Originally Posted by
flounder33
Although the industry seems to care more about easy of cleaning than accuracy, accuracy is still #1 in my mind.
I would like to add to your thought of accuracy being the first and most important thing about a rifle. Then maybe move one more word ahead of that by adding 'consistentcy'. Day and day out I want a rifle that will perform with what ever load and or projectile I choose to use in that gun.
What do you think are the most important factors that make a rifle more accurate than most.
Quality products, from top to bottom, usually are built from quality parts by companies with quality people. Is it a gun or product built by people who care and have pride to offer a product.
Is it barrel quality, meaning quality of rifling and a consistent bore from end to end? Is it mainly the fit of the barrel to the stock? Are most rifles capable of this kind of accuracy once you find the right load for it?
I know that this is not what most or a lot of people think, but I believe a
quality rifle will or should shoot whatever you choose to shoot from it accurately. I would like to believe that if a rifle can not perform over a large range varibles, it really is not a great rifle.
I have had some guns that the first time you shoot them they just feel, well, accurate. It seems that even when you change bullets and powder you may change POI but you still have that special something that makes them accurate and gives you great confidence. Other rifles you might have plenty of accuracy for hunting but not the same kind of consistency.
What do you all think?
Personally, I think you last statement prety much sums up the whole ideal. And personally if the gun does not do what you mentioned, why own it?
I am also trying to think of a way to say that there are different expectations for different classes of guns.... such as should or will you expect a slow twist sidehammer PRB gun to shoot modern projectiles as well as a faster twist, shallow grooved modern barrel - but then again the modern one will and should not be asked to shoot a PRB with great expectations... does that make sense....