What is your idea of accuracy? Just what group size do you expect from a new top of the line Muzzy? How many of us expect our groups to stay under 1.5 inches when not experimenting?

I guess on some of my cheaper guns I expect to get at least 3" or less group at 100 yards or the gun ain't worth shooting( for me anyway) On my top of the line guns I expect to get 1" groups at 100 yards and 2" groups at 200 yards. Maybe I am wrong but I figure if I pay more( sometimes a lot more) for a quality gun then it should perform better. As long as i do my part by spending the time and effort working up a load for it that is..
For me ,the principle is, If I give more for something it should give more in return.

Lee - I think the accuracy issue has gotten out of hand.And I would guess that it allwas started by some gun writer in a magazine somewhere.Now don't take that as a complaint. I think every shooter in the world strives for the best accuracy he can get. And this 'attitude' has probably resulted the the many advancements we have today with better rifles, bullets, powders, etc.
I would be more than happy with 2 MOA accuracy with any rifle, ML or not.
Now I have a few rifles that will do much better than that (a couple subMOA rifles).
My muzzys are my 'fun guns' and I probably shoot them more than any I own. All but one I shoot are traditional rifles with open sights. And on a good day, I can punch a 3 shot ragged hole in the target at 50 yards with most of them using the right load. My only scoped one is the Genesis that normally shoots 2" groups with the occasional 1 1/2" group.
My idea of accuracy in today's world is a centerfire capable of shooting 1" groups and a ML capable of 2".
But in actuality, I think any rifle that can shoot 2"-3" groups is good for hunting under normal hunting conditions (shots <200 yds).

Lee

I believe you are far more demanding than I when it comes to a hunting rifle with hunting loads.

If I were target shooting - I would want to achieve that kind of accuracy and also develope a reduced load that would provide that kind of accuracy.

I would venture to say there are modern centerfire hunting rifles - shooting hunting bullets that might have a hard time staying within 1.5 @ 100.

All that said yes, I really want 1.5 @ 100 even from a ML, not to say i would throw a gun away if it were 2" or even 3" with a heavy projectile and load.

For the average shooter i do not know what might be best and I really do not consider myself much more than an average shooter.

I am kind of a nut. While I suspect most rifles able to produce good accuracy. Lets say, a scoped inline rifle. I expect three inches or better. If the rifle shoots 1-1/2 all the better.

Many times a rifles accuracy is not dependant on the rifle as much as the shooter.

I'm really happy with consistent two-inch 100 yard groups, and can live with three inches. The only guns I own that give me consistent one-inch 100 yard groups are my 25-06 and 22 Hornet.

Here's the questionfor all of those "one hole" shooters. I'llsend you one target with a codethat can't be copied. You putfive shots on it at 100 yards with the muzzle loader of your choice.When you send that target back to me how big will the group likely be? Under and inch and a quarter? Are you sure???

I can keep my flintlocks under an inch and a half at 50 yards...When I could see well enough that I competed it was better than that...

I expect the same at 100 with an inline and scope...

At 50yds. I would expect a 1 hole target with an inline and scope. I am happy with 2 inch groups at 100yds. but, I know if I do my part my muzzy is better than that.
But, I believe a sub 3" group for a hunting gun is a dead deer or what ever you are hunting and should be acceptable.

As far as I am willing shoot a given rifle/load I expect a one shot group to be in the kill...every time.

That's all I want (talkin' ML).

That's all too practical an approach Old/New. You obviously don't belong on this forum.