Thread: Accuracy at 100 vs 600 (example). Variations in accuracy at different ranges

I'd be thinking more about my technique than looking to the rifle etc for answers.

To "read" groups you need to be doing several of them, and seeking consistency - a modern rifle that will shoot well at 500 yards/metres will be shooting well at 300, 200 and 100, ask any F Class shooter.

I see many small groups shot at various ranges, but they are usually "cherry picked", and the shooter isn't aware that they are doing it (to themselves). If I had a $ for every time I'd heard someone say "oh I pulled that one" I'd be rich - but usually the only person they are kidding is themselves, their group just opened up and it was the rifle/ammo.

Someone will no doubt say that "I shoot well on game but can't shoot groups" and many people can knock over animals without being a particularly good shot - an animal has a pretty large target area. If you think you are getting good then try head shooting rabbits at extended ranges from various positions.

There are those who are good on a range but struggle to make shots in the field outside of the controlled terrain and position of the range.

However If you look at the guys who win at the likes of Sparrowhawk and Jungle Lane type shoots you'll find they can shoot well in all scenarios and their groups at closer ranges will be itty bitty things.

Originally Posted by Tentman

many people can knock over animals without being a particularly good shot - an animal has a pretty large target area..

Consistently hitting minute of deer is a pretty good standard to start with, but to develop beyond this is a better thing.

(Having said minute of deer, I mean the vital kill shot parts, not the whole beast)

Artillery have a few extra things to consider as well amongst them there's barometric pressure, wind direction and speed at varying altitude, compass bearing, latitude and rotation of the earth during time of flight.
Some of these may start to have an influence for rifle shooters at extreme long range wind certainly does even up close

vital area of a red deer is similar in size n shape to a 3ltr plastic milk bottle......just about anyone can hit one of then broadside on at 100 yards...turn it end on and the size deminishes by about 70%...still relatively easy to hit but you can bet your last dry pair of socks you will be aiming a lot more carefully. now rotate that jug around so you can see the lovely round blue (not green thats "lesbian milk") plastic lid......now in theory any of you folk who claim to be shooting sub moa shoould be able to poke a hole in guts of the lid piece of piss,after all they are 1 1/2" across...shite you lot should be able to shoot that out to 200 yards all day long with your 3/4 moa rifles......... whats this got to do with discussion?????
go make yourself a cuppa tea and have a good look at that lid......its plurry small really,if you were to aim at it at any distance over say 150 yards you would HAVE to have your technique 100% spot on to hold cross hairs inside that wee plastic circle long enough to squeeze off a shot....at 100yards not so much.

a wise man once said that when sighting in you need to be realistic,if you having an off day and think you are wobbling around like titties on a trampoline,crosshairs moving 2-3" around centre of bull....well you are more than likely to only manage a 2-3" group at best....
if however you are rock solid and can close eyes for 10 secounds and open them to be still on target,you are likely to shoot as good as rifle can..
heck I dont even shoot out past 350 so what would I know.

I’d say if you are wobbling around 2 - 3” on target at 100 then you need to re asses your position, support and alignment etc for yourself and the rifle. A good stable setup should have you pretty damn steady before you’re even starting to think about squeezing off a good shot. This is in the context of doing a zero or shooting for a good group / testing ammo of course.

agreed.....the point I was trying to make is that the rifle can only shoot as good as you make it.....a really gusty or howling windy day is another...its the only day you have to sight in before going away....if you calling your "wobbles 2" and you get a 2" group close to where it should be....well chances are you will be fine.
many many rifles are checked over bonnet of car at a inch thick cross drawn on bum of pizza box ...hardly the ideal set up and to expect sub moa is pushing it a bit.
make the cross 1/4" thick and go into damped prone at least and results will be far better.
one of the tightest groups I have ever shot with my old poohseventy was checking sights at 200 yards on deerstalkers range at pleasant point...only had a hundred yard target and a 4x scope....damped prone over a bed roll and surprised the heck out of myself with 3/4".........one of those fluke groups mentioned earlier,combined with having to really concentrate hard on centring target.

Lot of techno talk here,just practice head shots on rabbits out to 300yds will kill any deer out to 500yds with my 308.

I once owned a Rem model 7 in 308 that shot 1 3/4 to 2 inch at 100 yds and 3 to 4 inch groups at 500 yds not all 100 yd groups pan out at longer ranges.

Originally Posted by Terminator

I once owned a Rem model 7 in 308 that shot 1 3/4 to 2 inch at 100 yds and 3 to 4 inch groups at 500 yds not all 100 yd groups pan out at longer ranges.

that just prooves out what we have been saying...at 500 yards you HAVE to get your shite together and concentrate on technique and presise aiming...at 100 yards I believe we all get a bit slack at times.

No body has been able to prove this happens yet. Even when Litz tried it and offered to pay others for the proof. Still no one has been able to.

Originally Posted by blair993

No body has been able to prove this happens yet. Even when Litz tried it and offered to pay others for the proof. Still no one has been able to.

Yep I agree! Wheres the science.
In saying that there are lots of people reckon the same thing!

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Originally Posted by blair993

No body has been able to prove this happens yet. Even when Litz tried it and offered to pay others for the proof. Still no one has been able to.

It was actually proved / demonstrated by a Doctor in the USA around 1880 - 1900.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

It was actually proved / demonstrated by a Doctor in the USA around 1880 - 1900.

Yeah Nah... Doctors in 1880 were handing out smokes as a cure for asthma, and arsenic to cure syphilis.

Originally Posted by vulcannz

Yeah Nah... Doctors in 1880 were handing out smokes as a cure for asthma, and arsenic to cure syphilis.

In 1880 they used Mercury, it was 1909 that the 'Magic Bullet' was invented. Doesn't mean that a DR couldn't do some ground breaking work with ballistics.

I am wondering if it has a lot to do with optimum twist rate for velocity ?

Wouldn't there be too many variables in an outside location i.e wind, pressure, humidity, altitude and of course the shooter, to conclusively prove this theory exists?