Accuracy from a 686!

[AKAOV1MAN]

The 686 is undoubtedly one of S&Ws master strokes. It holds them in there with my Colt Python, which I used to regard as THE benchmark in wheelgun accuracy. I have them from 3 inches, 4 inches (both CS-1) and a 6 inch export model. Outstanding accuracy, much better than I can hold out to where I cannot see anymore.
I use 158 gr SPs, the hottest I can get (Buffalo Bore) and I will hunt up to reasonably sized Black Bear with it, of course the down side is that I cannot predict when I might meet a 700 pound Black Bear. I also have a batch of Buffalo Bores hard cast penetrators in 200 gr for that eventuality-hope I can change ammo fast enough- I know! I will carry the 3 incher so loaded.
Anyway, enjoy what is historically great revolver.

 

[6beans]

Impressed

I am impressed with the accuracy some of you are getting, I know this gun will do a lot better, 586-3, 4". Attached are a couple of targets I shot yesterday.

 

[drew-67]

Wow, Thanks Everyone for sharing your stories and info!

I am even more stoked than earlier; can't wait to put some of these tips into action...looks like it will be it least Friday before I can free up any daylight time for practice.

Take care for now, Drew

 

[TwoPoundPull]

Forth stage, PPC match, 2 strings of 6 shots each, 50', free style, in 15sec...
686-6 x 6" Untouched action from factory...

 

[6beans]

Nice shooting

It's hard to beat the 586/686 model.

 

[drew-67]

O.K.;
So I couldn't wait any longer, I found some time today to do some more shooting...
I started my first set of 5 rounds at 40 yards; For the first shot I wanted to try the tip on using the non-shooting arm as a rest...didn't work for me like I had hoped...found it very hard to steady the sights; maybe I just need to practice it more, as I am use to shooting 2 handed most the time.
I found that when I put my palm against the tree to make a horizontal rest out of my arm, it seemed very steady...but when I put the other shooting arm over the top and tried to steady the shot holding the revolver with one hand, it just was to shaky for me...
But, then I decided to just use the tree to lean-on (put my back against it and used my normal 2 hand hold)...now this worked well for me...all 5 rounds were in the 4" by 4" square and they were grouped tight!
Decided to shoot another 5 rounds, using the tree as rest again, but this time I leaned my shoulders/arms against it, from behind it...I had pretty much the same grouping.

After that, I started to shoot more sporatic...mainly high...
Which brings me to another question???
Do you all clean your barrel between every so many shots (10-20-50-etc.)? I noticed mine was pretty dirty after firing 10 rounds....Shooting Winchester 38 Special FMJ 130 grain.
Wondering how this may effect accuracy.
I know with my black powder rifle I have to swab the barrel between shots or my accuracy suffers big time...

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

[tgwillard]

I doubt if the barrel not being cleaned after a few rounds would make any noticeable difference. You could have developed a flinch which might have caused what you described. That happens to me often at the range.

 

[drew-67]

I doubt if the barrel not being cleaned after a few rounds would make any noticeable difference. You could have developed a flinch which might have caused what you described. That happens to me often at the range.

Yeah, I am sure it was me today...I think I got over sure of myself too, after the first 2 sets were hitting POA, that I wasn't making sure that I was doing all those little so important details on the next set
But anyway, is it a good idea or necessary to clean for accuracy if your going to be doing numerous rounds? What's the general rule of thumb where one might start seeing decreased accuracy, where as it might be beneficial in doing a swabbing before continueing...
I would think type of ammo matters too.
Just curious if your shooting 50/100 rounds or more.; do you start seeing much of a difference, were cleaning is needed?

Thanks!

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

I use to shoot steel rams at 75 yards with mine. They are quite accurate revolvers. I would hit 3-4 each cylinder full quite easily (the ram was 12" big). I would shoot spls thru it as the ping sound was better heard. That's fun to do!!

My 686 is gone because I upped the caliber on my collection over the summer, so it's 44 spl now for ram work, got to keep the trigger finger in shape.

 

[drew-67]

I use to shoot steel rams at 75 yards with mine. They are quite accurate revolvers. I would hit 3-4 each cylinder full quite easily (the ram was 12" big). I would shoot spls thru it as the ping sound was better heard. That's fun to do!!

; Thanks for sharing...these posts keep me hyped-up on improving!

 

[deuterij]

Drew-67, glad to hear you got some shooting in today. I will try to go tomorrow.

And to the earlier post, I've been wanting a Dan Wesson revolver for years - ever since I saw a friend's in its box with assorted barrels/tools if I remember right.

I don't think a super clean barrel should have much affect on accuracy. I peek down the barrel after even one shot and it looks dirty. I guess it is just fired powder residue that blows out and gets re-deposited with each shot.

 

[drew-67]

Thanks! Hope you get out tomorrow...
I've got some 158 grain ammo on order, looking forward to seeing how I do with these.
Sure is Fun!

 

[stevieboy]

I'm a 4" barrel fan and over the years I've sold all of my longer barreled revolvers in order to finance purchases of 4" and 3" guns. With one exception and that's my 6" 686. That one goes to the range whenever I want to shoot for maximum accuracy and I'll never sell it.

 

[tom turner]

Hi drew-67,

Right now, if you aren't an extremely experienced handgunner, I'd suggest shooting your 686 from the bench . . . and supported by sandbags in order to dial in your sights to hit P.O.A.

HOWEVER . . .

Keep in mind that Point Of Aim WILL vary based upon many things: bullet weight, type of powder, amount of powder, choice of primer, MAKE of bullet, all sorts of things. So . . . when you finally hunt with a heavy & hot bullet, you'll probably have to re-zero your revolver for that round.

Also, a bullet shoots a rainbow trajectory, just like throwing a football. Consulting trajectory charts will help you understand the "rainbow" better, once you decide which range to zero your revolver for POA.

BUT FIRST . . .

If you are a novice handgunner, two things I'd recommend now:

1. Get some good instruction from a fine handgun instructor on the many nuances of grip, breathing, stance, trigger control, sight alignment, etc. A fine shooter who knows how to teach the art of handgun accuracy can turn you into a really fine shot . . . and prevent you from making the many types of possible errors in your hand control that can doom you to mediocrity.

2. Before moving up to the big boomer/heavy bullet loads designed for deer hunting, I'd strongly recommend you mainly shoot hundreds of rounds of the humble ol' .38 Special ammunition loaded with the super-accurate and very soft kicking 148 grain Wadcutter bullets.

The soft kick will greatly help you in avoiding the development of a flinch. PLUS . . . and more important to ME . . . those powder-puff rounds are super-gentle on your guns . . . making them last much, much longer.

T.

BTW, I'm a deer hunter who hunts mainly with a 6" barreled S&W .44 Magnum revolver using a really heavy, stout load. HOWEVER . . . when I practice with any of my handguns, I handload really soft recoiling ammo to make the guns last longer. Plus, it is a lot more fun!

I'll write another post about developing field accuracy tonight if I can find the time.

Good luck! Handgun hunting is so much fun!!!

 

[Bullseye Smith]

The 686 is "KING" of the revolvers, and that is mild saying. Old Navy says the Dan Wesson is better, never shot one or around one. But I will take his word for it till I see different. For a gun still being made you can't beat the performance of it. They are just like a 22LR, you have to find the right round that it likes to eat. My 6 inch loves a 148gr HBWC, of course it likes the ones that are hard to find "ZERO" brand.

 

[tom turner]

Hi again,

Your 686, 6" barreled .357 has a lot of potential to be a tackdriver.

Shooting it supported (sandbags, etc.) from a good shooting bench, it should be able to hold a 3 shot group WITHIN 2" every single time you do YOUR job.

Now how that translates to "field" accuracy will vary greatly depending upon the skill of the operator. But first, you'll have to dial in your chosen hunting load for a POA distance (probably either 35 or 50 yards depending upon your area you will be hunting.


My 6" barreled S&W Model 29-5, which is a big framed revolver that looks a lot like the smaller 686, is in .44 Magnum caliber but its accuracy is also quite similar to the .357 you'll be hunting with. Both handguns can be excellent on deer.


I STRONGLY RECOMMEND A GOOD RED DOT SIGHT for hunting.

- No, NOT a scope (you'll get worried about the "shakes" when you see the barrel wiggling until you get the shakes out of your hands).

- No, NOT the iron sights, for the accuracy goes totally out the window if there's any mis-alignment between the front blade and the rear sight . . . and deer are about like 2 year-olds . . . they ain't gonna stand there forever as you focus only on your front sight!!!

A red dot sight shoots the bullet to that point so it is super-fast in the field, so you can spend your brain power looking for other things . . . twigs and branches in the way . . . locating the perfect impact spot on the deer . . . making sure the rack is the right size, etc.

For us guys getting ah-hem, "older" too, the red dot sight makes it a lot easier in all light conditions vs. using iron sights.

ADDED BONUS . . .

The speed of the red dot sights allows you to make some incredible shots pretty fast. I dropped a big doe, running broadside in a fresh clear cut . . . at sixty-five yards once. I'd just dropped a FIRST one . . . and that second one took off! Both fell directly down and never moved!

Then, a buck stood up (not seen in the clear cut) and started nuzzling the first deer . . . so I dropped it too. Three deer in mere seconds. No way could I have done this with a rifle.

On another hunt, I took three deer in a deep bottom the same way with my handgun! Lots of great memories through the years as a handgun hunter.

Here's the kind of accuracy your gun should be capable of:

FROM THE BENCH . . .

My M29 is ALWAYS under 2" groups at 50 yards. Always. Here's a typical target, shot at a homemade target of a 5" square:

IN THE FIELD . . .

I'm more proud of THIS target . . . I just shot ONE target that day, to confirm that my red dot sight was still zero'ed with my hunting round before the 2008 hunting season began. IT WAS!

This target was shot at 50 yards too, but STANDING and totally unsupported for FIVE rounds. Yep, a two handed hold of course.

Well . . . actually I fired six shots . . . for I KNEW the second round went of a little low, though I couldn't see its impact. So, I shot six rounds instead of five and the second round was a "called flyer."

No, it isn't sub-2" . . . but it is FIELD accuracy that is great for this many rounds from a 6" revolver. BTW, I sight my M29 for a 75 yard zero. Five rounds into 2 3/4" inches ain't bad . . . now if I could have avoided that second round!!!:

Here's my 1989 M-29, topped with a first generation Bushnell Holosight. Lots of deer taken with this revolver thorough the years. BTW, the hide beneath the revolver is from a rare Piebald (white-spotted) Whitetail buck taken with this revolver:

Here's my latest result with this rig, on Nov. 4th:

Hope this helps! Gotta run out to the deer camp now . . . I'll be in the stand in the morning with my M29!!!

Tom

 

[drew-67]

Hi Tom Turner, Sir!
Thank You for your Helpful post...
Do you recommend just my hands/arms supported by the sandbags; or the revolver? Just want to clarify...cause when I shoot my rifle I support the rifle itself in the sandbag, however somewhere I heard you should not do this with a handgun because it needs to re-act from the shot???

Initially when I first purchased the 686, I was going to sight it in with a good rest/sandbags...but then I got thinking, yeah that's when the trouble started...lol. I started comparing shooting my Handgun to shooting my Compound Bow; I figured they have a lot in common as far as proper form when shooting or they let you know your doing something wrong in a hurry; touchy. So anyway, I figured I certainly never use a rest when sighting in my Bow, so why do it with my Handgun...

I have had a permit and Handgun since 1992, but I would consider myself Novice as i've never had any formal training...
I would eventually like some from a good Instructor, but, for the time being I am going to have to rely on all of you "Internet Instructors".

If you can find time to write more on Field Shooting Accuracy, it would be much appreciated...I would like to do some Hunting with this. That is one of the main reasons for the new desire to become the best shot I can be after all these years...
I don't plan on using this for hunting until Next Year, so I've got some time to get to be proficient enough so that I would be comfortable from my goal of 50 yards and in.

Regarding rounds; been using mainly 38 Special rounds (Winchester 130 grain FMJ). Selection is limited; yet to find any Wadcutters.
I have some Remington UMC 38 Special 158 grain on there way.

Thanks again!

 

[drew-67]

Cool Thanks for sharing...I guess we were typing our posts at the same time...

Hi again,

Your 686, 6" barreled .357 has a lot of potential to be a tackdriver.

Shooting it supported (sandbags, etc.) from a good shooting bench, it should be able to hold a 3 shot group WITHIN 2" every single time you do YOUR job.

Now how that translates to "field" accuracy will vary greatly depending upon the skill of the operator. But first, you'll have to dial in your chosen hunting load for a POA distance (probably either 35 or 50 yards depending upon your area you will be hunting.


My 6" barreled S&W Model 29-5, which is a big framed revolver that looks a lot like the smaller 686, is in .44 Magnum caliber but its accuracy is also quite similar to the .357 you'll be hunting with. Both handguns can be excellent on deer.


I STRONGLY RECOMMEND A GOOD RED DOT SIGHT for hunting.

- No, NOT a scope (you'll get worried about the "shakes" when you see the barrel wiggling until you get the shakes out of your hands).

- No, NOT the iron sights, for the accuracy goes totally out the window if there's any mis-alignment between the front blade and the rear sight . . . and deer are about like 2 year-olds . . . they ain't gonna stand there forever as you focus only on your front sight!!!

A red dot sight shoots the bullet to that point so it is super-fast in the field, so you can spend your brain power looking for other things . . . twigs and branches in the way . . . locating the perfect impact spot on the deer . . . making sure the rack is the right size, etc.

For us guys getting ah-hem, "older" too, the red dot sight makes it a lot easier in all light conditions vs. using iron sights.

ADDED BONUS . . .

The speed of the red dot sights allows you to make some incredible shots pretty fast. I dropped a big doe, running broadside in a fresh clear cut . . . at sixty-five yards once. I'd just dropped a FIRST one . . . and that second one took off! Both fell directly down and never moved!

Then, a buck stood up (not seen in the clear cut) and started nuzzling the first deer . . . so I dropped it too. Three deer in mere seconds. No way could I have done this with a rifle.

On another hunt, I took three deer in a deep bottom the same way with my handgun! Lots of great memories through the years as a handgun hunter.

Here's the kind of accuracy your gun should be capable of:

FROM THE BENCH . . .

My M29 is ALWAYS under 2" groups at 50 yards. Always. Here's a typical target, shot at a homemade target of a 5" square:

IN THE FIELD . . .

I'm more proud of THIS target . . . I just shot ONE target that day, to confirm that my red dot sight was still zero'ed with my hunting round before the 2008 hunting season began. IT WAS!

This target was shot at 50 yards too, but STANDING and totally unsupported for FIVE rounds. Yep, a two handed hold of course.

Well . . . actually I fired six shots . . . for I KNEW the second round went of a little low, though I couldn't see its impact. So, I shot six rounds instead of five and the second round was a "called flyer."

No, it isn't sub-2" . . . but it is FIELD accuracy that is great for this many rounds from a 6" revolver. BTW, I sight my M29 for a 75 yard zero. Five rounds into 2 3/4" inches ain't bad . . . now if I could have avoided that second round!!!:

Here's my 1989 M-29, topped with a first generation Bushnell Holosight. Lots of deer taken with this revolver thorough the years. BTW, the hide beneath the revolver is from a rare Piebald (white-spotted) Whitetail buck taken with this revolver:

Here's my latest result with this rig, on Nov. 4th:

Hope this helps! Gotta run out to the deer camp now . . . I'll be in the stand in the morning with my M29!!!

Tom

 

[drew-67]

Yeah, I have yet to find the Wadcutters...guess I gotta look harder.
I will say that I shoot the 686 way better than any hangun I have had...and reading all of the posts on this thread makes me want to do better

Thanks, Drew

The 686 is "KING" of the revolvers, and that is mild saying. Old Navy says the Dan Wesson is better, never shot one or around one. But I will take his word for it till I see different. For a gun still being made you can't beat the performance of it. They are just like a 22LR, you have to find the right round that it likes to eat. My 6 inch loves a 148gr HBWC, of course it likes the ones that are hard to find "ZERO" brand.

 

[MTAustin]

Drew,

While professional instruction could certainly benefit you, I wouldn't sweat it if you don't get it. There are plenty of proficient handgunners who have never had any instruction. Elmer Keith never had any, just lots and lots of practice (if you don't know who he is, your sixgunning education has not yet begun). Getting really good with your gun is simply going to take thousands of deliberate rounds.