[el Godfather]

Dear THR:
Which among the list us the best semi auto caliber in your opinion for target shooting- paper and steel plates?

Kindly discuss your choice.
Thank you

PS .22 is not a consideration.

Distance: 25-50 yards

[TarDevil]

The list?

[The Lone Haranguer]

If it is for target competition, with a stationary paper target at a fixed distance, .45 is the standard for the centerfire events. The larger diameter hole can sometimes make the difference between touching the next higher scoring ring or not. Any of the calibers listed are fine for shooting at targets.

[el Godfather]

I had heard that 38 super has some advantages. Can some one explain them?

[jon86]

38 special :D



Ooops, 38 special isn't listed. What a pity.

Whichever YOU shoot best. This is pretty subjective. Out of this selection, I usually will shoot the 45 ACP the best, out of a 5 inch steel 1911.

[creeper1956]

I don't think any of the cartridges listed have a intrinsic or substantial accuracy edge... one over the other. What I do think is that, over the decades, a lot more effort has been put into fine tuning accuracy for certain cartridges in certain guns than in others.

From that perspective, the .45 and the .38 Special mentioned by jon86 (see James E. Clark and the history of bullseye pistol shooting) as well as the 9mm Luger have an edge.

C

[hentown]

Since neither rifle nor handgun was specified, I'll choose .223.

[Morgan8119]

Lol @ hentown.

[Bovice]

I voted 357 SIG for no other reason except that it's cool and makes a big bang. I was switching between my 45 and my 357 SIG and somebody said "Is that what 45 +p sounds like?" Lol

[2zulu1]

I believe the 45auto gets the edge here. The S&W Model 1955 target (wheelgun) held world accuracy records for many years.

During daily quality control testing Sierra routinely gets ten shot <1.5" groups at 50 yards from a Colt Gold Cup National Match.

I've shot some decent groups in 38 Super and have shot out to 160 yards on torso sized targets. It's a great caliber to load for, of the six 1911s I own, three are in Super and three in 45auto.

[wlewisiii]

.38 Special or .22LR

[Nushif]

Out of the ones listed I'd say the .45 for several reasons:

You can chamber a revolver in a wadcutter that measures almost half an inch. That's a pretty good chance at touching a scoring ring, as well as the benefit of moon-clips.

In terms of effort being put into a cartridge for sporting purposes I would say short of something like a .38 Super (which isn't exactly something people sell in stores here in OR) on your list the .45 ACP has the most research done to it for SPORTING purposes. The 9mm is a great cartridge that has a lot of research put into it for "social" purposes, but I remain unsold on the research for recreational value thus far.

Ultimately though, I would say whatever you can shoot best. There is something to be said for a gentle low powered 9mm. Or a very nicely gentle .45 wadcutter from a nice and heavy revolver.

[allaroundhunter]

I had heard that 38 super has some advantages. Can some one explain them?

It doesn't have any real advantages for target shooting. For USPSA style competition, it typically puts you into the major power factor category which some like because it *usually* has less recoil than .40 or .45 (other major power factor rounds).

The .38 Super is more expensive to shoot than 9mm so for just informal target shooting, I will take the 9. For bullseye style competition target shooting, I would go with a .45 over the .38 Super because of the larger diameter.

[ApplePie]

If you have to pay for ammo and are not rich, the 9mm is the obvious choice.

[2zulu1]

I had heard that 38 super has some advantages. Can some one explain them?
What I find to be an advantage for the Super 38 is that it can be loaded for bullet calibers between 355-.357, the 357s being more accurate than 9mm bullets.

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g474/aztrekker511/38Supervx357mag125FTX003.jpg

The 125gr XTP gives factory 357mag MVs and does so with lower operating pressures than the 9mm when loaded with the right powders.

I've found the Super to have excellent accuracy with upper end handloads at extended distances.

Handloading the Super costs about the same as 9mm +P.

[threoh8]

.45 ACP with semiwadcutters makes the biggest holes in paper - which are easier for old eyes to see!

[CPshooter]

I've read that .357 SIG has a relatively flat trajectory out to further distances when compared to other service calibers like 9mm, .40 s&w, or .45 acp. This seems like it would be very beneficial for maintaining vertical accuracy out to 50 yards.

[Ala Tom]

I have been shooting at paper targets with the intent of improving my ability in self defense or home defense shooting. I normally shoot at a 25 ft distance, sometimes at about 15 ft.

What distances are common in competitive indoor pistol target shooting?

My vote above was for 9 mm even though I don't own one. My second choice for target shooting would be .22 LR.

[bikerdoc]

Since 22 is not an option I voted 9mm as I shoot more 9 than 45, but I can run through a 1/2 brick of 22 in one session cheaply, then bring out the 9 and 45.

[56hawk]

It's kind of a toss up. I voted 40 S&W just because the most accurate handgun I have is a SVI in 40 that I shoot USPSA limited class with. I shoot 38 Supers in open class, but a lot of people are going to 9mm. The benefit of 38 Super is that you have more gas pressure to run a compensator.

If you are just practicing and not competing in a specific sport I would say 9mm is the best choice due to the price of ammo.

[CWL]

I train and compete in my SD pistol caliber, which is .45ACP.

Never plan to shoot beyond ~25 yards though.

If I had to recommend a caliber for target work, it would be .22lr.

[k_dawg]

Depends on what one means by 'best' or 'better'.

For most people, I believe 9mm in 115gr is best.

Low recoil, cheap, plenty of accurate weapons in 9mm, and it's velocity is above the supersonic/subsonic zone out past 25 yards.

However, rules of various competitions may affect this.

[mdauben]

Of the ones you listed:


For casual target practice - 9mm (cheap, accurate, low recoil)
For format bulleye competition - .45 ACP (standard for NRA competitions)

[Inebriated]

I voted 9mm for a general use target gun. Accurate, light recoil, tons of platforms.

For ME, .45 ACP is the way to go.

[meanmrmustard]

I'll take a full size, steel CZ in 9x19 thank you!

[FMF Doc]

Of those listed, the 38 Super and .357Sig will have the flattest trijectory. The .357 Sig, even in a compact polymer like a glock, let a lone a fullsize metal framed Sig226, is going to have much less felt recoil. If you think that the 1911 platform will make up for this, then go with the 38 Super, as I don't think there is a 1911 make in .357Sig.

[snakeman]

full size 9mm. low recoil, accurate, cheap

[wow6599]

full size 9mm. low recoil, accurate, cheap

Snakeman nailed it ^, unless money is no object. If I was rich, I would shoot more .45 ACP - and I roll my own.

[TAKtical]

9mm unless you have an unlimited supply of $$$

[bannockburn]

I have always had great results in terms of accuracy with a 185 gr. semi-wadcutter in .45ACP.

[bikerdoc]

meanmrmustard said

I'll take a full size, steel CZ in 9x19 thank you!

great minds think alike. :)

[Steve C]

There is shooting at targets and then there is target shooting competition. The rules of the game you are playing and the level of the competition drives both the caliber and firearm selection. If you are just shooting at targets then any of the calibers will work.