How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

For large game if I can consistantly hit an 8" circle out to 100 yards from a hunting position, I'm happy.

I don't think I've ever even seen a deer in the woods that was further than 50 yards away.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

8" what? No I like a very accurate gun. All my guns shoot sub 3/4 MOA off a bench or they don't stay around long. I will lap lugs, bed, free float, do trigger jobs etc. and if that doesn't bring them around I either trade them at a gun show or jerk the barrel off and use the action for a custom job. I may be more particular than need be but its my choice.

True more whitetail are shot inside of 100 yardsthan outside of that range, but I like options. I would hate to pass up a "monster" because I didn't feel my weapon was accurate enough.

If you can't shoot 2 MOA from field positions with an accurate weapon then you/I need to do more field practice.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

If I can hit a 6" circle @ 100 yards(standing or nealing) than thats good enough for me. I like to staple ballons to stuff at different ranges and practice shooting at them. You know when you hit because it pops. And thats about the vital area on a big game critter.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I like my guns to be capable of 1 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yards. I can live with 2.5 inches if that is all I can get. I'm talking about off from a bench in good weather though, not off hand.

If I have a gun that will not group better than 3 inches after experimenting with different loads I will not be owning it very long.

Something to consider is that you need to be able to shoot that well in the first place. I hear many people complain about a gun not being accurate and it ends up not being the gun. Some don't take the time to find ammo the gun likes or just don't shoot that well to begin with. If you can't shoot one inch groups or better don't expect your rifle to.;)

In all honestly if I could shoot 5 inch groups at 100 yards off hand I would be happy. I just don't shoot that well off hand. However I don't do it very often, even when hunting I normally have something to rest the gun on.

Paul

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I guess I take alittle after both extremes. I want to know that the gun will shoot 1MOA or better, granted there are some gun/cartridge combinations that just won't give this...when that's the case you have to sit back and make sure it won't be an issue for your hunting needs.


BUT if the shooter (that's me;)) can get a 3" group...then whatever position/range combination that gives that group is what I consider my max. True, vitals may be bigger...but I've already learned that when thinks heat up my shooting has a dendency to go south.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Depends on the gun, and the intended use!

For whitetails, if I'm using my 20 bore flint fusil, 3 in ch groups at 50 yards are ok by me. Flint rifle, 1 to 1/2 inch groups at 50 will work. Leverguns, I'm ok with 2 to 3inch groups at 100 yards. For boltguns, 11/4 inches or less at 100 yards.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Anyone who "actually tries" to see what range they should hold there shots to, under "hunting conditions" get's my vote! Good for you!

As you practise more, you will shrink that circle....

Drilling Man

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

8"?? i like to get my 22lr down to 1.5-2" at 100yards.... my big bores depending on what cal it is must hold 1.5 or less out to atleast 100yards, most are sighted in at 200yards. My varmit gun 22-250 is 300yards @ 1.5". My bow has to shoot better than 8" for me to trust in in droping game. i like it to hit in 1" circles out to 35yards =)

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

With a good rest, my guns have to shoot three shots that I can cover with a poker chip at 100 yards. As far as field conditions, I shoot laying down or sitting with a solid rest like from a blind so I only shoot from solid positions. If I can't get good and steady, I will pass that shot up every time. I hunt from ambush points so I am usually ready for the shot before the time comes. When I shot hundreds of rounds every week, I could shoot off hand planty well to hit deer well at 100 yards. I don't shoot near that much any more so I need to get a good restin position. Its been years since I have shot more that 250 yards at an animal.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

If you limit your shots toa maximum of 100 yards,thatwillusually provide clean kills.However if you shoot farther than 100 yards,the results will be missed or worse yet wounded animals.Under my hunting conditions,that kind of grouping would not be acceptable at all since my average shot is around 200 yards and can exceed 400 yards.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

there's two things.....
1 the accuracy of the rifle
2 the ability of the shooter to shoot it .....

the last being a rarely discussed item.

My guns have to shoot 1.25 inch 3-shot groups or they get traded off.

I'm not a good shooter unless I find a rest so I'm usually near a tree for a rest. Usually one can find a decent rest to assist the shooting.

Strangely enough shooting deer on the run has been a specialty for me and it seems swinging a gun don't require a rest.......

However, most shooting past 50 yards I find a rest for sure.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

As long as I can get 1-1/2” or less at 100 yards it’ll work for me...

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

When he says hunting positions, I dont think he means benchrest. Id like to see 3" 5 shot groups at 100 yards offhanded. I dont think many hunters even practice offhanded shooting that much.

I have monthly shoots at my place and they are all offhanded(no sling help either) with scope. We shoot at round 8" targets at 50 yards,some of the guys have a hard time hitting the target all5 times(we fire 5 shots per round)Unless you consistantly practice offhand shooting much better then a 6" group at 100yrds with a hunting caliber(222(ish)+ centerfire) is exceptional a 3" 5shot group is unbelievable. IMO

Off the bench if a gun is under 3" at 100 its plenty accurate for Whitetails. Any worse then that Id start to wonder if something was wrong with the gun or try some different ammo.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Wow!!! Think about it for a min. if you are within 8 in on a good hold what happenbs if you are off a little a miss or worst a wounded animal. I do a lot of off season shooting and I shoot my hunting guns all the time. I want to be able to shoot my big bore guns as well as the factory ammo lets me. And when it comes to Muzzle loader its all one me. Since I make the load of powder and bullet combo I'm not happy until I get a load that allows me one hole shot groups. You really should get out and work your guns more. The more you shoot the better you will know your guns and the better you will shoot. We owe it to the animals we hunt to do the best we can. Mike

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I guess I should have specified offhand rather than hunting positions. Of course, everyone's hunting situation is different. I don't know how many of you are familiar with the terrain of northern New England, but with the exception of a few farms, the land is densly wooded. I can rarely see 50 yards, let alone shoot one hundred. I also do a lot of tracking and still hunting (I've seen more deer this way than sitting in one spot) so any shot I'll end up taking will be offhand at close range.

I'll concede that if I were in an are were I was hunting from a tree stand overlooking a field, I would tailor my shooting practice accordingly.

I also concede that I'm not an awesome shot so I need to get close. Don't get me wrong, I like to shoot but I also like to practice getting in close to animals before they wise up. It's kind of cool and I'm getting a little better at it every season.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Thats what makes the world go 'round.....variety. Just because I'm a accuracy nut doesn't mean that its suited for everyone. I get a certain amount of enjoyment from making rifles as accurate as I can with my skills, but that isn't suited for everyone.

Can you kill a deer/elk/whatever with a 2+ MOA gun? Certainly. Would I carry that same weapon in the woods? Never. Can I shoot a sub 2 MOA group offhanded at 100 yards without the benefit of a sling? NOT BLOODY LIKELY. With a sling, on a calm day, with plenty of time I think I could shoot a 4 inch group offhanded at 100 yardspretty consistantly. But, I only shoot offhanded as my last options and only if its a very reasonable distance.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I'm content as long as I can consistently hit one of those smaller paper plates at 200 yards, because 300+ yard shots here are not uncommon.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Then if you are shooting offhanded then you are carrying around a gun that is 4"MOA(technically). Which is outstanding shooting offhanded I must say.
ALthough calm day and plenty of time arent always part of a hunt.

I usually work on my reloads until they are less 1"MOA at max load or beyond. Someguns dont shoot that good though(or I cant get them to shoot that good). I have a Ruger Deerfield Carbine that at best does 2.5" off bench at 100yrds which is still more then enough for deer sized game. Some handgunscan't shoot 1" groups but are fine for hunting. I agree that accuracy is very important but realistically for hunting you don't need one hole groups.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Now I want 1" or better at 100 off the bench. I know to 100 or so offhand it just isn't a problem making a shot, but I always try to use a lean or some rest if possible. I hunt on the ground exclusively with elbows on my knees&feel very confident. I also use home made carrybi-pods for areas where elbows on the knees doesn't work as well. (stoney points access. also work and are easy to tote).

This works for me but each individual should evaluate their rifle, skills and situation to come up with what they feel they need!

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I probably shoot as accurately as I need to, but not as accurately as I want to. I'msorta proud of the fact that a couple of years ago I made a nice shot offhand on a deer about 150 yards out usingmy old 1891 Mauser with iron sights. Wouldn't have been possible, though, had it not been for my time at the bench and offhand with that rifle. When I finally decided to spend some time shooting it instead of letting it sitrustingawayin the closet I learned things about it that I had never known in the 30 something years I had owned it since my grandfather died and left it to me. The most important thing I learned is that it shoots about4 or 5incheshigh and about 2 inches to the left at 100 yards. Years ago I missed a doe with this rifle precisely becauseI didn't spend any time practicing with it and didn't know where it shot at any distance.Pure rifle accuracy is important, but honing your shooting skills and becoming more familiar with your rifle through practice is equally important I think.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Duckbutter I live within 3 miles of a public range and almost no one shoots offhanded. Shoooting offhanded is a fun challenge...I very seldom get a solid rest so most of my practice is like yours as well. West Virginia timber doesnt lend itself to the 250 yard standing shots too well. Them offhanded group shots sound fun. Nobody will mess with it around here.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Yea we get together and do shoots. Rifle and Handgun. The only rules are no slings and all centerfire. No scopes on handguns. Mainly the rules are set so everyone has a rifle or handgun that is kinda equal. We shoot the handguns at 25 and the rifles at 50yrds. All offhanded, the benchrest stuff is fun but itshas alot to do with who has the most invested in the gun then pure shooting ability most times. Some who come and dont have handgunsand just borrow someones since its not as much the gun as the shooter.

We shoot at targets where the inside ring is worth 10 and as the rings go out they are worth less points,5 points on the outside ring. We shoot 5 shots each round and its 2$ a round from each person and the winner(whoever has most pts) takes all $ for the round. We usually do 5-10 rounds with each type of gun depending on what people want to do. Most times we throw in a open sighted 22lr round or 2 for fun. Nothing is in stone and some rounds we shooot just for fun and not $.

Here are the targets we use for both. http://www.protargets.com/targets/one-inch-center-1.gif

After the money rounds weget shotguns out and throw some clay birds and usually someone buys a big bag of potatos and we throw those up to shoot them with the 410s. Its all on my property and its just friends or friends of friends. Its not sanctioned or anything like that.

Usually afterword we sit around with some cold beverages and discuss how we all need to practice morebut it has helped me a ton on shooting offhanded.(which Im still no expert at) I still look for a rest if possible but sometime you just dont have time.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Now that sounds like a fun deal. Shooting offhanded is one of them deals where ya can never practice too much...but ya can darn sure fall back to square one in a hurry if ya quit for a while.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I think the accuracy depends on the game and the realistic possibility of shooting at extended ranges.

Last night, I was out hunting groundhogs with my 22-250. On this particular farm, shots can range out to 500 yards (actually longer than that, but that's my max range). So, if you presume that a standing hog is 6" wide, and maybe 16" tall, if you dial in on him dead center, you have a 3" margin for error left and right, 8" vertically. So, at 100 yards, if you're shooting a 1" group, you're usually within .5" of center. At 500 yards, that puts you within a 2.5" radius with absolutely no wind. So, the moral of the story here is that if you're shooting 500 yards at a 6" target, you need a 1" group @ 100 consistently. You'll need quite a scope as well. I saw two hogs, one at 260 and the other at 190 - 2 shots, 2 kills.

Now, I deer hunt in some brushy areas where you couldn't possibly shoot over 100 yards. A buck's vitals are roughly the size of a milk jug. So, I'm very content to take my 30.06 carbine out there, or the .32 Win. Special.Both areabout a 3" shooters at 100 yards. Plenty good enough for the situation. 3-9 Bushnell isup to the task.

For deer hunting open fields, open woods, you have to be ready to shoot out to 400, so once again, you're trying to get a sub 1.5" gun in your hands.

Seriously, you don't need a .5 MOA tack driver to hunt deer with. But, you'll need something pretty close if you're trying to shoot deer at 300+.

You just need an accurate enough gun that when you take aim, and if you make a crisp, clean trigger break, and you're held center on target, that you get a vitalhit. For small game, almost any hit is a vital hit. For big game, you have to impact some vital organs. Common sense and experience will tell you what your realistic shots will be - just make sure have the right gun in your hand at the right time.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I'm with Vapodog, my rifles have to shoot at least 1-1/4" three shot groupsat100yds or they won't be around very long. Right now i have loads worked up that will do under an inch in my rifles with one rifle that will do just under a 1/2" if i'm having a good day and do my part. Some days i shoot great and some days i'm terrible. One thing for sure, all my rifles will outshoot me anyday!;):D

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Thats a good point shooting out that far the gun needs to be more accurate but at 500 you have so much wind drift you cant say that if a 5 shot group is 1" at 100 then the wind gets it it'll sox inches at 500.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I like to be accurate enough to kill coyotes out to 300 yards. Usually there is enough wind blowing that anything past that is just a guess, and I'd prefer not to guess wrong and educate one. Both of my bolt guns are more than capable enough to do this.

With my CETME, it is only accurate enough to shoot coyotes out to maybe 100. About the best I can do with it is 4-5", offhand or from the bench it makes no difference. But for what I use it for, it works great. When I'm out working on something with the 4-wheeler, pickup, tractor, or whatever, it is a great gun to carry around just in case I run across something. For walking down in the thick brush on the creeks after hogs, it can't be beat. It has a lot of power and is quick handling, so when a herd of hogs appears 10 yards away, I can start putting them down in a hurry. Same thing for my Marlin 30-30. Although it is extremely accurate, it doesn't have to be for what I use it for.

My pistol will shoot great groups at 25. Just not with me shooting it.[8D]

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I want my rifles to be pretty acurrate. I don't keep a rifle that I can't satisfied with. A whole lot of it is the shooter.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

when talkin on this and other forums i was thinkin i was shootin around 3'' at 100yrds with my 270 and 06. when i read this post i had ta go to the bedroom ta get my wife fer a phone call and i saw my targets behind the nightstand. im under an inch for my 06 and under 2'' for my 270 at 100 yards. the 270 was my error and could do better (my shootin just ain't alway's so good).....but i also do test shots at 200 yrds and on 4x and 9x scope power; and first shot/cold barrel. 200 yrds is as far as im gonna shoot. i should practice field positions but i don't. i should shoot more but i don't. but i will when my domestic responsibilties settle a little. probly should shoot three shot or five shot groups too. but i only shoot two shot groups. someday i'll stop messin around and do things right.

early

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I don't own any gun that won't shoot 1'' or better groups at 100 yds. If it's not a shooter I get rid of it. I don't play with them or have the bed glassed or pressure applied to the barrel. No patience for that; I just get rid of it. I own a lot of Savagesand they all shoot great. More power to those of you that tweak a gun though. I have been lucky. The only gun I have gotten rid of lately that I can think of was a pencil barreled .204 ruger mod77 ruger. Terrible shooter. I bought it for my wife and it would not group better then 1 1/2''-2'' at 100yds.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

For most big game other than Black Bear a 6 inch pie plate at 100 yards will do you fine.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

The gun should be as accurate as possible... I currently have a Remington 700 bdl in .270 that shoots 3 shot groups about the size of a quarter, but I want to draw that shot grouping tighter... I would love to shoot dime sized groupings! These are from a bench. I dont have the confidence in myself to make a long range off hand shot... I shoot with a rest always as I seem to have steadiness of a building involved in an earthquake! so that is why i always use a rest as well as my sling... to bring steadiness! If i was to shoot at long range i would prefer to put together groups of 4 inches or less... that way i know that even if i miss a little in one direction or another I will still kill the animal with a single shot! That is the most important thing!

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I've seen alot of good replies. From a bench I like the rifle to be as accurate as possible, most my centerfires are under 1.5" for 3 shots and my Safari Arms .50cal sidelock will do 2.5". After I find the load I am going to shoot I put the paper away and get out claypigeons (4" diameter) and place them at distances up to 200yds(I've gone farther but not an everyday occurance) on gravel banks of the pit I shoot in. I then walk around and shoot them from unknown distances..... if U are real close the exploding sand sometimes shatters the pigeon but u can tell upon closer inspection. If you can hit that clay pigeon than no deer is going to walk away. I have also used cans,2L pop bottles filled w/water and balloons
I don't shoot running game b/c I know my shots won't hit. I have been told that I should get a spare tire and fill the centre w/plywood, roll it down a hill and practice that way. Anyone else have any tips?

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

For all around hunting rifles, if I can hit the gong (10"metal plate at 220 yrds) consistentlyoff-hand or sitting then it is good enough. I don't mess around on the bench with hunting rifles unless I'm sighting them in. but with my .223 Sniper/Varmint rifle, I will shoot 3 shots inside a dime at 100 yrds off the bench.It just depends on the situation the gun will be used in.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

8" at 100 yards FROM HUNTING POSITIONS (OR OFFHAND)

I guess some of the posters above did not read the underlined part. If you can shoot like that all the time, every deer you shoot at will be in the freezer. The guys who say they can hit a 4" circle at 100 yards offhand will not kill any more deer than you will. The guys that do lots of load development and lots of bench rest shooting but little or no "Field Hunting position" shooting, may not do as well as you when it comes to deer shooting.

You haven't told us what you and your rifle will do from a bench rest. And what type of action it is.

Robin down under

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

I used to be able to ping a pie tin from the stand position with an M16, open sights and sling, at 200 meters. Sigh. I am sure I am not that steady anymore at age 57. But I look to be able to pop a cottontail's head at 200 yards with a varmint round, and I want under 2" from the bench with my 45 70. I scope my rifles now so I am there. Happy camper.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Guys that say"Thats good enough for me",would NOT hunt or shoot with me....Bob

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Just because a shooter can shoot under 1 inch groups off a bench does not mean much to me. Anybody can shoot good off a bench if they have a quality rifle. So yeah if I can hit a 10" target off-hand at 200 yards, then that if good enough, and probably better then most others could do.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

If I can shoot an 8" target at 1000 yards I am happy. This is from a prone position and not off a bench. I know this is not a forum that supports this type of shooting, but I enjoy it.

RE: How accurate do you feel you need to be?
 

Wow, I'm amazed this thread is still alive.

Marlin 1895 45/70 with a williams peep. From the bench I can get about 2-3" groups at 100 yards. It's not a lot of fun to shoot it from a bench, though.