Author Topic: Most accurate .40 caliber?  (Read 1158 times)

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Offline Bowhunter57

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« on: June 29, 2004, 01:20:22 AM »
I use a handgun for groundhogs and coyotes (up close) and it's usually my .357 mag. However, I'd like to try a .40 caliber, but I'm wondering what brand would have the best accuracy.

Taking into consideration ammo brands and open sights, of these brands which one would have good accuracy: Taurus, Springfield Amory, S&W or Ruger?

Your opinions and experience is appreciated.
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein

Offline Dusty Miller

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2004, 07:24:11 AM »
Yeah, I'll bet you can kill'm deader with that 40, them 357s are really wimpy!!
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Offline pastorp

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40 s&w for groundhogs, etc.
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2004, 11:40:09 AM »
I have no experience with the 40 S&W, but do like the 10mm. I have owned 3 different colt deltas, a glock 20, & now a kimber stainless target in 10mm.  The kimber and one of the deltas was accurate enough for close range varmit shootiog. I believe it will be the gun rather than brand. That said, I fail to see how a 40 would be and improvement for your application.  Good luck with your choice, Byron
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Offline Bowhunter57

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2004, 04:39:40 PM »
Thank you for your replies, gentlemen!

However, I'm not looking for an improvement over the .357 mag. Rather, just a choice of a semi-auto action to hunt with.

I'm very content with my Ruger GP-100, as it is very accurate. However, the breech blast of a revolver compared to the muzzle blast of an auto loader is quite signifigant. The report of an auto-loader or a single shot Contender type handgun tends to get pushed ahead of the barrel's muzzle. Where as a revolver has the gap between the barrel and cylender that allows the shooter's ears to get "popped".

Granted in more open areas my revolver isn't noticeable for being as loud, but in wooded areas or close quarters areas (where I tend to hunt with a handgun), it's very loud.

Bottomline: I'm just looking to purchase an auto-loading handgun to hunt with, but I'm not interested in the Desert Eagles or their price tags. :eek:

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein

Offline Mikey

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2004, 01:54:31 AM »
Bowhunter57 - if you are going to use that 40 for field work and are looking for accuracy, you may wish to consider a single action semi-auto, or a da/sa that would allow you to cock the hammer back for a more accurate single shot.

The 40 is no improvement over the 357 magnum but, you should be able to purchase either a 40 S&W caliber pistol and convert it to 357 Sig or purchase a 357 Sig and convert it to 40, if you should ever want to (for whatever reason I can't fathom).  The 357 Sig will give you excellent velocity and is capable of excellent accuracy at the lighter end of the 357 magnum spectrum.  I feel it is a better defensive round than the 40 S&W.  

You may wish to possibly consider shopping around for a 357 Sig first and then converting to 40 S&W later, if ya want to.  I don't know if Springfield has their 1911 in 40 but that is one consideration.  I'm not sold on Taurus and will not own a ruger.  S&W Sigmas are smega and I don't know what else they sell in 40.  HTH.  Mikey.

Offline Rustbucket

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Accurate 40's
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2004, 10:11:19 AM »
The 40 caliber that shoot the best groups are the most accurate, and all you have to do is find out which ones shoot the best groups!  8)

Offline Gregory

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2004, 12:27:14 PM »
Most guns chambered in 40 are "self defense" type guns with 3"@25 yds the norm.  Have you considered a used 1911 target pistol in 45ACP?
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Offline Bowhunter57

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2004, 04:34:38 PM »
Gregory,
Nothing in a 1911 style grip fits my hand and therefore I don't shoot them very well, at all. :roll:

However, EAA makes a hunting version of a .45 ACP with a different style grip, 6" barrel, adjustable sights and a camo finish that might fit the "bill". http://www.eaacorp.com/firearms/pistols/hunting/hunterproe.shtml

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein

Offline TScottO

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2004, 05:12:45 PM »
The most accurate 40 cal is an STI if you want to spend that kind of cash. However I have a Browning HighPower that does pretty good. I don't think these types of guns are the best tool for the job at hand. Smith and Wesson made or still makes a 10mm revolver that would fit the bill quite well.

Be Safe,
Scott

Offline jhalcott

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2004, 05:31:41 PM »
That is a crap shoot bowhunter! MY 40 s&w berreta shoots factory loads very well.A friend has one that groups into 2 to 3 inches with the same ammo.this is 25yard groups/5 shots.I have a Ruger .22 auto that I regularly take for groundhogs and have shot them at near 50 yards with regular success. Of course  there is the .38 revolver that won't hit a gallon jug at 25 yards on a good day most of the time.Get a good auto in 40 s&w  and shoot it for a while.There are no bad reasons to get a new gun!

Offline GhosTT

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2004, 05:59:32 PM »
Check out a SIG.

They are more expensive than the  guns you listed, but less expensive than a custom gun and known for their accuracy.

Research them first to see if they are what you want.

Offline HappyHunter

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #11 on: July 02, 2004, 01:21:41 AM »
I have repeatedly watched my brother shoot his Walther P-99 (same as Smith & Wesson 99) and blow the center out of target at 50 feet off hand.

The "stiff" trigger improved greatly after about 1000 rounds.  

If I was to purchase a 40 S&W it would be the Smith 99 or the Springfield Armory XD series.

You seem to be having trouble getting an answer to the question you asked.

Good luck,

Fred

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Offline New Hampshire

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #12 on: July 02, 2004, 06:32:59 AM »
Im agreeing with HappyHunter.  Ive fired the SW99 and liked it very much.  And Ive been hearing only good things about the Springfield XD.  But GhosTT also made a good suggestion in the Sig.  More pricy, but worth every penny.
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Offline Bowhunter57

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #13 on: July 02, 2004, 10:00:39 AM »
Thank you for the replies Happy Hunter and New Hampshire. I've had my hands on a few SW99 models and like them very much. If they shoot as good as I've been hearing, I'd be interested in one.  8)

I've talked with a few L.E.O.s in my area and they all have good things to say about the SW99.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein

Offline New Hampshire

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #14 on: July 02, 2004, 01:16:58 PM »
The only complaint (if you can call it that really,) about the SW/walther P 99s is the de-cocker is in a bit of a funny place and can be a bit difficult to operate.  But that is hardly a drawback if you ask me.  I dont think youll be unhappy with one.
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Offline Yankee Reloader

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #15 on: July 04, 2004, 06:26:39 AM »
I have owned numerous 40cal pistols, from Sigs, S&W's, Glocks,XD40, EEA. I have found the most accurate to be the Browning Hi-Power. I have a Practical model that will shoot the center out of the target at 25yds. Average under 2inch groups with most ammo, and with the right ammo a ragged hole. No other 40cal, not even my S&W performance center 40 would do that. Also the Browning has full case support which is critical in a 40cal. Glock seems to have a Kaboom problem due to unsupported cases, but I feel thier problem is oversized chambers as other 40's that do not have fully supported chambers dont seem to have the Kaboom problems Glock s do. I am not trashing glock as they have some fine guns but they didnt do thier homework on the 40's. I have measured once fired FACTORY ammo range brass from various LEO glocks and some have expanded to the point of bulging at the web. The brass I have measured in some cases have been stretched to .438, the virgin brass is .418. The acceptable case expansion has been said to be .430 max. Most 40's I have owned have been well under that with fired brass. Saying that Glocks feed anything due to thier large chambers, I have also read where most Kabooms have been traced to 180gr ammo. I dont know the list of guns that have fully supported chambers off the top of my head, but when you look in the gun the chamber should be supported to the extractor, also some guns have a little more or less support in the firearms that are not fully supported. I also noted chamber sizes on the 40's I owned varied.
Do I carry a 40, yes I carry a new version Taurus Millenium pro and my Browning Practical. The Taurus has been a pleasant surprise, shooting everything from factory to reloads and is very accurate, but the Browning is the one gun that I will own till I depart this earth.

Offline oneshotonekill

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Most accurate .40 caliber?
« Reply #16 on: July 05, 2004, 04:06:51 AM »
I have a ruger P-94 two-tone in 40 that is a real shooter.  It may be the black sheep of the ruger family because I have friends that shoot the rugers a lot and they can't come close to how this gun shoots.  With winchester SXT 180's I get 1-1.5" 5 shot groups at 25 yards.  I've had several groups go below 1".  Just about anything I put through it stays under 2.5".  This may not be target grade accuracy but for an out of the box "cheap" pistol I was impressed.  In fact I bought a P-95 9mm hoping to get the same type of accuracy I got with the 40.  The 9 does OK but is doesn't shoot as good as the 40.  The biggest complaint I have with ruger semi autos is the trigger.