Accuracy question

[hoser1268]

Hey guys,

     I finally start shooting my 44 mag.  I start off using a Leupold 4X and It worked out alright but I wanted a little more power so I switched to the bushnell 2-6 trophy.  Worked out very nice. But I am having some issues with accuracy.  I am finding that accuracy is inconsistent. My friend told me that out of the box revolvers are like that.  The best groups I'm getting are with the 300 gr xpts.  Recoil is not what I expected.  I'ts really not bad at all.  Not compared to a 375 jdj. :shock: At 50 yards I can go from a 2" group to a 4" group with the same ammo.  I'm used to shooting 1" groups at 100 yards with my contender so this is freaking me out.   I was thinking about having the gun accurized but will I make that big of a difference.  Any help would be appreciated.

[riddleofsteel]

I am in the same situation with a new Ruger Super Redhawk in 454. I finally made it to my range the other day with a box of handloads, .45 300 grain XTP Mag HP's sitting over enough H110 to drive them to 1500 FPS. When I finally got the 2x Burris Posilock scope sighted in I started firing for groups. At 50 yards I was shooting five rounds into a 1.5" goup but almost every time one round would produce a flyer in some odd direction.
I took a marker and numbered the cylinders. No luck. The flyer was from different cylinders. Then I stared getting two or even three flyers. At 100 yards I shot a five shot 1" group. One flyer opened it to 3.5". Bummer However that showed me the gun wants to shoot. The variation in my case is probably the XTP Mag bullet or the load density of the H110.

I plan to go out next time with some 300 grain SWC gas checked bullets over AA No. 9 and a near max load of H110. In the end though if I can get it to produce 2" to 3" groups at 100 yards with a 2x scope I will be satisfied enough to hunt with it.

I shot Contenders for years and take it from me a revolver is NOT the equal of a sealed breech single shot. I shot sub MOA groups from my Contender barrels or they were sold. I have a 7.5" .45 Colt Blackhawk that is a rare gem. It will rival a .45 Colt barrel on a TC Contender but it is the exception not the rule.

[PaulS]

I have had similar problems with the same load changing groups sizes when I first started practicing seriously with my revolver. I found that a consistant grip - both the amount of pressure and where I held the gun was causing my problems. You can demonstrate this by holding the gun as loosely as you can and firing five shots (remember to hold it loosely each time) and then hold it like you had to control the recoil to get a second shot off but only fire the one shot each of the five times. If you are like me you will find that the loose hold will shoot a group about 6 to 8 inches high at 25 yards and the very tight grip will shoot 4 to 6 inches low at 25 yards.
When I was shooting I would get tense and my grip would tighten up - stretching my groups lower. Then I would relax and my groups would open up on the high side making a six inch pattern instead of a 2 inch group.
You should also remember that a revolver has six different chambers that may or may not line up with the barrel in exactly the same position each time - that will make your groups larger than the single shot TC too.
Practice will help with a consistant hold and I went to a grip with finger grooves to help me hold it in the same place each time. It takes a lot more concentration to be consistant with a revolver than it does with any other shooting arm, so practice, practice, and more practice is what you need.

[Bullseye]

I have shot Contenders for years and have sold many revolvers over those same years because of comparing accuracy of the two.  I am now a happy revolver shoot (and T/C shooter) because I have tempered my accuracy expectations out of the revolver.  Other than those rare very accurate revolvers, you will have to temper your expectations unless you are shooting a Freedom Arms, which I do not the money for.

[Questor]

I have never experienced this in a revolver.

[hoser1268]

All of my groups are shot of a rock solid rest on the bench.  That's why it doesn't make any sense.  My friend is an avid revolver shooter and he warned me that accuracy would not be the same. I'll just have to work with it.

[swampthing]

I would go to the range again and fire 3-5 shots and eject the last round to check for crimp jumping. I would crimp them till you feel the case mouth bottom out into the groove under, and with, firm pressure. I was plagued with this until I got a custom expander plug for my cast bullet shooting needs.
Also I would "Fire Lap It ! ". I found this a much better investment then any trigger job, custom barrel, mods, etc. etc. A fire laping kit from LBT will make your ruger an outstanding shooter. Be prepared for around 200 or so lapping loads to get the forcing cone restriction out of your stainless steel Ruger, it is worth the effort.
Ruger SRH 280g LBT's at 1185 & 1330 fps = 1." @50yds
Ruger SBH 280g LBT's at 1185 & 1330 fps = 1." @ 50yds
Loads are with AA#5 and H4227. AA#9 is just as good at 1280fps
These are both fire lapped.

[S.B.]

I have had similar problems with the same load changing groups sizes when I first started practicing seriously with my revolver. I found that a consistant grip - both the amount of pressure and where I held the gun was causing my problems. You can demonstrate this by holding the gun as loosely as you can and firing five shots (remember to hold it loosely each time) and then hold it like you had to control the recoil to get a second shot off but only fire the one shot each of the five times. .

That's why they invented the Ransom Rest. The load is what your trying to develope, not shooting techniques. The shooting techniques come after you know the load shoots good in your gun. But, if you like spending money, and frustrations use your way of developing loads?