worthy of an honorable mention, is my custom fast twist 22 Hornet revolver... & handloads using 45 grain boat tail spitzer bullets... just confirming the twist rate & bullet coefficient thing __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

December 9, 2010, 10:35 AM	#40
coyote_slayer Junior Member Join Date: December 8, 2010 Posts: 4	FN 5.7 all the way. Most accurate thing out there for 100yards. I hunt a lot of coyotes and it's my weapon of choice for coyotes. Super fun with the 20 round clip. Even shot a lynx cat last winter in Alaska with it!!

December 9, 2010, 10:01 PM	#41
t45 Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2010 Location: Foothills, NC Posts: 782	It would be my Sig 22. I did however hit a 100yd target with my 1911 45acp through a .451 hole.

December 13, 2010, 08:45 PM	#42
rogerxvr Member Join Date: July 2, 2007 Posts: 42	smith-wesson 460xvr revolver.......

December 15, 2010, 11:27 AM	#43
thekevin Member Join Date: October 17, 2010 Posts: 28	I have had really good luck with the longer shots out of my Ruger .357 with a Burris red dot on it, however I think my 625 .45acp will out shoot it at 100 yards.

December 16, 2010, 03:18 PM	#44
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	5.7 Accurate at 100 yards. Some one asked about the 5.7X28. Here's a five shot group from the FiveSeven handgun; it was shot during load development: There was a whole lot of shooting with powder/bullet combos that were not nearly as good. This one was a keeper. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

December 18, 2010, 10:49 PM	#45
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	T/C 7mm-08 with 15'' barrel aint bad.

December 19, 2010, 04:10 AM	#46
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Despite this being an old post, accurate 100 yard shooting with a handgun isn't about the calibre. It's about the shooter. A .25 ACP ball round will go right through a 2 x 4 at 100. Won't if you can't hit it. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 19, 2010, 09:10 AM	#48
P97 Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2006 Location: Panama, Ok. Posts: 660	44Mag. __________________ Visit: Early Risers Coffee Shop Happy and Safe Shooting !!!

December 19, 2010, 06:34 PM	#49
ky hunter Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2010 Posts: 132	Ask the nine point buck whitetail deer that was head shot at 210 yards with my 270win 15 inch TC encore with a 2/6 Bushnell.