What is the most accurate handgun caliber?

Cyclops · 08-12-2002, 03:19 PM

I was thinking about this while at the range. You see a ton of diff't calibers out here: 9mm, 40 s&w, 357 sig, 9 X18, 38 special, 44 special, 357 mag, 44 mag, 38 super. Depending on gun & shooting each one will perform pretty well, but which one is considered the most accurate, best performing and most effective as a defensive round?
I'm not looking to start a caliber war, I've just been toying w/ the idea of building a target gun and was wondering what caliber to base this project on.

oneastrix · 08-12-2002, 03:27 PM

I say 40SW or 45ACP

Eric · 08-12-2002, 03:33 PM

Although it's not my choice for a handgun, I personally think that .357 Magnum is the most accurate pistol cartridge. That is, with all things being equal. besides, you can always practice with the cheaper .38 special. JHMO tho.

jerry · 08-12-2002, 05:58 PM

look at what match guns are typically made in, many a .45, .22 & 38 special

NRAJOE · 08-12-2002, 07:58 PM

I believe the .38/.357 is the most accurate. Good control and different loads that suit you to shoot.

MikeC · 08-13-2002, 10:31 PM

.38 spl or .45acp. I've seen some amazing groups shot in the NRA matches with those two calibers. Now, with the .38 you can either go semi-auto or revolver.

08-15-2002, 05:01 PM

.22lr or .22short, .45ACP....38 Special

alan c. · 08-15-2002, 05:11 PM

How about .223.

Hud · 08-15-2002, 05:47 PM

If you are just talking about putting bullets through the same hole in the target, then he most accurate calibers are rifle calibers in a bolt action pistol. Next would be your rimmed cartridges in a single shot. Then semi rimmed in a auto action. Then my favorite, straight cased rimmed cartridges in single action revolvers.

I think straight cased rimmed (44Mag) are possibly more accurate than bottle necked rimmed (44-40). Then your rimless (45ACP) would be last. Or at least it's easer make the straight cased rimmed identicle when reloading.

If you are talking about jsut hitting several targets, but fast, then it would be hard to beat a 9mm or a 45ACP. But a revolver in 38 Spec. would be close.

I think an auto action is inherently more accurate than a revolver action, but I think a rimmed revolver cartridge is more accurate than a rimmless auto cartridge if they were both shot in a single shot action.

Now I'm confused. What was the question?

Hud

08-18-2002, 08:13 PM

Alan C is just chomping at the bit to brag on the T/C Contender/Encore...I would narrow it down to .22lr or .45ACP

08-18-2002, 08:25 PM

if we bring up the Thompson/Center Contender or Encore I would submit the .429 Super Bower caliber according to Gun Tests Mr Bower used heavy .44 Bullets (thus the .429) to print unbelieveable groups at unreal ranges...but it is a wildcat

08-30-2005, 01:21 PM

wonder if the .429 Super Bower wildcat disappeared

08-12-2002, 03:19 PM	#1
Cyclops Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California Posts: 231	What is the most accurate handgun caliber? I was thinking about this while at the range. You see a ton of diff't calibers out here: 9mm, 40 s&w, 357 sig, 9 X18, 38 special, 44 special, 357 mag, 44 mag, 38 super. Depending on gun & shooting each one will perform pretty well, but which one is considered the most accurate, best performing and most effective as a defensive round? I'm not looking to start a caliber war, I've just been toying w/ the idea of building a target gun and was wondering what caliber to base this project on. __________________ Don't tread on me! Last edited by Cyclops; 08-12-2002 at 03:29 PM.

08-12-2002, 03:27 PM	#2
oneastrix Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 5,213	I say 40SW or 45ACP __________________ There's no one more thankful to sit at the table, than the one who best remembers hunger's pain.

08-12-2002, 03:33 PM	#3
Eric Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: USA Posts: 673	Although it's not my choice for a handgun, I personally think that .357 Magnum is the most accurate pistol cartridge. That is, with all things being equal. besides, you can always practice with the cheaper .38 special. JHMO tho. __________________ I told him straight up, "You are an idiot for bringing those two fists to this gun fight."

08-12-2002, 05:58 PM	#4
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,900 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	look at what match guns are typically made in, many a .45, .22 & 38 special __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

08-12-2002, 07:58 PM	#5
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,052 Images: 3	I believe the .38/.357 is the most accurate. Good control and different loads that suit you to shoot. __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

08-13-2002, 10:31 PM	#6
MikeC Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 96	.38 spl or .45acp. I've seen some amazing groups shot in the NRA matches with those two calibers. Now, with the .38 you can either go semi-auto or revolver.

08-15-2002, 05:01 PM	#7
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	.22lr or .22short, .45ACP....38 Special

08-15-2002, 05:11 PM	#8
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,767 Images: 15	How about .223. __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas.

08-15-2002, 05:47 PM	#9
Hud Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Out state, Minnesota Posts: 118	If you are just talking about putting bullets through the same hole in the target, then he most accurate calibers are rifle calibers in a bolt action pistol. Next would be your rimmed cartridges in a single shot. Then semi rimmed in a auto action. Then my favorite, straight cased rimmed cartridges in single action revolvers. I think straight cased rimmed (44Mag) are possibly more accurate than bottle necked rimmed (44-40). Then your rimless (45ACP) would be last. Or at least it's easer make the straight cased rimmed identicle when reloading. If you are talking about jsut hitting several targets, but fast, then it would be hard to beat a 9mm or a 45ACP. But a revolver in 38 Spec. would be close. I think an auto action is inherently more accurate than a revolver action, but I think a rimmed revolver cartridge is more accurate than a rimmless auto cartridge if they were both shot in a single shot action. Now I'm confused. What was the question? Hud __________________ The right of citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against the tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible." -Senator Hubert H. Humprey -

08-18-2002, 08:13 PM	#10
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	Alan C is just chomping at the bit to brag on the T/C Contender/Encore...I would narrow it down to .22lr or .45ACP

08-18-2002, 08:25 PM	#11
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	if we bring up the Thompson/Center Contender or Encore I would submit the .429 Super Bower caliber according to Gun Tests Mr Bower used heavy .44 Bullets (thus the .429) to print unbelieveable groups at unreal ranges...but it is a wildcat

08-30-2005, 01:21 PM	#12
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	wonder if the .429 Super Bower wildcat disappeared