Acceptable accuracy

[Foxyboy43]

Prompted by a comment on another thread but for live quarry what do you define as “acceptable accuracy”?
A rifle that shoots say a three inch group at 100 will still kill most deer at that range but to me at least is unnacceptable. For me and say the triple deuce I expect sub-inch every time if I do my bit; larger chamberings are pretty much inch “or so” nowadays largely judged only by looking at the results but rarely actually measuring - more a “that will do fine” - probably because I have been using the same reloading recipes for years and tested the results to exhaustion before settling on a particular recipe.
Variables will of course include quarry size, distance and velocity/energy required but what is your own “bottom line”?

 

[Dave_45]

As accurate as i can possibly get it , respect for the quarry is paramount.

Train and prepare for the bad days not the good.

 

[rem284]

I'm with Dave 45. As accurate as you can get.

I've knew one friend who said that once his rifles group size opened up over .5 of an inch it was time to get rid of it.

I once got a new rifle and couldn't achieve a group better than 1.5 inches. Another guy said what's wrong with that, you will be able to shoot a deer

 

[One on top of two]

Rested .
Cloverleaf @100
1" @ 300
Rest is down to me .

 

[paulst]

I think when I started 1” at 100 yards was deemed good. Never had a rifle that wouldn’t do this or very near and for my needs that is more than acceptable. My 308 and 222 will put most shots in or very close to the same 1” target at 100 yards regardless of ammunition used, with no change of zero. Suits me and I am the biggest factor in the law of diminishing returns.

 

[Malxwal]

Rested .
Cloverleaf @100
1" @ 300
Rest is down to me .

1" @ 300, ⅓MOA, quite impressive.

 

[One on top of two]

1" @ 300, ⅓MOA, quite impressive.

not so off a bench with the right tools .

 

[Klenchblaize]

Many people never get to experience the accuracy potential of their rifles. At least not when away from a keyboard!

K

 

[maximus otter]

As stated above: Best possible.

My primary rifle in 6.5 Swede will produce 0.6 MOA off the bench with my chosen factory ammo.

My (very) secondary, a Tikka T3 Super Varmint in .223 will give under 0.33 MOA or better with my recipe off the bench.

Bottom line? I'd want MOA or better from any rifle, even though I confine my shots to <200 yards. I don't need to add my rifle's wibbles to mine.

maximus otter

 

[gixer1]

I’ll just leave this here….

 

[User00056]

I literally have no idea how potentially accurate my rifles are. I absolutely detest shooting at targets (not to detract from those who do, it's just not for me) As a result I've never chased tiny groups. As long as I can maintain around 1 1/2" at 100 yards I'm content. None of my stalking requires shooting over 200 yards, so as long as I'm within that range I'm pretty confident in myself.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I’ve chased the clover leaf group for over a decade with every calibre I’ve shot!

Now days and certainly for the last 5 years 1” or less is going to do what I need it too.

 

[webley701]

When discussing this subject it’s necessary to make plain all of the following:

Number of shot per group.
Number of consecutive groups used to form the sample.
Is the measurement the mean group size or maximum group size seen in the sample.
Are the measurements centre to centre of widest spread shot holes (as most commonly used), or mean radius, or figure of merit etc.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

When discussing this subject it’s necessary to make plain all of the following:

Number of shot per group.
Number of consecutive groups used to form the sample.
Is the measurement the mean group size or maximum group size seen in the sample.
Are the measurements centre to centre of widest spread shot holes (as most commonly used), or mean radius, or figure of merit etc.

I’ve got better things to do that worry about all that crap 3 shots that’s it, no more waste of bullets!

Done me for the last 25 years, the same will do me until I call it a day

 

[Donkey Basher]

Does this count? - it’s my 25 year old Tikka M595 stainless laminate in 308W.

First group is the one at 10 o’clock to the central diamond & includes a cold shot.

Second group, after adjusting the zero, is the one in the central diamond.

Third group, after final adjustment for zero, is the one in the bottom right diamond.







































Oh, I should add… these were all shot at 200 yards

 

[farrieral]

Sub 1" are 100 yards rested.

As above respect for quarry, but also the confidence in your kit. Last thing you want to be considering before you squeeze the trigger is "how good/accurate is my zero/rifle"

Also, practice... I think a large majority of people dont practice half enough! Their groups would shrink if they did!

Not just from bench/prone but off sticks and field positions!

Practice doesn't make perfect, but it should make you proficient!

 

[Scuffy]

Sub 1/2 moa for me.
If not, its back to the reloading bench.
Shots taken with wide bipod on a bench with a rear bag. 5 shot groups

 

[7Miller]

Half MOA rested at 100 yards, homeloads and my custom built rifles. The rifle builders give a half moa, 3 shot, guarantee.and that's always my goal.
If I can develop a load to shoot from a bench, truck roof etc and get half moa at 100 yards then anything I miss is down to user error, the nut behind the bolt, not down to the rifle or the load. Plus, most of my shooting is from sticks, which would open the groups up, slightly, when compared to bench rested, so I want the tightest groups I can get, when rested and supported fully on a bench, bipod and rear bag.

I get annoyed when many YouTube videos say certain loads and group sizes are not good enough for target shooting, but adequate for live quarry! I feel that to minimise the risk of wounding an animal and thus cause suffering, you need an accurate rifle and cartridge combination.

Spoke with a gamekeeper last year who missed 3 foxes in one night. He then proceeded to show me his target from when he checked the rifle the next day. He said there's nothing wrong with it, so must have been down to him. The 3 shot group he showed me was nearly 3 inches, at 100 with the 243 he used. I was shocked to say the least!

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Does this count? - it’s my 25 year old Tikka M595 stainless laminate in 308W.

First group is the one at 10 o’clock to the central diamond & includes a cold shot.

Second group, after adjusting the zero, is the one in the central diamond.

Third group, after final adjustment for zero, is the one in the bottom right diamond.


View attachment 453789




































Oh, I should add… these were all shot at 200 yards

Good enough for me

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I should add that all my sub inch groups that I checked zero are off sticks not rested no Nancy fifth leg either!