Defining group size

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

LOL, I did that little scenario a couple of times Bruno. Both times at 100m though. One with a 7mm.08 and the other with my .300wm. One was actually VERY impressive with SUB moa results. The other was, shall we say, not so pretty. Can you guess which was which?

 

[browningguy]

My 10-22 is certainly not up to the high grade match rifles, but it's no slouch either. I really only shoot mine at 50 yards though.



That's a pretty normal 50 yard group for me with Eley Match or RWS Target Rifle ammo, it didn't shoot like that before I added a few doodads though. Do I believe all the groups people claim to shoot, nope, but I think there are plenty of good shooters that don't shoot competitively for one reason or the other.



Above is a pic using the same ammo the weekend before i added the doodads to it. So if someone tells me their modified 10-22 shoots 1" at 100 I just might believe them, but if they think their box stock will do the same it's time to get the money out for a little shootoff.

 

[Geno]

Great thread topic! Save for working up a good handload, I don't much care about group size. I punch steel and varmints. Are all of my groups equally accurate?! Sure... they (aren't).

To me, a bad group is not a failure. It is an opportunity for me to see what the Hades did I do wrong. I didn't become the ATA's & USTA #1 National Recruit Black Belt Instructor by practicing what I liked and did well! I became #1 by practicing on what I hated, where I was weak, and what I did (at best) so-so! In time I became durned formidable, and went on to manage the USTA National Center in Knoxville, TN. That is precisely how I shoot.

Success and failure, to the man who has truth in his heart, are one in the same. He learns from from failure, and reaffirms from success.

JMVHO,

Geno

 

[Robert Wilson]

Set up a target at 50 yds out the back door. Once a day for a week, shot one cold shot and put the rifle away behind the kitchen door. That's 7 first shots. Show me that target.

Amen, brother. I shoot these "running groups" at 200 yards with my hunting rifles. A truly exceptional rifle - one that is consistently sub-MOA - tends to give three or four inch groups with this method. "Average" rifles can be much worse. I have some ten inch groups floating around.

I just wish I could get my hands on one of those MOA AK-47s that are so common on THR. I'm sure that would solve all my troubles.

 

[Sunray]

"...how often do you get groups like that?..." Good point. Consistent group size is far more important than wee groups. Consistently wee .22 LR groups out of a non-match rifle or semi-auto are entirely possible, but a lot depends on the particular rifle and if the shooter has tried as many brands as he can to find the ammo his rifle both shoots well and cycles the action.

 

[clutch]

Set up a target at 50 yds out the back door. Once a day for a week, shot one cold shot and put the rifle away behind the kitchen door. That's 7 first shots. Show me that target?

That is what I do to get ready for muzzleloading deer season. One shot per day at a paper plate nailed to the target box followed by cleaning the gun.

Of course, I"m standing on my hind legs and not using artificial support to keep it real.

Every year I work the club range when we open it to the public to sight in their arms. Seldom do I see someone rip off a few from the bench to check zero and then ask if they can shoot off the bench. Bench = what the rifle can do. Standing = what you can do.

Clutch

 

[skipbo32]

i think when people go online they always round down their groups. lets be honest. with all the john wayne and chuck norris macho BS in the movies, everyone feels like they have to be wild bill or something.

 

[Geckgo]

Personally, I kind of like the bragging for the part of keeping some kind of hope alive. On a day with 15+MPH winds constantly changing direction I have a hard time keeping my ruger in a 3" circle at 50yrds. Calm days I do considerably better. I set up my paper with 12 one inch spots tacked on it and go to practicing. Some of my groups punch out really nice holes and others remind me that I'm there to practice trigger control, breathing, etc. I've found that my ruger likes Win 555s almost as much as CCIs so I get lots of decent practice ammo for cheap, groups vary from, let's say 2-4 MOA on a calm day, but I keep telling myself that the gun can do better and it makes me practice harder and bring my skill level up to the point where I can overcome my heavy trigger and 4x scope.