I shoot NRA Action Pistol in the Production Division. Guns I use are a 6 inch M14 with full lug barrel and a 6 inch M686. For Action Pistol the AP-1 target has an X-Ring 4 inches in diameter, a 10 Ring 8 inches in diameter and an 8 ring which is 12 inches in diameter so -- for my game if a .38 load can't hold the X-Ring at 50 yards then it's not worth shooting.

For testing I mounted a red dot sight and used a sandbag rest. I've been experimenting with some 158 gr SWC bullets at 50 yards and the results are not satisfactory --3 shot groups average 8 to 14 inches.

I've tried Bayou, Missouri, and Brazos 158 grain SWC bullets sized at .358 with HiTek coating with Bullseye, N320, Titegroup and Federal primers. Velocities in the 775 to 850 FPS range.

In comparison -- off a sandbag rest with a red dot sight Zero 125 gr JHP with N320 at 1000 FPS holds the X-Ring with 2 inch groups.

Has anyone else had similar experience with poor accuracy at long range with the 158 gr lead SWC? Any suggestions to make them group better?