Hunting Rifle Accuracy?

[Mr.Blue]

I know that everyone shoots 1/8 MOA out to 1000 yards on the Internet. That said, what is acceptable accuracy for a hunting rifle (not sniper, beanfield, or varminter) in 30-06? I'm thinking that 1MOA is good accuracy. Anything better than that is excellent for a large caliber hunting rifle. I know many will say that they should shoot tighter, but most of the experts that I see on TV say 1 MOA is very good for a hunting rifle.

What's your opinion?

 

[wlewisiii]

I use a paper plate as a target placed at what ever maximum range I intend to shoot at. For me, that's usually 100 yards. If I can keep all the rounds from the firearm on the paper plate, and do it consistently, then it's accurate enough.

 

[Abel]

I like to use an inflated balloon that is slightly smaller than a pie plate. If I can hit that, I can hit a set of lungs. One shot groups.

 

[courtgreene]

and with a balloon, you don't need a spotting scope. with a water balloon, it's fun to watch.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I worked up 5.56 Barnes Triple Shock 62g X-Bullets for my AR (1:9) and the best I seemed to be able to do at 100 yards is about two inches or so. Seeing that I most likely will not be getting any shots past 100 yards, or so, I think that is adequate, even when I want a well-placed shot!

Now, to shoot woodchucks at 300 yards with my varmint rifle is a different story. I can shoot 1/2" groups at 200 yards with that, off the bench on a perfectly-still day.

 

[Gunnerboy]

for big game 5 rnds within 4 inches at 100yds is small enough group to take out lungs heart etc. anyone who tells you 1in or smaller for hunting has never hunted heavily except for sport or BSing people.

 

[Mr.Blue]

I know that a 4 inch circle is enough to get a kill, but I'm interested in finding out how accurate most hunting rifles are, or how accurate they can be. Obviously they are not as accurate as some 12 pound sniper rifle, but what's the best you can expect from a large caliber hunting rifle?

 

[Art Eatman]

From the bench, most any modern rifle in '06 will likely group inside of 1.5 MOA for five shots. It's not hard with a little tweaking to get inside of one MOA.

What happens in the field is up to the shooter, not the rifle.

 

[jbkebert]

I would say that most stock hunting type rifles are capable of 1 MOA accuracy. Capable with a fair amount of experimentation with ammo (if not a reloader). That being said a 1 MOA rifle from a bench is more likely a 4 MOA rifle in a hunting situation in experienced hands. If a shooting rail or bi-pod perhaps a 2 MOA gun.

Often times the larger the caliber the larger the group.

I expect my two boys ages 10 and 12 to be able to hit a 4" clay pigeon. From a treestand with a shooting rail from 50-200 yards. We practice until we can do it 4 of 5 shots. Once I know they can do it with just a little pressure. I am confident they can hit that 9" kill zone with what could be alot of pressure or excitment.

Most of my rifles are 1 1/2 - 2 MOA 5 shot groups factory ammo. With handloads several have gotten below 1 MOA but that is from a bench. Benches are hard to come by in the woods.

 

[osprey176]

I have a handful of hunting rifles from .243 to .444. Except for a couple of turds,I keep working on them,and my handloads,until I get in the 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" range.I actually shot a .485" 3 shot group with my 30-06 several years ago,but have not been able to duplicate that,so I write it off to luck.An inch and a half rifle will give you more accuracy than most hunters can hold at any reasonable range.

 

[Gunnerboy]

oh i see what you ment well my new 6.5swede is capable of 3/4in groups with handloads at 100yds and its a 8lb rifle thats glassbedded and has a custom trigger.

 

[teddysroughrider]

I have a custom Mauser made sometime in the 60s in 30-06. it shoots 1 to 1.5 MOA depending on load and kind of day i am having. 5 shot groups. As log as your comfortable with your gun it field ready.

 

[X-Rap]

I don't really want to hunt with a rifle that can't shoot 1.5" scoped and off a bench at 100 yds. under an inch is what I strive for.
As a hunter I believe it is our responsibility to maximize our equipments potential in controlled situations and do our best to duplicate that in the field.

 

[nathan]

2 inches or less MOA at 100 yds is good enough. Practice is key and confidence to make that hit within your comfort zone.

 

[gamestalker]

If you can shoot 1" MOA from 100 yds. with factory ammunition, you have nothing to be concerned about. Just making sure it is in deed sighted in properely at 200 yds. is the most important detail.

 

[coloradokevin]

From the bench, most any modern rifle in '06 will likely group inside of 1.5 MOA for five shots. It's not hard with a little tweaking to get inside of one MOA.

What happens in the field is up to the shooter, not the rifle.

^^ Pretty much what he said. IMO most modern bolt guns are capable of better accuracy than the average shooter who is using them.


As for required accuracy, I'm sure it goes without saying that it is going to depend a whole lot more upon your game than your rifle! I'm an experienced shooter, and a bit of a novice hunter myself (hunted as a kid, just getting back into it now). Regardless, the anatomy of a moose dictates that it has a much larger "sweet spot" than a rabbit, for instance

1 MOA is more than perfectly acceptable accuracy for hunting larger game animals, based on their anatomy alone. Keep in mind that 1 MOA translates to approximately 5 inches at 500 yards, mathematically speaking.

 

[ZeroJunk]

5 inches at 500 yards, mathematically speaking.

So, you should only be 2 1/2 inches from where you are aiming provided you know where to aim at that distance.

 

[jimbeaux82]

Hunting accuracy

If we are talking about bolt action rifles, then 1 1/2" to 2" groups at 100 yards will realistically do everything you need to do up to around 400 yards, despite what you read on the internet and gun magazines.

I handload, and am able to get all of my bolt guns to between 1 - 1 1/2" groups and have never missed a deer as a result of rifle inaccuracy.

While tight groups are really nice, and most of us strive for them, they really are not necessary.

 

[Al Thompson]

I'd rather have a 2 MOA rifle I can shoot well in positions (kneeling, sitting, etc.) than have a 1/2 MOA rifle that needs a benchrest to perform.

I do have a couple of rifles that do not shoot very tight groups. I use them where the game is close enough that extreme precision is not needed (swamps/forest).

 

[FSJeeper]

When I first started hunting in the late 60's, the rule of thumb I was taught was that if a rifle that shot 3" groups or less at 100 yards it was acceptable hunting accuracy.

We didn't fixate on tiny groups back then, we focused more on our hunting skills than our equipment. Back then, most of us used iron sights anyway cause we could not afford a scope.

 

[Hangingrock]

Using Remington ammunition as an example (3) shot typical groups at 200yds shooting from bench rest. I'd have no problems with a rifle that would shoot 1.5 MOA at 100yds (5) shot groups.

 

[ball3006]

My favorite hunting rifle does 3 inch groups with the forestock resting on a sandbag. Most guys that claim 1 inch or better have their rifle clamped in a bench vise with sandbags all around it. I hold my rifles when I shoot. Just about all rifles on the market today will satisfy hunting requirements. It is the ability of the shooter that is more important. chris3

 

[stillkickin]

dead right. shooting off the bench tells a lot about the rifle, shooting frim field positions tells the truth about the combination of shooter and rifle. while good to know what the rifle is capable of from a solid rest under ideal conditions, it comes down to what you can do with it. I have several hunting rifles that wil shoot moa, and a few that don't. but I find that shooting at various (unmarked) ranges from field positions really tells the tale. stock fit and other factors come into play much more when firing from standing and kneeling. if your 30-06 rifle is capable of consistant 2MOA from the bench, a Rifleman should be able to cleanly harvest game within the PRACTICAL range of the rifle under field conditions. if you sight +3" @100Y, you should be good at realistic ranges.

 

[Art Eatman]

ball3006, I haven't used a vise in sixty years of testing rifles and loads from the bench. The key is consistency in placement of the rifle on the sandbags. So far, so good.

The bench tests the hardware. The field tests the shooter.

 

[nathan]

For the average hunter, 200 yds is the most distance to make a shot. For a well seasoned hunter who practiced a lot pre hunting season and knows his equipment and skills , 200 to 300 yds is attainable. The main goal in hunting is to make that humane kill on an animal.