Thread: Acceptable group size at long range ?

Personally I would not differentiate between precision shooting and accuracy as you have. Simply, whether on range or in field, in both cases we are trying to place the round(s) precisely where we want them.

If we wish to assess the merits of an ammunition load or make, a particular rifle, or for that matter a competing shooter, we would never do so with single shots. We do so with groups - it is the best measure for these purposes, and this is why we shoot in this manner for most competitions.

Note competitions vary widely - some comps actually require movement from target to target as with small bore, and some specifically do not allow a fixed posture e.g. some NZDA standing or running target events with high recoil centrefires.

Maintaining fixed bench position and pressures can give us greatest accuracy, but even then we quite often shoot consecutive groups on seperate targets e.g. with club shoot rimfires. It may be 5 or perhaps 10 into one target at 100, then a slight positional move to left for another target/group.

I think you will find the target variation that you are looking for is actually covered in a number of different disciplines - less so with centrefire bench/LR.

But - whether we are shooting groups in a single target category, or handling small positional movements as we travel from one target to another, shooting groups on the range is standard practice. It is how we test ourselves and equipment, practice precision accuracy (my terms), learn to recognise and concentrate on minute details, then learn to do these quickly and consistently for range and field. This is how people get to win events, and I have to say experienced competition shooters certainly carry their range practice benefits into the field - achieve at a higher level.