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
Mechanical accuracy of your 686 should be in the range of 1.5 to 2 inches at 25 yards with a well matched ammunition. As for finding that particular ammunition, you'll either have to handload and work up a "tuned" load or experiment with various commercial brands and "buy out" a particular lot that works well. Personally, I have found that Federal ammunition is very consistent. Others may chime in with some other suggestions.
As for sighting, I have the model 686's younger sibling, the stunningly accurate 620. Because it's a 35 mile trek to the nearest outdoor range and only 2 miles to the nearest indoor range, I have set my sights for a distance of 40 feet. I feel is a good compromise for defensie use and my choices for nearby ranges are either 45 or 60 feet. With 130 grain Federal LE 38 spl. I have the sighting tuned for a "European" sight picture, which has the red insert covering the POI. I did some experimenting and found that this setting will yield a perfect strike on the bullseye by using a 6 o'clock hold on a 3 inch bull when shooting Federal 158 grain SJSP 357 Magnums. Point is, 2 different ammunitions can be shot well with just one sight setting by using a different sight picture. The key to doing this is to experiment by shooting different ammunitions from a fixed bench rest in single action and discovering how to compensate.
BTW, it may seem counter to logic that the Magnum loads shoot high in comparison to the much milder 38 spl. However, that gun muzzle is moving due to recoil while the bullet is still in the barrel. This is called bore transit recoil and it's somewhat dependent on the person shooting the gun. Those with a very firm grip during recoil will experience less bore transit recoil that those with a more relaxed grip because there will be less movement during the bore transit time. Point is, you'll need to not only practice getting the trigger pull just right, you also need to practice enough that you develop a consistent grip. Since I discovered that a very firm grip caused a lot of shaking, I have adopted a somewhat relaxed grip. However, by striving to always use the same level of force in my grip, I have found that a somewhat relaxed grip results in me shooting much more accurately.
I'll also point out that fatigue can have a big effect on accuracy, last time I hit the range I finished up doing some weak hand practice and that change resulted in groupings that were 1/2 the size of my right handed groups just prior to the change. Fact is that most of us don't do nearly as much weak hand practice as we should and I discovered another reason for changing hands. From now on when I start shooting poorly with my strong hand I won't try fighting it, I'll just change hands.
Finally, concerning hunting loads for Whitetail sized game. Double Tap ammunition offers 2 good 357 Magnum loadings that are suitable for this, one a 180 grain load at 1400 fps out of a 6 inch 686, and the other a 200 grain load at 1300 fps, both of which use a Wide Flat Nosed Gas Check bullet that will provide superb penetration. This ammo is too expensive for pure range play, however I would suggest purchasing enough so that you can find tune your sighting and adapt to it's recoil. I would also suggest purchasing the larger monogrip for the X frame Magnums, IMO you'll probably find the 180 grain a bit too stout with the standard grip for the 686.
; I also found the Hornady LeverEvolution in 357 Mag, to shoot tight groups and I would also think it would make a good hunting round. Kinda wish it came in 158 grain though.
.
. Awesome!
