most accurate auto-loading caliber - The Firearms Forum

llama.45 · 07-08-2006, 02:47 PM

what is the most accurate auto-loading caliber for target shooting?

KyBlaster · 07-08-2006, 05:15 PM

.45 in a 1911 of course.

blackhawkkid308 · 07-08-2006, 05:39 PM

DITTO_DITTO_DITTO_ 1911in 45 acp

Deputy Dawg · 07-08-2006, 06:53 PM

Hey what about the 38 Super ?

southernshooter · 07-08-2006, 10:33 PM

A bullet is only as accurate as the gun thats only as accurate as the shooter. With that being said I like the .45

MRMIKE08075 · 07-09-2006, 10:27 AM

caliber may play a part...

but its the gun in the end thats the deciding factor...

and locked in a ransom rest, the SIG P210N crushes 99.9% of all 1911A1`s ever made...

caliber vs caliber is a tough question...

i have always found 9mm largo handguns to be oddly accuratte...

best regards, mike.

Pistolenschutze · 07-09-2006, 09:19 PM

I have to go with the .45 ACP, but only with one proviso: It's really accurate only in a well-tuned 1911 auto. Out of the box, I would go with the 9mm as the most inherently accurate pistol round ever designed.

stash247 · 07-14-2006, 10:54 PM

"Auto loading caliber" is a trick question; a wicked, wicked trick!
If this is a question of a cartridge originally designed for a self-loader, there is nothing but the .45 ACP!
My Smith M-52 will shoot the socks off most 1911's, for accuracy, but it is, of course, chambered in .38 S&W Spl, and will shoot nothing but flush seated Wadcutter bullets. Designed for revolvers, adapted to self loaders!
Sig, in the 210, shot 32S&W long, the same way, and was/is a 50 yard "paper punch", as a rule! Also a 'revolver' caliber!
1911's, built as "wad guns", in ,38 Spl, and .38 AMU, 'owned' the accuracy turf , for years, as the 'centerfire gun', of a three gun match, and showed better scores than the 'Military pistol' leg, hands down. The AMU is truly a 'dedicated' caliber, chambered, to my knowledge, in nothing but M1911 pattern pistols.
But, all this is foreplay, to the real winner, the .22 LR, which, in good gear and good hands, will outshoot any centerfire caliber on the planet! But, the 'clinker', this caliber, as well, was first a revolver cartridge, by design!

IShootBack · 07-21-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyBlaster

.45 in a 1911 of course.

Do you mean .45 ACP.

As far as I know, 1911 is a date, not caliber.

IShootBack · 07-21-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackhawkkid308

DITTO_DITTO_DITTO_ 1911

Ditto....1911 is not a caliber. It is a date.

IShootBack · 07-21-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stash247

"Auto loading caliber" is a trick question; a wicked, wicked trick!
If this is a question of a cartridge originally designed for a self-loader, there is nothing but the .45 ACP!
My Smith M-52 will shoot the socks off most 1911's, for accuracy, but it is, of course, chambered in .38 S&W Spl, and will shoot nothing but flush seated Wadcutter bullets. Designed for revolvers, adapted to self loaders!
Sig, in the 210, shot 32S&W long, the same way, and was/is a 50 yard "paper punch", as a rule! Also a 'revolver' caliber!
1911's, built as "wad guns", in ,38 Spl, and .38 AMU, 'owned' the accuracy turf , for years, as the 'centerfire gun', of a three gun match, and showed better scores than the 'Military pistol' leg, hands down. The AMU is truly a 'dedicated' caliber, chambered, to my knowledge, in nothing but M1911 pattern pistols.
But, all this is foreplay, to the real winner, the .22 LR, which, in good gear and good hands, will outshoot any centerfire caliber on the planet! But, the 'clinker', this caliber, as well, was first a revolver cartridge, by design!

Very Good Answer. Thanks.

SKYDIVER386 · 07-22-2006, 12:04 AM

I would say the .38 super pistols that I have fired edge out the .45 ones. The S&W 52 in 9mm is also a very very accurate pistol.

JohnGerald · 08-27-2006, 06:51 PM

Ammunition calber is a minor component of shooting well. The pistol is more important, but the shooter determines what hits the target best. My wrists don't support a .45, so I shoot nines and .38s. On good day, I do allright; but if I'm not feeling well, haven't slept well, got the SO or the dog mad at me (easier by far with the former) I don't shoot well. It's not the pistol's fault or the ammos; It's the shooter's fault.

There's a whole lot to be said for mindset and muscle memory, IMHO.

Ursus · 08-27-2006, 07:16 PM

General wisdom has that the .45 ACP. is the most accurate of the 4 you posted.(This is your poll llama so if you left another caliber out, you have the right to ask what you want to know). As Pistolenschutzen said, however, I think this has more to do with supertunned guns than with the cartridge itself. Also, as stash247 implies, I've seen Sig P-210 out of the box so accurate, that they'll make many 1911 go home crying for mom.
In conclusion, I think accuracy is more the happy coincidence of good circumstances.(Good gun, good load, good shooter, good day, etc.)

JohnK3 · 08-28-2006, 06:16 PM

I vote for the .22LR as the most accurate auto-loading caliber.

Low recoil, so you don't build up flinching. Suitable for fixed-barrel actions. Within its limits, a tack-driver.

[grin]

Enzo_Guy · 11-04-2006, 04:23 PM

I've seen a Springfield XD and Beretta 92 both out-perform a brand new Colt 1911 every time, so when the shooters switched guns and got the same results we knew it was just the 1911's fault. For target shooting, I'd prefer a smaller caliber like .32, .25, or even .22. In fact, a gun that out-did all three of the guns above was a Browning .22LR.

BlkHawk73 · 11-23-2006, 07:15 AM

I'm also gonna say it's more so the gun/platform than the actual cartridge. While the 1911 is far moe common, there are other models that are more accurate. Some European models come to mind, specifically the P210 and some of those Pardini, Morini models. Go to any forum focused on the sport of bulleye and you'll find it's these models thatare the favorites, not the 1911. For the most part it's the Sig Sauer P210 being regarded as th e most accurate factory production model and those are 9mm's. Then you've got the smaller .32's that are dead on one hole shooters. With the popularity ofthe 1911 and it's .45 ACP base it's too easily given as an answer. In part due to many not knowing about other makes/models.

Xracer · 11-23-2006, 09:09 AM

Depends on range.....but all other things being equal, out to 25 yards, .22 rimfire is the most accurate cartridge.

blackhawkkid308 · 11-23-2006, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IShootBack

Ditto....1911 is not a caliber. It is a date.

i went back and added the 45 acp to the post. it was an oversight. i have 2 1911's in 38 super and 1 in 9mm, the other 6 are in 45 acp. i had 2 smith 52-2's and i have 3 1911's in 45acp that will shoot with the 2 i had at 25 yards.
bhk308

richyoung · 11-27-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRMIKE08075

caliber may play a part...

but its the gun in the end thats the deciding factor...

and locked in a ransom rest, the SIG P210N crushes 99.9% of all 1911A1`s ever made...

1. That's mighty handy, son - provided the guy mugging you lets you set up a shooting bench and your ransom rest....
2. that being said, its not uncommon for a good marksman to out-shoot a ransom rest with a 1911 style firearm - the rest holds the frame only, whilst the SIGHTS are actually on the SLIDE, you know, with the barrel and all that...
3. 99.9% ?!?!?! Who was the ammo sponsor for that shoot? Or was that statistic, like 93% of all statistics, made up?

45Smashemflat · 11-27-2006, 02:38 PM

I am assuming we are talking "mechanical" accuracy verus "practical" accuracy here. Generally, my guns shoot much better than I do. Bolted down they show what they are capable of without my "help." That being siad, I have to agree with Stash's answer - I've seen wad guns shooting the 38SPL round trounce any number of specialized pieces in other calibres.

stash247 · 11-27-2006, 11:36 PM

Before we enter into a dogfight, all, please re-read my original post!
Both the .32 S&W Long, and the .38 S&W Spl, as well as the .38 AMU, are, in my humble opinion, far more accurate, in their prospective platforms, than 'soft ball'.45acp, in theirs!
But, this comes at a price: If I shoot a Lew Willing gun, or similar, i get the same grip, the same trigger, the same everything, as the real deal; otherwise, I must learn two distinct pistols, perhaps three, to compete!

BIGBOOMER · 11-28-2006, 12:25 AM

Accuracy is, of course, a function of the design and quality of the pistol, the quality of the ammo, the skill of the shooter, and the way a particular pistol fits a particular shooter. That being said, ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL, the larger caliber (45 ACP) has the inherant advantage due to the way targets are scored. Since a shot is scored by the highest ring touched by the hole, a .45 hole centered in the 9 ring, but barely touching the 10 ring, for example, would be scored as a 10; whereas a smaller hole, say a 9mm, centered the same, would not touch the 10 ring and therefore be scored as a 9. Often, matches are won or lost by one point, or even by the number of hits in the X ring.
I agree with Stash that there are some platform/cartridge combinations that are more accurate than any 1911/45, but will they overcome the inherant advantage of the larger caliber?
Best regards, BIGBOOMER

SKYDIVER386 · 11-28-2006, 07:16 PM

.38 Super

HannibalTheCrow · 12-20-2006, 02:43 PM

It is not the gun in the hand, but rather the hand that is holding the gun that makes the difference in accuracy.

View Poll Results: what is the most accurate autoloading caliber for taget shooting
9mm para.	50	28.57%
.40	12	6.86%
10mm	13	7.43%
.45 acp	100	57.14%
Voters: 175. You may not vote on this poll

07-08-2006, 02:47 PM	#1
llama.45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: sewanee,tennessee Posts: 406	most accurate auto-loading caliber what is the most accurate auto-loading caliber for target shooting? __________________ chris -->

07-08-2006, 05:15 PM	#2
KyBlaster V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 250	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber .45 in a 1911 of course. __________________ "From my cold, dead hands"-- Charlton Heston 2000

07-08-2006, 05:39 PM	#3
blackhawkkid308 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: pensacola florida Posts: 871	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber DITTO_DITTO_DITTO_ 1911in 45 acp __________________ 9-11-01 lest we forget AMEN Last edited by blackhawkkid308; 11-23-2006 at 11:55 AM..

07-08-2006, 06:53 PM	#4
Deputy Dawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Central Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 2,234	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber Hey what about the 38 Super ? __________________ LOCK and LOAD................................... GOD, GUNS,GUTS the three that keep us FREE!!!!

07-08-2006, 10:33 PM	#5
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber A bullet is only as accurate as the gun thats only as accurate as the shooter. With that being said I like the .45 __________________ Only you can see this

07-09-2006, 10:27 AM	#6
MRMIKE08075 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 384	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber caliber may play a part... but its the gun in the end thats the deciding factor... and locked in a ransom rest, the SIG P210N crushes 99.9% of all 1911A1`s ever made... caliber vs caliber is a tough question... i have always found 9mm largo handguns to be oddly accuratte... best regards, mike.

07-09-2006, 09:19 PM	#7
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber I have to go with the .45 ACP, but only with one proviso: It's really accurate only in a well-tuned 1911 auto. Out of the box, I would go with the 9mm as the most inherently accurate pistol round ever designed. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

07-14-2006, 10:54 PM	#8
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber "Auto loading caliber" is a trick question; a wicked, wicked trick! If this is a question of a cartridge originally designed for a self-loader, there is nothing but the .45 ACP! My Smith M-52 will shoot the socks off most 1911's, for accuracy, but it is, of course, chambered in .38 S&W Spl, and will shoot nothing but flush seated Wadcutter bullets. Designed for revolvers, adapted to self loaders! Sig, in the 210, shot 32S&W long, the same way, and was/is a 50 yard "paper punch", as a rule! Also a 'revolver' caliber! 1911's, built as "wad guns", in ,38 Spl, and .38 AMU, 'owned' the accuracy turf , for years, as the 'centerfire gun', of a three gun match, and showed better scores than the 'Military pistol' leg, hands down. The AMU is truly a 'dedicated' caliber, chambered, to my knowledge, in nothing but M1911 pattern pistols. But, all this is foreplay, to the real winner, the .22 LR, which, in good gear and good hands, will outshoot any centerfire caliber on the planet! But, the 'clinker', this caliber, as well, was first a revolver cartridge, by design! __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

07-22-2006, 12:04 AM	#12
SKYDIVER386 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 62	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber I would say the .38 super pistols that I have fired edge out the .45 ones. The S&W 52 in 9mm is also a very very accurate pistol.

08-27-2006, 06:51 PM	#13
JohnGerald Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 19	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber Ammunition calber is a minor component of shooting well. The pistol is more important, but the shooter determines what hits the target best. My wrists don't support a .45, so I shoot nines and .38s. On good day, I do allright; but if I'm not feeling well, haven't slept well, got the SO or the dog mad at me (easier by far with the former) I don't shoot well. It's not the pistol's fault or the ammos; It's the shooter's fault. There's a whole lot to be said for mindset and muscle memory, IMHO.

08-27-2006, 07:16 PM	#14
Ursus Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: El Salvador, Central America. Posts: 1,030	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber General wisdom has that the .45 ACP. is the most accurate of the 4 you posted.(This is your poll llama so if you left another caliber out, you have the right to ask what you want to know). As Pistolenschutzen said, however, I think this has more to do with supertunned guns than with the cartridge itself. Also, as stash247 implies, I've seen Sig P-210 out of the box so accurate, that they'll make many 1911 go home crying for mom. In conclusion, I think accuracy is more the happy coincidence of good circumstances.(Good gun, good load, good shooter, good day, etc.) __________________ SI VIS PACEM, PARABELLUM.

08-28-2006, 06:16 PM	#15
JohnK3 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,636	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber I vote for the .22LR as the most accurate auto-loading caliber. Low recoil, so you don't build up flinching. Suitable for fixed-barrel actions. Within its limits, a tack-driver. [grin]

11-04-2006, 04:23 PM	#16
Enzo_Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Harwood, MD Posts: 160	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber I've seen a Springfield XD and Beretta 92 both out-perform a brand new Colt 1911 every time, so when the shooters switched guns and got the same results we knew it was just the 1911's fault. For target shooting, I'd prefer a smaller caliber like .32, .25, or even .22. In fact, a gun that out-did all three of the guns above was a Browning .22LR.

11-23-2006, 07:15 AM	#17
BlkHawk73 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 292	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber I'm also gonna say it's more so the gun/platform than the actual cartridge. While the 1911 is far moe common, there are other models that are more accurate. Some European models come to mind, specifically the P210 and some of those Pardini, Morini models. Go to any forum focused on the sport of bulleye and you'll find it's these models thatare the favorites, not the 1911. For the most part it's the Sig Sauer P210 being regarded as th e most accurate factory production model and those are 9mm's. Then you've got the smaller .32's that are dead on one hole shooters. With the popularity ofthe 1911 and it's .45 ACP base it's too easily given as an answer. In part due to many not knowing about other makes/models. __________________ "All you martyrs and saviours go through the same door" - G.S.

11-23-2006, 09:09 AM	#18
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber Depends on range.....but all other things being equal, out to 25 yards, .22 rimfire is the most accurate cartridge.

11-27-2006, 02:38 PM	#21
45Smashemflat Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,494	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber I am assuming we are talking "mechanical" accuracy verus "practical" accuracy here. Generally, my guns shoot much better than I do. Bolted down they show what they are capable of without my "help." That being siad, I have to agree with Stash's answer - I've seen wad guns shooting the 38SPL round trounce any number of specialized pieces in other calibres.

11-27-2006, 11:36 PM	#22
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber Before we enter into a dogfight, all, please re-read my original post! Both the .32 S&W Long, and the .38 S&W Spl, as well as the .38 AMU, are, in my humble opinion, far more accurate, in their prospective platforms, than 'soft ball'.45acp, in theirs! But, this comes at a price: If I shoot a Lew Willing gun, or similar, i get the same grip, the same trigger, the same everything, as the real deal; otherwise, I must learn two distinct pistols, perhaps three, to compete! __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

11-28-2006, 12:25 AM	#23
BIGBOOMER V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Great Northwest Posts: 265	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber Accuracy is, of course, a function of the design and quality of the pistol, the quality of the ammo, the skill of the shooter, and the way a particular pistol fits a particular shooter. That being said, ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL, the larger caliber (45 ACP) has the inherant advantage due to the way targets are scored. Since a shot is scored by the highest ring touched by the hole, a .45 hole centered in the 9 ring, but barely touching the 10 ring, for example, would be scored as a 10; whereas a smaller hole, say a 9mm, centered the same, would not touch the 10 ring and therefore be scored as a 9. Often, matches are won or lost by one point, or even by the number of hits in the X ring. I agree with Stash that there are some platform/cartridge combinations that are more accurate than any 1911/45, but will they overcome the inherant advantage of the larger caliber? Best regards, BIGBOOMER __________________ Use Enough Gun. Do all your hunting BEFORE you shoot!

11-28-2006, 07:16 PM	#24
SKYDIVER386 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 62	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber .38 Super

12-20-2006, 02:43 PM	#25
HannibalTheCrow Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 7	Re: most accurate auto-loading caliber It is not the gun in the hand, but rather the hand that is holding the gun that makes the difference in accuracy. __________________ "Better to keep your mouth shut and thought to be a fool than to open you mouth and remove all doubt!"