Yep, I agree. hence the comment regarding 'if the rifle is accurate' the rest is down to me, which includes finding a rest, judging wind etc. What I don't want is having to work out all the other elements as well as contend with a rifle shooting at best 3'' groups at 100yds.
If rifles are now shooting tighter groups as the original post suggests, even if some disagree it is necessary, it surely still has to be a good thing. I cannot think of anything negative regarding that. So therefore we must be better off.
I am not all together sure, if rifles are more accurate or not now than they were maybe they are but in general the build quality is not so good, why are so many of us having actions floated and bedded, if the rifle was built properly to begin with there would be no need, same thing with synthetic stocks fitted to make a better rifle , no they are fitted to make a cheaper to produce rifle, while I agree that there are good synthetic stock, a lot of them are rubbish.
I agree that we want as tight groups as we can get, and one hole accuracy is nice if we are truthful how many of us can shoot that well regardless of how accurate the rifle is, I know that I can't, we are stalkers not target shooters
so our shots are taken from all different positions and distances, so can never expect to get the same results in the field as on a target, if you can place all your shots from any position prone kneeling sitting of sticks etc. at all distances out to 200 yards or a little bit more into a tea plate sized target thats all you need.
I am not the best shot in the world, but will shoot confidently out to 300 yards from a prone position, would never take a shot at a deer at that distance, unless it was wounded, 200 yards maximum and prefer to get closer than that.
Kneeling sitting or of sticks I limit myself to a 100 yards further than that its a prone shot, if thats not possible its a case of try and get closer
everybody's capability's are different, I know my limitations, as should everyone.