S&W 686 loads

[Jeryray]

Got to try a "range" gun today 686 6 inch 7 shot. I put my sig romeo 1 red dot on the rail. Photo 1 after sighting in with factory loads. Not bad.
Bench rest of course.

2nd photo was my berrys 158g Plated heads.
3rd shot were my 158 g berrys cast lead.

I could understand uo and down being different between loads, but be left I don't get

Anyone?

 

[NoSecondBest]

Jeryray, first off, I own a 686+ and it's my favorite revolver. I've put thousands of rounds through it. I also have a 686 and a 586. I've owned dozens of SW's over the last 47 years and I consider the L frame the best SW has made. I like them even better than my model 27. I think all of your R-L issue is simply the case of you and a "new to you" gun issue. Either your grip has changed position, you're resting the gun different, or more likely you're placing your finger on the trigger differently. I was a pistol instructor for over 20 years, a major competition shooter for many years, and a factory sponsored shooter for quite a few years. Just saying this so you give some credibility to my comments. If you like the gun, go back and try it again and pay attention to the things I pointed out. My 686+ will shoot under 2" at 50 yards off bags with my best hunting loads...and the POI doesn't change unless I do something wrong...which I do once in a while. Good luck, I think it will get corrected quite easily.

 

[Viper225]

I had this happen to me this week. Shooting my 13" MGM 357 Maximum Contender barrel. I was sighted in with warm 180 grain lead bullets.
I was trying some reduced loads for the wife using both 158 XTP's and 140 FTX bullets. Both of the lighter weight bullets shot to the left at 35 yards.
I suspect a different Bullet weight with the factory loads, or a difference in velocity as being the culprit in your case.

Bob

 

[FrankenMauser]

I'd say the left-drift was probably the shooter, and possibly the red dot shifting.

What type of rest were you using, and how?