Why 3 round groups are the worst

[Podmonkey]

Discuss.

Also I am really liking this channel, with their "Practical Accuracy" test.
Check em out, they to an accuracy test on a Mini-14 and the results were a bit surprising.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I do 5 round groups. Adjust windage and elevation and do 5 more. With 5 round groups I can see things better.

 

[Podmonkey]

I may do 9 round groups when doing ammunition evaluations.
When I finally finally scope my DD I will do a series of ammunition comparisons. Chiefly different brands of 77/75gr and 55gr.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I don't get the video. Just shoot a big group so you see a big hole in the paper and fliers don't throw you off. Adjust scope in relation to the hole and shoot another big hole in the paper. Once that big hole is in the bullseye, you are done.

People obsess with MOA. Who cares if it's .3 or 1 MOA. You'll hit any living target within 800 yards even if it's 2MOA.

 

[Podmonkey]

I don't get the video. Just shoot a big group so you see a big hole in the paper and fliers don't throw you off. Adjust scope in relation to the hole and shoot another big hole in the paper. Once that big hole is in the bullseye, you are done.

People obsess with MOA. Who cares if it's .3 or 1 MOA. You'll hit any living target within 800 yards even if it's 2MOA.

It matters at long range. At 800 yards 1MOA is a variance of 8". The purpose of 9 shot groups is to be sure you are finding the center of that variance.

 

[dsdmmat]

Didn't watch the video but, people in the circles I run in will tell you: 3 rounds will test the ammo, 5 rounds will test the rifle and 10 rounds will test the system (man, machine and ammo). They will also tell you that 100 yards means nothing, you want to test accuracy you have to shoot it at all distances you plan on shooting.

When I ladder test a load I will do it at 200 yards then will start shooting five round groups once a load shows promise. At 100 yards everything is too close to see if there is a real accuracy potential for a load and you end up chasing your tail.

 

[Airborneguy]

I shoot 5 round groups whenever zeroing or testing new loads. I used to do 3 to save ammo, but now that I reload, it doesn't matter.

Unfortunately, my range is only 100 yards, so I'm stuck with that, but I've not had a problem with any of my rifles at NY hunting distances when "only" zeroing to 100. If I ever plan a trip out west, I'm going to have to figure something out to practice longer distances again.

 

[Podmonkey]

Didn't watch the video but, people in the circles I run in will tell you: 3 rounds will test the ammo, 5 rounds will test the rifle and 10 rounds will test the system (man, machine and ammo). They will also tell you that 100 yards means nothing, you want to test accuracy you have to shoot it at all distances you plan on shooting.

When I ladder test a load I will do it at 200 yards then will start shooting five round groups once a load shows promise. At 100 yards everything is too close to see if there is a real accuracy potential for a load and you end up chasing your tail.

Well at least my range has a 200 yard berm.
I am not going to trek up the mountain to hang targets at the overgrown ass 300 yard spot, which is a shame.
I would really love to have access to a setup like in those "Practical Accuracy" videos I have been posting.
When I move to Wisconsin I will have wide open farmland to shoot on but with no facilities.
I will need to invest in a shooting mat and a range finder I think.

 

[Podmonkey]

I shoot 5 round groups whenever zeroing or testing new loads. I used to do 3 to save ammo, but now that I reload, it doesn't matter.

Unfortunately, my range is only 100 yards, so I'm stuck with that, but I've not had a problem with any of my rifles at NY hunting distances when "only" zeroing to 100. If I ever plan a trip out west, I'm going to have to figure something out to practice longer distances again.

If you come down to PA before I move hit me up.
10 bucks gets you an all day pass at my range, 200 yard berm, 300 if you want to go mountain climbing.

 

[Bananabandit]

I cant believe this is what you choose to discuss

 

[Mosinitis]

This video overlooks about a dozen factors. If only life was that simple. It takes very experienced shooter with good quality barrel and ideal range conditions to tell if the load is performing. Even with that it can take a couple of hundred rounds over several days for him to make an educated guess. 3-5 rounds will get you close to your zeros and that's about it.

 

[Mosinitis]

"Load development" is the industries way to sell you a lot of gadgets you don't need. It's a way for people to convince themselves they know what they are doing. In 99% of these videos THE HUMAN factor is ignored. It is presumed that all males have an inherent shooting skill, the ego factor.
Instead of wasting your time on this BS either get with people who know well the type of shooting you are going to do. If you don't know of anyone, go to the forum(s) that specializes in that type of shooting. There are known loads that work for most people, don't reinvent the wheel.

 

[Podmonkey]

I cant believe this is what you choose to discuss

As opposed to what then? You'd rather I'd join in the constant whining around here?

 

[Bananabandit]

As opposed to what then? You'd rather I'd join in the constant whining around here?

Yes. Id really like your company

 

[Marine Cpl]

I shoot 5 round groups whenever zeroing or testing new loads. I used to do 3 to save ammo, but now that I reload, it doesn't matter.

Unfortunately, my range is only 100 yards, so I'm stuck with that, but I've not had a problem with any of my rifles at NY hunting distances when "only" zeroing to 100. If I ever plan a trip out west, I'm going to have to figure something out to practice longer distances again.

As long as your fundamentals are the same and your zero is good, you should be fine at distance.

In the Marines before qualification, we would practice dry firing at targets that were about an inch tall and wide to simulate distance. After that we would zero our rifles for 300 yards at 36 yards with the tiny target again.

When we actually got out to the qualification range, we were on all the way up to 500 yards. The targets at distance looked the exact same as the tiny targets we practiced on up close.

You can do that now with a tiny target at 25 yards for example that looks like a regular target at 300 yards.

 

[Exonautic]

whenever I'm testing loads I'll do a 5 round group. i have 5 bags of 5 rounds for a ladder test ready to go in one of my ammo boxes right now. i need to load another ladder then find a day to get out. harder than it sounds.