So 1/2" groups at 100 yards isn't "practical"? You're kidding, right? How much more practical would I need than that - and probably 99% of hunting situations? I'm a hunting newbie, so forgive my skepticism, but I'm not trying to drive nails at 300 yards in the rain with a 20mph crosswind.

If becoming serious means spending thousands and thousands of dollars on ammo to make one shot or even a handful of shots that you wouldn't otherwise make in the course of a lifetime, then I'll have to be content to stay in the "non-serious" class.