What is the accepted group size to measure MOA

I'm pretty late to this discussion, but I've found the following article interesting. It discusses differing number of shots/group and the relationship between them with respect to group size. The graph near the end of the article and the table giving correction factors for differing shots/group are particularly useful. This latter table allows you to estimate the group size for a larger number of shots than you fired--e.g., estimated 10-shot group based on your average of several 3-shot groups.

http://www.the-long-family.com/Group size statistical analysis.pdf

As for my own bench shooting and load-development, I use the NRA standard 5 x 5 system--an average of 5 consecutive 5-shot groups at 100 yards. The "consecutive" part of this is important, as it rules out cherry-picking the best groups in arriving at the average. Instead of estimating the MOA potential of my rifles, I find this average of 5, 5-shot groups the most meaningful index. Too many shooters declare their rifle as a "1/2-inch" gun on the basis of one exceptional 1/2-inch group.
 
scianna54 said:
Interesting answers, also considering that many manufacturers make claims about the accuracy of their rifles without going further into detail.
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think about what they are selling, most of the time it is a hunting rifle
The most important shot is the first w/ cold barrel
Chances are the maker is saying if you picked up that rifle the next day and tried a similar shot it should/would be within 1 moa of that first try with similar circumstances
Thats what I would expect anyhow, groups or barrel life or erosion don't play into a sales pitch imo
Like Guntech said, 1 moa is very close to 1" @100, or 2" @200, or 3" @ 300 and so on, and that first shot has to be referenced to the poa as set
For that reason a good ultra thin whippy barrel that wanders after 3 or 4 can be a moa shooter, for that first shot
 
scianna54 said:
Hi there, sorry if it has been answered before but what is the accepted group size for MOA "claims", 3, 5 or 10? Thank you
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For me, a three shot group is suffice for a hunting rifle. However, in "true" reality, it's the very first shot that counts the most. I call Bullsh#t on 5, 7 or 10 shot groups.............not needed!!!
 
track said:
For me, a three shot group is suffice for a hunting rifle. However, in "true" reality, it's the very first shot that counts the most. I call Bullsh#t on 5, 7 or 10 shot groups.............not needed!!!
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Well, since this in a Target and Precision Rifle Forum. All shots matter.
 
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My bare minimum for centerfire "accuracy" is 5 groups of 5 at 100. Shot consecutively on the same target, no called flyers, no cherry picked groups, no excuses.
Jumping up to 10 round groups at 100 makes it really hard to hide mistakes.
The rubber hits the road with 10 shot groups at 300m IMO. You can see in the 300m thread that there aren't many sub-moa entries, and very few have done better than 2" (<0.65 moa).

3 shot groups are fine for skinny barreled hunting rifles, but this isn't the hunting forum.
 
Good reminder, I need to do the 300 challenge again. Time to make ammo tomorrow. I think I was 1.9 something, had one out of the group a ways.
 
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