Some days the absolute best I can do is to be certain that the point of impact is roughly where the sights or crosshairs are pointed. The pretty 3 or 5 shot clusters you see in gun rags are usually just not happening. If I'm actually trying to group, I'll usually fire like 8 or 10 rounds slow fire to see where the general trend is. I still nearly always make things go dead so I guess I'm doing pretty good!
Currently casting and loading: .32 Auto, .380 Auto, .38 Special, 9X19, .357 Magnum, .257 Roberts, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30 WCF, .308 WCF, .45-70.
When I could afford to shoot more, my hunting rifle, a Ruger 1B 270Win, would get the first run at the targets. 300m pigs. I expected to knock down 2 in sequence with 2 shots from a bench using some loose padding like I would in the forest.
over the last 20 years, I've been 2 for 2, and have never needed to clean the rifle, or adjust the scope
also, this is with ANY factory loaded ammo
I feel confident any game animal I hunt with the 270, if within that 300m range, is meat in my freezer
I am ONLY responsible for what I Say!
I am NOT responsible for what You THINK I Said!
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If numbers killed I'd hunt with a Calculator!
For me a lot depends on the guns use I used to shoot 5 even 10 shot groups in a hunting rifle I did find the groups will move as the gun heats up . In my Varmint rifle 6 mm Rem Heavy barrel or .22 rimfire I do not notice the same .
Last week I fired three shot groups with my 30-06 but only 2 shot group with my Marlin 1895 Recoil was the biggest reason for 2 shot groups.
When I think back on all the **** I learned in high school it's a wonder I can think at all ! And then my lack of education hasn't hurt me none I can read the writing on the wall.
to me it is the first shot out of a cold barrel that counts. Any shots I fire after that are just practice to hold steady. That first shot is what I adjust the scope to.
Death to every foe and traitor and hurrah, my boys, for freedom !
Every rifle is a law unto itself as far as barrel heating and time between shots goes. My .30-30's with jacketed loads heat up fast and take forever to cool, as does my Browning BLR. My center-fire bolt actions are much better in that regard. I can usually make several slow fire groups with them and the barrel never gets too hot to touch.
Currently casting and loading: .32 Auto, .380 Auto, .38 Special, 9X19, .357 Magnum, .257 Roberts, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30 WCF, .308 WCF, .45-70.
Hannibal Yes I rarely shoot more then a single shot for deer but vermin can take several quick shots to anchor or get them all. Just the other night the motion light came on and three Raccoons were in the yard I only got one but also got a 80 yard shot on a skunk at same time with a Mini-14 .
Next Night I got one other about the same time of night .
It was how I use the guns that dropped my numbers of shots more then anything else early on I did find out how heat effects the barrel of my 30-06 with the ten shot groups . OH I should add the higher cost of even reloads as well I did mention recoil above.
When I think back on all the **** I learned in high school it's a wonder I can think at all ! And then my lack of education hasn't hurt me none I can read the writing on the wall.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |