What size grouping is “good enough” for you?

[RME]

I really don't see where 10 shots for grouping for me as I have never shot 10 times at an animal or even 5 times.. I used to shoot 5 shot groups and then switched to 3 and don't don't see where this is a disadvantage for hunting.

It has zero to do with how many shots you take at an animal. It's about learning how your rifle shoots for real. You're trying to determine it's cone of fire. Ultimately though it's up to you. If want to know what kind of precision your rifle is actually capable of, shoot more shots. Otherwise stick with 3.

 

[wapitibob]

Why mess around at 100yds? Wring it out where it'll work. Train at 600 shoot 400 and never look back.

When you shoot from the youth stakes you never have to face the reality of that .5" rifle actually being 2 moa at hunting distance.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I really don't see where 10 shots for grouping for me as I have never shot 10 times at an animal or even 5 times.. I used to shoot 5 shot groups and then switched to 3 and don't don't see where this is a disadvantage for hunting.

More shots into a group the better idea you have of what the gun is actually doing. For some rifles it makes sense to do. For some, IDGAF

 

[MTBackroads]

Check your platform first.

Take it apart put it back together deliberately. Make sure the bedded areas are going together properly. Check for binding anywhere, re-torque everything.

Then work the load.

 

[ColoBowHiker]

It has zero to do with how many shots you take at an animal. It's about learning how your rifle shoots for real. You're trying to determine it's cone of fire. Ultimately though it's up to you. If want to know what kind of precision your rifle is actually capable of, shoot more shots. Otherwise stick with 3.

This is exactly how I think about it too

 

[mt terry d]

These are 3 five shot groups I just did this afternoon (fire forming to AI)
Off sandbag and picnic table. As solid as I will ever get.
A little barrel mirage shooting the final 5 but not much

I shot 5, walked up to target & back. Reload mag, shoot, repeat

If I'd quit with the first 5 I could fool myself into thinking I have a
3/8 moa gun. Well, maybe I do. But probably I don't.
Either way, until the gun learns to shoot itself there's no way
to know just how precise it might be because I'm in the equation.
As long as I'm the trigger man it won't shoot any better than I'm able.
I think it's fair to say that applies to most everyone.

The first round of the second group is the outlier. My position was
not good. I reset myself and continued.

I see nothing wrong with shooting multiple 3-shot groups; just overlay them
so you can see what your 9 or twelve or 30 shot group is to get a realistic
example of your actual cone of fire.
Besides, how can you zero a rifle properly on a 3-shot group?

If me and my hunting round can keep a ten shot group in 1 1/4" under perfect
conditions ( bench/sandbags) I'm satisfied. The bullet and velocity are more important to me than bughole precision. So then if I can shoot </= 2 1/2 moa under field conditions
I feel pretty confident .

That's not to say I won't keep playing around with powder, seating depths, etc.
looking for that "magic" load.

 

[43.6N]

These are 3 five shot groups I just did this afternoon (fire forming to AI)
Off sandbag and picnic table. As solid as I will ever get.
A little barrel mirage shooting the final 5 but not much

I shot 5, walked up to target & back. Reload mag, shoot, repeat

If I'd quit with the first 5 I could fool myself into thinking I have a
3/8 moa gun. Well, maybe I do. But probably I don't.
Either way, until the gun learns to shoot itself there's no way
to know just how precise it might be because I'm in the equation.
As long as I'm the trigger man it won't shoot any better than I'm able.
I think it's fair to say that applies to most everyone.

The first round of the second group is the outlier. My position was
not good. I reset myself and continued.

I see nothing wrong with shooting multiple 3-shot groups; just overlay them
so you can see what your 9 or twelve or 30 shot group is to get a realistic
example of your actual cone of fire.
Besides, how can you zero a rifle properly on a 3-shot group?

If me and my hunting round can keep a ten shot group in 1 1/4" under perfect
conditions ( bench/sandbags) I'm satisfied. The bullet and velocity are more important to me than bughole precision. So then if I can shoot </= 2 1/2 moa under field conditions
I feel pretty confident .

That's not to say I won't keep playing around with powder, seating depths, etc.
looking for that "magic" load.

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Darn fine shooting.