When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

I had a question for you all - what is your minimum accuracy standard for deer hunting? In other words, how accurate do you feel you need to be shooting in order to take a given rifle/load out hunting?

I know many of us work on shooting as small groups as possible when at the range, but it's not necessary to shoot 1" groups to kill deer. Personally, I would give up a little in accuracy for bullet performance- For example, I'm using the 200 grain XTP right now because it's a bullet I've used successfully and trust it- even though I've had other bullets shoot a little bit better.

For me, my personal standard (for a scoped rifle) is 3" groups at 100 yards. If I'm not shooting at least that good, then I'm going to work up another load or leave the rifle home. My current load shoots to 1.5" on a good day, 2" on an average day, and 2.5" on a bad day - so I'm well within my personal "standards".

What are your guys standards for hunting accuracy?

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

I'm with you on the 3in @ 100 BUT, that's with me shooting off sticks or a rest off a post/tree. I don't have a shooting bench at any of my stands so it's pointlesssay that I can shoot<3 in off the bench. If I can do it off sticks that I deem my load "huntable" I do use the bench working up loads to see how acurate they are though. That's my personal restriction and for what it's worth, I rarely get shots out ot 100 yards. Most are in teh 20-50 yard range.

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

Yep! Three inch 100 yard groups do it for me too. That level of accuracy gives me confidence that I can make any shot I take. I never take risky shots anyway.

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

Depending on the circumstances and distances I will encounter.. I think you guys are right on the money with 3 inches. We all want better but some loads just will not do it.

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

i sight my rifle 2 inches high at fifty yds,at 100 yds im right on groups under 2 inches if not windy .most of the hunting area i hunt 100 yds so this works good for me .but if the case presents itself 150 yds is in my range.i use barns bullets tmz 250 gr. ballistc tip bullets over 110 grains t7 ffg powder.

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

Cayugad- You're right about depending on the circumstances. For example, the farthest I'd ever shoot is 150 - 175 yards. With that limitation, 3" 100 yard groups are fine. However, if I had a rangefinder and was shooting the 200 grain SST- in theory that would extend my range out to 200+ yards. In that case, I'd probably want to be shooting 2" 100 yard groups. It all depends on the situation...

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

I'm picky. I've never taken a rifle out that didn't shoot 1in 100yd groups.

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

3" @ 100 is a decent group but if you're hunting deer with a 10" kill zone then a 5" group would be sufficient @ 100.
That same 3" group would allow you to extend your range to about 150'ish before it starts spreading unacceptably. Conversely the 5" group would have you at your limit at 100 as a 5" group at 50 yd would be your limit.

I guess what I'm saying is your grouping can be quite large depending on your maximum range you plan on shooting and not take the chance on a longer shot unless you know your own and your rifle's capabilities.

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

3" with open sights is ok. You have to consider the difference between shooting off a bench vs actual shooting in the field. You cant carry the bench on your back while hunting.

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

Varies by rifle. With my 30-06 pump, 3" is good, but sometimes I got 4". With my Savage or inlines 3" is OK, but more often it is 2" or less. I don't even look at bullet unless they are grouped under 2" with "book loads". I try to listen to this board for good starting loads, to find the sweet spot. Example, Lee reported his Triumph shot well with 110g of BH 209, so I started at 100. I got very good accuracy with Barnes MZ and supplied sabot, so I quit and used that. I am not a big fan of shooting a lot of expensive bullets to get 1/2". I do LOVE to see loads with all the shots touching, but I have really never made that my standard. If I get 1.5" I quit, even 2" is very good for me. I try to keep my shots to within 100 yards; in spots that are longer than 100, I am installing a shooting rail in my ladder stands. Just got it tonight from Cabelas.


Chap

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

I look for 1"-1 1/2" at 75 yds with the open sightson my CVA 45 inline. I know that will get me out to 125 yds with confidence. Shooting offhand, I average around 3" groups (need to practice more).

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

I'm happy with 3 inch @ 100 yards

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

I do not concern myself with group size at 100 yards as a measure of my rifle's accuracy. I am only concerned on exactly where the first shot is going to go. 3 and 5 shot groups are useless in the woods. My only concern is exactly where my bullet will hit at the distance I am shooting, with the first shot.

Being able to hit in a 5 inch circle at the desired distance in a hunting stance should be the concern of hunters. You should limit your hunting distance to this 5 inch plate. If you can not hit it in a hunting situation then it is too far for you to shoot.

The best thing to do is go out and buy or build a 6 inch steel gong target. take it out in the woods and shoot at it. Now that is real practice. We have several gongs(down to 2 inch) that we practice with. It is a lot of fun.

I will admit that shoting itty bitty groups at the bench is great. But in reality those itty bitty groups have nothing to do with hunting accuracy. Tom.

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

HEAD0001:

Good point. However, I believe the better on the range, the more confidence you have in yours and the weapon's ability.

RE: When do you leave the rifle at home?
 

i shoot hawkins.50 cal.flintlock /with RMC v-peep sight.

at 50 yards holes almost touch or touch.

3 inch group at 100 yds,with scope, i dont think i would be happy with that,but i dont shoot a scope in -0line etc.

i use 295 powerbelt for hunting.

i can shoot a rb at 50 yards and touch holes with open sights.

so, 3 inch at 50 , i could not stand or 1and1/2 at 50, i am not happy and not put up with that.

at 25 yds i can shoot in same hole almost every shot or as said clover leaf it and with roundball too.

like said, 3 inch with scope at 100 yds, ifthat is normal, i would be one unhappy camper.