The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: littleposerfish on February 05, 2012, 07:14:59 AM

Title: please help!
Post by: littleposerfish on February 05, 2012, 07:14:59 AM
 i just purchased a glock 38 .45 gap and loaded with american eagle 185 gr. at 25 yrd it shot way over my target as i was aiming dead on center. i could not compensate for this. any help or suggestions?
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: Hazcat on February 05, 2012, 07:33:57 AM
First try some other brands and weights.
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: littleposerfish on February 05, 2012, 07:40:23 AM
thank you. someone told me the american eagle was a poor load and is fine for just shooting, but watching videos and reading reviews everyone was having great luck with no mention of this problem. i shot a sig 380 at same distance and it was dead on. just dont know the problem here.
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: Ichiban on February 05, 2012, 08:18:39 AM
How does it shoot at closer range?  Is it okay at 7-10 yards?  Depending on several factors, the sights will probably be set differently for different ranges - although, they shouldn't be that far off at these ranges.

And, yes, the ammo used plays a big role in accuracy.
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: twyacht on February 05, 2012, 08:20:54 AM
How does it shoot at closer range?  Is it okay at 7-10 yards?  Depending on several factors, the sights will probably be set differently for different ranges - although, they shouldn't be that far off at these ranges.

And, yes, the ammo used plays a big role in accuracy.

+1

What is POI/POA at ranges closer than 25? A little more info will help. Assuming these are factory sights also?
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: littleposerfish on February 05, 2012, 08:24:04 AM
yes these are factory sights, close range of 10 yds hits the paper but the group is everywhere.
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: twyacht on February 05, 2012, 08:32:20 AM
yes these are factory sights, close range of 10 yds hits the paper but the group is everywhere.

certainly would be inclined to try different ammo; set a baseline of say 10yds. and with another brand of ammo, try a benchrest or stationary pistol position, and shoot three to five rds. If the group tightens up, try offhand. than increase the range out to 25yds. and try the benchrest test again...

Should either be the ammo or the shooter.... ;)

Title: Re: please help!
Post by: littleposerfish on February 05, 2012, 08:32:59 AM
i am aiming dead center of target setting the front in back outline cradle center as all possible. at 25 yd. same at 10
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: littleposerfish on February 05, 2012, 08:36:53 AM
thanks twyacht i will try this and see. it could well be both ammo and me as im not used to shooting this .45 gap. it kinda crushed me with the performance after shooting the SIG 380 at the same distance and eating the center out of the target.
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: Ichiban on February 05, 2012, 09:00:46 AM
I don't know your level of experience with handguns of various calibers so I may be way off base here.  Having said that, if your past experience is with a .380 and you are now moving up to a .45GAP you may be subconsciously trying to compensate for the anticipated recoil.  Try slow firing from a bench rest.

This might give you some ideas: http://www.mouseguns.com/Defensive%20%28Combat%29%20Accuracy.pdf (http://www.mouseguns.com/Defensive%20%28Combat%29%20Accuracy.pdf)

Title: Re: please help!
Post by: Ping on February 05, 2012, 09:47:33 AM
Remember the fundamentals of aiming, breath control, hold control, trigger control and follow through. I spent over an hour yesterday with a student who kept jerking the trigger. He owns two different Glocks with varied trigger pound pulls. Before we shot I checked out his pistols. On his Glock 21 I noticed that his rear sights were not centered and a ding where it had been dropped. Got him on target after adjusting the rear sight.

Glock uses Federal ammunition to test fire their pistols. American Eagle shoots fine in my Glocks.

As suggested by Ichiban and TWyacht, shoot targets at a closer range with a bench rest position. Good luck and hope it is only a ammo problem.
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: littleposerfish on February 05, 2012, 10:34:16 AM
thanks fellows very much for your input. i will put this to use at the firing range and hopefully start making better results. i really love the way this g38 feels and is perfect for concealed carry. i hope i can get a better since of aiming lol.
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: ellis4538 on February 05, 2012, 05:59:03 PM
Have someone else try it out.  Might be you and then again not.

FWIW


Richard
Title: Re: please help!
Post by: PegLeg45 on February 06, 2012, 01:50:46 PM
Several good ideas....try different ammo and maybe a different shooter for a perspective.

With a barrel length of about 4" the velocity of the ammo shouldn't be a major factor (longer barrels and slower ammo equals higher POI vs POA), but at 25 yards you never know.

I had a Ruger .44 magnum with a 7.5" barrel the would hit dead nuts at 25 with magnum ammo, but wouldn't hit the target at all with feeble 248gr .44spl loads......the recoil was effecting accuracy because the gun was already moving up in recoil before the bullet left the barrel.

If the same loads you are using group well at 5yds, move to 7, then 10, then 15, and 25...checking grouping at each range.
Maybe sandbag the gun on a bench and note whether the groups are rising with distance. Shooting from a rest may also help determine if it is your trigger control also.

Good Luck and safe shooting!!!