Is 45 the most accurate pistol caliber?

I'd challenge any caliber mentioned so far up against a 44 Special or 44 Russian. Pistols can't compete with revolvers for raw accuracy. I agree with burnaby.
 
t-star said:
your youth is showing let me explain- variances in case weight, variances in powder charge, variances in bullet weights, inconsistent ignition(the primer mix has a tendency to go stale)these are all things that render the 22 as an unreliable round, and with that comes inaccuracy- fire a couple of bricks and you'll see what I mean- the reason the 22 is used by the Olympics and isu is that it provides a accurate SHORT range platform, but as to being the most accurate pistol cartridge, i'm afraid the jury is still out on that one- I shoot a BERETTA NEOS and I've shot hammerli, and I can get groups the size of a dime at 10m, but to do it over a magazineful is another story- 3 shots sure, but 10?- there'll ALWAYS be a flyer to spoil the group- with the 45 in the right pistol, and the right shooter , you'll see more consistent groups- and that's what guys like les baer, Wilson, mckormick and the others are all about
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^ I agree with your opinion. I have a Hammerli Model 150 free pistol. SK Rifle Match performs outstandingly and Federal blue box is embarrassing at 50 meters.
 
hend238 said:
I'd challenge any caliber mentioned so far up against a 44 Special or 44 Russian. Pistols can't compete with revolvers for raw accuracy. I agree with burnaby.
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Considerable truth here too. IIRC, it is recorded that in or around 1888, a National Guard Sargent from an Eastern state set a world shooting record with a S&W revolver chambered in 44 Russian. Bullseye shooting, one handed stance for 5-6 shots.

I know that two of my S&W revolvers are about neck & neck with good ammunition.
One a Model 64-3 in 38 and a Model 624 in the excellent 44 Special.
Both sporting target sights and six inch pipes.
 
iamcanadianeh said:
I've finally started shooting pistols in 45acp this year, and wow am I ever having good results. I'm getting the best groups I've ever had, better than any other caliber I've had in the past, and with a few different 45's. Am I having a run of good luck, or are 45s somehow inherently more accurate?
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JMB. That is all. :cool:
 
t-star said:
one has to remember that we are living in the "latter " days of pistol shooting- back in the 50's and 60s companies like s&w and colt actually had teams of shooters and took time and pride in their products and were not limited by what will sell and what does the public want? that's the reason that guys like Wilson and baer can demand and get top prices for their guns
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That's what happens when the bean counters take over.. so true
 
gdawg said:
Yes that is right. I gather the gun is tuned and sighted for that specific load going at around 825ft/sec. The gentleman I was shooting with indicated that some re-manufacturers (Wolf I think) are making batches of it so I'm keeping my eyes open for some. Ammo now, gun later I hope - funds (and wife ;-) permitting lol
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Hope you get the 52 some day. It would be a great addition to your collection. Followed by the elusive Automag of course!
Federal used to sell the 148gr loading as factory ammo. I may still have a box somewhere but the stuff is at least 30 years old!
 
For now nothing can touch my LB, but the future could bring another champion when a Korth Combat 357 mag make it back east... Story to follow... JP.
 
t-star said:
your youth is showing let me explain- variances in case weight, variances in powder charge, variances in bullet weights, inconsistent ignition(the primer mix has a tendency to go stale)these are all things that render the 22 as an unreliable round, and with that comes inaccuracy- fire a couple of bricks and you'll see what I mean- the reason the 22 is used by the Olympics and isu is that it provides a accurate SHORT range platform, but as to being the most accurate pistol cartridge, i'm afraid the jury is still out on that one- I shoot a BERETTA NEOS and I've shot hammerli, and I can get groups the size of a dime at 10m, but to do it over a magazineful is another story- 3 shots sure, but 10?- there'll ALWAYS be a flyer to spoil the group- with the 45 in the right pistol, and the right shooter , you'll see more consistent groups- and that's what guys like les baer, Wilson, mckormick and the others are all about
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Just my opinion and I have the Ransom Rest targets to convince me otherwise from 10 shot groups @ 25 yds with good ammo and a Model 41.
A custom made PPC revolver .38 Spl was a close second.
 
YOUR EXPERIENCES only- not documented fact- you're still not addressing the variances , even though you've taken out the "human "variables by using the ransom rest- anymore than Winchester 555 works the best of any out there- in MY GUN ONLY- the best I ever ran into was Winchester dynapoint, but that stuff is as rare as hens teeth-granted, the '41 is a target model but I should doubt if its any better than a hamerelli or a beretta competition sport models - for me i'm coming up on50 YEARS of shooting- as an aside I've shot the rws eley competition "sport"- yea, the 50 bux for 50 rounds stuff back in the 80s and it actually shot WORSE than winny dynapoints- just goes to show you it's a combination- shooter or rest, gun, and AMMO plus alt, humidity wind direction - when you use a heavier slug you can eliminate a good deal of those variables
 
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I'm with the original poster. I went from 9mm to a 1911 45 and it's balls on accurate for me. I love shooting it. My wallet, does not.
 
Still alive said:
Federal used to sell the 148gr loading as factory ammo. I may still have a box somewhere but the stuff is at least 30 years old!
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Ah so did you have one before, or just shooting the target loads out of a revolver? The 52 is a classic for sure.
 
gdawg said:
Ah so did you have one before, or just shooting the target loads out of a revolver? The 52 is a classic for sure.
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Nah! Wished I had! I shot the ammo through a 6" 586 back then. I've never even seen a 52 in person. I've seen lots of M39s which the 52 kinda looks like but never the real thing. How was it to shoot? Can't be much of a recoil.
 
t-star said:
one has to remember that we are living in the "latter " days of pistol shooting- back in the 50's and 60s companies like s&w and colt actually had teams of shooters and took time and pride in their products and were not limited by what will sell and what does the public want? that's the reason that guys like Wilson and baer can demand and get top prices for their guns
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Interesting point....

The shooting teams are still out there, but maybe they're not the celebrities they used to be, because of the 'anti gun' climate:

https://us.glock.com/team

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757908_-1_757775_757751_image
 
Yeah, my 52-2 was pretty darn accurate. Sold it because I didn't use it enough, sure bring back some good memories. Luckily I have others that are as accurate and uses the same Winchester Ranger Match Wadcutter .38 ammo that I've stacked when the force made the switch to the 9mm pistol.

IMG_2421_zpsdkhfmh7j.jpg
 
Speaking of 45's, my LB Prowler III isn't too shabby either!

That's 5 shots at 40 meters unsupported. My shooting buddy & I couldn't believe it, guess I was lucky on that one.

IMG_1430_zpsv7qomqqm.jpg
 
Still alive said:
Nah! Wished I had! I shot the ammo through a 6" 586 back then. I've never even seen a 52 in person. I've seen lots of M39s which the 52 kinda looks like but never the real thing. How was it to shoot? Can't be much of a recoil.
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Yes very low recoil. Smooth slide, crisp light trigger, great workmanship,... everything you want and need in a nice target pistol.
 
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