Accuracy from a 686!

[drew-67]

Hi Everyone,
So I am really enjoying my new 686 with a 6" barrel...been shooting at different distances and it got me thinking;
What is this revolver capable of in the hands of the right shooter?
I plan on doing some hunting with this eventually...Right now, (with open sights)I would say 25 yards would be my max shot; where I know I can keep my rounds in the 8" circle target...I figure that's 4" all around from center of aim!
I've only been shooting this a few days and I am hoping with enough practice, I can increase to 50 yards...
Is this distance achievable with this set-up?

Thanks, Drew

 

[Lee Barner]

50yds is very do-able with a 6" 686 for deer size game. try practicing using a tree as a rest for one hand with the shooting hand across it. use the heavier bullets(158 and up) for good knock down power. good luck with it. lee

 

[OKFC05]

Using Remington 158gr JSP over WIN296, I get consistent 4" groups at 100yds with my 8" 686 with Leupold 2X mounted. The 6" has the requisite mechanical accuracy, but you might need a scope to achieve the full potential.

In other words, the limiting factor is the shooter, not the gun.

 

[deuterij]

I think the 6 to 8" model 686 is the most accurate revolver out there. I have not approached the accuracy levels mentioned in other posts, nor have I scoped my 686, but I know I am more accurate with it than with any other gun, period.

 

[ab4ka]

I can shoot my 686+ more accurately than any handgun I've ever owned. It is one outstanding gun!

 

[Nframe357]

I've got a 6" 686-4 that I've had for many years, it outshoots me and always has. I've beaten several python owners with it over the years, I feel confident out to about 75 yds with it offhand. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for hunting, the 686 is my favorite 357 mag revolver.

 

[Brew]

I dearly love my 4" 686. Its amazes me how accurate it is, it makes me look better than i actually am. I can consistently hit milk jugs out to 80-100yrds with that thing(by consistently i mean 4 or 5 of every 6 hit). Infact, the only thing done to it is trigger work, and i can easily outshoot my pc627 every day of the week with a wider variety of ammo. That is one that will never leave my collection. Now im in search of a 686 hunter to replace my 627 when it sells.

 

[drew-67]

50yds is very do-able with a 6" 686 for deer size game. try practicing using a tree as a rest for one hand with the shooting hand across it. use the heavier bullets(158 and up) for good knock down power. good luck with it. lee

Thanks for the tip, that's an excellent suggestion that I hadn't thought of...it's gotta help stabilize the revolver for the longer shots.
Looking forward to practicing this

Drew

 

[deuterij]

That was a good tip on the tree rest - sort of a movable shooting bench.

 

[drew-67]

Thanks for all the replies...much appreciated!
You all got me hyped up and wanting to go shoot more...I like getting the re-assurance that the gun is more than capable of producing the desired accuracy. Now it's up to me to strive to do my best to see it's potential.
I like the challenge!!! I shoot a Compound Bow as well and I know if I do my job with that, I can achieve amazing accuracy from 50 yards and in...The Bow is probably capable of much better in the right hands...
So anyway, I'm stoked up and ready to get improving with my new S&W686.
So far I have shot Winchester 38 special FMJ 130 grain and Hornady Leverlution 357 Mag 140 grain ammo in it.
Any thoughts on factory ammo that you find more accurate in this model? Also, considering that the 38 special rounds are less expensive and I will probably be shooting these the most;
What 38 Special and 357 Mag matches the closest for POA? Hoping to find some that is close enough to keep sights at 1 adjustment and compensate for any diffences...
Thanks, Drew

 

[OKFC05]

What 38 Special and 357 Mag matches the closest for POA?

Bullet weight is most important, and I use 158gr.
You can sight it for 50yd with the .357 158gr and usually be OK with the .38 158gr within 50yd. Just need to try it and see how you do.
I haven't bought any commercial .357 hunting ammo in many years, but I load Remington bullets.

 

[Old Navy]

I think the 6 to 8" model 686 is the most accurate revolver out there. I have not approached the accuracy levels mentioned in other posts, nor have I scoped my 686, but I know I am more accurate with it than with any other gun, period.

But if you take out of production gun maker into consideration you get you pants blown off by a Dan Wesson with tensined barrels, my 6" DW has out shot every S&W I have or have owned including my N fames.

 

[davel686]

I have my 686 6" sighted in for 35 yards and adjust from there.
I used to hunt with a compound bow also and set mine up with one sight pin at 30 yards.
then I could just raise or lower elevation for distance.
this worked well for me so i use the same type of technique in setting up my hunting revolver and practice at that distance so that I can tell qwikely if I am closer or farther away from my intended target.

 

[madmike]

Ive shot my 686 out to 200 yrds no problem.Very accurate gun.

 

[UnderDawgAl]

Any of you reloaders? What powders are you using for 50-100 yard shots?

 

[OKFC05]

Any of you reloaders? What powders are you using for 50-100 yard shots?

WIN296 (H110) a little under max load

 

[Nframe357]

But if you take out of production gun maker into consideration you get you pants blown off by a Dan Wesson with tensined barrels, my 6" DW has out shot every S&W I have or have owned including my N fames.

Ha! I'd take that bet...

 

[MTAustin]

My brother and I once did a shootoff: his scoped AR-15 .223 versus my 8 3/8" barreled 686 (iron sights) shooting .38 special LSWCs. Target was a Mountain Dew bottle at 125 yards. He was sitting in the pickup, resting the rifle out the window. I gave him five shots from the rifle= no hits. I leaned over a fencepost, cocked the gun for single action, and fired one shot = direct hit. In his defense, he hadn't had the AR for very long, and I had been shooting my 686 A LOT.

My point: 686s are damned accurate. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[roaddog28]

My brother and I once did a shootoff: his scoped AR-15 .223 versus my 8 3/8" barreled 686 (iron sights) shooting .38 special LSWCs. Target was a Mountain Dew bottle at 125 yards. He was sitting in the pickup, resting the rifle out the window. I gave him five shots from the rifle= no hits. I leaned over a fencepost, cocked the gun for single action, and fired one shot = direct hit. In his defense, he hadn't had the AR for very long, and I had been shooting my 686 A LOT.

My point: 686s are damned accurate. Practice, practice, practice.

I love my 686-3 4 inch but I can still shoot my model 28-2 4 inch more accurate at 25 yds. This is with 158gr ammo. For me the N frame is more accurate when it comes to shooting 357s.

roaddog28

 

[duckloads]

This tread is making me start to shake. I have a 686-1 silhouete 8-3/8, and this past weekend, I loaded 100 rounds. 50 with h-110 and 50 with 2400. Got to go shoot.

 

[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!