617-0 ACCURACY PROBLEMS

[smoothshooter]

BeachBlaster...

Have you checked the barrel to insure that it's not canted?

Even if it's canted it should still shoot good groups with no fliers.

Of course I consider 2" to 2 1/2" groups at that distance pretty good.

 

[smoothshooter]

ZThe cylinder timing could be off causing the chambers to not line up properly with the rear of the barrel. This could cause shaving the side of the bullet off as it passes through the barrel / cylinder gap, among other things. Could be worse on some chambers than others.

Again, 2" groups at 20 yards with dot or open sights with any handgun is very good. Very, very few people and guns are capable of doing that well with lots of good practice, good ammo, and a good ( non-machine ) rest.

 

[Beachblaster]

My next move is to try some match grade ammo. I have tried Wolf Match Target but results were just average. I will try RWS or S&K next. In the end I will probably have my smith go in for a full trigger and action job and reduce the trigger pull to at least 2#. I recently acquired a Anschutz Exemplar pistol in .22lr that has a 8oz. trigger from the factory. The vey first time I shot it was from a rest at 25 yards. I shot 5 10 shot groups using CCI Standard Velocity that averaged 3/8''. I have to admit, a trigger that light requires a lot of concentration. I will not give up on my 617, it is enjoyable to shoot and I will find a happy medium somewhere.

 

[Beachblaster]

Well here we are a year later, I have been a bit distracted by the Covid disaster. I have finally found a set up that works on my 617. I wanted a new 3-9x40mm rifle scope on my Exemplar, so we took off the period Burris pistol scope that was on it and put that on my 617. I had my smith mount and sight in that scope at 50 yards. At 25 yards at my range and off sandbags I now get a fairly consistent 12 shot grouping of 3/4''using CCI standard velocity. I am happy with this level of accuracy. These older S&W revolvers are worth the effort for sure. Next up on the dial in list is my 686-0, 8-3/8'' barrel. Thanks to every one that chimed in in on this thread. I am hopeful 2021 will be a better year.

 

[murphydog]

A happy (and accurate) ending!

Was anything done with the tight bore, or was it the action job, the new optic and finding the right ammo?

 

[Beachblaster]

The bore was left alone, got a second opinion on that and apparently it is within spec. The old Burris scope was cleaned up by my gunsmith and then sighted in. He did have to use a shim on one of the rings to make it perfectly zero at 50 yards. I left the trigger pull at 3lbs (SA) because it is just silky smooth. I really can't complain as this 617 is over 30 years old and who knows how many owners it has had. It is a joy to shoot and well worth the time and money to make it right.

 

[jaymoore]

... I wanted a new 3-9x40mm rifle scope on my Exemplar, so we took off the period Burris pistol scope that was on it and put that on my 617....

Glad you found a set-up that works for your 617.

But only a 3-9x on a scoped Exemplar? We're running 6-24x scopes on ours. Lisa shot hers recently at a 200yd match and managed a perfect score on her first go! Fantastic pistol for wee targets.

 

[Beachblaster]

My Exemplar is the most accurate pistol I have ever shot. I have a Contender G2 .22lr that is close but not quite there. I haven't shot either one beyond 80 yards, so 3-9x is fine for now. I look forward to trying longer distances. Carry on.

 

[Beachblaster]

I am ever hopeful that this my last update. Soon after my scope, a vintage Burris 2-7x32, was mounted on my 617 the accuracy went south yet again. Emailed Burris and sent it back. 4 days later Burris finds that it is unrepairable and then are sending me a replacement under their "forever" warranty program. That ending up being a 3-12x32 AO. The new scope has been mounted, shimmed and bore sighted. All is good. Very impressed with the customer service at Burris. And now I am moving on to yet another S&W gem, my 686-0 with an 8-3/8'' barrel. Looking forward to smoother sailing on this one.