Accuracy Question - Setting Expectations

[TNRifleman]

Okay guys, I have a question about accuracy from a hunting rifle.

If I have a 7 1/2 to 8/12 lb hunting rifle, with a really good trigger, scope and stock, shooting quality factory ammo, from a front and rear bag, what should my expectation for consistent accuracy be?

I am getting groups consistently at .75" and sometimes a little bit better out of three hunting rifles I have but sometimes the groups open up to a little over an inch. I assume this is due to my lack of skill/training as a shooter. I do have a heavy target rifle (12 lbs or so) that will consistently shoot groups under 1/2" inch with factory ammo. Is the extra weight helping to make up for some of my lack of skill?

I know there is a lot to this question but ultimately my question is, are my expectations too high to think of shooting a hunting weight rifle under 1/2" consistently with factory ammo?

Thanks in advance. BTW, the hunting rifles are in 30-06 and 6.5 Creedmoor and the target rifle is 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Aquaholic]

If you are talking about 100 yards anything under MOA is good to go in my opinion

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[infoman jr.]

Heavier rifles are definitely easier to shoot more accurately. Managing the rifle under recoil will affect group size, and heavier rifles have more inertia to resist movement. For a hunting gun (or even a long range steel gun), I'd stop chasing accuracy at that level and use that time and ammo to practice positional shooting.

 

[fairchaser]

MOA out of a stock hunting rifle with factory ammo is very acceptable accuracy IMO. As the distances increase MOA will be more difficult due the limitations of the scope as well as environmental conditions. Anything tighter than that is a bonus. Half inch groups and less are where custom rifles, heavy barrels and handloads make the difference. Shooting techniques can not make up for rifle and load deficiencies.

 

[MUP]

I'd say it's just the variances of the factory ammo. MOA from factory ammo, even over to 1-1/2" is very good IMO with factory ammo.

 

[ROVERBOY]

Your rifles are shooting really good. Especially with factory loads that've not been "tinkered" with. I've got a Rem. 40x that shoots some of my handloads into about 1/2" or so. It shoots my regular hunting load almost that good. But, basic hunting rifles are great if they will hold 1 1/2" consistently.

 

[TNRifleman]

Thanks guys. I had a feeling my expectations may be a little overzealous. Either of my 30-06's will be more than accurate out to 400 yards for my elk trip. Now to just find the time to get into reloading.....................

 

[DaveB]

TN-
Bullet weight on the 06 elk round?

Drop at 400 yards is approx______

You going to use Partition? Monolithic?

Oh boy, you need to get your elk round going and start shooting that recipe from every imaginable position, just as noted above.

I will tell you the same story; I did not take a shot at a MONSTER elk quartering away at 400 yards because (1) he was moving and (2) I couldn't have hit him if my life depended on it

Never seen one that size except on TV.

Exercise and practice

 

[TNRifleman]

TN-
Bullet weight on the 06 elk round?

Drop at 400 yards is approx______

You going to use Partition? Monolithic?

Oh boy, you need to get your elk round going and start shooting that recipe from every imaginable position, just as noted above.

I will tell you the same story; I did not take a shot at a MONSTER elk quartering away at 400 yards because (1) he was moving and (2) I couldn't have hit him if my life depended on it

Never seen one that size except on TV.

Exercise and practice

180 gr accubond. I will have the dope card made for sure. 400 yards would really be stretching it for me and I would likely have to pass if it was moving or I could not get a fairly solid rest either sitting or prone.

 

[markwondi]

Factory rifles and ammo, I'd be pleased with 1 MOA out to 600 yards. I'd say your current rifles are up to that task.

I have a personal requirement of 0.5 MOA out to 600 yards from my rifles, hence the reason most of mine are customs.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Thanks guys. I had a feeling my expectations may be a little overzealous. Either of my 30-06's will be more than accurate out to 400 yards for my elk trip. Now to just find the time to get into reloading.....................

Factory ammo will be limiting factor, as consistency within tolerances and between lots can greatly affect accuracy. Handloads help tremendously with this when buying and using larger quantities.

 

[user 14220]

Guess it depends on what you are hunting. I always thought 1.5 MOA was great for a big game hunting rifle. The limiting factor in killing big game is almost always the hunters ability to shoot well under field conditions. But then again, I never shot an animal that was more than 300 yards away in 50 years of hunting.

I think more hunters would be better off if they spent their time practicing shooting under field conditions, offhand, sitting, and holding yourself against a tree. But thats another topic all together.

 

[TNRifleman]

Factory rifles and ammo, I'd be pleased with 1 MOA out to 600 yards. I'd say your current rifles are up to that task.

I have a personal requirement of 0.5 MOA out to 600 yards from my rifles, hence the reason most of mine are customs.

Well, one is semi-custom I guess you could call it. Bergara Premier Stalker. The factory test target was .392" and I have no reason not to believe them but they were shooting 168 gr. Federal Match ammo. That and the guy shooting it is much likely to be a better trigger puller than me. :)

 

[TNRifleman]

Guess it depends on what you are hunting. I always thought 1.5 MOA was great for a big game hunting rifle. The limiting factor in killing big game is almost always the hunters ability to shoot well under field conditions. But then again, I never shot an animal that was more than 300 yards away in 50 years of hunting.

I agree. I have never shot a deer over 130 yards and the large majority have been under 60 yards. I have also never shot one more than once.

That being said, out west is a a little different deal for me as I know a shot in the 300 yard range is a definite possibility. I am pretty confident out to 300 yards but my confidence starts to fade quickly over 400.

 

[user 14220]

Guess it depends on what you are hunting. I always thought 1.5 MOA was great for a big game hunting rifle. The limiting factor in killing big game is almost always the hunters ability to shoot well under field conditions. But then again, I never shot an animal that was more than 300 yards away in 50 years of hunting.

I agree. I have never shot a deer over 130 yards and the large majority have been under 60 yards. I have also never shot one more than once.

That being said, out west is a a little different deal for me as I know a shot in the 300 yard range is a definite possibility. I am pretty confident out to 300 yards but my confidence starts to fade quickly over 400.

I hear you. The only time I shot around 300 yards was for blacktail deer on Kodiak Island and on one of the dall sheep I killed. After living in Colorado for a few years I can see why a hunter would want to be better trained for longer shots. Shooting well at long range is a great confidence builder. Makes those shorter shots so much easier.

 

[TennesseeBob]

At any distance I can hit a 6 inch target I'm happy for hunting accuracy in field positions, if I'm shooting from the bench I expect 1 moa just because that tells me nothing is being erratic and everything is working together as it should

 

[LanceS4803]

Your rifles are just fine. They are definitely "minute of deer", even for western hunting.
I've shot match grade rifles at sniper schools that one hole at 100yds, but it makes no difference even at 300 and 400yds.
As others have said, your gains will be made in practicing your field shooting positions and learning your scope controls.

As for "0.5 MOA out to 600 yards" your MOA doesn't just stop at a particular distance. MOA is an angle (think of it as a cone with the tip starting at your muzzle), not an inch type measurement. Your MOA stays the same, no matter the distance. Now the spread of your bullets will get wider as the distance gets farther.

 

[markwondi]

As for "0.5 MOA out to 600 yards" your MOA doesn't just stop at a particular distance. MOA is an angle (think of it as a cone with the tip starting at your muzzle), not an inch type measurement. Your MOA stays the same, no matter the distance. Now the spread of your bullets will get wider as the distance gets farther.

I know, since I actually shoot long range on a regular basis. Not sure why you think you needed to respond to that.

My 0.5 MOA at 600 yards requirement still stands; that's just my personal requirement of my equipment based on my shooting abilities.

The OP has rifles capable of holding 1 MOA out to 600, but his shooting skills probably are not there yet at that distance.

 

[LanceS4803]

If your rifle is 0.5 MOA at 600 yards, it will technically be 0.5 MOA at 1,000 yards and 0.5 MOA at 2,000 yards. It is just your actual group size will be bigger.
That is the point I was making.

 

[markwondi]

If your rifle is 0.5 MOA at 600 yards, it will technically be 0.5 MOA at 1,000 yards and 0.5 MOA at 2,000 yards. It is just your actual group size will be bigger.
That is the point I was making.

Again, no one is saying otherwise how MOA works.

The reason I state accuracy (0.5 MOA) at a specific yardage (600 yards) is because not all rifles/ammo that shoot 0.5 MOA at 100 yards is capable of shooting 0.5 MOA at 600 yards and beyond. Any long range shooter knows this.