Gunfighter

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 397 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Developing and maintaining sniper and long distance shooting skills are like any undertaking in life....the more we put into it, the more we get out of it.

Learning shooting/sniping skills requires years of being the student and getting to the range on at least a weekly basis to stay proficent at 500 yards and beyond.

A group of us in Houston make best effort to get to the rifle range on a weekly basis and our accuracy objectives are:

100 yards ... 2 inch group

200 yards ... 4 inch group

300 yards ... 9 inch group

400 yards ... 12 inch group

500 yards ... 16 inch group

We believe these accuracy objectives are achievable for amateur "tactical" shooters who practice on a regular basis.

Successful shooters know their weapon, know their optic, select and stay with one cartridge for that weapon, stay physically fit and mentally sharp, and practice, practice, practice.

Liam · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 84

Dear Fi,

I think that it is a mistake to map out expectations all the way out to 500 even if you intend to use initial results as a bench mark to compare to later.
Work first at producing 1 MOA groups at 100. At this distance outside influences such as wind and mirage are not so much of a factor. It is more on the shooter's technique. This will also make it easier to determine the accuracy of your chosen ammo. Then move to 200 and try to produce a sub 2 MOA, (sub 2 in. group). Max out at 300 for the first few sessions and practice going back to 200 and back to 100. This will get your sense of set up, hold and scope settings together quicker than trying to shoot longer distances right away. 400 and 500 yds. can be very confusing. Remember, it aint just the math. Good luck.

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 397 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

You pulled a Maggie's Drawers on your commentary Liam as setting and sharing accuracy objectives is never a mistake. It ain't just the math? That makes no sense...

Keep it positive...

yellowdog762 · Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 46

I’ll probably never get around to setting up a true sniper rifle but I am always interested in what is “fair” and what is “pretty darn good” for a factory hunting rifle.

If one had an average deer rifle, say a Remington/Winchester type bolt action with a mid range hunting scope like a 3x9, are these objectives obtainable by the average Joe?

How many rounds are in your “groups”? I have the afore mentioned rifle in .270 that at 100 yds will often put three rounds in about a quarter sized area, and sometimes touching, but rounds four and 5 usually open the group up a bit. I assume that is caused by the barrel heating up but I never really cared as long as the first few rounds went where I wanted them.

P.S. Who is Maggie and does she have a sister? Smile

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 397 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Good note. 5 shot groups is the way we trained and scored in the USMC and my current group of shooters uses 5 shot groups as well. Some use 3 shot groups.

As you mention, performance changes as the weapon heats up and knowing how your weapon performs when cold, warm and hot is vital to maintaining accuracy.

Connecting the dots at 100 yards is the goal and the .270 round is excellent...fast, flat and powerful. With a 3-9X scope on the .270 bolt action factory rig you mention and high quality off the shelf ammunition, 9" groups (3 or 5 shots) at 300 yards is darned good shooting.

Maggie and her sisters keep waving their drawers at shooters who don't practice, practice, practice...

Liam · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 84

I am not arguing with setting accuracy objectives. I just thought it was important to do better than the objectives listed.