Walky Talki
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I've seen people say some S&W 357s are capable of sub half-inch groupings and was wondering what the 6 inch 686 Performance Center model is capable of?
How accurate is the 686 Performance Center model?
- Thread starter Walky Talki
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How accurate is the shooter? I've seen a shooter with a handgun equipped with a red dot-style sight fire patterns at 25 feet, not groups. Forgive me, OP, I guess you mean from a machine rest...
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
OP
Walky Talki
Member
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Ya, I just mean what is it capable of from a technical stand-point. So from a machine rest how accurate can it be?
SHOULD be great......
There's no reason why a 686 shouldn't have excellent accuracy, but each individual gun has has it's own tolerances AND a load has to be found and used that will give it its best accuracy. The best accuracy is USUALLY achieved with a slow, heavy lead slug. Besides velocity alone, the consistency of each round is vital to accuracty. I don't have a machine rest and the gun shoots better than I do, so it's pretty hard to say.
There's no reason why a 686 shouldn't have excellent accuracy, but each individual gun has has it's own tolerances AND a load has to be found and used that will give it its best accuracy. The best accuracy is USUALLY achieved with a slow, heavy lead slug. Besides velocity alone, the consistency of each round is vital to accuracty. I don't have a machine rest and the gun shoots better than I do, so it's pretty hard to say.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
I have a Model 686 with a Leupold 2x scope mounted on it. From a casual rest - resting the pistol butt on top of the bench, I can easily shoot 3 round cloverleaf groups at 7 to 25 yards. Off-hand, it's not too difficult to shoot (stationary) clay birds out to 50 yards.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Like the others say, there are many variables. As far as the PC versions, I don't believe they bring much to the table in the accuracy dept., that the non-PC versions don't do. Perhaps the slicker action or slab-sided barrel help a bit, but in single action target shooting, the difference is slight IMHO.
I carry a PC 686 because I'm an old woman with poor hand strength, who struggles with my non-PC 686's in double action.
The biggest variable I have found for consistently tight groups is the ammo. My 686's SD loads, Federal C357B, are the most consistent I have found.
I carry a PC 686 because I'm an old woman with poor hand strength, who struggles with my non-PC 686's in double action.
The biggest variable I have found for consistently tight groups is the ammo. My 686's SD loads, Federal C357B, are the most consistent I have found.
Dale53
Member
I cannot speak to the "ultimate" accuracy with a 686 PC. However, I have tested a bunch of fellow members various .357's off the bench using a Ransom Rest and really good quality match ammo as well as good reloaded ammo using cast bullets.
The best results I got were with Remington target wadcutter factory ammo in the seventies. I could regularly get 5/8" at 25 yards with my PPC gun. My best reloads, using my own home cast solid wadcutters would not quite match that. The best I could do was 3/4" at 25 yards.
After testing a good number of fine revolvers, my "standard" for a good revolver and load is to regularly beat 1" at 25 yards. Since my shooting is offhand, I believe that is adequate, for me, at least. i do NOT believe you'll do much better.
My two 686's and Model 520 will do that on a consistent basis.
FWIW
Dale53
The best results I got were with Remington target wadcutter factory ammo in the seventies. I could regularly get 5/8" at 25 yards with my PPC gun. My best reloads, using my own home cast solid wadcutters would not quite match that. The best I could do was 3/4" at 25 yards.
After testing a good number of fine revolvers, my "standard" for a good revolver and load is to regularly beat 1" at 25 yards. Since my shooting is offhand, I believe that is adequate, for me, at least. i do NOT believe you'll do much better.
My two 686's and Model 520 will do that on a consistent basis.
FWIW
Dale53
