I got bit by the revolver bug, and am asking for some advice regarding my new toys. Try as I might, I am not as accurate with my 686 compared to my 325 (both 4" barrels). I think it is because the 325 has a smoother lighter trigger. Or, is the .45 an inherently more accurate caliber than the .357? Just wondering if practice and experience might dissolve this accuracy discrepancy---is it me or the guns?

I got bit by the revolver bug, and am asking for some advice regarding my new toys. Try as I might, I am not as accurate with my 686 compared to my 325 (both 4" barrels). I think it is because the 325 has a smoother lighter trigger. Or, is the .45 an inherently more accurate caliber than the .357? Just wondering if practice and experience might dissolve this accuracy discrepancy---is it me or the guns?

It could be you, the guns, or the ammo you are using for each.

Hard to say.

It's you.

I imagine it's you. Gotta say, though, that I have a 325 and four 625's, and I shoot all of them better than my other revolvers. I guess it's me, too.

My 686 is the most accurate gun I own. And that's saying something because I've got two 617s that will shoot flies' wings off at 25 yards. I do most of my shooting with .38s, either 148 gr. wadcutter or 158 gr. semi-wadcutter. It's monotonously accurate with the 158 and MORE accurate with the 148. What are you shooting in your 686?

A variety of stuff but mostly Magtech .357 158gr, and Winchester .357 125 gr.
I think the accuracy difference must be due to the difference in trigger smoothness. Its not a big difference but probably enough to throw me off a bit in comparison to the 325. I LOVE the 686 though--just need to keep working with it. Its all fun.

Switch to .38 Special target loads and see if that makes a difference.

I, for one, cannot concentrate on wringing max accuracy out of a revolver knowing that magnum recoil is on the way.

Hate to say it, but there are times that the anticipation of the event is enough to cause a slight change in the motion of the trigger, grip, flinch etc.... If the .45 ammo you shoot is highly consistent and you change from 38spcl to 357 mag ammo you are going to experience some change in the accuracy. I would have guessed that the reverse would be true, the 325 is less accurate than the 686. Go figure!