Power vs. Accuracy
- Thread starter tmtyler24
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It all depends on what you want your ammo to do. Obviously if you're
talking about .22 ammo for your rifle to shoot in a local smallbore
match accuracy is important. If you're following up a wounded Grizzly
bear in thick cover with your .338 magnum rifle you want all the power
you can get. Your question is too general for a specific answer.
talking about .22 ammo for your rifle to shoot in a local smallbore
match accuracy is important. If you're following up a wounded Grizzly
bear in thick cover with your .338 magnum rifle you want all the power
you can get. Your question is too general for a specific answer.
SD at 3 feet............... Power.
Target/hunting past 50 yards............ Accuracy.
Target/hunting past 50 yards............ Accuracy.
You need both for two legged predators.
Groo01
Member
Groo here
How big is your target area?
A quarter,a baseball,a paper plate?
How far away will you shoot?
If you can keep your shots on the target at the set range, that
is fine.
I would rather have a 22 that shoots quarters at 100yds
for varments , but give me a cannon that shoots paper plates
at the same distance for bear.
How big is your target area?
A quarter,a baseball,a paper plate?
How far away will you shoot?
If you can keep your shots on the target at the set range, that
is fine.
I would rather have a 22 that shoots quarters at 100yds
for varments , but give me a cannon that shoots paper plates
at the same distance for bear.
This is why I've always believed in having more gun than what you need. If you take a far more powerful weapon, it gains versatility over a weapon that is marginal for its role, a sloppy over exaggerated example would be how a .44 Magnum can be reduced down and still be capable of self defense or small vermin, while a .380 is always going to be run red hot to maximize performance. I reduced reloads for 7mm Rem Mag to reduce recoil and gain accuracy in the rifle, and it still had more than enough killing power left over for deer at distance. Someone reloading .243 for longer distance deer hunting might find themselves less likely to cool down the load, because they might be more apt to want every bit of power they can get. We could argue about .223 being adequate for deer in the best conditions, with a short barrel and a cool load making things even worse.
It is a very broad question, but good for raising thought, I suppose. In the case of self defense, hot as one can run is the best, i believe, because the handgun is already under powered,and inherent accuracy not an issue at close range. In hunting with a handgun, it is a very tricky issue, because you want power and the greatest accuracy possible, meaning trying out various factory and handloads is well worth your time to attempt to maximize both. For the rifle hunter, I think I've already explained myself.
The other issue of power is trajectory. My Tommy gun is actually accurate at 100 yards, but the lack of velocity means Kentucky windage comes into play at a short range for a long gun. A lower power round may be more accurate, but a slower bullet will have more adjustment at longer range for drop and travel time. Even if the hotter round is a little less accurate, perhaps it shoots a bit flatter, helping out with shots if you lack a rangefinder.
It is a very broad question, but good for raising thought, I suppose. In the case of self defense, hot as one can run is the best, i believe, because the handgun is already under powered,and inherent accuracy not an issue at close range. In hunting with a handgun, it is a very tricky issue, because you want power and the greatest accuracy possible, meaning trying out various factory and handloads is well worth your time to attempt to maximize both. For the rifle hunter, I think I've already explained myself.
The other issue of power is trajectory. My Tommy gun is actually accurate at 100 yards, but the lack of velocity means Kentucky windage comes into play at a short range for a long gun. A lower power round may be more accurate, but a slower bullet will have more adjustment at longer range for drop and travel time. Even if the hotter round is a little less accurate, perhaps it shoots a bit flatter, helping out with shots if you lack a rangefinder.
Alk8944
US Veteran
First, you need to specify the circumstances you are asking about. I will assume you are asking about a handgun carried for self-defense.
Power, absolutely. If the distance to the "aggressor" is so great that accuracy becomes a concern then it is too far away to constitute justifiable self-defense!
Power, absolutely. If the distance to the "aggressor" is so great that accuracy becomes a concern then it is too far away to constitute justifiable self-defense!
Adequate caliber properly constructed bullet and shot placement trumps everything else.
That said large bore heavy bullets can do more damage on a marginally placed shot, for example a head shot on an elephant but missing the brain a large bore can knock the animal down but a small bore probably will not I am sure the same is true for all animals including the two legged ones. I just had a client protecting himself on an elephant charge put 3 250 grain 340 Weatherby rounds into an elephants head the herd came running in they left the elephant was on the ground. The next morning they came back the elephant was gone after several miles of tracking they lost the spoor.
I do not equate high velocity to power its a factor but only to a point of adequate penetration.
That said large bore heavy bullets can do more damage on a marginally placed shot, for example a head shot on an elephant but missing the brain a large bore can knock the animal down but a small bore probably will not I am sure the same is true for all animals including the two legged ones. I just had a client protecting himself on an elephant charge put 3 250 grain 340 Weatherby rounds into an elephants head the herd came running in they left the elephant was on the ground. The next morning they came back the elephant was gone after several miles of tracking they lost the spoor.
I do not equate high velocity to power its a factor but only to a point of adequate penetration.
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Arik
Member
What is defined as accuracy?
Good point, many large bores very powerful weapons are extremely accurate, the average shooter may not be proficient with them due to the heavy recoil.
Accuracy requirements depends on size of game and distance. A good prairie dog gun may be 1/2" or better at 100 yds a big bear gun 2" at 50 yards
Accuracy and power are both relative concepts. Assuming you are not foolish enough to take a varmint rifle on a grizzly bear hunt, shot placement is everything. The most powerful cartridge around isn't going to do much if you miss.
shotgun693
Member
You need enough accuracy to put a bullet where you want it and enough power to to put the biggest possible hole in your target. It depends a lot on what you're shooting?
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The most powerful load that you can shoot accurately is what you want. For a SD CCW I'd consider any load good enough where you can hit consistently within an inch or so of POA at 7 yards (21 feet).
For Target Shooting it has to group extremely well consistently and shoot POA = POI.
For Target Shooting it has to group extremely well consistently and shoot POA = POI.
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MichiganScott
Member
Keep in mind that a one inch group means the bullet is hitting within 1/2" of point of aim. Unless I'm shooting competition, small groups are secondary. I get disappointed when I see a four inch group at 25 yards, but I realize that is sufficient.
When you are talking rifles, you need to consider both range and target size. A two inch group at 100 yards translates to an eight inch group at 400, good enough for elk, marginal for deer, and way to big for ground squirrels.
As far as power is concerned, I believe most people would be better off with less gun. I love shooting my .44's and .45's, but carry a 9mm because it is almost the equal of the bigger bores with good bullets and I can get more lead on target in any given time frame.
When you are talking rifles, you need to consider both range and target size. A two inch group at 100 yards translates to an eight inch group at 400, good enough for elk, marginal for deer, and way to big for ground squirrels.
As far as power is concerned, I believe most people would be better off with less gun. I love shooting my .44's and .45's, but carry a 9mm because it is almost the equal of the bigger bores with good bullets and I can get more lead on target in any given time frame.
