Thread: Accuracy expectations

We all set out setting up a new rifle with hopes that it’ll be a tack driver, but I feel more often than not there is more frustration than jubilation at the range. I’m in that boat myself at the moment trying to find a load for a cartridge that ‘is a doddle to load for’.

I’ve tried 5 different projectiles and three powders, coming out with an average accuracy of 31mm across 55 groups. Best group of 9mm (one off) and worst of 62mm. I feel that I’m an ok shot, have shot better groups with much bigger rifles than this one.

I’m getting to the point where I’m wondering if my expectations are unrealistic, so am wondering what is the consistent accuracy level you get out of your shooters? I’m talking smaller cases in a sporter configuration.

More clues please

What rifle/scope/ammo combo are you using

I am always aiming for sub half MOA. Most rifles have a guarantee of MOA these days, did you buy the rifle new?

30 mm at 100 mtr is equivalent to/is 1 MOA. More than enough for most shooting.

@7mmsaum I’m not really after the ‘solution’ for this rifle (yet) but more checking that I’m not asking too much of the gear, and perhaps myself.

But the specs are: BSA Hunter (mini action) re-barrelled to 6x45 with a Sako stainless barrel. Nicely bedded, and topped off with a Leupold 3-9.

Both my 30yr old bolt actions consistently shoot three-quarter MOA or less three shot groups, which I am quite happy with. That would be about a 0.6 MOA average at a guess.
The shorty lever-action is much larger groups, but that's to be expected.

62mm is still a dead deer at 250 yards....... pick one of the better loads and run with it.....sight in using group to FIND CENTRE.... zero to that and go shoot stuff....
62mm is a dead rabbit at 100 yards.....
for me...group under 2" yip good to go...under inch,WOW shooting good today.... load than consistantly goes under inch...WRITE ON WALL and keep for longer shots.
dont over think it,unless you wanting range rifle why would you...

I think that's pretty good for a restored classic sporter with modest powered scope.
If its averaging outside 1 MOA for 5 shots then probably it could be improved with more work.
I would look at the rifle before trying more permutations of loading components.

Can anyone tell us how accurate BSA "mini action" rifles were in their heyday ?

Perhaps the action would benefit from some work: truing, lug balancing, trigger work or a new firing spring - accurise it better than original !

Also look at your testing gear. Groups can improve noticeably with a good adjustable front rest and sandbag plus a nice bunny ear rear bag, concrete bench, calm day, shooting alone ...

Originally Posted by Bagheera

I think that's pretty good for a restored classic sporter with modest powered scope.
If its averaging outside 1 MOA for 5 shots then probably it could be improved with more work.
I would look at the rifle before trying more permutations of loading components.

Can anyone tell us how accurate BSA "mini action" rifles were in their heyday ?

Perhaps the action would benefit from some work: truing, lug balancing, trigger work or a new firing spring - accurise it better than original !

Also look at your testing gear. Groups can improve noticeably with a good adjustable front rest and sandbag plus a nice bunny ear rear bag, concrete bench, calm day, shooting alone ...

I’ve got another BSA the same, but in .222. Has the original barrel (that is pitted as) and that one shoots an average of 22mm with factory ammo. They used to have a reputation for being very accurate.

I’m using a solid front rest with a sandbag, and a ‘protector’ bunny ear rear bag from a solid bench. It’s certainly got enough accuracy for deer at the max range the cartridge is capable of, but for varmints at range, not so much….

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

I’ve tried 5 different projectiles and three powders, coming out with an average accuracy of 31mm across 55 groups.

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

I’m using a solid front rest with a sandbag, and a ‘protector’ bunny ear rear bag from a solid bench. It’s certainly got enough accuracy for deer at the max range the cartridge is capable of, but for varmints at range, not so much….

"Only an accurate rifle is an interesting rifle."

If any of my rifles after "5 projectiles, 3 powders, and 55 groups" don't average .75 MOA then I move them on (except my Remington mountain rifle with super-slim barrel... that's acceptable at 1 MOA).

The Hunters had a rep for very good accuracy - 1" at 200 yrds in 7x57. The Parkerhale Mausers in the same period did not have the same rep

Test your groups off a sandbag front and rear but not a bipod. Just sayin.

Yep, sandbag front and rear. Don’t even own a bipod anymore!

Originally Posted by Arthur McBride

A 7x57 is not a Hunter. Its a Viscount. The OP has a Hunter. (They had Hunter written on them.)

A BSA Viscount that shot 1 inch groups at 200 metres I would like to meet....!
Personally for me a rifle that shoots 1.5 inch groups is a decent hunting rifle. Out to any range you can reasonably shoot over a daybag. A rifle that you like that shoots 2 inch groups is also fine as well. Deer are big animals.

In your case you may be obsessing a bit. Surely theres a load in there that will shoot around an inch group. Pick that one. How does the 95 grain Ballistic Tip shoot?

Yes, I think you’re right. I’ve settled on a load that will consistently shoot 1-1.25 MOA, so should just be happy with that and head out hunting….

Got a CZ527 in 6.5 Grendel that hovers between 0.5 and 0.25 inch groups, and a Thompson Encore with 223 and 308 barrels that has shown it's capable of about the same.

I've got no experience with old BSA's but if people don't think they aren't capable of much better than 1.5 MOA, it'd be interesting to find out why. A properly bedded strong action with a good quality free floated barrel should be mechanically capable of sticking bullets inside of an inch.

What's the twist rate of your barrel, what bullets are you shooting, and how are you forming and reloading your brass?