What Accuracy Do You Require from Your Deer Hunting Rifle?

[sh1kar]

Have all of your cold bore shots dropped your Buff's on the spot or do you keep firing?

8 of 11 killed first shot. Only 2 dropped. 2 lost. 1 needed more

 

[Overlay]

3 shots bench rest under an inch clover leaf preferred otherwise another rifle comes into play
Inch high at a 100 gives me the 2’ inch killing circle off my sticks. Dead is dead 2’’circle does what says on the tin that’s well within a clean kill zone

Only adjustment required is HD
Thats it for me non anal just a group shot, the rest is up to me, all I’ve ever done and will continue to do so

Live off sticks shooting can be heavily over engineered if you let it

You see bench rest shots clover leaf turn into scatter shot off sticks - nothing to do with zeroing a rifle correctly

 

[Tim.243]

8 of 11 killed first shot. Only 2 dropped. 2 lost. 1 needed more

The factor is the man behind the gun!
With all these replies is it going to be if the shot goes off where they thought they aimed does peoples ocd make them check it again.
I checked my .243 28 deer and 17 foxes ago and it was fine.

 

[Overlay]

Keeping it simple and forget the maths just whack it...To have all that going on above is just asking for trouble.
TBH there are no field condition ever the same as the previous one has past just like the tide the next one is different

Hi Tim

You know Tim ( we discussed this a bit this past year ) I agree with you time after time on this 100% keep it simple if the rifle won’t give a group on 3 shots cold off a bench why are you using it there’s no warm up shot on a Muntjac your squeaking up for a 5 second shot across a ride

For me 3 shots in the kill zone cold as you like and your on it, these shots are the ones you’ll be using, if not why would you be put yourselves out there to fail with a unzeroed rifle - neck shots are particularly vulnerable and need the shot to be on it as best as the first shot you get is a cold one and the next

 

[Overlay]

I completely go to pieces shooting at paper targets. No idea why. All the symptoms of buck fever. Can't shoot groups for toffee. If I can put 3 shots in a 3 inch target at 50 yards I'm doing well.
But on deer I'm always calm and relaxed, no shakes, and comfortable to head shoot out to 120 yards or chest shoot out to 230 yards.
I find zeroing quite challenging, but once I've got that over and done with I'm good to go.

So, my accuracy requirement is that the first shot from a cold barrel goes pretty much where I want it to go. I'm not that interested in 2nd or 3rd shots.

That’s because your rifle IS ZEROED anyway and you put all your bit into the shot that counts. Good place to be

 

[John Gryphon]

my answer to the OP is one inch at 100 for my deer rifles.

Last time iirc that I was shooting paper was maybe four years ago when the freshly built 9.3 x 64 Brenneke was taken down the paddock for its sight in. Three shots @ 100 was enough for me. Sighter shot then the last two shots to right of vertical line by a tad...so effn what! There are many that want those to shots to be ON the line...care factor? none. I haven't checked it on paper yet.



Early 2020 I sent to my Pom mate via email.

I followed deer up today for 800 odd yards, it was so noisy and they heard me and didn't like the odd noises from me and dog and put a few spurts on. A velvet stag stopped after I had crossed the creek focusing in on my whereabouts but not knowing what I was. A typical Sambar watch the back trail habit. He was screened by a Blackwood Tree and the camera was useless.
I left dog there and followed the deer solo, just intermittent glimpses now and then and then they turned up a heavily bushed spur for a higher camp and although I waited some time that was the end of that!
Then I saw a flash of orange, two things spring to the Sambar hunters mind when he see`s orange..deer arse or wild dog!
Another better look showed it wasn't
a deer and thus I was already counting the $120 even with the rifle still slung over my shoulder.
After shifting for a better look I was disappointed to see that it was just a fox. Oh well **** it! I took a bit of video and then thought "why not" as the 9.3 has only fired two shots for two deer, lets add to it with a 3/3 that will pay for the 3 bullets @ $10 for the scalp. The tripod that I rested the rifle on didn't like the recoil but the bullet flew truly.

Destroyed its noggin of course.

Footnote: As above since that initial sight in 'she' has not been touched re the sight in and has accounted for a fair few sambar and among those a few head shots. One inch @ 100 is very acceptable for a deer rifle out in the bush.

A bit of video for those that want lol, unfortunately the red mist wasn't captured due to the `64 recoil whilst resting on the tripod leg.

Contented fox in bed, after no doubt a feed of native fauna.





There`s a little blood in this follow up.

 

[25 Sharps]

I completely go to pieces shooting at paper targets. No idea why. All the symptoms of buck fever. Can't shoot groups for toffee. If I can put 3 shots in a 3 inch target at 50 yards I'm doing well.
But on deer I'm always calm and relaxed, no shakes, and comfortable to head shoot out to 120 yards or chest shoot out to 230 yards.
I find zeroing quite challenging, but once I've got that over and done with I'm good to go.

So, my accuracy requirement is that the first shot from a cold barrel goes pretty much where I want it to go. I'm not that interested in 2nd or 3rd shots.

Out of interest, how do you zero your rifles?

 

[Malxwal]

Three shots from a clean bore inside 3/4" at 100 yds or metres.

 

[John Gryphon]

Three shots from a clean bore inside 3/4" at 100 yds or metres.

and what calibre?

 

[harrygrey382]

Interesting that the majority of the posts here are stating how small the groups their rifles print are, not addressing the main points in the OP. I think for regular deer stalking 1.5MOA is completely fine, especially give the point about how dropping to 0.5MOA does absolutely SFA in the field - figures I have seen repeated a few times and don’t doubt them. If people can genuinely shoot 1.5MOA in the field in an awkward position, while under pressure, probably in bad weather - that’s exceptional going. Within the confines of the average modern rifle in good working order with good quality ammo, the rifles technical accuracy is actually fairly irrelevant. I mean small groups are nice, and should be pursued (I certainly do), but aren’t necessary within this context. Unless you hunt with a bench and bags, it’s not going to have a significant result in the final result. Some really good podcasts around this subject on “The Hunt Backcountry Podcast”.

Long range hunting or varminting is a separate matter

 

[Malxwal]

and what calibre?

.270

 

[Overlay]

Interesting that the majority of the posts here are stating how small the groups their rifles print are, not addressing the main points in the OP. I think for regular deer stalking 1.5MOA is completely fine, especially give the point about how dropping to 0.5MOA does absolutely SFA in the field - figures I have seen repeated a few times and don’t doubt them. If people can genuinely shoot 1.5MOA in the field in an awkward position, while under pressure, probably in bad weather - that’s exceptional going. Within the confines of the average modern rifle in good working order with good quality ammo, the rifles technical accuracy is actually fairly irrelevant. I mean small groups are nice, and should be pursued (I certainly do), but aren’t necessary within this context. Unless you hunt with a bench and bags, it’s not going to have a significant result in the final result. Some really good podcasts around this subject on “The Hunt Backcountry Podcast”.

Long range hunting or varminting is a separate matter

Nicely put

 

[John Gryphon]

.270

with precision handloads

 

[John Gryphon]

Here`s a short little video of a boy stag, he`s been on here before but he`s back again simply to ask the question " can you, off the shoulder put a kill shot into the zone with a deer legal calibre (.270 up) at say a 100 yards?"

Mind you magnums do help if you are prone to a bit of wandering but still there is a huge window of zone here.

​

 

[harrygrey382]

Here`s a short little video of a boy stag, he`s been on here before but he`s back again simply to ask the question " can you, off the shoulder put a kill shot into the zone with a deer legal calibre (.270 up) at say a 100 yards?"

Mind you magnums do help if you are prone to a bit of wandering but still there is a huge window of zone here.

​

Off the shoulder meaning off hand- no rest? No, I wouldn’t take the shot. Would you?

I did shoot a deer in the shoulder once - off hand at 80y with an iron sighted 45-70, when I had it lined up I felt my wobble was minimal enough to take the shot. It worked out, but as a rule - for me - I’d say even that’s too far for off hand. That rifle is a 1.5-2MOA rifle with its receiver peep, more than enough for deer sized game out to 150m. I haven’t measured how many MOA I can shoot it at in field positions but I hit more than I miss so it must be acceptable… but then I do tend to get in fairly close when using it

 

[John Gryphon]

No, I wouldn’t take the shot. Would you?

Yes without hesitation and have shot a "bloody hell" of a lot like so. Shot plenty running in front of hounds also that are a tougher proposition as the easy stag standing broadside above.
When in heavy bush and one appears in front of your rifle there are many times when one step towards a tree rest will result in a honk and deer gone. Cross hairs on and shoot.
Moving deer are just another extension of all the years preceding ones deer hunting as in shooting rabbits/foxes/cats/hares/pigs etc with a shotgun. A good shotgun shot is generally a bloody good moving deer shot.

I will add it is preferable to utilise any rest available if its the right time and place to do.

 

[harrygrey382]

Fair enough - 100y off hand is quite a way for me, especially if it’s moving

 

[John Gryphon]

Fair enough - 100y off hand is quite a way for me, especially if it’s moving

Try a six inch dinner plate or equiv set up at shoulder height at 50 then 100 yards, even do it with a 22 and you will surprise yourself H. Shooting big deer like sambar offer a large area of 'target'

 

[maximus otter]

I’d say that a rifle / ammo combination that can produce 2 MOA off the bench is adequate.

At sensible stalking ranges - my maximum range off quad sticks at the 3 small species is 200 yards - that would enable me to put metal to meat with confidence that l could make a DRT shot.

The better the accuracy the better, if consistent with a rifle that can be carried for distance out in the field without inducing fatigue.

My combo (Sako 85 Finnlight in 6.5 x 55 mm, Norma factory ammo with Nosler 120 grain Ballistic Tips) will produce a routine ~0.5 MOA off the bench.

maximus otter

 

[Mungo]

By accuracy in the title I’m referring to the kind of pure rifle accuracy you expect to get from your hunting rifle when shooting it off the bench with good front rest and rear support—in other words taking the human element out of it as much as possible. With all the talk and advertising surrounding 1 MOA accuracy (with this guaranteed from some rifle makers), is this the accuracy standard you require from your hunting rifles?

It might be informative to look at a typical hunting rifle scenario. When in the field shooting from typical field positions (kneeling, sitting, offhand) in usual field conditions (uneven terrain, the possibility of high grass or other obstructions, being out of breath, being excited when you see game, the need to get a shot off quickly, etc.), let's say that you are able on average to keep all your shots within a 4.0” circle at 100 yards, and this is with a rifle that gives 1.5” accuracy at 100 yards off the bench while well supported—so with what we may call a 1.5 MOA rifle. We might term this 4” at 100 yards practical field accuracy and is a combination of rifle accuracy and what we may term shooter accuracy. This level of field accuracy (4” at 100 yards) is actually pretty good in typical field conditions. So ignoring conditions like wind, you can keep your shots within a 12” circle at 300 yards with this rifle. The question arises as to whether you should seek more rifle accuracy, say a true 1 MOA rifle.

It turns out that given your shooter accuracy and under field conditions, this new 1 MOA rifle will now put your shots into a 3.84” circle at 100 yards (instead of the earlier 4” with your 1.5 MOA rifle) and will put your shots into a 11.52” circle at 300 yards (instead of the earlier 12” with your 1.5 MOA rifle). So you gain less than ½” smaller impact zone at 300 yards with the more accurate rifle. And just for fun, let’s consider a super-accurate ½ MOA rifle. What advantage do you have at 300 yards under typical field conditions? Well, it turns out that your earlier 12” circle at 300 yards with your 1.5 MOA rifle has been reduced to a 11.22” circle, so a net gain of about a ¾” smaller impact zone at 300 yards.

So the question is: will you benefit in a meaningful way with a 1 MOA or ½ MOA, rifle for deer hunting under typical field conditions? Seems to me that the answer is pretty clear. What do you think?

This is one of the most sensible and realistic posts I’ve read on this.

I’ve been trying articulate this logic for a while, but this does it perfectly. It’s why I stopped worrying a great deal about the potential accuracy of the rifle itself - there are very few situations where I would ever be able to shoot well enough to match the accuracy of even an average gun.

I’m entirely happy with any gun that shoots ‘around’ 1MOA, shot off a bipod and rear bag from a lumpy grass bank.

Much better to be aware of where your own field accuracy drops off to the point where a shot on a deer is likely to go wrong and how this changes with conditions.