Though I do not shoot competititive target, I know from Dad, military training, years of experience and NRA training that Blackelk is correct on his evaluation. Most rifles are more capable than their shooters. Most people do not practice enough or get any training. Too many of them go into the woods without even checking the sighting of their firearm. They do not remember what the trigger felt like and it's progression. Their arm muscles are not practiced at holding steady. The sight picture is a memory.

Being accurate is a learned skill. As such, it erodes if you do not shoot. If you do not practice, you will forget the "process". You will not be relaxed. Since we know that small mistakes widen with distance, the further you generally shoot, the more important practice becomes.

I agree with Mr. Hawks that the MOA discussion is not really that important for the average hunter. For those of us that hunt in the woods, distances are short. "Average" groups will do the job nicely. For those who hunt where distances are 200, 300 + yards, it takes on more meaning. The lesson I think he was trying to get across was simply to make sure you have a decent group consistantly at the furthest distance you are willing to shoot.

I shot 500 yards with iron sights and no glasses(which I needed) when I was an 18 year old Marine. I could put 10 out of 10 in a reasonable group all the time. Today, with glasses and a scope, I would would not take that shot. Why? Because I do not practice at that distance and I do not know the drop of the rounds I would be likely to use in an open area. If I knew that a shot like that could occur, I would do my homework and required practice.

If you call yourself a hunter, you owe the animals enough respect to practice, know your firearm and your limits. My opinion.