Would you have shot the fifth shot?

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Ankeny

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This is just for fun. I was out trying some new reloads and I intended to shoot a five shot group at seven yards for starters just to warm up. I stopped after the first four shots because I just couldn't bring myself to screw up the group. One of our local LEOs was on hand and try as he might, he couldn't get me to drop the hammer one more time. I just felt the group I had after round four was worth preserving for posterity. Well, maybe long enough to take a picture. Would you have shot one more round? Here's the group.
four%20shots.jpg

Edited to add:

My point of aim was the tape on the right. The fuzzy stuff behind the hole is the carpet in my living room. And for the doubters, the target is for real and the shots were witnessed.
 
Did the last 3 miss the target?? :scrutiny:

Just kidding, great shooting! And I'm with Swami, you would have been hard pressed to get me to pull the trigger a fourth time...
 
No I wouldn't have, I had a similar situation once at 10 yards (definitely not that tight of a group though... Still left one hole).

Managed to flinch on round 8 of 8... Pretty picture moment gone!
 
TOUGH QUESTION. My son shot a GREAT 4 round 100yd group with his rifle a few years back when he was about 14yrs old. We talked and he decided to pull the trigger on #5. Group opened up very slightly but he had the satisfaction of knowing he could do it. I think that was more important to him then a great 4 shot group and which is why most rifle mfgs cite 3 round groups. If it was me I don't hink I would have - depends on the day.
 
Fine shooting. I prpbably would not shoot #5. What were you shooting, cal., bullet, powder,gun. Have fun and bangaway.
 
Been there, done that! Model 39 Smith 15 yds, six rounds, standing and two hands. still had 3 rounds in gun. Well maybe not that tight but all were touching and most were in one hole. Like you I took the target down and still have it!
Then I have a 44 mag target shot at 25 yds, twelve rounds, standing, two hands and ONE large hole. Sad part is I shot that back in the 80's. Alot shakier these days but still a endless source of fun. (here of late 15 yds. seems to be getting farther away!)
 
The pistol was a Dan Wesson V-Bob .45 shooting a 200 grain Berry RS bullet over 4.2 grains of clays. Let there be no mistake the group was a fluke. Here is a pic of the next group. Five shots at 10 yards. Looks a lot more normal.
five.jpg
 
good gun and good shooting

ya did it this time so as the years streach to decades you will do it many times more
for sure ida taken #5.
 
Taken to an extreme, I could take two shot and be happy with my "expert" results. It's a statistical thing, where each shot has X% of hitting where the one before it hit. Taking less shots makes a huge positive increase in the probability of it happening. Subconciously, you knew this yourself and refused to push the odds. However, it's common practice to take five shots, so...

It's kind of like cutting the last corner in a car race and being so happy with the low lap time, that the time is kept as your official "best." But you know why it happened...

Related to this is how people set out to "prove" their recent purchase is accurate. They keep firing and firing until - by random chance and/or skill - they eventually shoot a "great" group, take a picture of that one, and feel vindicated on their mad skillz and awesome purchase. What's not mention are the 347 targets on the floor with hug scattered groupings...
 
It's hard to say since it wasn't me at the time. There is an argument for both. That's an outstanding group of 4 shots but then again, the 5th shot could have been just as good and the story would have been even better.

Hey, you could always bribe your witness with a good lunch to say it was 5 shots! LOL

I shot a 3 round 30-06 group at the range last year and the shots were so close I thought I missed the target on the 3rd round. My buddy took a look at the target and saw that little tell-tail bulge at the side of the group that told him I really did shoot 3 rounds.
 
Yeah I'd shoot the last round.

A while back I was going to shoot 5 shots each out of my 5 Kimbers to see if there was any difference in accuracy between the least expensive and the most expensive.
After firing 5 rounds with the least exensive I thought, what the heck let's see what the last two rounds do.:)
KimberUltraCarry10yds7shts1hole.gif

I didn't shoot the other 4 guns. I thought, if the cheapest one shoots this good the rest can't be far behind.
 
Nope - why mess with perfection.

I remember being at an odd school once in the Army where a particular portion entailed very precise firing of M-79's at windows and 55 gallon drums. On a friends first round, he dropped it right into a window on a high angled shot - nuthin' but net. O'B (shooter) snaps his 79 open, pops to his feet, takes a bow and says "Thanks folks, I'm outa here!" He says another round could only ruin his 100% accuracy.

Hell, for that matter, being a staunch 3 round guy, I mighta stopped at three fearin' that 4th round.;)
 
Yep, even the second group is fine.

I've had some 12 yard groups that were less than one inch shooting one of my revolvers. The ones to either side were a more normal 1.5 to 2 inch size.

But I have to admit that the "larger circle" four shot group is sure sweet... :D
 
Heh. I did something similar with a P64 of all guns. I was a little closer, though. First shots fired through it, as something like 18 feet. Gave it my best, to see what the gun could do. I shot all six, and the last one was a flier, darn it. Shots 2-5 all went through the same hole, not a clover leaf, and I was sure I could squeeze the last one in there, too!
 
Would you have shot the fifth shot?
Click to expand...

Nope , but I would tell everyone that I did!: :D Seriously , I probably would have , but I was not shooting that group! In my early days of rifle shooting I used to overthink the 5th shot when I had 4 in a great group when its really better to shoot with the mindset as if the group is just like any other.
 
Would you have shot one more round?
Click to expand...

Yes. Until the last shot is downrange, I'm looking at the front sight, not the group. :cool:

In this case, though, I'd be tempted to stop, as it's just part of my warmup. Besides, this group indicates that groups which have been, and will be shot are generally very good. A mediocre shooter could shoot a lifetime and not get a 4-shot group that good. What are you, some kinda 5-gun master? ;)

Good shootin', Akeny. :D
 
No guts no glory.............reminds me of a guy I saw once bowl 11 strikes, pack up his gear and leave the alley....could roll the last ball.

Great target.......
 
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