What caliber of handgun is most accurate at 100yards +?

I'm having a little problem following this thread because I think we're mixing apples and oranges. When you think about accuracy you're thinking of, at minimum three variables: (1) the gun; (2) the round fired; and (3) the shooter. When those three are thrown together it becomes very hard to predict which will outperform which. For example, a .22 lr round may perform with splendid accuracy in a S & W Model 41 but not so well in a cheap Colt SAA knockoff. Then again, a particular brand of .22 may outperform another brand in the same gun. And, finally, who's doing the shooting makes all the difference in the world. So, trying to predict which caliber is inherently more accurate is, in my opinion, an exercise in futility. There are just too many variables at play.

Moreover, there is no reason why any particular caliber should be more accurate. If the bullet mates correctly with the gun through which it fires, it should perform well. Why, for example, should a .22 lr be inherently more accurate than, say, a .40 S & W? I can think of no logical reason why that would be so.
 
Most accurate handgun at 100yds?

Thompson/Center 6mmPPC with custom 15"bbl. One hole groups, sometimes actually ONE hole 3 round group that is diameter of the bullet!
 
There are handguns, and then there are HANDGUNGS!

Quoting "handgung" from the 2d post. I like it. I think it means someone who is just NUTZ over their handgun. Gun-Ho! Why not?? It fits. For accuracy, you bring your .22, and I'll bring my Desert Eagle, .357Mag with the 14" barrel. Accuracy may be comparable, but "getting the job done" will be accomplished by the .357 Mag. Or I could use my T/C 14" barrel, and Lone Eagle in 14". Really fun noise-toys. And it's not jargon about apples and oranges: Who can make the fewest holes in he target. That's all.
 
Since this one has come back to life.....

I'll chime in.

There are several factors involved when you ask which caliber is most accurate. And most folks confuse the hell out of them and answer with which gun they shoot best, or have seen shot best. And that's not what is being asked, even if the OP thinks it is!:D

Leaving aside the human element, and those mechanical factor dependant on the handgun construction (chamber alignment, fixed vs. tilting barrel, etc.) and focusing only on which calibers are most accurate at 100yards +, he answer is......

The larger ones.

The reasons is basically mass. The larger the bullet, the less it is affected by outside forces, both in and out of the barrel. A minor barrel flaw that spell shotgun pattern accuracy for a .22, a .45 slug rumbles over it, without giving it any notice. When you even out all the factors, it is generally the bigger bores that are more accurate, overall.

Now, if you want to look at all the "hand rifles", & Contenders, and compare them against more traditional handguns, or just look at conventional pistols and revolvers and want to know which is the most accurate at 100yds+, you should ask a different question.:rolleyes:

And, when you add in the human element, well, that's a whole 'nother question again!
 
May I suggest...

The most accurate handgun at 100 yards is probably the most accurate gun at 25 yards?

I shoot bullseye (among other things) and have a S&W M41 (.22 long rifle). The pistol is very accurate. I also shoot a Government Model in .45 ACP which was worked by the late Jimmy Clark. It is extremely accurate as well.

The problem with the .22 long rifle at 'extreme' range is wind drift. Larger calibers and heavier bullets tend to drift less.

Silhouette shooters have more to consider than basic accuracy. The bullet must also knock over a target at the given range. Usually, a .22 lr won't topple a ram at 500 yards - but that doesn't affect accuracy per se.

Yeah, I'd go with a 'one-hand rifle' as the most accurate. But I don't find a Remington XP100 or Wichita International to be convenient to holster and carry in normal life.

For general carry handguns, I'd go with a four or five inch barreled M29 (which is about as big as I care to carry holstered in 'normal' mode) as the most useful long range handgun. But, as I mentioned, that also considers usable power at range.

Skipping back to my Clark built .45 ACP, I could hit pretty well at 100 yards with it, but the .45 wadcutter isn't overwhelming in horsepower.
 
I've frequently read that the .32 long is a very accurate cartridge.
I'm not sure if it's true or if people are thinking of the S&W .32 Target Masterpiece. Which is a very accurate revolver.

One thing that 44amp might have mentioned is speed. A sub-sonic bullet stays relatively stable; while one that drops from super sonic to sub-sonic looses some of its stability.

Not sure if that's an issue at 100yds, just something to consider.
 
My thoughts exactly. I was thinking of the fn5.7 myself. 2133 ft/s should shoot pretty damn flat. Relatively longer barrel and low recoil as well.
 
For a caliber that is primarily a handgun load, I'd say the .460 S&W is the most accurate I've used at longer ranges. Its easily a 200 yard revolver with a 5" barrel
 
On a calm sunny day the SW 41 is a sobering surprise to handgun ability beyond 100 yards--with the factory sights alone!

I know because I've done it many times with cans downrange beyond 100 yards.

If the handgun is accurate with a good trigger (like the 41) then you can be quite dangerous beyond 100 yards with ease.
 
Elmer Keith used to shoot very accurately with a .44 special out to 600 yards.
That was pre .44 magnum. Since he is considered the father of the .44 magnum, I understand the .44 special loads were quite hot.
 
Not really realivant i guess but i had a custom Para P18 with a Caspian top end / J Point red dot that i could hit gallon milk jugs at 100yrds :cool:
 
long range my xp100 in 221 fireball..its a prairie dogs worst nightmare..ok I guess that does not count as it's not a standard pistol round..but oh man
 
One of my revolvers that seems to be the most accurate revolver is a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag with a scope mounted on it. However, I have many Contender & Encore barrels, all scope mounted, that will outshoot many revolvers as far as group size goes. My15" ported 308 Encore barrel has amazing accuracy.
 
wow dug this one up from china...

accuracy ... um...

OK... I have several Contenders that I regularly shoot to 300 yards with handloads ( but honestly... they are rifle calibers ) the 7-30 Waters is a particular favorite of mine, as well as the 17K Hornet, 5.7 X 28, 222 Remington, 7mm TCU, & an actual pistol cartridge, the 357 Maximum

honestly, IMO, shooting cartridges like the 44 special at anything over 100 yards is more a testiment to the shooter than the cartridge... ( Keith could have probably killed buffalo at 400 yard with a sling shot ) doesn't make the sling shot that accurate, only a testiment to the man...

when you get into "real" handgun cartridges, I think you need to look at standard twist rates, bullet weights, & ballistic coefficients ( when was the last time you heard a pistol shooter worried about bullet coefficients ) but the same rules apply for long range handgun rounds as do long range rifle...

my most accurate at distance revolver... ( currently )

scoped Dan Wesson 357 Max

Semi Auto...

scoped Automag 4 in 10 mm magnum

Hand Cannon...

scoped Contender 14" barrel in 7-30 Waters

of course changing out a load could easily move another gun & cartridge into any of my top spots...

BTW... a close 2nd, & worthy of an honorable mention, is my custom fast twist 22 Hornet revolver... & handloads using 45 grain boat tail spitzer bullets... just confirming the twist rate & bullet coefficient thing ;)
 
FN 5.7 all the way. Most accurate thing out there for 100yards. I hunt a lot of coyotes and it's my weapon of choice for coyotes. Super fun with the 20 round clip. Even shot a lynx cat last winter in Alaska with it!!
 
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