What is the best revolver & caliber for long range targets?

[Varminterror]

Nope, not trolling, but instead a real question, since I've not shot pistols for score at 300 yards. Now that I've explained my reason for asking a ligit question and now that you know this is not trolling, perhaps you will take the high road and explain the irony you saw. Or perhaps not. We shall see.

I did give the lEgitimate answer in my first response to your question:

1300fps+ with a better BC in the 44mag will easily outshoot the 900fps 38spl at range.

While I can appreciate not many other folks have shot revolvers at 300yrds, the knowledge, skills, and tools to compare a 900fps .38spcl to a 1300fps+ 44mag are very common among ANY shooters, so forgive my perception this may not have been a sincere question. In perspective, which I assume is likely instantly relatable for any rifle shooter, it’s akin to comparing a .45-70 to a 30-06 for 600yrds... one stands recognizably above the other, just as the .44mag stands above the 38.

 

[dvnv]

Take a look at what guns and calibers the silhouette shooters are using to win. Freedom Arms is likely the most uniformly accurate, out of the box, revolver being made. S&W 29/629 can be accurate but (ime) don't hold up to the pounding. I have seen some accurate Rugers both Super Blackhawks and Super Redhawks which will take the pounding. Dan Wessons can be really good, or not so good. S&W X frame (460) can be very accurate, they are large. Or some kind of custom like the aforementioned FrankenRuger.

I'd just get a Freedom Arms, used if need be, so I could work on loading and shooting without worrying if the gun was holding me back. I'll guess FA has made a lemon, but it doesn't happen often.

 

[Deanimator]

I've shot at 200 yards with an S&W Model 14-2 and the laughable 130gr. commercial GI ball equivalent loads.

I shot from the recumbent position.

If you're just shooting paper, it doesn't matter what you use, so long as it hits and penetrates the target.

 

[ACES&8S]

I've shot at 200 yards with an S&W Model 14-2 and the laughable 130gr. commercial GI ball equivalent loads.

I shot from the recumbent position.

If you're just shooting paper, it doesn't matter what you use, so long as it hits and penetrates the target.

I would guess, not a professional guess either, that 200 yards would be the limit for any accuracy of a very good revolver
except for custom jobs of course.
I have a scoped 1982 model 29 - 8 3/8" barrel that I can bust a half gallon jug every shot with, but jugs don't speak
to the true group. It is sighted in at 60 yards, never tried to group at 100.
I know where a 6" model 14 is for sell, it has been there for 2 years so far.
They also have a 6" Dan Wesson & I think it is a model 15, if that is right.
But a common thing I have come across is that not all identical makes & models & barrel lengths shoot the same
& some aren't even close, even after reloads & factory testing, especially used ones. But I have found great used ones as well.
I never buy a 2'nd hand revolver of rifle without trying them first.
Encore pistols here are like using rifles & revolvers would be no contest.

 

[ACES&8S]

If you load your own, a small ES is helpful for pistols at 300 yards. It's hard enough holding steady for drop without your load adding to the problem. Much like small ES numbers are needed for 1000 yard rifle. I like to shoot stock revolvers at 300 yards sometimes, it's very challenging. Big targets help.

Excuse my ignorance but what is -ES-?
And yes you got it, we don't want to shoot at small steel at long range or shoot paper for small groups.
We or at least I just want to have fun ringing steel of any fair size at long range.
My son will be the one wanting to beat everyone with a magnificent piece of hardware, but with a great piece comes
the same responsibility as my piece. The Trigger doesn't pull itself.
In fact I don't think we should use scopes!

 

[Walkalong]

ES is the Extreme Spread of a group of shots. The difference between the highest FPS and the lowest.. The differences in drop at long distances in a group of shots will be smaller and easier to judge with a small ES.

 

[MaxP]

Take a look at what guns and calibers the silhouette shooters are using to win. Freedom Arms is likely the most uniformly accurate, out of the box, revolver being made. S&W 29/629 can be accurate but (ime) don't hold up to the pounding. I have seen some accurate Rugers both Super Blackhawks and Super Redhawks which will take the pounding. Dan Wessons can be really good, or not so good. S&W X frame (460) can be very accurate, they are large. Or some kind of custom like the aforementioned FrankenRuger.

I'd just get a Freedom Arms, used if need be, so I could work on loading and shooting without worrying if the gun was holding me back. I'll guess FA has made a lemon, but it doesn't happen often.

There's another option that I personally think is superior and that is the BFR. They come in two frame sizes and offer a myriad of different calibers for basically every possible need. They are equipped with premium barrels and put together meticulously. I wouldn't hesitate to pit them up against any other manufacturer as far as accuracy is concerned. Also they have some really nice custom-like touches like a free-wheeling pawl, grip frame options, great iron sights out of the box, a good scope base included and they cost less than an FA by a considerate margin.

This is my .444 Marlin BFR (long frame) with a 10-inch barrel and a fixed 4X Leupold.



This is my short-framed .44 Mag (top), and .500 JRH (bottom).

 

[ACES&8S]

ES is the Extreme Spread of a group of shots. The difference between the highest FPS and the lowest.. The differences in drop at long distances in a group of shots will be smaller and easier to judge with a small ES.

Thanks , I learn more every day.

 

[ACES&8S]

There's another option that I personally think is superior and that is the BFR. They come in two frame sizes and offer a myriad of different calibers for basically every possible need. They are equipped with premium barrels and put together meticulously. I wouldn't hesitate to pit them up against any other manufacturer as far as accuracy is concerned. Also they have some really nice custom-like touches like a free-wheeling pawl, grip frame options, great iron sights out of the box, a good scope base included and they cost less than an FA by a considerate margin.

This is my .444 Marlin BFR (long frame) with a 10-inch barrel and a fixed 4X Leupold.

View attachment 780170

This is my short-framed .44 Mag (top), and .500 JRH (bottom).

View attachment 780171

View attachment 780172

Those are absolutely beautiful & wicked looking.
I will show these pics to my son, he has plenty wampum for such things & even asked me a while back
if anyone made a 444 marlin in single shot. I told him of some but never thought of this.
Only question I have is, how do you hold onto those plow handle grips?

 

[MaxP]

Those are absolutely beautiful & wicked looking.
I will show these pics to my son, he has plenty wampum for such things & even asked me a while back
if anyone made a 444 marlin in single shot. I told him of some but never thought of this.
Only question I have is, how do you hold onto those plow handle grips?

It’s not a plow handle. This is Magnum Research’s interpretation of a Bisley (Ruger’s is also an interpretation) and is by far my favorite grip for heavy recoil. It flat out works without busting your knuckles.

 

[MaxP]

For clarification - top grip is BFR's "plow handle" and the bottom grip frame is their "Bisley."

 

[robhof]

My vote would be for a Dan Wesson M40 .357 Maximum SuperMag. With the remaining money from the purchase, I would install a 10" 1:14 twist barrel and rechamber to 358 GNR.

I totally agree, only the 357Max is best used with 180 or 200gr. bullets, the most popular in Ram competition, which DW dominated for yrs. Sadly unless you roll your own, it can get real expensive.

 

[ACES&8S]

For clarification - top grip is BFR's "plow handle" and the bottom grip frame is their "Bisley."

View attachment 780471

Ok , I can see the difference.

 

[ACES&8S]

I totally agree, only the 357Max is best used with 180 or 200gr. bullets, the most popular in Ram competition, which DW dominated for yrs. Sadly unless you roll your own, it can get real expensive.View attachment 780501

Reloading has become a necessity instead of a hobby.
Cost is one thing that we all first started with years ago but preferred performance is what drives us once we really
get into it.
An odd thing I guess, but I hunt & practice with reloaded ammo, but load my carry gun & home defense weapons with proven factory
ammo. Key word is -proven- by accuracy & function. Not for fear of misfires, just a reason to buy factory I guess.
The pic is of factory Remington 357 mag 125 gr jsp & that stack is a total of -12- bullets fired from
a S&W model 19-5 6" BBL from 15 yards. My reloads do just as good.

 

[cal44mag]

For me, it would be my 41 Magnum Classic Hunter, 657-3.

It's one of the earlier models drilled for scope mounts.

 

[Jim Watson]

In the 1930s there was a club shooting revolvers at ranges up to 300 yards. They were happy with .38 and .44 Specials but they had some very elaborate iron sights. No doubt you can do better now.
Fartherest I have shot a handgun was 220 metres on the IHMSA ram. I think if I had worked harder on load development with the 8 3/8" .357, I might not have bought a .44 magnum.
The legend at the time was that a M57 was below the make or break line for a Smith and Wesson and would hold up much longer than a M29.

 

[rdstrain49]

Ace, a Freedom Arms in either 41 or 44 Mag. is more that capable of what you seek.