.40 accuracy?

[TheActor]

We see them all the time. "The .40 is inherently inaccurate" blah blah blah. Here is my sigma sw40v at around 7 yards. That's behind the pond freehand just messin around. One ragged hole and one flyer out of 10. If the .40 was truly accurate:rolleyes: I guess that should be one absolutely perfect hole.

[40loader]

Very impressive with a Sigma. I could not hit anything with mine, either the trigger pull was too hard or the barrel was too sloppy (I think it was a little of both). I can punch out an eye with my Glock so I know it wasn't me.

I'm selling my Sigma now, I just don't need 2 .40's. I am going to use the proceeds to purchase a Square-Deal-B.

[BAT GUN]

Whoever said that is full of ****. I consistantley get great groups and compliments at the range.

[.40Sig]

That's funny. The Lyman reloading manual describes the .40 S&W's accuracy as "superb" in most handguns. (Lyman 47th Edition, P. 400) I guess not everyone's reading that book.

[possibilityPete]

I have 3 40S&Ws. I need to know what I did wrong, because I don't seem to get the accuracy that I like to the point that makes me satisfied with the 10mm and 357 Sig. I'm not here to cause trouble, I just decided to come over and hang out from time to time and get some info and insight in how I can improve my shooting with a 40, since I have 3. I converted my g22 to 357 Sig.

I bought a g22 about 5 years ago, and then a S&W 411 a few months after, without ever firing the g22 first. I got a box of Speer Lawman fmj and really, the accuracy in both guns was a huge disappointment.

Ok, it's just practice ammo, but I tried Speer GDHP's Black Talons, and assorted Hornadys, and my accuracy did improve, but only up to a point. They also felt kinda weak.

I don't reload, so what kind of factory ammo do you like? I'll try some recommendations and get back to you and tell you how it was.

[TheActor]

Originally posted by possibilityPete

I don't reload, so what kind of factory ammo do you like? I'll try some recommendations and get back to you and tell you how it was.

So far Federal Hydrashok 135gr, Federal American Eagle in 165&155 and PMC Starfire in 180 Gr have all given me groups comparable to the one I posted "messin around behind the pond" with my sigma. I rarely shoot past 15 yards even at the range, I just can't see as well past that with my contacts or glasses. I envy the folks shooting "1in 25yd groups all day long". Practice, practice and tons of dry fire.

PS: I forgot the Winchester white box I've used shot just as well as the above loads. I don't remember what gr. though.

[noway]

check out my picture in this post;

http://glocktalk.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=728860

anybody that doubts the accuracy of the 40S&W is a fool.

That picture was done with the components that you see ( steyr M40 and Fiocchi ) @ 25yards un-supported.

[possibilityPete]

Actor

I'll try some of them. This may suprise you, but I have some 10mm Starfire, and on paper the 40 Starfire loads actually has slightly more energy. I have a 10mm pen pal in PA who said he has had decent accuracy with .40 Win STHP. I have some and fired them in my 40dao Cheifs Sp. I don't expect great accuracy with anything in that. I also have the 411 loaded up with sthp for the nitestand.

Noway, I have had ignition problems with Fiocci 9mm in a Colt 2000.
It has a lite firing pin spring. I don't doubt anybody's claim to the accuracy of their 40. I try to tread lightly here because I've bristled too many 40 lovers in the past. I actually like both the S&W 40 guns I have. I have some much finer machinery, but the 411 seems perfect to me for home defense.

[TheActor]

Pete one of our members "BrokenArrow" has done a lot of testing with hollow point loads and the starfire performed well. I first bought it because it's friggin dirt cheap around here. It makes really big holes too.;) Penetration is typically lower than most however.

[paper killer]

My Glock 22 is capable of 3" or better at 25 yards (standing 2 hands)with me shooting it. Mind you, I can't always shoot that well, but have had several groups of that size over the past few years. My average at 25 yards is about 4". The gun in a Ransom Rest is probably capable of 2" or better at 25 yards, as I can often put 4 out of 5 in 2" or less. Fifty yard standing groups average about 6 1/2", but have had 5-shot groups of 5". These groups are with UMC and Blazer FMJ ammo. Some days can't hit a bull in the butt with a fiddle. Depends which one of me shows up.

[Prvt. Toter]

Heres the scoop....


NO ACCURACY PROBLEMS WITH GOOD .40 AMMUNITION>.
This group was out of a Kahr MK40 with a 3inch barrel unsupported
Rem GS 180gr 945fps 10" group@25yds
Rem GS 165gr 1100fps 6" group@25yds
Fed AE 155gr 1145fps 8" group@25yds
CCI LM 165gr 1165fps 11" group@25yds

Yeah, the groups are big, but this is early in the shooting stages of a new gun with a little barrell and an even smaller grip....Shooting the American Eagles and Lawman, you really need to hang on!


My opinions based on a 3.75 inch barrel on a S&W 945-40 (custom gun with much better accuracy)
Winchester WhiteBox.....Leave it on the shelf...varies considerably lot to lot....Probibly ok if you buy by the case.
Federal American Eagle....Crono on this stuff..(155GR)is HOT...Good accuracy, in the range of 2-3 inches at 25 yards with S&W 945-40
PMC....Great accuracy...light load...Crono at 857-862 (5 shots)
UMC....Fine after that nasty smelling smoke clears..
Remington Golden Sabers.....Good as it gets...2 inch groups unsupported.
Lawman....Hot stuff....Accuracy is not as good...Had scatter on this...Might be ok in longer barreled gun....this was like a flamethrower, I think most of the powder finished burning after the bullet cleared the muzzle.


I am starting to reload as soon as the reloader arrives...Afterall Since that Good ammo is so expensive, I will try to make my own.

[Prvt. Toter]

WHY I BELIEVE THERE ARE NOT ACCURACY PROBLEMS WITH THE .40

3inch Shoot-N-C Targets at 15 yards.

Top target is a seven shot clip out of the 945-40 unsupported
Bottom target is the Lawman, seven shots, unsupported....the missing holes were left scattered on the backboard at the range. 3/7 would probibly stop the BG....But...what if there were 4 BG's?




Note these targets were part of the first 20 rounds through the gun.

[Prvt. Toter]

Here it is...