Three shot or five shot group?

ninepointer

ninepointer

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How imporant is it to shoot a 5 shot group from a big game hunting rifle when sighting in or checking zero? I tend to shoot 3 shot groups because:

1) I find that I'm only good for about 20-25 shots before flinching starts creeping in. By shooting 3 shot groups I feel I get more out of my session.

2) I've never had to "empty my gun" on an animal. I'm not particulary concerned about what my gun starts to do in terms of accuracy after 3 shots.

Am I shortchanging myself somehow? Should I be shooting 5 shot groups?

Ninepointer
 
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Three shot groups within 1.5" is fine for a big game hunting rifle. Tight 5 shot groupings are for pride and bragging and will really make no difference on your hunt.
 
5 will give you a better understanding of how your rifle will perform. 3 does not "Heat it up" enought to show any potential bedding problems or simple stock warpage. I have also used 5 as my line as I think it shows both the rifles potential and mine. Plus, ammo is cheap really when you think about and any round you put down range makes you a better shot. Also, get off the bench, shoot prone, sitting, kneeling and standing unsupported and supported. Use your sling and see how that changes you point if impact. (You know that "Strap" that you carry your gun with.) We have a lot of "Hunters" that shoot our military matches to practice for the hunt. It's amazing how poorly some of them do at first, then we show them some simple tricks. They usually come back the next year and thank us for showing them how well they can actually shoot!

Scott
 
3 Shots usually do fine, sometimes I ll shoot a 3 shot group, let the barrel cool, then fire 2 more groups at the same target. It's pretty good confidence builder when all 9 of your shots start landing in the same place...
 
MTM said:
3 shots are fine for hunting. Just make sure you average several groups. One 1/2"er means nothing.
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I always use three shot groups for hunting, since I cannot remember the last time I fired three shots at a big game animal. But, when doing my shooting, I will shoot up to 6 groups, letting the barrel cool thoroughly between each group. Then I measure groups, average group size, and look carefully at all targets to make sure Point of impact is in the same place on each target. Then I take it hunting and shoot my animal(s). For a hunting Rifle, I like to see MOA average, and that consistency right out as far as I will comfortably shoot. All my Varmint/target rifles get 5-shot groups and averages. Regards, Eagleye.
 
I do about the same as most who have posted.3 shots in my sporters and 5 in my heavier barrels.I have found lately(summer) that even with my heavier barrels I am just taking 3 shots.I think its a pretty fair indicator and not fond of heating up my barrels too much.In the cooler weather I'll probably start taking 5 in the heavier barrels again.
 
shoot a ten round group if you can handle it ever once in a while after season is a good time so you'll have time to work out any flinch that could possibly develope to see the factors that may effect your barrel
 
I always do 3 with my hunting rifles. My .270 Win is hot enough after 3, while my .35 Whelen can do 5 before the barrel as warm as the .270, but I only do 3. My .303 Mk1 No4 heats up almost as much as my .270 after 3.
 
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