Hunting Rifle Accuracy?

[Skylerbone]

I'm not sure what either of my 30-06s are capable of accuracy wise. I can say they are both sporter profile rifles that with basic duplex 3-9x scopes, in my hands, have fired .5" groups at 100 yds. I can also say that at 200 yds. those groups did not double in size, they tripled.

I've never owned a $2000 target scope with tiny crosshairs, parallax adjustments and 36x magnification but my conditions don't dictate a need. Equip yourself properly for the conditions and your ability. I've passed on plenty of long-for-me shots, that much is owed the animal.

 

[youngda9]

Accurate enough to hit the vitals at the distance you are shooting is good enough. Paper plate size if you're talking about a deer.

 

[quietman]

???

Maybe I am not reading what your are trying to say correctly.

A rifle's minute of angle accuracy is constant no matter the distance.

Welll . . . . it depends on what he means by hold MOA. There are 3 aspects to this,

1. Can you keep your rifle steady enough on the desired poi that the sights wander less than 1 MOA?

2. Can you consistently shoot MOA when you include breath, trigger control, etc?

3. Is the rifle / load combination itself capable of maintaining MOA at any distance.?

The first two are where most people lose MOA accuracy.

Number 3 is not necessarily consistent. Groups can pull tighter MOA at distances longer than 100 yards, and they can also grow bigger past 100 yds. Lots of variables in this including bullet type, barrel twist, velocity, bullet shape (flat bottom, boat tail), etc.

As to the OP, hunting accuracy depends on the type of prey and the range. If you're hunting prairie dogs at 200 yards or more, you'll want subMOA. Coyotes at that distance MOA.

If you're longest shot on a dear is less than 200 yds, then 2MOA is just fine. Elk out to 200 yards only need 3 MOA. If your deer are gonig to be out to 300 yars then you'l want MOA or 1.5 MOA.

So,as you can see, hunting accuracy is determined by more than just the simple fact it will be a "hunting rifle".

 

[d2wing]

Today I sighted in my deer rifle. My best group was .75 inches, the worst 1.65 measured. Depending on the rifle I like a 2 inch or better group. That is from a tripod rest at 100 yards. I have a bench but I didn't bother with it since it's not very handy. I like a rifle that shoots where I point it. And I believe in training and practice in hunting shooting as well. I have hunted with a guy that was a good shot and thinks he still is. He rarely shoots and every year he has some kind of issue hitting and its always the gun. Hmmm.

 

[BrocLuno]

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

Yup, best test out there