But I like it here...and I do like 1.5" groups at 100. Can I stay? [&:]

Id be comfortable in the deer woods with a gun that will put the bullet within 1.5 of my POA. so 3 inch group. Ive got centerfires remington 700s .223 & 7mag that will keep 3 in a 1 inch group Almost every time. When they dont Ive usually called a flyer" me jerking the trigger". before I check the target. My ML a X7 has given me 2 or 3 honest to god 1 inch groups. But usually it right under 2 inchs . Small groups dont mean as much to me unless my brothers shooting with me & we,re shooting for beers

Don't ask me - that a decision for the Weasel.

Im happy with 2" groups - that being unscoped of course. Theres always room for improvement and thats why we all do so much experimenting with our muzzleloaders. Theres always something new or even old that can help you out.

For a muzzleloader, I'll hunt with and gun/load combo that will print 2" groups, center to center, at 100 yards. I'd doubt I'd take a shot much past 150 yards, so that's more than enough to do the job. For a CF rifle, I just won't keep a rifle that won't print 1" or better at 100 with handloads or 1.5" with factory ammo consistantly.

Mike

I consider myself much more of a "hunter" than a "shooter" I only shoot to try new loads and bullets. I don't shoot a lot after that as I don't like wasting the components. Because of that, I'm not the best shooter.

I am happy with <3inches @ 100 off the benchwith my scoped guns. Anything smaller than that is just a bonus. That being said, 90% of my shots while huntin' are at about 35 yards. RARELY do I shoot far unless I'm huntin' in CO.

It is rather nice to have a gun that is capable of shooting1" three shot groups at 100 yards. However, a gun that shoots 3"three shot groups at that distance is accurate enough for killing deer and hogs at normal muzzleloader distances.

The best hunter I know brings his Knight to the range once a year in the early fall and checks the zero. If the bullet or bullets hit in a 4" bullseye at 100 yards he goes home and cleans his gun: He kills a couple of elk, an antelope or two, several hogs and several deer with his gun every year. He is a superb hunter, not a shooter.

I think that any decently-made ML should be able to shoot 2" 3-shot groups or better at 100 yards with some experimenting. All the experimenting with different loads, bullets is at least half the fun of ML shooting for me. I've seen that 1" groups or smaller at 100 yards are possible with an ML, but I'd find it hard to believe if someone claimed to get that kind of accuracy every single time they go out shooting, regardless of weather conditions, wind, etc.

But for hunting purposes, I'm happy with a ML that will consistently shoot 2.5" groups or better at 100 yards. Of course I always try and tweak it to get the best I can, but a 2.5" group will put meat in the freezer every time at muzzleloading ranges.

I got to thinking about it, and realized once you get 1.5 inches at 100yds and 3 inches at two hundred it really does not relate to or really make any difference hunting. I know most of my shots are under 50 yds and I expect if there was a national average established it would shock a lot of people for deer hunting because a lot of places whitetail stay you can not see 50 yds. I realize that getting minute of angle or better has nothing to do with the hunt but a 1/2 inch group will put a smile on my face for two days. I have no doubt a well tuned gun will do it I think most of the inlines shoot better than we can. Lee

I really think the guns are better then us. I for one dont hunt with the most accurate bullet. The last two years i hunted with the 275grn Parkers with excellant results on game. This year i will be hunting with Lehigh's with even better results on game. Still not the most accurate bullet though. 1.5" groups and less are plenty good for me.