Shot groupings

[egreen4257]

Newish to hunting, first elk hunt but plenty of rifle experience. What do you guys consider a good enough grouping to be confident at a given range? I’m trying to extend out to 300 and feel good about it before first rifle. I was hitting shots within a couple inches of each other at 200 yards and feel pretty good about that being precise enough to confidently kill an elk at that range.

 

[wapitibob]

I’m about 1-1/4moa at 600, where I spend 99% of my time. if you plan to shoot out to 300 I’d spend most of your time at 300 or further.

 

[686]

Newish to hunting, first elk hunt but plenty of rifle experience. What do you guys consider a good enough grouping to be confident at a given range? I’m trying to extend out to 300 and feel good about it before first rifle. I was hitting shots within a couple inches of each other at 200 yards and feel pretty good about that being precise enough to confidently kill an elk at that range.

A 2” group at 200 yards is a 1 MOA group, which is good. Is your rifle zeroed at 200 yards? What caliber/load? Post up photo of a target you’ve shot and we can help more.

Elk vitals are a volleyball sitting between the front legs. You need to pop that ball. Aiming at the top of the heart in this image is a good spot.

 

[sndmn11]

What do you guys consider a good enough grouping to be confident at a given range? I’m trying to extend out to 300

6"

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

If you are asking about the mechanical accuracy of the rifle/optic/ammo combination, then about 1 MOA is the usual standard. That means shooting off sandbags on a bench on a calm day.

In terms of practical accuracy from field positions, I limit myself to ranges and positions where I can shoot a group I can cover with my hand. Another way to think about it, if you are practicing on steel, is can you consistently hit an 8" gong from real world positions and conditions with your rifle at that range.

 

[CAElkhunter]

practice, practice, practice. Alot has to do with the caliber of your rifle and drop as to what distance you should limit yourself to. From what you said you should be ok out to 300 depending on circumstances. Don't take marginal shots as Elk are tough sons-o-bitches. They are not afraid of caliber and will travel far on a marginal shot. Making for a miserable day for you.

 

[Beendare]

egreen,
Thats a good question to ask yourself.

I'm a long time elk hunter- 4 decades and have hunted with many guys to get their first bull. I bow hunt but the same principles apply on effective range whether its rifle or bow.

Was your 2"/200y from sandbags on a bench? you see where I'm going with this.....

Your effective range is what you can do replicating real world conditions. Are you shooting off of sticks, standing, kneeling? Are you prone? Are you shooting at different angles vs flat ground?

The guys that do best in the field;
1) practice these different shots and body positions
2) have a shot sequence [like a mantra] that they practice on every shot.

This shot process...or mental checklist...or mantra...whatever you want to call it is important as you can fall back on it instead of blanking out in high pressure [Buck fever] conditions.

 

[trophyhill]

6"

Unless you're working up your own loads, a consistent group at anything less is so hard to achieve. Not saying there aren't some great factory loads that do it. The Federal Fusion in my rifle seem to be consistent at advertised MOA, at times. But environmental conditions, barrel temps, my breathing and other factors all play a part.......

 

[mt terry d]

This:

Equipment versus practice posts and Rifle practice/shooting

This isn’t in response to anyone I particular, but there is an up tick in the amount of “I want a XXXX distance hunting rifle” traffic the last few months. I am getting a lot of questions relating to this, which I do not mind helping, but thought a public post might help answer some questions...

rokslide.com

 

[mad_angler]

...
The guys that do best in the field;
1) practice these different shots and body positions
2) have a shot sequence [like a mantra] that they practice on every shot.

This shot process...or mental checklist...or mantra...whatever you want to call it is important as you can fall back on it instead of blanking out in high pressure [Buck fever] conditions.

What is an example of such a sequence or shot process?

 

[RevJim]

Prairie Dog shoots are great for teaching youngsters, new hunters or sharpening old hunter skills. A PD is seen, you have to "take your time in a hurry" by getting in shooting position, setting your crosshairs on him and squeeze off a shot as fast as you smoothly can! Squirrel hunting with a scoped .22 does same thing for you. I call this being a "Game Shot". When it comes to elk, same process, get in position and squeeze off when it its right but as quickly as the situation call for. Good luck to you!

 

[3325]

6"

Correct. At 300 that's 2 MOA. 2 MOA is considered a horrible accuracy standard these days. It isn't. Think about it, if a 6" group is centered and consistent at 300 yards, most shots in the group are within 3" of your point of aim.

In high power rifle competition, the 10 ring at 600 yards is 12 inches (2 MOA). Not many high-power competition shooters can put 20 shots in it consistently.

Few people can "shoot up to" their sub-MOA rifle's accuracy capability from a field position, at altitude, with tired muscles, while trying to control their breathing, under the excitement of seeing a big elk, etc. But there seems to be a belief that if you take to the field with a sub-MOA rifle, at least one factor is eliminated, therefore your chances shooting accurately are increased. Wishful thinking, usually.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

OP, that group at the range only proves the rifle's capability (and scope, etc) but you still have to be confident in field positions so be sure to practice those. Take a big paper plate or get some steel plates and practice various ranges and shooting positions if you can. Also randomize the distances, don't always shoot at 200, 300, 500, just walk back from the target and stop randomly and shoot 427, 365, 280, etc.

 

[Ross]

Practice your one shot sequence, whether it is 75 yds or 345. Often the slam dunks in appearance, will be anything but that in real life. Case in point. First time elk hunter. Took him out, scouted and to the range. Told him how it could pan out opening day. Was like a dream. We split up 15 minutes before shooting light. Told him what he should do. 10 minutes later I hear a bull bugle almost on top of him. Another 10 minutes 1 shot. Explosion of elk I head my way drop bull. Later we meet up at my bull, his eyes are huge. Herd 6 pt stepped out at 30 yds, he never picked a spot on a gimme shot. Happened so fast and like a fairy tale. We went back and gridded for a few hours. Nothing. He never practiced off hand, only at the bench. Note the above, practice many positions and expect the unexpected.

 

[YellCoAR]

I would say know your scope. Practice at ranges farther than your expected distance. You might just figure out you can make the shot at greater distances. A good quality scope can really help. A good solid rest is the key in the field just as it is at the range.

 

[Jqualls]

I dont hunt rifle much anymore but archery I like to shoot at 2x the distance I plan to use as my limit in the field. I like the idea of something similar with rifle. When I can consistently put it in the vitals at 80 I am a lot more confident at 40. I limit my field ranch typically to about 40 and would maybe open it up to 50 if conditions were perfect. I also practice making the shot after stopping the animal with a call, different positions, etc.

 

[Beendare]

What is an example of such a sequence or shot process?

It's something that gets you working through the mechanics of the shot vs letting yourself blank out due to buck fever. It will be different with everyone.

What is the difference between when you make a good rifle shot and bad one? Make up a 3 or 4 step process emphasizing the critical components of your best shooting and mentally- and quickly- consciously walk yourself through that on every practice shot.

This gives you something to fall back on in high pressure situations and it keeps the buck fever at bay.

 

[mad_angler]

It's something that gets you working through the mechanics of the shot vs letting yourself blank out due to buck fever. It will be different with everyone.

What is the difference between when you make a good rifle shot and bad one? Make up a 3 or 4 step process emphasizing the critical components of your best shooting and mentally- and quickly- consciously walk yourself through that on every practice shot.

This gives you something to fall back on in high pressure situations and it keeps the buck fever at bay.

I was at the range this weekend... I started using this sequence/checklist:
- hearing protection (because I want to remember this when elk hunting)
- distance/range set correctly (elevation and paralax)
- rifle set and comfortable
- cheek down well. full scope of light
- breathing
- smooth trigger pull
- follow through

Is that a reasonable approach? how would you improve it?