Most Accurate Caliber?

:yakyak: The answer to that question is all of the above. This question and some questions that are basically the same has been discissed to death over the years in every magazine and TV show concerning guns for years.
What really matters is the skill of the nut that pulls the trigger!

 

[Stony]

The most accurate caliber is the one YOU can keep on target and in the black. Every caliber has it's advantages and disadvantages. It's true in cartridge guns, there are certain calibers that tend to be more accurate than others, but actually it's more a reflection on the make of guns available. The 1911 in .45 ACP wasn't known for it's accuracy until gunsmiths started playing around with it.

 

I agree. It is in the gun, the shooter and the tailored load, not inherent in the caliber--for the most part. Given the conditions listed any caliber could compete, but in the real world, wind and other conditions do make a difference. That said, my .45 is the most accurate rifle I own (and I have .32, .40, .45, .50, .54 and .62--and used to have a .36 and a .58). Alot of folks like the .40 because they can be very accurate, they use little powder and have essentially no recoil. To swampman: my .54 is my 2nd best--and it could be best with some load tinkering--it is too new to tell. I know several competitive ML shooters who prefer .50. It is a horse race....

 

[pmwest]

Fact: with the conditions listed, caliber would not be a factor of accuracy.

Opinion: would prefer the 40 or 45 for the lighter powder charges, although not listed as a choice here, my favorite offhand target rifle is a 36.

 

[TN.Frank]

I'm referrinng to the BMG roumd firing a 660 grain bullet at approximately 2,800 fps with a muzzle energy of approximately 11,500 foot pounds. Makes one hell of a sniper rifle and it has sent more than a few enemy Towel Heads on a premature trip to Allah!!!!!! :thumbsup:

IIRC that 11,500 ft/lbs is at 100 yrds. too.
I worked for McMillan Arms in Phoenix,AZ for about a year helping to build the M-88's for the SEALs and got to put a lot of 50BMG rounds down range. With the muzzle brake the 28 lb rifle kicked like a 3" mag. 12ga., without it, as one guy found out, it'd knick you to the ground. That's one very powerful round from a handheld shoulder fired rifle. :thumbsup:

 

:rotf: I thought it was the Jerk on the trigger. hehehe

 

[Poor Boy]

That's the guy ! But who wants to pay $700.00 for a T/C?....You can buy a custom made one for that kind of money


Olson

 

[Flintleather]

My two favorites are the 45 and the 54 but if i was to pick only one for target use only the 45 would get the nod.

 

[roundball]

Chad Cleland, that's the guy. A pard on a local TN. forum has one, I tried to get him to swap it to me but he's hangin' onto it. :bow:

FWIW, a year or so ago the "Frontier Shop" in Tenn has some .40cal Cleland barrels.

 

[Bob Gular]

"Which one is considered the most accurate?" Answer: All of them!! As long as the proper ball size, patch thickness, and powder charge are used, one is as "accurate" as the other. Yeah, yeah, I do know that a heavier ball will drift less in windy conditions but that wasn't part of the question. What people are calling "best" is just thier personal preference. Without a doubt!! Just a couple of sparks from this side of the fire.

 

[CrackStock]

I have guns in al of hte calibers that you mention. Any of them can be made to do the job if you have a well made gun and you spend the time to perfect the loading process for it.

However, you seem to want a choice so I will give you mine and my reasons.

The .40 is accurate, there are plenty of mold size options for it. You get a whole lot of shots to the pound of powder and lead with it. The gun can fire a stiff charge without punishing you badly so you can enjoy more shots. The gun can be built in a slim style that is a pleasure to hold off hand, but still heavy enough to be stable.

The .40 gets the nod in my book, but only for those listed reasons -- not because of any superior accuracy potential.

CS

 

[Gary]

All good commentaries.

However, I'm of the opinion that bigger is better. Heavier bullets are less affected by wind so there's less drift and it stands to reason why wall guns were 1" bore and not smaller. Consider that a smoothbore 12 pdr Napoleon could hit a tree at a mile's distance - quite a common feat in bringing down a sharpshooter during the family feud we call the Sybil Wa-oh.

 

[faw3]

Thanks, was wondering when some one would bring wind up, you ever see a 40 out of a Sharps in gusting winds at 2 to 300 yds Aim 4 feet into the wind please and watch it curve back. Fred :thumbsup:

 

[CrackStock]

Gary,

I agree with you, but he eliminated the wind as a factor in the intitial question. I find a .54 handy for shooting in windy situations, longer range shooting and hunting of larger game. This is one way that I justify some of my special toys.

CS

 

[Johnny Tremain]

I'm referrinng to the BMG roumd firing a 660 grain bullet at approximately 2,800 fps with a muzzle energy of approximately 11,500 foot pounds. Makes one hell of a sniper rifle and it has sent more than a few enemy Towel Heads on a premature trip to Allah!!!!!! :thumbsup:

Now, now. You know the libs would never let you use a round that is against the Geneva Convention.

The fools think this is a normal two sided uniformed war. They are criminals, not combatants.

 

Well I have other names for them that I can't use on this site. But yes, they are criminals.

 

[faw3]

WE tryed the 50 cal semi after the Rangers jump in Granade at some mud ducks here in Tex out about 800 to 1000 now I know what the Hood felt like when Bismark cut loose on them. Fred :hatsoff:

 

[TFoley]

No contest. The .451 Whitworth. Ask General John Sedgwick [+ May 9 1864 @Spottsylvania Courthouse].

Not too sure about shooting it at 20, 25 and 50 yards tho... we tend not to shoot long ranges rifles at handgun ranges. :blah:

tac
Whitworth #888