A Question for the More Experienced Shooters

This question is asked with these parameters....the handgun is a standard S&W XVR (8 3/8?) , with a 3 MOA red dot sight, shooting 400 grain cast bullets , @ 100 yards, from a bench rest!

Would you folks consider a 6 inch,5 shot group acceptable for hunting big game....Antelope up through Elk, out to say 150 yards? Or do I need to get in a lot more practice, or give up (at least for now) 150 yard shots?

I was kinda happy as the red dot covers 3 MOA @100.....but, I value your opinions. memtb

JMO if you want to shoot that far put a magnified optic on the gun. I would suggest 2.5-8 Leupold.

JUST ME, BUT I WOULD NOT BE HAPPY WITH 6 INCH GROUPS @ 100 YARDS, MUCH LESS TRY TO SHOOT @ 150 YARDS. MAYBE A LIGHTER BULLET OF 300 - 325grs WOULD SERVE YOU BETTER. BTW, SOME CAST BULLET DESIGNS DO NOT SHOOT WELL AT LONGER DISTANCES, WHAT BULLET ARE YOU USING?

Bullet: Accurate Molds, 45-400A. memtb

CANNOT COMMENT ON THAT BULLET DESIGN RE BEING A "LONG RANGER" OR NOT, DO NOT KNOW. THAT IS A LOT OF BULLET FOR A .452 REVOLVER. THE TWIST ON THE XVR BARRELS WAS SET UP TO SHOOT 200gr BULLETS AT 2,300fps SO MAYBE THE BARREL TWIST IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THAT LONG HEAVY BULLET?

I suspect that the groups are more of an indicator of shooter than the handgun. The bullets are not key-holing, and appear to be stable. There are lots of reports that these handguns are quite accurate with a varity of bullet weights, though, not certain about the 400. Perhaps if it were scoped, I could better determine it?s capabilities.

I was hoping that my large groups were partially due to using the 3 MOA dot, which covers a lot of target. I really didn?t want to use a scope, heck....I didn?t really want any optics. But, my eyes don?t work like they did years ago! I guess that I may need to improve on my hunting skills and get closer to the game! memtb

Using a red dot especially for longer range may take a little getting used to. Maybe you could try using a Birchwood casey shoot and see at 100yds. when shooting for groups. These targets will allow you to center the red dot [3"] with a more definite sight picture. You want a 6" target so there is a circle of target around the dot. Hope this helps.

Thanks dhom! I?ll either build or buy a target better suited for my 3? dot. I was hoping that the target being covered (or mostly so) by the dot was part of my problem.....and not just a loose nut behind the trigger!

I would say that you are shooting to the ability of the sighting system that you have. how are your groups at 25 and 50 yards? if you can shoot a small group at 25 yards of an inch or less it is your aiming system letting you down. if not it may be your load.
MHO if you can get past the wanted 150 yard goal, I would practice field conditions and go hunting and take closer shots. The range will either come with practice or it won't.

I think you are getting the larger groups due to the weight of the bullets you are shooting. Like stated above, the 200grn is optimal and a 240 or 250 is in the range that barrel is twisted for. I have a .460 in a 15" Encore w/break that is the same twist as the XVR.
It shoots lights out with the 200grn Barnes XPB and nothing has walked off after being hit with that all copper hollow point. I have used it on several size white tail deer, pigs from 60 lbs to 250 lbs. I loaned it to a friend that took a cow elk in the 400 lb range.
I shoot a Ultra dot on mine and can't say how it would do past 150 yards because that is as far as I have shot it.
I have never tried cast bullets but they might shoot in my barrel, just don't know.
I know right now is it Heck trying to find factory ammo. I just loaded 50 of the Barnes 200 grain XPB's with H100 powder for this season.
Good luck with your XVR.
1st Photo is the 200grn Barnes XPB next to a 44 Mag XTP
2nd Photo is the 460 with Old red dot I had first.
Mike

As the others have stated - the dot sight is tough to dial in beyond 100 yards. My rule of thumb is that a scope is better than a dot if hunting yardage exceed 75 to 100 yards.

Thanks guys for all of the feedback....I really appreciate it! memtb

Try making up some Bright White Round Targets such as desert size plates for 100 yard targets. Desert Plates are in the 6" - 7" size and should work well with a 3-4 MOA Dot size at 100 yards. For closer Range shooting size your Round White Target so that you can center the Red Dot on the White Target and have a good White Halo around the Red Dot. You should be able to center the Dot on the White Round Target and get a good Zero. Various size Can work well for patterns to mark out targets on card stock. A quick check of cans in the pantry 2.75" Campbell's Soup Can, 3.50" Tuna Can, 4.25" Tomato Juice Can, 6.25" Bulk Food Chili Can. You get the idea.

Spray adhesive works well to mount the dots on cardboard.

I shoot a cast 375 grain bullet in my 480 Super Redhawk. I have a 30mm MatchDot on it which has both a 2 MOA and 4 MOA dot size to choose from. Note: I am using a Weigan Scope Base to mount the MatchDot, not the factory rings. I consider 100 yards pretty much as my maximum range using a Red Dot off Bags.

Bob R

What Red Dot are you using with a 3 MOA Dot Size??
A consideration in accuracy could be your sight.

I did the research years ago. I own UltraDots, and MatchDot II's. My first UltraDot that came on my original 480 Super RedHawk was a 1" Tube Size. All the others I have purchased from UltraDot West have been 30mm for a larger field of view. Heather is great to work with also.

The UltraDot's have a 4 MOA Dot Size. The MatchDot II's have several Dot Sizes with 2 MOA and 4 MOA being the ones I use. The advantage of a 2 MOA Dot Size is a Smaller Dot, and less Bloom in low light. Just some things to think about.

Bob R

He might have a Bushnell TRS-25. Thy have 3 moa dots. I have a couple and they are very good sights, from 12 ga slugs to 44 mag.

The UltraDots are probably the best. I have them in 25mm and 30mm.

So far I have limited my hunting shots and my practice to 75 yards.

As others have already said first suspect is the dot sight. I have used them for 70 yards and under where they rise and shine. If I am shooting 100 yards or beyond a 2.5x8 variable is going on the gun. Second I also think that bullet may be heavy in that gun. In your average .454 that bullet would be fine but that gun is made for light bullets at warp speed. Even though the bullets aren't leaving a key hole doesn't mean they are correctly stabilized. I would try some of the bullets such as the Barnes intended for the .460 and stick a good scope on it and give it a whirl.

Thanks again guys! I?m using a Burris Fastfire III suspected that the sight may be part of my issue. I hope that the bullets ?are not? part of my problem. Money invested in molds, ect! memtb

Mentb
I'm pretty new to the red dots but old eyes and other eye problems have pushed me to using them the last couple of years. I have a leupold delta point pro with a 2.5 in dot on my FA 454. I personally don't like to scope my revolvers. If I need a scope I go to my single shot handguns.

I live across the basin from you so I have a little bit of an idea of the ranges you are talking about. Most of my shots seem to range from 75 yards to about 115 yards. I would be very comfortable shooting 125 yards with no problem.

I don't shoot heavy bullets but I do shoot both cast and jacketed bullets. Most range in the 250 gr to 280 gr bullets.

wyote, Much like yourself, I don?t like a scope on my revolvers, and love them on my Contender. Though, I may breakdown and buy one for load development and proving accuracy....then go back to the red dot for hunting. These bifocals play heck with iron sight use, or I?d be using irons! When I was much younger, 6 inch groups @ 100 yards from a rest was within my capabilities. But, alas ......those days are long past! memtb