I recently purchased a 3" Model 13 and took it to the range for the first time today. I started at 7 yards and it looked like the hits were all inch or two lower than the bullseye. Then I moved the target to 50' and they were all clumping up about three or four inches below the bullseye. The ammo was WWB 130 grain FMJ target rounds. I have heard that these guns were set at the factory to be accurate with 158 grain (maybe +P?)...my question is would that difference in bullet weight/pressure cause the rounds to hit in different spots on the target? I am glad it is all centered on the target, but I am wondering why it appears to be shooting a bit low. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, B

You are correct. Lighter/faster=lower. Heavier/slower=higher.

I went through the same with a Model 21 that I documented here a few months ago.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

A heavier bullet leaves the barrel at a slower velocity...and therefore spends more time in the barrel. Recoil sends the barrel of a handgun upwards...so a heavier bullet leaves a handgun with the barrel pointed at a higher point due to the energy causing the barrel to rise. So at close distances the heavier bullets will hit higher on the paper.

The posters above have got the reason you're shooting low nailed. You are using wimp loads.....the gun is a .357 Magnum! You can correct for low hits by holding the front sight higher in the rear notch. If it was hitting high you would do the opposite. You have to be adaptable when shooting fixed sight guns.

__________________
Bob.
SWCA 1821

Shoot a 158gr. bullet !!!!!!

Went to the range with 158 grain bullets (standard pressure lead round ball and +P SWCHP) and everything hit right on the money. Funny how different guns like (are set up for) different ammo. This one indeed loves 158 grain and shoots it dead accurate. Thanks, B

All S&W .38 and .357 revolvers are intended to be regulated for 158 gr. ammunition. Since elevation is determined by set dimensions of the frame and front sight height this is hot easily changed.

As noted by others, heavier = higher, lighter = lower.

And, the 130 gr jacketed round nose ammunition is not "target ammunition", it is a civilian version of the Air Force M-41 cartridge, which is the sorriest example of .38 Special ammunition which has ever been designed. There is absolutely no reason for its' existence outside the purpose for which it was originally intended, which is guard ammunition. It is good for nothing except plinking, and being relatively cheap, however you want to define CHEAP.

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

Slower = higher, faster = lower.

__________________
Centennial Every Day