Final Question on sighting my new 686

[John G C 1]

OK, I followed everyone's advice. I set up a sandbag at ten yards and put out a target.

I got two types of 38 special Ammo: Winchester 148 grain wadcutter match ammo and Independence 130 grain FMJ.

I shot three shots with the Winchester and all three were in the red bullseye. I sighted it using the combat sight of placing the red on the front post covering the center of the bullseye. I figured my gun was sighted just fine.

I figured I might as well try the Independence. I shot five shots and they all grouped within a fifty cent piece. HOWEVER, the group was directly one and a half inches below the center of the red bullseye.

Is this just a difference between the two ammunitions? The target has two very tight groups but the one is just below the other. Same gun on a sand bag.

So I figure I should just buy nothing but the Winchester and start the real work of trying to shoot without the sandbag?

I just think it is odd that the Independence ammo grouped low when shot in exactly the same way off the same guy off the same sandbag? Is that kind of difference normal? Is this what people mean when they say their gun likes one kind of ammo and does not like another?

 

[jdh]

Different weights, different velocities, different points of impact. Perfectly normal.

 

[panamajack310]

John, Hey, Just to let you know S&W uses 158 grain bullets for their standards. If you are shooting a lighter bullet you will have to adjust your sights accordingly for each weight. I would find a load in 38 special and .357 that you are comfortable shooting and then set your sights with that load that you are shooting. With my 686 I use 125 grain JHP. I have my sights set for those loads and I do not have to adjust them.

 

[FloridaFlier]

John: Well known fact that heavier bullets and/or longer barrels will actually raise the point of impact. Seems counter-intuitive, until you understand that in either of these situations, the bullet is still in the barrel when recoil starts to raise the barrel. As mentioned above, S&W uses 158gr. bullets to sight in the gun. So, don't sweat this. Perfectly normal and completely expected.
What you might want to do after a while is to decide what you want to do with the gun. Self defense or target. You can, and probably should say 'both' and recognize the small quirks of different uses and ammo. Eventually, you will want to decide on either target or self-defense ammo, and sight it in for that use. You've got another big shock in front of you when you start shooting .357 (if you ever do); POI might change yet again. I also own a 686 and have never shot a .357 out of it. Lots of choices, all fun.
STAY ON THE FORUM!! you'll learn a lot just by reading other guys' Q&A.

 

[John G C 1]

Thanks. Yes, I already have been learning a lot. I think I will buy as many of the Winchester rounds as I can get hold of, since they seem to do so well for me.

j

 

[PeterK]

Also remember if you sight one in right in the bull, then switch to another brand or type of bullet, POI will most likely be different with all. The most important think isn't is it right in the bull, but how tight is the group! doesn't really matter if you buy a different bullet and it hits high and left 4 inches, if its in the size of a half dollar, consider it a success! My buddy bought a GP100 I think and he only had some 38's for it, and was having fun shooting it. Then I let him have a cylinder full of my 357's and that put a big smile on his face! Buy a box and try them, I very rarely shoot 38's out of my 6in 686, it just doesn't feel right to me! If you do try a box, expect your POI to be high! Have fun and shoot often!

Peter

 

[John G C 1]

I know it is something I just have to understand and learn to live with, but this fact that different bullets of different weights group differently is driving me nuts, especially given the ammo shortage, which means I have to buy pretty much whatever is available.

Glad I lucked into those Winchester wadcutters. They work great and now I have a bunch of them.