Accuracy - 4" vs 5.5" - 01/01/23
So I am curious as to others Experience/results. It seems a 4" Browning Buckmark just lacks to consistency of the 5.5" in an identical bull round bbl model. Now I have shot my share of handguns over my lifetime, but w/o chronographing, I have a strong suspicion that the 4" just had a great ES and SD with the ammo I was using, based on the difference in precision. I must add, the difference was Very noticeable at longer ranges - say about 40+ yards. The 4" seemed to give much less fps, I will have to break out my Chrono sometime to verify.
Anyone else experience this, with 22 LR or other rounds? I would think it likely applies to centerfire rounds as well, as you cannot expect say a 4" much less a 3" to consistently burn powder in say a 9mm round, much less a magnum class round. I know much boils down to shot to shot consistent velocity. IIRC, Wiley Clapp had a best load using a 140 Hornady JHP in a 4" GP100, giving as I recall - groups of less then .5" at 25 yds, but that is with a handload which likely was more consistent that much of the factory ammo. That said, no doubt short barrels CAN give great consistency, but that may be the exeption. That's not withstanding sight radius when using open sights, etc. which is more shootability than inherity accuracy.
Perhaps my experience in 4" would be different using target/match ammo, though I am not sure if it will cycle reliable, and the cost of ammo is hard to justify for it's purpose....informal plinking, closer range practice and snakes, etc.
Anyone?
Anyone else experience this, with 22 LR or other rounds? I would think it likely applies to centerfire rounds as well, as you cannot expect say a 4" much less a 3" to consistently burn powder in say a 9mm round, much less a magnum class round. I know much boils down to shot to shot consistent velocity. IIRC, Wiley Clapp had a best load using a 140 Hornady JHP in a 4" GP100, giving as I recall - groups of less then .5" at 25 yds, but that is with a handload which likely was more consistent that much of the factory ammo. That said, no doubt short barrels CAN give great consistency, but that may be the exeption. That's not withstanding sight radius when using open sights, etc. which is more shootability than inherity accuracy.
Perhaps my experience in 4" would be different using target/match ammo, though I am not sure if it will cycle reliable, and the cost of ammo is hard to justify for it's purpose....informal plinking, closer range practice and snakes, etc.
Anyone?