686 group at 20 yards....pic

Arkyvarminter

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I shot a five shot group off a bench at 20 yards to see if I had my sights set. I was shooting 38 special 130 gr Federal FMJ ammo. I wanted to share since I think I did ok. These guns are more accurate than I thought, or at least more accurate than we can shoot them. I was using open sights. I love the 686. The squares are 1" I think. Now if I can do this freehand I'll be ok..........:)

 
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Now that is some fine shooting. I have to pull out the 686 from time to time too. Maybe tomorrow would be a good day.
 
The guns shoot that well, and I'm glad to see a competent marksman post a group here that reflects it. Some on the Net post groups that I'd be embarrassed to admit that I'd shot. Some of those targets are shot at disgustingly close range.

And, yes, they will do that with full .357 ammo. Probably not with those awful lead loads, but they shouldn't be used, ever, anyway, if still made. They'll lead plate your bore in short order.

But the better JHP 357 ammo is extremely accurate. I've fired some lots of older Remington 158 grain JSP and JHP that were just remarkable, and some Federal equivalents were also outstanding.

The Ruger GP-100 is also very accurate. Mine shot groups fully on par with what a M-686 (both with four-inch barrels) would deliver. The S&W did have a lighter SA trigger pull, which helped it to shoot well, but my Ruger's trigger is also pretty good. I eventually sold the S&W, which says a lot for how I feel about the GP-100. The balance of the 686 just was too nose-heavy for my preferences. Others may like that.

I have yet to fire an S&W revolver that would not shoot beyond my capabilities, and really talented marksmen have told me the same. But groups like that shown can be achieved at least occasionally even by those of us who aren't of Olympic quality. And they can be fired while standing on our hind legs and shooting with one hand. Sometimes, on a good day...:) To be sure, if you can sit and fire two-handed, the better groups will be seen more often. But the guns and the right ammo will do their part.
 
The guns shoot that well, and I'm glad to see a competent marksman post a group here that reflects it. Some on the Net post groups that I'd be embarrassed to admit that I'd shot. Some of those targets are shot at disgustingly close range.

And, yes, they will do that with full .357 ammo. Probably not with those awful lead loads, but they shouldn't be used, ever, anyway, if still made. They'll lead plate your bore in short order.

But the better JHP 357 ammo is extremely accurate. I've fired some lots of older Remington 158 grain JSP and JHP that were just remarkable, and some Federal equivalents were also outstanding.

The Ruger GP-100 is also very accurate. Mine shot groups fully on par with what a M-686 (both with four-inch barrels) would deliver. The S&W did have a lighter SA trigger pull, which helped it to shoot well, but my Ruger's trigger is also pretty good. I eventually sold the S&W, which says a lot for how I feel about the GP-100. The balance of the 686 just was too nose-heavy for my preferences. Others may like that.

I have yet to fire an S&W revolver that would not shoot beyond my capabilities, and really talented marksmen have told me the same. But groups like that shown can be achieved at least occasionally even by those of us who aren't of Olympic quality.
And they can be fired while standing on our hind legs and shooting with one hand. Sometimes, on a good day...:) To be sure, if you can sit and fire two-handed, the better groups will be seen more often. But the guns and the right ammo will do their part.

I will ask you the same question that I asked Askins when he wrote pieces containing that "hind leg thing".

Would you also refer to my arms as being "forelegs"?
He never answered.
 
This was the only group I shot. I set my sights with another load and ordered some new rounds. I went out to make sure they shot close to what I had set my sights with. I have a range in my backyard. After firing 5 I decided to stop and take a picture of the target. I shoot alot with rifles at long range so I know what has to be done to shoot good groups. I also reload as well. I am just a decent handgun shooter but would like to get better. That's why I bought the 686. Now i have to practice alot so I can shoot ok free handed. I have a 617 that I shoot much more accurately free handed than my 686. I shoot spinners in my yard and hit them almost every shot with the 617, 4" barrel as well, but not with the 686. I have to figure out what's going on with that..........
 
I really like the L frame. I have two 586's, one nickle, and one blue, both 4". Both are WAY more accurate than I am, but are very comfortable to shoot even with full house loads. Looking for a 4" 686 to complete the set, but prices have skyrocketed lately, so I'll have to wait for the panic to subside.
 
I shot a five shot group off a bench at 20 yards to see if I had my sights set. I was shooting 38 special 130 gr Federal FMJ ammo. I wanted to share since I think I did ok. These guns are more accurate than I thought, or at least more accurate than we can shoot them. I was using open sights. I love the 686. The squares are 1" I think. Now if I can do this freehand I'll be ok..........:)


Well, I could shoot like that if I wanted to;) But I happen to think six different holes leak better than one big one, so I don't. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Nice shooting,

Gunner
 


Hey, wait a minute! :eek: Are those powder burns on that target? :confused: More likely 20 inches!! :p :D

Awesome target man, no matter what the distance. Gotta love dem L frames! ;)
 
"Well, I could shoot like that if I wanted to But I happen to think six different holes leak better than one big one, so I don't. That's my story and I'm sticking to it."

Me too. I think that a shot gun pattern is most effective! :-)

Best,
Rick
 
I've got a 686 Plus with 4" barrel and it is my favorite gun to shoot. I can shoot it all day or until the ammo runs out. I normally shoot at a distance of 7-10 yards though.

Real nice shooting OP.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2
 

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