Revolver Accuracy

[TxAg]

I've been lurking here a while and have been enjoying reading the posts. I am hoping to get some advice/observations to help me with my handgun accuracy.

For my 2011 gun I bought a 44 mag SBH Bisley Hunter. My purpose is that where I live we have a Feral Hog problem and I wanted a truck gun to carry with me when I'm out and about so if I get a chance at a hog I have something handy with enough power to put it down for the count.

I have been hitting the range over the past several weeks with the goal to get confident enough to take a shot on a hog out to about 50 to 75 yards. I have been working mainly at 25 yards. Today I shot 50 rounds at 35 yards standing in a weaver stance. My best 3 round group was about 2 1/2 inches. The rest varied up to about 6 inches. I noticed my first shots were my best with my second and third mainly up and right.

Does anyone have any ideas? Grip? Heeling?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'd suggest changing from the Weaver stance to the Modern Isosceles for better repeatability of followup shots

 

[TxAg]

Thanks for the advice. I did some reading and tried some dry firing. The grip felt a little weird with the bisley grip but it felt stable. Will try it next time at the range.

 

[9mmepiphany]

They are fewer force vectors to pull your shots off during a string of fire

 

[owlhoot]

The only shot that counts when you are hunting is the first shot. Don't try to shoot quick groups. Shoot, rest your arms, take a few breaths, shoot again, etc. Your objective is still to shoot a tight group, but don't be in any hurry to do it. Shooting full house .44 mags for fifty rounds is going to open up anybody's group at 35 yards.

By the way, if you are shooting 2.5 inch groups at 35 yards off hand, that is very good shooting indeed. You should be giving advice, not asking for it.

 

[BCRider]

From the sounds of the distances you expect to shoot I think I'd want a rifle instead. A bit of a "crusty" but still servicable Winchester 94 in .30-30 would be a nice option.

If you're getting 3'ish inch groups at 35 yards then your eyes are sharper and nerves calmer than mine by a generous margin. I agree with owlhoot that you're more in line to give rather than need advice. Even 6 inches is nothing shabby for that distance at all. But then it would be a boring world if even the better of us didn't have at least something still worth learning....

 

[StrawHat]

How big is the vitals area of the hogs in your area? That is what you need to concentrate on hitting. Once you get your revolver sighted in get away from shooting paper and start shooting things about the size of the vital area. And at various ranges. Grapefruit, 5 gallon pails, paper plates, stumps, whatever would make a good target, use it. Offhand is a necessary position but a good sitting position is a viable option in many cases. Realistically, if you are hitting within 2" of where your sights are pointed, you should be good.

 

[CraigC]

The single action revolver is a challenge to grip consistently and is the most sensitive to variations in your grip. Big bore sixguns are also a challenge to become proficient with and most shooters are unwilling to deal with the recoil long enough to do so. I'd say you're on the right track. Do not shoot after you are fatigued. When your hands and wrists become fatigued, stop. Either take a break or continue at your next range session. You will build up a resistance.

I'd suggest changing from the Weaver stance to the Modern Isosceles for better repeatability of followup shots

Ever shoot a .44Mag from the "modern isosceles"? One thing you do NOT want to do in shooting a heavy recoiling revolver is to lock your elbows. I would suggest sticking to the Weaver stance, it is far better suited to the task at hand and won't get you hurt. You ain't bangin' steel plates with a 9mm.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Ever shoot a .44Mag from the "modern isosceles"? One thing you do NOT want to do in shooting a heavy recoiling revolver is to lock your elbows. I would suggest sticking to the Weaver stance, it is far better suited to the task at hand and won't get you hurt. You ain't bangin' steel plates with a 9mm.

Actually I have, although I shoot the .41Mag more out of preference.

You shouldn't be locking you elbows if you are shooting from a Modern Isosceles. The whole point of the Stance, besides faster recovery from muzzle flip, is to reduce the pounding that the wrist, elbows and shoulders take from heavy loads in the Weaver

 

[dagger dog]

Maybe you are trying to over control the recoil! The whole design thing behind the Colt Bisley grip, which happens to be over a hundred years old,was to be used one handed. The older generations shot these guns similar to your Super Blackhawk , one handed. Grant you they might not have been shooting modern RHINO KILLER AMMO, but that design was meant to be shot one handed.

I have shot some pretty heavy ,45 Colt loads in the 30,000 + PSI range with 290- 300 grain bullets out of Ruger Blackhawks and they are managable one handed. Try letting the 100 year old ergonomics of the single action grip frame design do the management for you.

This is not meant to be against shooting with two hands, 'cause you are probably a better shooter than I am, 50 yds is my limit with iron sights and I wouldn't take a shot at an animal past 30 yds, but you are probably anticipating the recoil, especially so 'cause as you said your first shots are on target.

 

[murf]

agree with craigc here. the grip consistency is most important if you have the basics down pat (sight picture, trigger pull, stance). if you get tired and reduce your grip strength, bullet impact will change. try and squeeze the same each shot even if you have to rest inbetween. good luck, it's an art.

murf

 

[Remo223]

you could try 44 specials instead of magnums and see if that makes an improvement. If it does, you are getting fatigued from the recoil of the magnums.

 

[Cosmoline]

Dagger dog makes a good point. I'd suggest ditching the modern stances altogether. They're not designed for single action revolvers, esp. with the Bisley grip. The recoil is very different from a DA magnum and your dynamic tension is going to negate the kick you need to bring the hammer back to your thumb.

Personally I get my best SA magnum accuracy with a supporting hand on the wrist or some other support that still allows that rolling recoil. Even the dreaded "tea cupping" can be useful for accuracy. You're trying to steady it for the shot, you're not trying to keep the recoil from rolling back. From your description it sounds like your pulling hand in Weaver, combined with the rolling recoil of the Bisely, is knocking you further back and to the right each time.

 

[W.E.G.]

The vitals of a mature pig are about the same size as the aiming black on a 50-yard Conventional Pistol target (eight inches).

Its no easy feat to "hold the black" at that distance, let alone under field conditions, and where the target may not be cooperating in the project.

Stretching the shot to 75 yards makes it exponentially more difficult.
I doubt I would even attempt a 50-yard pistol shot on game unless I had a solid rest, and the critter was holding still.

 

[CraigC]

The whole point of the Stance, besides faster recovery from muzzle flip, is to reduce the pounding that the wrist, elbows and shoulders take from heavy loads in the Weaver

Sounds backwards to me.

 

[Cop Bob]

Please take note of 9mmepiphany's post, he speaks the solid proven truth..
A Modern Isosceles stance is the most solid, instinctive (it brings your weapon to your center mass, the center of your field of vision).

You should have a firm (not a death) grip, lock your wrists, loose elbows, relaxed shoulders, relaxed lower back, YOU SHOULD BE COMFORTABLE... Bring the gun up to your eyes, not duck you head down to meet the weapon.

Take a look at the links on his posts, it explains a lot..

With a firm wrist and grip, relaxed shoulders, elbows and lower back, you can handle the recoil of the heaviest hitters with no problem..

The post about the 1st shot is dead on as well... Speed is nice... Accuracy is certain..

I like another poster also compliment you, 2.5" at 35 is more than respectable... good shooting and good luck..

 

[murf]

txag, if you are planning to shoot a hog at 50 to 75 yards, start shooting at that distance. at that range, i would suggest sitting down with your back up against a tree, truck tire, fence post, etc. point of impact will change with any change in stance (sitting, standing, kneeling) so i suggest practicing with that stance.

murf

 

[CraigC]

Nobody runs a single action worth a damn from the isosceles stance.

 

[BRE346]

You guys are way ahead of me. I can hit somewhere on a paper plate at five yards. I'm glad to read these advises. Thanks.

 

[dagger dog]

I'm with murf, I like the sitting, with my back supported fore arms resting on the knees just in front of the elbows ,gives very solid rest and helps with the recoil.

Now getting the hog to walk broadside back and forth in front of me @ 25 feet, thats a different story!

 

[Cop Bob]

Nobody runs a single action worth a damn from the isosceles stance.

I beg to differ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEUIa3ELrvE&feature=related

and this was my first hit on my search

 

[bluetopper]

When hunting, your grouping and arm fatigue will not be a factor. Just the first shot you get off, and maybe the second, that's it.
I shoot my 10" Freedom Arms 44 Mag one handed and quite frankly amaze people with accuracy at 100yds. It just seems more natural to me.

I was taught........if a handgun was meant to be shot with two hands, it would have two handles on it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Nobody runs a single action worth a damn from the isosceles stance.

You mean like John Taffin?

...or Elmer Keith

 

[murf]

parisite,

agreed. but for practice, resting between shots recreates that first-shot feeling. unless, of course, you just got done running up the hill to get the shot!

murf

 

[CraigC]

I don't know what you guys are seeing but I've been reading Taffin and Keith for 25yrs and never saw either of them use the isosceles. Can't find a single reference to Keith using it in his book "Sixguns". Every picture and every text references foot placement as two feet apart, left foot forward and elbows bent. Nor are the CAS shooters in the link using isosceles.