Sighting in my KGP-141

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

crunch14

Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
45
Location
Redmond, Wa
Hey there, brand new to the forums and need some advice. I've been shooting all my life but this is my first foray into handguns in 15+ years. At 20 yards I can't get a descent group (tighest was 4.5 inches). with my .30-06 rifle I'm used to 1 inch groups at 200yds so I know the basics of sight alignment, proper breathing etc.

I was hoping for a 2 inch group at 20yds at most. I do hope to be able to drive tacks at 20yds eventually.

Ammo Used is PMC 158grn soft point. Thanks.
 
Perhaps your grip is wrong? Revolvers need to be gripped high and tight and with a break to the wrist, could it be you are gripping your revolver like a semi-auto?
 
could be the load you were using (guns are finicky on what they like to group accurately with); could be you're not used to shooting handguns...hand movement while squeezing the trigger can open up groups (eg: I sometimes shoot to the left when shooting single action [a frequent occurrance when I used to shoot 1911 semiautomatic singel action pistols] and I often shoot to the right when shooting double action since I squeeze harder during the heavier doulbe action trigger pull); another thing...I am so used to shooting off hand without support that I shoot worse from a rest or a bag...all depends; muscle memory comes into play...if you haven't shot handguns in a long time you will have to invest some time over the next few consecuitve weeks/weekends retraining you body to shoot handguns
 
4.5" at 20 yards isn't bad at all, especially for someone who doesn't regularly shoot handguns. You can't expect to shoot a handgun as well as a rifle ;)

Just keep practicing and also try different ammo. I've had good luck with Remington's 158gr LSWC 38 Spcl, Hornady's XTPs, and a few other loads.

Like the others said, handguns are sensative to the way you grip them; especially heavier recoiling revolvers. Try gripping it different ways.
 
Thanks for the tips. I've gone through about 100rnds of .38spcl for familiarization and 100 rounds of .357 for sighting in the past 2 weekends. With the Comfy Hogue grip I'm not sure there there are different ways to hold the weapon, but I will definitely try to be consistant. While sighting in I only shoot SA for the added accuracy. I fired half the .357 off hand and half from a bench (and I made sure the frame was not touching anything to effect vibration/recoil).

I purchased this with 2 purposes in mind (other than fun target shooting). I plan to cary it while deer hunting with .38 FMJ for Grouse and rabbits. And while Hiking and Elk hunting I will load it up with Corbon's .357 200grn Hardcast for a brush gun in Cougar country. A friend in a neighboring camp had a close call averted last year thanks to his .357 (and a nice rug on his wall now).

Ammo is almost IMPOSSIBLE to find around here, been to every shop within 45 minutes of my place and the ammo I've fired is everything I've found the past 2 weeks. So I ordered 1000 rounds of bulk .38 Magtech, and 100 rnds of the Corbon.

Should I sight it in with .38 or the big loads when they get in...damn back orders? And yes I do hope to start reloading sometime but thats for another group of paychecks.

In the mean time I will work on my grip and when the Ammo gets in I'll keep working at it. Thanks again for the advice.
 
Changing your grip does include the positioning of your hand. Sliding your hand slightly higher or lower on the grip can make a difference as well as putting your hand slightly more towards the front of the gun vs the rear.

Another big part is how tight you hold it. This is especially true of heavier recoiling guns.
try gripping it tight and shooting it, then progressively loosening your grip just a tiny bit at a time.

As far as sighting in, I've sighted my GP-100 in with 158gr JHP, then counted the number of turns it takes to adjust the screw in the rear sight to shoot 180gr hardcast loads.
If you know how much you have to turn the elevation screw then you can adjust it pretty close to the load you're using before you go out in the field.
 
If I can Find some Ammo I plan on hitting a range next week. 'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for th tips. I'm also thinking I just need to get used to the gun. Last pistol I fired was the 9mm beretta the Army issued me, qualified expert but hated the weapon. and that was in March of 2003 just before I went to Iraq.
 
Well lets see here. First off if you have a consistant 1" out of a hunting rifle at 200 yds it is a one in a thousand rifle with factory ammo no less. No offense but I would have to see it to believe it. It's just that I have seen 10K dollar custom rifles that wouldn't do it on a regular basis.

As for the handgun it could be many things. I would think cheap ammo, shooter, or maybe even the gun itself. Not all guns are created equal and some will shoot and some won't. I'm afraid if you are used to 1/2 MOA with factory ammo out of a rifle you will never be pleased with a handgun.
 
I have no doubt that part, if not all of the problem is me, just need to practice more, and finy my weapons favorite food to get what I expect out of myself and my weapon. Which is a consistent 3" group at 25 yds.

When I was a teenager I hunted grouse with my neighbors .22 mag S&W 8 shot revolver (forget the model) and was regularly able to take them out of the trees from 30 yards. So I'm confident in my ability to get it done. Thank you all for the tips and info, now I just need to find some ammo to test and practice with. (gggrrrr)
 
I bet you're shooting it single action for maximum accuracy. I also bet you're cocking the hammer with your gun hand thumb. This changes your grip for each and every shot, allowing the gun to recoil differently each time.

Cock the hammer with your support hand thumb, while maintaining a solid, consistent grip with the gun hand.

Also, move the target up to 10 yds until you can get 1" or smaller groups.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top