Accuracy of Model 16 vs Model 14

[Renegado]

Hello,

I have a question regarding 25yd/Bullseye/Precision Pistol accuracy: For those of you that have both a Model K32 or Model 16 and a K38 or Model 14, is the .32 S&W Long more accurate at 25 yards vs the .38 S&W Special 148 wadcutter?
I have a model 14 and model 19 as well as J frame .32s. As you all know a K32 or Model 16 (H&R Magnum) are in the $2500+ to $1500 range.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

Rene

 

[H Richard]

I have tested a Pre 14 K38 with the 148 gr HBWC and a 16-4 with the 98 Gr HBWC. Both are comparable in accuracy, but the 38 might have a slight edge as it has a larger diameter bullet and might "cut a line" for a higher score in a match.

 

[boatbum101]

At 25yd/ 25m it'd be a tossup . At 50yds the factory barrel twist on both is too slow but affects the 32 more . 32 is a PITA to reload as powder charges are miniscule , a tenth of a grain can & will make a difference . It's also very picky on bullets especially sizing . FWIW NRA Conventional Pistol aka 2700 aka Bullseye unless a reduced course one third of the match is shot @ 50yds , so worry about 50yd groups . Match is won @ 50 & lost @ 25 .

 

[weatherby]

I have tested a Pre 14 K38 with the 148 gr HBWC and a 16-4 with the 98 Gr HBWC. Both are comparable in accuracy, but the 38 might have a slight edge as it has a larger diameter bullet and might "cut a line" for a higher score in a match.

Not having ever shot bullseye I'm wondering how a model 25 would compare if appropriate?

 

[Protocall_Design]

Every gun is slightly different than every other gun. Assuming each one in the test has been optimized for accuracy, they will all shoot very small groups. That is not real life, though (normally). You can have 10 M15s, or any other model you want to name, and they will all vary slightly in different ways.

With hundreds or thousands being made over a span of years, there will inevitably be some that are exceptionally good and bad, with the majority ranging up or down, somewhere in the middle.

Which one you end up with is entirely luck of the draw.

So the question of which model is better in some way seems (to me) like kind of a moot point. If you get one that isn't very good, it can probably be made into one that is very good, if you are willing to spend the time and money to do so. It seems most people will just send a problem gun down the road, and buy another one, hoping for the best. They may or may not get lucky next time.

 

[murphydog]

As noted above, variations between individual guns probably make a lot of difference, more than .32 (.311") vs. .38 (.355") caliber. Load development for a particular firearm may also matter.

It is probably significant to note that .32 target revolvers were tremendously outsold by .38s, and I also recall reading that many wound up using their .45s for the "any centerfire" stage of bullseye matches.

 

[Green Frog]

As both Protocol Design and murphydog said above, there will be a variety of factors that will effect K32 vs K38 performance, and obviously a good example of either will be better than a poor example of the other. This is manufacturing variation at work.

I will assume you can buy or load your own ammo of high quality. The 32 has traditionally been more expensive and less available from the factory. If we assume we have a very good example of each and it is provided with equally high quality ammo, the answer to your question would still be a very definite "It depends!"

Outdoors and in the wind, the 38 wins every time. Also, the larger bullet diameter will pick up the occasional point per shot by reaching out to nick a scoring ring. In addition, the 38 Spl target round (especially the MRHBWC) is notoriously un-finicky to reload for.

Indoors with controlled climate and lighting the 32 S&WL gives its biggest advantage, lack of recoil. If you're shooting a K22 as well, it will be almost like shooting two legs with the same gun. It will be cheap to reload with less lead and powder, and like the 38, uses small primer and once you have the (admittedly more expensive and harder to find) brass, it seems to last forever.

All of that being said, unless you are a real enthusiast (of some sort or another) the Model 14 makes more sense, but the Model 16 wins hands down on cool factor. Yes, I've had a couple of each, but to be honest have never fired any of them competitively (except a couple of rounds of PPC with the earliest K38). For casual use, I'll take my recreated Model 16-3 and a box or three of HBWCs or SWCs loaded to target velocities, or better yet, the gun S&W should have built, my Project 616 Stainless K frame in 327 Fed Mag. But that's just me... YMMV!

Froggie

 

[boatbum101]

If you're serious about shooting Bullseye , stick with the 22 & 45 until you get a Master card . Since a competitor must shoot both master them first . Then you can go off on any tangent you desire . Or you can learn from the mistakes of others ie that both the 32 & 38 will hurt your scores much more than they'll ever help .