What do each of you consider a good, a bad, and an adequate group? Let's say at like 100 yards. What is a very good group for you, a very bad one, and a perfectly adequate one for hunting?
Well everyone wants to shoot MOA but that seldom happens. That would be a very good group. Also I will be the first to admit, at long distance I am not the worlds greatest shot with open sights.
With an inline rifle if I can shoot constantly 2 inches or under with a scope I am more then pleased. I have shot at one time all three shots touching. That is not the normal. Yet this is what I strive for. Normally I shoot 2+ something inches and am happy with that as it is hunting accuracy.
With open sights I once shot an inch and a half group. I was shocked. And by no means is that normal. I normally shot a 3+ inch group with open sights, whether its an inline or a traditional rifle...
Now, what groups can you consistently shoot at 100 yards anytime? What is your setup, bullets, powder, etc?
Green Mountain .58 caliber Barrel with 1-70 twist.. 110 grains Goex 2f, moosemilk patched 284 gr roundball. I can shoot under 4 inches all day long with the open sights.
White Ultra Mag .504 with Nikon Scope, 70 gr Triple Se7en 3f, 500 gr BullShop NEI conical, RWS caps.. I can shoot under a 3" group all day at that distance.
All of this is done off a Dead Shot rest with only a front bag. For some reason I do not like a back bag under the stock of my rifles.
What is the difference in your shooting with a scope versus open sights? I'm guessing you shoot much better with your scope. What is your average group with each?
I do shoot better with a scope. Better ability to see, better aiming device, I shoot better. Plain and simple. Groups are answered above.
What is your maximumdistance that you shoot when hunting or on the range?
On my personal range, out to 125 yards (it will be longer once I get the chainsaw out and take a part of the woods down. I hope to reach 150 yards). The max distance when I hunt is about 75 yards. Where I hunt, I really can not see much further then that except when I hunt the farm. There are hay fields there and I could technically shoot 300 yards, but never would.
Finally, how do you normally shoot? With a rest? Without? Do you shoot much worse without the rest? If you use a rest, what kind do you use? Does it cradle the whole gun or do you just rest the front? Also, do you shoot better with a full rest versus onethat you just rest the front of the gun on?
Normally on the range I shoot off a single front bag rest or off shooting sticks. The bag is a Dead Shot. It only rests the rifle on the frontforearm. When I hunt I like to shoot off shooting sticks. When they are not handy, I lean into a tree and use that as a rest.