Accurate Rifle!!!!

I split the difference and count 4 shot groups after 1 fouling shot, waiting 5-10 minutes between shots depending upon ambient temperature. I shoot off bags since I don't own any of the fancy equipment, and I use factory ammo. My best rifle is my Model 788 .222, which has shot a single ragged hole to a 4 leaf clover every time I have tested it (with every load I have tested in it).
 
Originally Posted By: RONINFLAGmy 6ppc sako is accurate. killed a coyote at 2.7 yards the first time i took it calling. also two more at further distances.

You must have a very accurate/expensive range finder. Mine rounds up or down to the nearest whole number
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: coleridge
If you were to wright down a number right now, then get your rifle out this evening & banged out a group. How close would you be able to judge it? Wonder how many predictions would look like my NCAA bracket?
blushing.gif

My most accurate rifles I'd be able to judge it quite closely. Consistency is what makes an accurate rifle - given no shooter error point of impact is very predictable.
 
Well I have been completely honest in my range reports. It was the range reports of others on here that inspired me to first buy my .223 Axis- and that rifle was so good I bought a stainless in .30-06 for deer and possibly elk someday.

Both of these rifles are very consistent shooters. I have not been able to do nearly as good as some on here- but i am very happy with these 2 guns. They are the most accurate rifles i own- and the cheapest centerfires! I did not cheap out on the scopes and mounts though. And i did the ball point pen spring mod to the triggers.

The .223 will consistently put the first 4 shots of v-max into 7/8" at 100yds. and the .30-06 will consistently put the first 3 shots into 7/8" at 100yds. with 3 types of 150gr. tried so far. All off of a simple bench bag. The .223 is also very accurate off of shooting sticks- have not tried the .30-06 anywhere but bench so far.

I beleive both of these rifles are far more accurate than i can shoot them.
 
Originally Posted By: farmer44magWell I have been completely honest in my range reports. It was the range reports of others on here that inspired me to first buy my .223 Axis- and that rifle was so good I bought a stainless in .30-06 for deer and possibly elk someday.

Both of these rifles are very consistent shooters. I have not been able to do nearly as good as some on here- but i am very happy with these 2 guns. They are the most accurate rifles i own- and the cheapest centerfires! I did not cheap out on the scopes and mounts though. And i did the ball point pen spring mod to the triggers.

The .223 will consistently put the first 4 shots of v-max into 7/8" at 100yds. and the .30-06 will consistently put the first 3 shots into 7/8" at 100yds. with 3 types of 150gr. tried so far. All off of a simple bench bag. The .223 is also very accurate off of shooting sticks- have not tried the .30-06 anywhere but bench so far.

I beleive both of these rifles are far more accurate than i can shoot them.

I think that's were you differ. You gave an honest report, enough to get a consistant idea of what the rifles do & posted all the groups. I read it... I was a good ""range report" (you included all the data & didn't leave out the non-spectacular stuff). Most guys would have only posted the one best group leaving out all the important stuff. Keep shooting the rifles, I'm sure you will get 1-2 little bittle bughole groups with them. You can smile real big & think "it shot really good that time". But still know in your rational mind- I can expect just under 7/8" next time...
 
When I am working up loads I use a 24 power scope and shoot off a lead sled. I do this because it mostly takes shooter error out of the equation. I try to strive for 1 inch or better groups with a big game rifle and under 3/4 inch groups with a varmint gun. Most of my rifles will achieve this. I even occasionally get those really impressive ragged hole groups and am tickled when it happens. All that said that is what my guns will do. I like an accurate load. I hunt and most of my shooting is off a bipod or sticks. I can sometimes shoot impressive (to me) groups that way also. But I can’t seem to shoot 1/4 inch all day long groups. Maybe I just am not capable. I do seem to kill a lot of coyotes and don't know when I missed a big game animal last. I haven't noticed a big game animal yet that minded my bullet entering 2-3 inches off from my aim point. We have a very nice range where I live with targets out to 1000 Usually I stop at the 500 yard targets but shooting off my sticks or bipod I mostly get some nice groups in the kill zone behind the rams shoulder. That will kill them every time and that is what concerns me.

drscott
 
"Accuracy" is a term like "quality", that, in itself, has no specific or quantifiable meaning.

In terms of the firearm itself, as a machine, the more meaningful term would be "consistency". In other words, what is the minimum variation that the machine is capeable of producing.

The problem is that "accuracy" in firearms is dependent on a very, very long list of variables. Most of which have nothing to do with the firearm.

I think the best definition is to borrow Jurand's definition of "quality": Fitness for the intended use. Or "conformance to specification".

Grouse
 
Originally Posted By: coleridge

To me accuracy is determined by many shots on multiple sessions. As skinney touched on, some days click & some days don’t. Anyone who has ever shot a lot, trying for those itty bitty holes, knows one can become very frustrated from day to day or month to month trying to get it to shoot like it did, or like it should. One cluster of bullets means very little.


well put... I always seem to remember the times I reload that "magic" lot of bullets, and when the trigger pulling contest begins, they all seem to be contiguous
wink.gif
 
I have shot house flies on my 100 yd target many times.This don't really have anything to do with anything except that I would bet that many many of you fellows have done that also but because it sounds like and maybe is bragging a lot of you never tell anyone you can do it.There are a lot of really good shots in this country but you never hear from a lot of them because they don't have the time or money to compete or maybe when its just them and their rifle they shoot better.I like to shoot the flies then see their legs stick to the paper around the bullet hole.Its just fun even if no one will believe you.
 
Originally Posted By: tnshootistI have shot house flies on my 100 yd target many times.This don't really have anything to do with anything except that I would bet that many many of you fellows have done that also but because it sounds like and maybe is bragging a lot of you never tell anyone you can do it.There are a lot of really good shots in this country but you never hear from a lot of them because they don't have the time or money to compete or maybe when its just them and their rifle they shoot better.I like to shoot the flies then see their legs stick to the paper around the bullet hole.Its just fun even if no one will believe you.

We used to have fly matches - we'd set up a blank piece of paper at 100 yds, and we'd rub some funky hamburger meat on the paper - the flies come fast.

You must leave either blood or pieces parts on the paper to score.

 
I consider myself as a marksman to be average to SLIGHTLY above average and every firearm I own is capable of so much better than me, and if I've ever shot a 1/4" group at anything beyond 25 yds...... I don't remember it. My belief is that there are far more rifles in this world capable of 1/4 MOA than there are shooters. We all have those days when we seemingly can do no wrong, but in my case those days are getting increasingly farther and fewer between as I age.

Chupa
 
Originally Posted By: RBoomAccurate rifles are not interesting - they're boring. Don't you guys like to invest a ton of money, time, and expletives in a rifle that you just "know" you can get to shoot? Then, after it has finally kicked your butt, you sell it for half of what you paid for it?


lol !!! awesome post! been there done that! and 2 rifles in the safe are on the chopping block soon.....expensive hobby/obsession i guess...
 
As others have said there are a lot of variables to accuracy and the rifle is just a small part of the equation. To me it all depends on intended purpose and caliber. I don't expect my 22hornet to shoot groups like my 22-250s at 100 yards. With todays firearms, ammo, powders optics and such I would say it is an accurate rifle if it shoots 3/4" or less at 100 just my opinion.
 
Depending on the rifle I am shooting I like to shoot three or four. My new rifle I have been shooting four only because thats how many I can put in the mag.

I like to brag about my good groups, but there are days or even the same day, that my groups could use alot of work. One mag, tight group. Next mag, I blame on somebody else.
 
I don't really use this method, but have goofed around with it some.

Anyway. I think many would find it interesting to place just 1 target at 100 yards and shoot a 3 shot group, or even just 1 shot, with a rifle that is already sighted in. Don't adjust the sights during this test. Then repeat on the same target, once every week for a month or however long you want, perhaps an entire season. Wonder just how big this group would be at the end?
 
Hmm..definition of accurate..well yes I`m guilty of posting some of my better groups (I like 5 rnds) at 100 yards.
I put up a target stand at 100 yards and can put up to four paper plates on it, each with a 1" orange dot in the middle of it (eyeballed).Great set up for load developement. Shoot from a wobbley picnic table with my shooter ridge rifle rest.DPMS Bull 20, I hand this rifle to a friend and say here try this one..can`t quite cover 5rnds with a dime but a nickle will.(He kept his plate for show n tell..lol)
R25 in .243 Win.; Uncle in law is in town (M1 Garand era)hand him the R25 and say here give this one a try..5 rounds touching but a bit of a vertical string.(He kept his plate too and remarked thats the best he`s ever done)
I consider these two rifles `prety accurate`.
I think anyone who spends the time/effort(expense)at the reload room and range understands/appreciates what effort it takes...IDK though spend ten grand on a rifle maybe they shoot anything you feed it that good.(?)
Uncle-in-Law has since set up his own range and had his Garand re barreled.lol..blames me now
I have several loads made up for 3 other rifles that I`m uncertain wether or not I will consider them `prety accurate`
On a final note; about shooting in the field with whatever set up you use, couldn`t agree more on the importance of that, and a lesson recently come to light for me.
 
I have to admit that the internet ruined me when I first started really shooting and reloading 4-5 years ago. I have sold several perfectly fine rifles that would shoot at least 1 inch with absolute certainty and 3/4-1/2 inch on good days. I wrestled with why they wouldn't shoot 1/2 all day long, every day. When I think about all of the time and money I spent on tinkiering with loads for mass produced, stock, factory rifles, it makes my gut hurt.

It drove me crazy that all the guys on the internet were shooting 1/4 inch groups, all day long (as long as they did their part, of course...I would like to [beeep] slap the guy that coined that phrase) with similar guns and their loads and my guns and loads were so inconsistant that all I could expect were honest, 1 to 3/4 inch groups on a reasonably regular basis. Those rifles became junk in my mind.

I have realized that my expectations for these rifles and my shooting and reloading skills were way too high. The fact, for me, is that if I can get a rifle to shoot 1 to 3/4 inch groups, to a cocnsistant point of aim, I am doing just fine. What good is a rifle that shoots 1/8 inch groups "all day long" but, the groups print an inch left today and then 2 inches low tomorrow? That is not accuracy. I will take the rifle that regularly puts the shots in a 1 inch group that surrounds the point of aim.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top