Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Rifle cartridge accuracy from handguns

Yep, we agree.

Cool! Gotta love it when a plan comes together.

Yeah, the benchrest crowd probably would have a lot to say about things that don't relate much to hunting arms, I suppose. BR shooters (far as I know - not being one myself) put in the effort to dial in things like matching powder burn rates to barrels and vice-versa. Most hunters won't go very far with that. I suspect (again, I don't know) that details like that may be a factor in determining optimal barrel length in their game. And most hunters won't spend the money it takes to make a rifle barrel truly accurate anyway.

But when it comes to guns appropriate for big-game hunting (which may or may not be the interest of the OP) and not looking for accuracy differences measured in hundredths of an inch, I don't see any comparison that shows where length will make a difference - on scoped barrels. I've seen too many "handrifles" that shoot just as accurately from a rest as hunting rifles that are often the subject of much boasting, for anyone to convince me there is any practical difference in mechanical accuracy.

JOG - others may see it differently, but I found the staff to be a little help, but not much. I prefer shooting a hunting handgun from a braced kneeling or sitting position, and I don't want to take time to fumble with additional gear. In my way of thinking, if I had to add the weight and bother of a staff to the ~4lbs of a scoped .308win handgun, I might as well invest in a really good ultra-light rifle and rig a good carry system for it. OTOH, I can go hands-free with a holstered revolver, and get within 100yds of game just as easily as with that 4lb piece.

Different strokes....

99% of hunters aren�t the least bit interested in any of the benchrest techniques that benchresters use to squeeze the last bit of accuracy from their shooting platform. In fact, even Palma Shooters don�t spend as much time preparing their ammo for practice and competition. They would rather spend the time shooting than neck-turning and case annealing. The average �Joe,� shows up at range, sights in until he can keep 3 rounds on a paper plate at 100 yards, than calls that good enough, or Minute of Deer (MOD). He�s ready to hunt.

No argument from me here either.

No I wasn't smart enough to keep it...

Typical "handrifle" accuracy - which is to say, quite good.

Thing about those short barrels is that there is less to be effected by improper bedding, heat, harmonics, and such. It's not that it's easier to make short accurate barrels than long accurate barrels - but it's easier to avoid making a barrel less accurate than it could be, if the barrel is shorter.

Make sense?

I just figure the bullet's out the muzzle before you get a chance to wiggle...

Well, I found I could mess up a sight picture pretty fast with a handrifle......That's why I have to get so close.