woodsgun and 30yd accuracy

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bsparker

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I've wanted a S&W 686, 4" barrel, for about 4 years now. But didn't want to spend the money. That is until my wife saw me comment on a S&W facebook photo of the 686. Then a miracle happened. She said, I didn't know what to get you for Christmas but I saw your comment on a gun photo, why don't you go buy one!!!! Sweeter words have never been uttered (other than the "I do" 13 years ago). Bought it used, but like-new for a good price. Picked it up Friday and enjoyed a few test shots before hunting yesterday. She's pretty generous when it comes to buying guns and gear, but this was the first time she made the suggestion.

I plan on carrying it in the woods and would like to get some accuracy out to about 30 yards for it. I'll consider taking deer, coyote and bobcats with it when the right circumstances permit.

What tips can you share for hitting a 5" target consistently at 30 yards with standard sights? (if you say "practice" help me focus on the specific aspects).

Thanks

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I'd suggest starting at 7 yards, and focusing on shooting 'one hole' groups. This allows you to practice sight picture and trigger press with immediate feedback on your progress.

When you can shoot near-caliber sized groups at 7 yards, move back to 10, repeat, move to 15, so on.

If you can't shoot a very small group at 7 yards, there's no sense shooting at 30 yet.

Just MHO, of course.

Larry
 
These days, I have a hard time hitting small targets consistently at 30 yards while standing on my hind legs shooting a handgun without some sort of optic.

However, let me sit down with my back resting on a tree trunk, with my knees bent upwards, and my arms resting on those knees . . . I can hit small, even with a 3" barrel and open sights.

Edit to add: Point being, practice shooting from different field positions for woods hunting.
 
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What tips can you share for hitting a 5" target consistently at 30 yards with standard sights?

1. Select the specific load you want to shoot, and get / make lots of that one loading.

2. Sight your gun for a 6 o-clock hold on the 5 inch target at 30 yards. Single scoop ice cream cone. Your front sight is the cone, the target is the single scoop. Get the center of your groups in the center of your 5” target, shooting from the bench, single action, with the single scoop ice cream cone hold.

3. Once you get gun dialed in, quit shooting from the bench. Seriously, this may the hardest step, because it feels good to brag. This is where most people fail, because it’s hard to go to step 4.

4. Dry fire double action, 25 times each night in front of a mirror, concentrating on your grip and keeping the muzzle steady through a smooth trigger pull.

5. At the range, only shoot double action at your target, standing, offhand, using the same grip and stance from dry firing. This is your practice. You will find that 5” targets are easy if you are dedicated and follow these steps.

6. When it’s GO time, the time when you NEED to make a shot, like hunting, shoot single action.
 
Practice the suggestions above and make a couple range trips every month. I’d start with finding a .38 Special load the gun likes. Buy a couple different boxes and see which one does the best. There’s no magical secret - it takes practice to get better.

Dry fire a couple times per week to get used to the trigger and build up finger, hand, arm strength. Hold the gun out fully extended and do 20 trigger pulls with each hand. Most people don’t have the shoulder strength to hold the gun steady that long. There’s no sense in going to the range and practicing if you can’t hold the gun steady for more than a couple shots.
 
If you do not currently reload, make a case with your partner to invest in some basic reloading equipment. Given the current expense and shortage of ammo, it makes more sense than ever to reload. You will be able to make practice loads. Learning to shoot a 357 is more about not flinching from the noise, than from recoil. A140 gr bullet at around 1050-1080 fps is a good place to start. Begin by shooting at targets ten steps away. Four inch paper plates or clay birds on edge are good targets. Before Shooting, spend about a week just pointing your gun at items and aligning the sight - this helps develop muscle memory. Shoot 3 cartridges per day for a month- once you can break all of the birds at 10 steps, move to 20 and repeat.
 
These days, I have a hard time hitting small targets consistently at 30 yards while standing on my hind legs shooting a handgun without some sort of optic.

However, let me sit down with my back resting on a tree trunk, with my knees bent upwards, and my arms resting on those knees . . . I can hit small, even with a 3" barrel and open sights.

Edit to add: Point being, practice shooting from different field positions for woods hunting.

Thanks for the focus on the hunting piece. I've wondered about this, standing unsupported verse a field position. I hunt on the ground mainly, with tree support or knee support for rifle. I've only take one unsupported shot with a rifle at 40 yards, don't plan on making to many of those. Based on recommendations, I'll probably start with standing unsupported in double action, but also try knee support and tree support. I see a lot of ammo in my future...hopefully the market cooperates.
 
1. Select the specific load you want to shoot, and get / make lots of that one loading.

2. Sight your gun for a 6 o-clock hold on the 5 inch target at 30 yards. Single scoop ice cream cone. Your front sight is the cone, the target is the single scoop. Get the center of your groups in the center of your 5” target, shooting from the bench, single action, with the single scoop ice cream cone hold.

3. Once you get gun dialed in, quit shooting from the bench. Seriously, this may the hardest step, because it feels good to brag. This is where most people fail, because it’s hard to go to step 4.

4. Dry fire double action, 25 times each night in front of a mirror, concentrating on your grip and keeping the muzzle steady through a smooth trigger pull.

5. At the range, only shoot double action at your target, standing, offhand, using the same grip and stance from dry firing. This is your practice. You will find that 5” targets are easy if you are dedicated and follow these steps.

6. When it’s GO time, the time when you NEED to make a shot, like hunting, shoot single action.

Is there a rationale for the mirror piece, verse aiming at an actual target? I'm going to work in a dry-fire plan. I've done that a number of times already but will need to be more intentional.
 
If you do not currently reload, make a case with your partner to invest in some basic reloading equipment. Given the current expense and shortage of ammo, it makes more sense than ever to reload. You will be able to make practice loads. Learning to shoot a 357 is more about not flinching from the noise, than from recoil. A140 gr bullet at around 1050-1080 fps is a good place to start. Begin by shooting at targets ten steps away. Four inch paper plates or clay birds on edge are good targets. Before Shooting, spend about a week just pointing your gun at items and aligning the sight - this helps develop muscle memory. Shoot 3 cartridges per day for a month- once you can break all of the birds at 10 steps, move to 20 and repeat.

Reloading is on my list! Can't wait to get started, have a few more components to secure before I can but I'm saving everything I can find.
 
Is there a rationale for the mirror piece, verse aiming at an actual target? I'm going to work in a dry-fire plan. I've done that a number of times already but will need to be more intentional.

It’s easy to see muzzle wobble in the mirror as you squeeze the trigger and it cements in your mind your preferred grip and stance because you see as an observer as you are dry firing.
 
It’s easy to see muzzle wobble in the mirror as you squeeze the trigger and it cements in your mind your preferred grip and stance because you see as an observer as you are dry firing.

@.308 Norma (and his wife) may have some input on this also.

One more follow-up, this time on dry fire practicing in double action. With the trigger pull I can feel a nice easy spot just before the trigger breaks, which allows me to slow the double action and confirm I'm on target just before the trigger breaks. Would it be best to do one smooth motion without a pause? Or allow for a pause to confirm sights are correct and on target and then complete the dry firing process?

I know I'm nit-picking, but I don't want to be practicing incorrectly. I've heard it said, only practice makes perfect if your practice is perfect.
 
Grip: Consistent grip, two hands and firm is easiest for most.

Sight alignment: With a 4" barrel, precise sight alignment is critical to accuracy. Easier to do with a longer barrel.

Trigger control: Can you drop the hammer without changing the "precise" sight alignment? Can you do it on a random empty cylinder after a few live shots?

If yes to the above and your gun/load is good...5" at 30 yards is not hard to achieve, and you might do much better than that.
 
@.308 Norma (and his wife) may have some input on this also.
Thanks bsparker, but I don't feel that either my wife or I would have much input when it comes to hitting a 5" target "consistently" at 30 yards when you're firing your revolver double-action style. In our IHMSA days, my wife shot a 10.5" Ruger Super "Silhouette" (Blackhawk) - which is a single-action revolver, and I shot a 14" Remington XP-100 - which is a bolt-action single shot.
As a matter of fact, I can't remember a single competitor in the IHMSA game that shot their revolver double-action style even if their revolver was capable of being shot that way. And I'm pretty sure the first 40X40 IHMSA revolver scores were shot with 10.5" single-action Ruger Super "Silhouettes" like my wife's.
 
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Get snap caps for dry firing.
Practice the 4 fundamentals:
Good grip
Proper sight picture
Breathing
Trigger control
 
All good suggestions so far... not that there will be any bad ones.

I would search for an accurate load the guns likes first. Shoot from a bench, resting the gun if you can.
I would practice in single action mode to find the most accurate load and then try that load firing double action. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your grip, trying different ways of holding the gun. What works for a competition shooter may not work for you or it may, you will figure that out.

Most of all, do not stress out over little things. I have seen many shooters let little things gnaw at them and it affected their concentration and their shooting, but most of all it affected their attitude and confidence. Learn the gun and enjoy the gun.

Oops...I forgot to say “Congrats on a great revolver”! :cool: :thumbup:
 
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Going to be a better than average chance,there's a handload that your 686 will dote on,to the point that it is REALLY accurate. Most folks give up too easy,and shrug it off with the notion that they can't shoot the difference. That may be true sometimes but,there's a dang good chance their scores would really take off after finding,"the load".

Dry fire with determined effort. You aren't "just" putting in time.... make it count,and work on improving. Get one of those springy grip excersizers and wear it out.

Get a buddy to help with this. Go shoot some long range. Someplace safe,obviously,but start mixing up on the range. You need someone calling your shots. Decent binos will be fine for beer cans @100 for instance.
 
Accurate shooting at 30 yards can be done with double action, but it is a heck of a lot easier in single action.

Agreed!! Man I think I’d be overwhelmed if I could only shoot double action. I Plan to mainly shoot in single action at that distance. But I think the idea is to dry fire/practice in double to build control and finger strength. This hopefully make single action shooting at that distance a bit easier. Fingers crossed, we’ll see what happens.

the single action on this thing is sweet, short, light and crisp.
 
@.308 Norma (and his wife) may have some input on this also.

One more follow-up, this time on dry fire practicing in double action. With the trigger pull I can feel a nice easy spot just before the trigger breaks, which allows me to slow the double action and confirm I'm on target just before the trigger breaks. Would it be best to do one smooth motion without a pause? Or allow for a pause to confirm sights are correct and on target and then complete the dry firing process?

I know I'm nit-picking, but I don't want to be practicing incorrectly. I've heard it said, only practice makes perfect if your practice is perfect.
One smooth motion. Pausing causes your muscles to stop and start - not conducive to a steady hand. Best to shoot on a slow exhale.
5" is a big target.
 
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Get snap caps for dry firing.
Practice the 4 fundamentals:
Good grip
Proper sight picture
Breathing
Trigger control

Interesting that you should note breathing. I consider breathing when firing a rifle. But I don't think I've ever made the connection with pistol. Not sure why. I tend to fire when on target with a pistol, or practice defensive shooting, so maybe trigger pull and breathing didn't connect in my mind. Thanks, it's been interesting slowing down and dry firing in timing with breathing.
 
I've wanted a S&W 686, 4" barrel, for about 4 years now. But didn't want to spend the money. That is until my wife saw me comment on a S&W facebook photo of the 686. Then a miracle happened. She said, I didn't know what to get you for Christmas but I saw your comment on a gun photo, why don't you go buy one!!!! Sweeter words have never been uttered (other than the "I do" 13 years ago). Bought it used, but like-new for a good price. Picked it up Friday and enjoyed a few test shots before hunting yesterday. She's pretty generous when it comes to buying guns and gear, but this was the first time she made the suggestion.

I plan on carrying it in the woods and would like to get some accuracy out to about 30 yards for it. I'll consider taking deer, coyote and bobcats with it when the right circumstances permit.

What tips can you share for hitting a 5" target consistently at 30 yards with standard sights? (if you say "practice" help me focus on the specific aspects).

Thanks

View attachment 958993
If I were buying a new S&W revolver that would likely be my first choice.
 
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