Accuracy - Is this normal?

[mtmuley]

I can take a 1 inch rifle and kill anything on this planet out to ranges most hunters shouldn't be shooting anyway. mtmuley

 

[MS 9x56]

If you are shooting factory hunting ammo and are not a target shooter I would say 1-2” groups are closer to reality than 1/2-3/4” inch which are mostly shot in peoples imagination. I own a lot of rifles and only 2 are capable of under 1 MOA groups and then only with hand loads I have worked up specifically for each gun. I wouldn’t get to wound up about it unless you are hunting chipmunks.

 

[MS 9x56]

I killed a lot of game with smoothbore shotguns shooting pumpkin ball slugs which paper plate groups at 50 yards were considered adequate. Don’t obsess but do try some different bullet weights. Every rifle is an entity unto itself. You just need to find what it likes.

 

[Hot tent]

Yes. I shoot a lot and several nice target rifles and yes very normal.
I can also tell you shooting at big game at 600 yards is very questionable.

 

[MS 9x56]

Remember a 2” group at 100 yards is a 12” group at 600. That is too big for deer and marginal for elk. Stick to 300 yards and under and you will be fine. Forget the BS you read about 5-900 yard shots. It takes a very special skill set and weapon to make those shots. Not to mention, that is not fair chase hunting. It is just an exercise in marksmanship. Your game deserves better. A hunter gets as close as he can to make sure his shot is lethal and the animal does not suffer.

 

[Mallardsx2]

I can take a 1 inch rifle and kill anything on this planet out to ranges most hunters shouldn't be shooting anyway. mtmuley

What he said.

 

[T.R.]

My older Glenfield 30-30 shoots into a 2 to 2.5 inch cluster at 100 yards every time. But has never been a handicap for taking mulies at reasonable shooting distances. This dandy buck was taken at approx. 125 yards or so after a long stalk in steep country. TR

 

[Hot tent]

Remember a 2” group at 100 yards is a 12” group at 600. That is too big for deer and marginal for elk. Stick to 300 yards and under and you will be fine. Forget the BS you read about 5-900 yard shots. It takes a very special skill set and weapon to make those shots. Not to mention, that is not fair chase hunting. It is just an exercise in marksmanship. Your game deserves better. A hunter gets as close as he can to make sure his shot is lethal and the animal does not suffer.

I hope people read and understand what MS is saying. Additionally wind is there and makes cold bore hits at 600 yards very rare. Just get closer. This is hunting not a shooting competition.

 

[jimh406]

As noted, some days people shoot better than others. Unless you have another gun that is shooting sub moa on the same day, I wouldn't worry too much. Do keep an eye out for the groups getting larger over time.

However, it would probably be better to work on different shooting positions and distances than shooting for group size once the gun is sighted in.