The most accurate autos and cartridges.

[A strange person]

I wrote a big thing and then my internet crashed, so this will be brief.

I'm a revolver guy just doing some research.

Between the 9mm, the .40S&W, and the .45ACP, which is known to be the most accurate?

 

[Drail]

The difference in accuracy between cartridges is almost too minuscule to measure. Accuracy depends on the human hand that's shooting the gun and manufacturing tolerances of the barrel. The human factor will always be many times gretaer than any difference in the fun or the cartridge. Don't worry about cartridge accuracy. Most cartridges in most guns will outshoot most humans. Now when you clamp a gun into a machine rest you can start to see some differences but they're very small and it would be difficult to tell if they were from the barrel's quality or lack of or the ballistic coefficient of the bullet. Angels dancing on the head of a pin.

 

[montgomery381]

I agree with Drail. If you are looking for a range pistol go with the 9mm, cheaper ammo and less recoil.

 

[A strange person]

Keep in mind that my idea of handgun accuracy is around 1.5" groups at 25 yards. I'm primarily a hunter.

 

[Mike OTDP]

.40 S&W has a poor reputation for accuracy. Perplexing, as the 10mm has an outstanding reputation.

Between 9mm and .45, I'd go with .45 ACP. I won't vouch for the inherent accuracy of either round in relation to the other, but the .45 has had much more load development done by bullseye shooters. A good 1911 with a good load will shoot under 2 inches at 50 yards, which speaks well for the accuracy of the cartridge.

 

[2wheels]

I'd put my money on .45ACP, lotta bullseye shooting done with that caliber.

Preferably I'd be shooting that out of a very well tuned 1911.

 

[balance 740]

I'd imagine that it would depend on your price range. The pistol that shoots the caliber should effect accuracy more than the caliber.

 

[Justin]

I'd put my money on .45ACP, lotta bullseye shooting done with that caliber.

That's because it's a requirement of the sport.

 

[JohnKSa]

I don't think "inherent accuracy of the caliber" is a good way to select between those 3 calibers. You should be able to get adequate accuracy for your purposes in any of the calibers if you pick a decent gun and experiment to find what it "likes".

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Find yourself a S&W mod 52 .38spl wadcutter gun. Lot of fun to shoot and super accurate right from the factory.{when they made them}

 

[R.W.Dale]

Until I owned one I always dismissed 357 sig shooters reports of outstanding accuracy as so much hyperbole.

But after buying a couple by golly they do shoot dang good. I'm not so sure my compact CC glock 32 in 357 doesn't shoot better than my long slide target sighted glock 34 in 9mm

Either way I've owned all the major and several less known handgun calibers I agree with the other posters that there's just something about a 40 that never satisfied me in terms of accuracy

posted via tapatalk using android.

 

[benderx4]

IMHO, all three of these cartridges can be VERY accurate given the right weapon platform and the right finger pulling the trigger. Having said that, I own all three, and I believe the 45 is the most fun to shoot, the 9mm is the most economical to shoot, and the 40SW combines the best traits of the other two.

 

[Slamfire]

The difference in accuracy between cartridges is almost too minuscule to measure. Accuracy depends on the human hand that's shooting the gun and manufacturing tolerances of the barrel. The human factor will always be many times gretaer than any difference in the fun or the cartridge. Don't worry about cartridge accuracy. Most cartridges in most guns will outshoot most humans. Now when you clamp a gun into a machine rest you can start to see some differences but they're very small and it would be difficult to tell if they were from the barrel's quality or lack of or the ballistic coefficient of the bullet. Angels dancing on the head of a pin

So true. The human error factor is orders of magnitude greater than the cartridge.

 

[jackpinesavages]

Without a doubt the MOST accurate autos are the 3rd Gen S&Wessons and the cartridge of choice is 10mm: S&W 1006, 1066, 1076, 1086 is what you're after.

Congratulations, your search is over!!

 

[dogbaloo]

Pick a cartridge, then select your weapon...

Which gasoline is fastest? Shell, Exxon or 7-11?

My choice is a new ZR-1 Corvette.

 

[robctwo]

I have S&W 952-2, Les Baer PII 1911 and CZ 75BD with a 5" BarSto barrell in 9mm that are all very accurate.

I have a Les Baer PII with the 1.5" guarantee, an Ed Brown Executive Target and a CZ 97 in .45ACP which are all very accurate. For me the .45s group consistently better on any given day and the cost difference with reloading is negligible.

 

[hardluk1]

When comparing like caliber guns to each other the pick the Witness Match. It would become very costly to out perform. More than likely it would take a 45 cal Les baer with there 1 1/2" 50 yard guaranty.

 

[A strange person]

I keep hearing that the .45ACP is typically the most accurate, at least by a little. I also like that there is more lead wadcutter ammo available for it than for other auto calibers.

Old timers seem to be largely of the opinion that, in general, the faster the cartridge, the less accurate it is, at least as far as handguns go. Horace Kephart believed that sectional density had to increase with velocity in order for accuracy to be achieved. This would jive with the aforementioned opinion about handgun accuracy, as well as with the fact that high-velocity rifle rounds such as the .308 can be very accurate. I still have alot to learn about ballistics.

I just like making tiny groups on paper. whether it's needed for practical purposes or not. Call it a fetish. All of my guns end up squirrel hunting too, whether I planned to or not. I'm, just hardcore like that.

 

[jackpinesavages]

...and what is that .45 ACP being shot from, and who is doing the shooting?

Bottom line: it's more about the training behind the trigger finger than the firearm or caliber.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

If I could add a tidbit... I think .45 has a good reputation for accuracy, too. However, half of all .45 pistols (more or less, I'm not sure) are on 1911 platforms. 1911 triggers are heavenly and cannot be compared to anything else, which probably contributes to that accuracy reputation.

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I accidently put holes in holes at twenty yards with my 1.87 inch. 38. I think it is up to the shooter. Handguns are so fun because their accuracy is subjective from shooter to shooter. I think a 9mm would be the easiest to get good with. It is cheap and easier to shoot. Then again, I have read and been told they are less predictable. It seems like the best shooters are into .45s, but those guys are shooting range guns, not duty guns. Every hand gun of mine can shoot better than I can shoot it. My. 38 snubby is proof. I think shooting autos will improve your revolver shooting, it helped mine.

 

[mes228]

Accuracy

Accuracy is subject to the sights and the user. I own a FN Tactical with the Trijicon RMR the pistol is designed to accept. I'm sure I have more accurate custom 1911's than the FN. Yet the FN shoots circles around anything I own. Because I cannot "use" or obtain the accuracy potential fully of the Baers, Springfield Professional etc. I have shot several 2" 5 round groups OFF HAND at 25 yards with the FN. I cannot do that with the other pistols. I easily shoot 5 round groups at 8 yards through the same hole with the FN. The FN may be a lesser accurate pistol - yet it's more accurate because of the Trijicon sighting system. It's an amazing combo made in heaven. So superior to the Baers, Springfields, H&K's, Berettas, and full custom 1911's I own. I actually feel all must sooner or later copy this concept (if it's not patented). Just as most everyone has copied Glock in plastic pistol world. Gabe Saurez is right in his support of this system.

 

[5-SHOTS]

For what I've always red, the .45ACP is capable of the best accuracy. But a 9mm out of a SIG P210 is good also...Seriously IMO it only depends to the cartridge/handgun setup.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Between the 9mm, the .40S&W, and the .45ACP, which is known to be the most accurate?

This is much more a function of the gun and its consistency of all the moving parts returning to the same positions every time than the cartridge itself. The .45 is indeed popular for pure target shooting, but much of this is because of the larger hole it punches, which can sometimes make the difference between touching the next higher scoring ring or not.