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Old 04-18-2005 | 11:51 AM
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cayugad
Dominant Buck
 
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Wisconsin
Default RE: groups

ORIGINAL: QTompkins2005

What kind of groups at 100 yards are sufficient for deer hunting?
What are you comfortable with? After you have the best group possible then try some free hand shooting and some off shooting stick shooting. It will really change your idea of shooting at 100 yards.

I know a lot of good shots. Stick them at a bench rest and they can really shoot some amazing groups. Take that bench rest away, and they fall apart. I watched a friend once miss a deer that was standing broadside at under 35 yards. After he shot and it ran off we checked and there was no blood or indication that he even hit. He then admitted he was so shaken at seeing a deer standing like that he could not concentrate. As I watched him shooting, he was shaking so bad I had to laugh. I even wondered whether he would hit the deer.

With a scoped rifle I like at least a 2.5 inch group. With open sights I insist on a 4" or better off a bench rest. After you can do that then start shooting the way you would if in the field. If you can hit a 6" circle every time that is the distance you can shoot from. Some people have real problems at 100 yards. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It is just that they do not practice.
They are the ones that have a deer come on at relative easy ranges, and they miss. Their comment is, I make shots like that at the range all the time. The truth is they do not make shots like that all the time at the range. No bench rest there, no calm day, no stress.

Sight your rifle in. Get the best groups. Then practice. After you can make hunting type shots, practice some more.....
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