What Accuracy Do You Require from Your Deer Hunting Rifle?

[User00056]

Or is it, as I suspect, that the tiny groups aren't so consistently achievable as folk would like us to believe?

I would say they are, but with the caveat that they're far more achievable from a bench on a range than from a precarious wobbly rest on a fencepost after a 300 yard stalk, or out of breath and from sticks, etc?

 

[VSS]

I would say they are, but with the caveat that they're far more achievable from a bench on a range than from a precarious wobbly rest on a fencepost after a 300 yard stalk, or out of breath and from sticks, etc?

Also, when looking at a tiny group on paper, it's easy to discount the odd flyer with an excuse like "I pulled that one", and still believe it's a tiny group. But it's not.
I'd rather I could achieve a 2-3 inch group at x number yards, with every single shot within that group, than a thumbnail size "group" with one outlier. The first shows consistency, and hence builds confidence. The second doesn't. At least, that's how I see it.

 

[User00056]

I'd rather I could achieve a 2-3 inch group at x number yards, with every single shot within that group

Exactly as I see it too! At least you then know every shot is a dead deer.

I've recently changed over to quad sticks from a tripod setup too, and I've immediately seen my practice groups improve. I tend not to concentrate on tiny groups when practicing, rather I try (as you say) to take fairly rapid shots at a target a 2 or 3 inches in diameter. In all honesty, I find range work really boring so tend to try and replicate what I'm likely to encounter while stalking

 

[bowji john]

Today i was practicing shooting sitting, cross legged @ 100m with my .223

Target 4” gong

Only one hit out of 5

All the rest were ‘just misses’

Until I looked at the paper behind

Missed by bloody miles !!!

Paper never lies

Note to self - more practice required

 

[kenbro]

You do need to try and get those small groups when (and if) you are developing loads just so you know whether it’s the gun, ammo or shooter that’s doing (or not doing) the job right.
I’ve found, that the more shots I fire the pattern never goes smaller.
Kb.

 

[VSS]

Exactly as I see it too! At least you then know every shot is a dead deer.

I've recently changed over to quad sticks from a tripod setup too, and I've immediately seen my practice groups improve. I tend not to concentrate on tiny groups when practicing, rather I try (as you say) to take fairly rapid shots at a target a 2 or 3 inches in diameter. In all honesty, I find range work really boring so tend to try and replicate what I'm likely to encounter while stalking

Yeah. I know I'm a crap shot when it comes to zeroing etc, but at least if 100% of my shots fall in a 3" circle, I know I only need to be able to see a 3" part of a deer to kill it! Quite happy threading my shots through small gaps between branches etc to achieve it, as I know my limits. However, if 9 out of 10 of my shots went into a 0.5" circle but the 10th went some place else, I'd never have that confidence.
I admire and envy the skill of anyone who can truly put 100% of their shots into a tiny group, but I suspect they're few and far between.

 

[HonestJohn]

Today i was practicing shooting sitting, cross legged @ 100m with my .223

Target 4” gong

Only one hit out of 5

All the rest were ‘just misses’

Until I looked at the paper behind

Missed by bloody miles !!!

Paper never lies

Note to self - more practice required

Legs cross makes you try to shoot straight forwards, it’s not natural. Sit legs apart, elbows on knees and shoot with your sticks to the left, ie, you are aiming around 65-75 degrees left of your body - same with prone, you never lay straight behind the rifle.

and hold that forend!

 

[bowji john]

Legs cross makes you try to shoot straight forwards, it’s not natural. Sit legs apart, elbows on knees and shoot with your sticks to the left, ie, you are aiming around 65-75 degrees left of your body - same with prone, you never lay straight behind the rifle.

and hold that forend!

Sticks ?

No sticks

 

[Stalker62]

...you never lay straight behind the rifle.

Do much long distance shooting do you?

 

[John Gryphon]

Do much long distance shooting do you?

Queens /Sovereigns Prize? Thats all prone isnt it?

 

[Nickb]

As I do keepering,my rifle needs to be accurate enough to shoot foxes at 300 yards and beyond.

This is the difference between keepers and hobby shooters.
When it's your job results count , no point in missing a fox because your rifle is zeroed with a 3 inch group as just makes the job a lot harder and time consuming.
A grouse keeper I know is so dedicated its unreal , if a fox is spotted he is out 24/7 in all weathers until it is dispatched, no room for misses.
I think some people just play at the game and arent too serious about results, others strive for consistently high results. If you are going to do something try and do the best job possible has always been my motto , yes everybody misses that's life but nothing wrong with bettering yourself.
Last year 2023 I never missed a single shot with my .243 and I was extremely pleased with that.I am not a great shot but have standards and always strive for the best result.

 

[ASl sniper.177]

That's exactly how it works. Everything I do getting that small .250 moa group or less at 100 yards plays into success at work. Don't get me wrong,l hate working up a load,but it's great when I manage it.
If I'm faced with a front on shot at 300 yards on a fox,or a head shot,l know my rifle and bullet combination is up to the job. It's no good saying I'll leave it for another day,because,in the mean time it could of got into a release pen,or be working the partridge grounds. No good using a 1.5 moa rifle on shots like that,you'll be getting around a 5 inch group at 300 yards,and end up missing,or worse,wounding. I practice in field conditions at ranges further than I shoot live quarry,so when I'm facing a difficult shot,I know I have a more than fair chance of killing it. I leave nothing to chance before I pull that trigger. If you chest shoot a big target like a deer at short ranges,then carry on,I have no problem with that. But there is a place for a really accurate rifle when your job depends on results.

 

[John Gryphon]

We don`t get onto the bench work/sighting in whilst the wind is hammering us yet we go out shooting/hunting in the wind or it springs up during the day. Its a factor that can really destroy the small calibres.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Hi,
I bought this rifle off triggertrix and he said it preferred Sako Gameheads, unfortunately I’ve been unable to get any as yet so set about developing loads.
My preferred bullets are Bergers but I’ve managed 3/5 shots into 1” with 40 and 53 grain vmax and also 36 grain Barnes VG.
Bergers by far the best for me using Vhit. N120.
Rifle barrel is not floating so I take my time between each 3 or 5 shots.
The 3 shots on the black card were 60 grain Nosler Partitions shot at 50 yds with Thermal sight. Black card ideal for zeroing thermal in daytime.
Ken.

Should have said
could have sent some Sako down with it!

 

[nun_hunter]

If the level of accuracy stated by many on here can be repeated consistently and with confidence then I would have expected head shots to be the norm, rather than the exception.
What exactly is the point of achieving these miniscule groups if it's not giving you the confidence to shoot a grapefruit off a fencepost at 100yds?
Or is it, as I suspect, that the tiny groups aren't so consistently achievable as folk would like us to believe?

To put it simply, they don't have deer standing on their zeroing range at a measured 100m.

Knowing your rifle puts a bullet where the cross hairs are at a set distance is confidence inspiring. That doesn't mean the rifle will do that while standing, kneeling, resting on a gate post, sitting in a high seat in a breeze. That's where practice over multiple trips comes into it.

 

[VSS]

Knowing your rifle puts a bullet where the cross hairs are at a set distance is confidence inspiring. That doesn't mean the rifle will do that while standing, kneeling, resting on a gate post, sitting in a high seat in a breeze. That's where practice over multiple trips comes into it.

Absolutely. So why doesn't it seem to be giving people the necessary confidence?
If you remember, I raised exactly the same point in this thread:

A couple of things puzzling me.

I've watched quite a few stalking videos on YouTube recently, and watch the Fieldsports Channel fairly regularly, and a couple of things puzzle me. I would be interested in hearing other's views: 1) Why is it that when someone stalks into a deer that's lying down, they always wait for it to...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[kenbro]

Should have said
could have sent some Sako down with it!

Hi Ed;
Was half expecting there to be a few rounds with the rifle, pretty sure Peter mentioned there would be a box if FtF.
Not a problem though as the rifle was easy (Or I was lucky) to get happy with the Berger 52s and 55s, both same load of 19 grains N120.
Thanks, Ken.

 

[HonestJohn]

Sticks ?

No sticks

That’s the problem

Still, same position as described but without sticks i find far better than legs crossed, more lateral leverage

 

[nun_hunter]

Absolutely. So why doesn't it seem to be giving people the necessary confidence?
If you remember, I raised exactly the same point in this thread:

A couple of things puzzling me.

I've watched quite a few stalking videos on YouTube recently, and watch the Fieldsports Channel fairly regularly, and a couple of things puzzle me. I would be interested in hearing other's views: 1) Why is it that when someone stalks into a deer that's lying down, they always wait for it to...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Because the majority shoot three rounds from prone on a still morning, call it a group then shoot a deer at 70m in the chest and it dies. The fact they didn't know exactly where they were aiming and the bullet also didn't go exactly where intended is irrelevant as the deer died.

I'll zero on paper then shoot steel targets for practice to establish where my real accuracy lies. A hit is a hit as long as it's within the area I deem acceptable.

I'm definitely more conservative when shooting deer compared to targets as I want a clean carcass rather than a bloody green mess to deal with

 

[HonestJohn]

Hi Ed;
Was half expecting there to be a few rounds with the rifle, pretty sure Peter mentioned there would be a box if FtF.
Not a problem though as the rifle was easy (Or I was lucky) to get happy with the Berger 52s and 55s, both same load of 19 grains N120.
Thanks, Ken.

I was out of Sako, box was federals only. I forgot to bring them to Ed’s will bring when I see you at some point