Handgun calibers can be a tricky subject for even avid gun owners, but there are a number of calibers that provide a certain degree of accuracy, which depends on the size and length of the gun barrel, the actual caliber size, and the ability of the shooter.
While the larger bores do have more knock down power and a higher foot pound rating (impact), some can be very accurate if the shooter is able to withstand the recoil. Some shooters are less affected by recoil while some have a tendency to flinch, which greatly affects their accuracy.
Those calibers that appear to rate highly accuracy-wise consist of the following:
– Twenty-two (22) Caliber
A good starting caliber is the 22 Long Rifle because of its inexpensive cost and low recoil, which makes it an easier round for training before moving on to larger caliber. The accuracy of the cartridge is good but not exceptional, but it is an acceptable starting point.
– Nine Millimeter (9mm) Luger Parabellum
One favorite caliber among shooters that is favored for its accuracy is a 9 mm Luger Parabellum. It has very low recoil, even in the shortest barrel. It is easy to fire multiple shots accurately and recovery time is quick for follow up shots.
– Forty (40) Caliber Smith & Wesson
This is another caliber favorite among shooters because of its velocity and knock down power. This caliber was developed and designed by Bob Klunk in January of 1990. It is an interesting caliber in that its parent cartridge is the 10mm (millimeter). The 40 Caliber Smith & Wesson was developed as a caliber for law enforcement to copy performance of the reduced velocity 10 mm cartridge due to its ability to be adapted to a medium frame semi-auto pistol. This caliber came about as a result of a fatal shoot out in Miami in 1986 where federal agents suffered unacceptable losses.
– Forty-five (45) ACP
The 45 caliber was designed by Colt in 1905 after requests of the U.S. Calvary to develop a cartridge to replace the 45 Long Colt. A year later, bids from six manufacturers were made and of those six, only three were chosen, and the Colt was the final choice. In 1910, the Colt passed rigorous testing, but the design was not completely accepted until 1911, which proclaimed the birth of the “1911.” The 45 ACP combines accuracy and stopping power and was designed for use in wartime. It has also become a favorite of many shooters interested in home/self-defense due to its stopping power.
– 357 Magnum
This cartridge is designed for revolvers or as some call it, “wheel guns.” The cartridge was evolved from the 38 Special and is a much hotter and more accurate cartridge. Once again, if the shooter can withstand the recoil, this is an extremely accurate cartridge/caliber with massive knock down power. It is a very versatile cartridge that can be used successfully for hunting, target shooting or self defense. Revolvers made for this cartridge are also capable of firing the 38 Special rounds.
– 44 Magnum
The 44 Remington Magnum is a large bore cartridge, with its original design aimed at revolvers. It is a very high velocity cartridge, which is good for short-range hunting that includes every North American game animal. There is a huge amount of recoil and muzzle flash when firing this caliber, which causes many to flinch and lose accuracy, but there are shooters that have mastered accuracy with this caliber that have adapted to the excessive recoil and loud bark.
The 44 Magnum was mildly popular among shooters for several years after being introduced to the general public through Clint Eastwood’s movie, Dirty Harry, in 1971, where it was dubbed the most powerful handgun in the world. The revolver that was made famous in the movie is the Smith & Wesson, Model 29. The Model 29’s demand increased to the point that the revolvers were selling for three times their normal price.
Fifty (50) Action Express Caliber
Little did Dirty Harry know that in 1988 there would be a more powerful cartridge designed than the 44 Magnum. Because of the magnitude of this 50 caliber, it is used in hunting, and metallic silhouette shooting. It is well suited for self-defense against bears, which if in bear country is very comforting to know.
Most Accurate Caliber – Generally
Nine Millimeter (9mm) and the 38 Special are generally considered the most accurate of calibers because of their ability to produce very little muzzle blast and recoil to intimidate the shooter, yet they remain effective because of their velocity and knock down pressure.
There are many accurate calibers to choose from and factory loads are better quality now and if you happen to be a reloader, your cartridge performance can be increased while staying within safe parameters. One can choose almost any caliber and retain a high degree of accuracy.