Field accuracy. What's your's?

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Rayleigh_Scattering

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I'm sometimes amazed by the degree of accuracy people can achieve with sharp senses, good equipment, and thorough training.

I have none of these things and my performance is laughable, so I keep dialing down my engagement range year after year.

But, other than "somewhere between the two" I don't have a good grasp of where the general population lies.

A poll:

If you grabbed your favorite rifle right now, walked couple of km to the top of the proverbial grassy knoll, and then took a shot at a target 100m away, you'd feel reasonably confident of your first shot hitting within X" of the bullseye.

What's X for you?

1"?
4"?
"somewhere off to the right, I think..."?

No bench, no table. Just you, short grass, and your pack to rest the barrel on (or whatever other position you prefer).
 
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Most guys I shoot with would be well within that 1" from center of target range. Just fyi should be resting your stock on the pack, not barrel. Resting your barrel on a pack will throw your shots randomly.
 
I'm sure I couldn't consistently hit a 12" circle at a 100 yards after running up a hill. I would have to take some time to get breathing in order, then I think I could keep the shot on a 10" circle, shooting offhand. Sitting with elbows resting on knees, then my accuracy would improve to 4" and resting across a pack while laying down, I could keep it at 1". Though I've shot a lot of critters over the years, I can't ever recall shooting anything while resting over a pack. Usually too much crap in the way. I have seen a mule deer and an elk shot while resting on packs. It works great when you can see over the grass.
 
powdermaker said:
I'm sure I couldn't consistently hit a 12" circle at a 100 yards after running up a hill. I would have to take some time to get breathing in order, then I think I could keep the shot on a 10" circle, shooting offhand. Sitting with elbows resting on knees, then my accuracy would improve to 4" and resting across a pack while laying down, I could keep it at 1". Though I've shot a lot of critters over the years, I can't ever recall shooting anything while resting over a pack. Usually too much crap in the way. I have seen a mule deer and an elk shot while resting on packs. It works great when you can see over the grass.
Click to expand...

I’ll change it to “walked” because after running a couple of km uphill I’d be sitting down to wait for the paramedics.
 
try this...
I mix it up a bit with distances and target types... and after a quick sprint etc.. just use a smart phone timer app for start and finish beeps,

 
I practice mostly on steel targets about 12"x12" , i shoot iron sights and im zeroed for 200m and can make good hits out to 300m if i'm in a prone position or sitting but have been known to miss at 300. therefore in the field when i'm hunting i consider my maximum effective range to be about 200-250m. i can hit 200m steel from standing no problem. 300 not consistently enough for my liking. i usually only sight on paper at 100m and can get 1.5" groups with iron sights and good handloads from a bench.

some guys with lots of practice can make hits way out there with iron sights. im working my way up to 500m this summer. practice is key. lots of time and money spent to improve the skills
 
OP what are you shooting (cartridge/rifle combo) and how often do you shoot it? a box a year isn't going to improve your skills very much. i shoot a lot of .308 and 22lr and some 7.5x55 swiss. im talking hundreds of rounds at the range. last year i think i shot about 250 rnds of .308 and about 100 of 7.5x55, and about 500-650 rnds of 22lr. i spent a lot time reloading but noticed good gains in the accuracy department
 
I’d say I am confident to hit my mark, done it many times on moose and caribou. I’m not sure what kind of group I would do, I mean at the range I’m inside 6” ish shooting standing!
 
Fair to middling at that range.

Don't know for sure, but the last three animals I shot at about that range died.

The black bear was about 80 yards out while I was completely still and rested watching the trail for deer. Shooting offhand the bullet pierced his heart.
 
Practical accuracy in the field I expect 1.5”-2.5” from my intended poa at 100y when I’m shooting without a solid rest, I’ve never shot anything past 100y in the areas I hunt. I’d be lucky if I was able to shoot to 200y in most areas, I’m usually more than able to close the gap of foot if I see something out past 100y and that’s part of the fun of hunting for me. I prefer to get in close and take the shot.
 
"Minute of deer" aka deer size vitals

....so 4-6" at 100m? Ive killed every big game animal I've shot at. I'm under no illusion that will continue for ever but I'm proud of it.

I shoot from the sitting position in the field if I can. Standing is my next most common. I detest the kneeling position.
 
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If I'm shooting off my bipod I'd say within 1/2 inch of the bullseye @100 yards...if I'm winded and shooting offhand not very good at all.
 
When I was younger, I'd have no issues, but I've developed a tremor from years of wrench cranking. Off the pack, 2" guaranteed, 1" if I'm lucky. Standing, God only knows where the shot would go, and I used to be pretty good standing. My running deer days are done for good I think.

Btw I have seen the doc, it's not Parkinson's or anything, just heavy work.
 
>22

That's a good thought. I've got some very low power .303 reloads (35gr lead ball over 3gr of blank powder) that I should spend some time with.

There's no noticeable recoil, they're no louder than a hand clap, and nothing is going to shift around in the stock at those levels, so any dispersion at all will be due to the user.

So there's no reason I shouldn't be able to put them all into the same place at 20m.
 
I'd probably put 9/10 within 4" of the bull in the OP's scenario, unless it's a booner

A little 4" spinner gong at 100 yards with a scoped .22, offhand, is great practice.
 
My own personal standard for many years is a magazine full into five inches at 300 yards, and the same offhand at 100 yards.

Consequently, I do a lot of stalking, very little shooting, and only three wounded animals that I can remember over 50+ years. The first was a black bear at less than fifty yards with a 303Br. That was a very hard lesson that I never forgot, but the freezer has always been full.

Ted
 
I have always strived for pie plate accuracy on matter what distance, and only one shot.
The last one was over 300 yards, heart shot , leaning against a power pole of a cut line across a ravine with my 303Brit falling block
I had time to range the deer first.
Cat
 
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