Practical Accuracy

C

Cain R

New member
Just what is the criteria of an accurate rifle? My box stockTikka in 6.5X55 with handloads is averaging .825-.905" @ 100 yds. I think that pretty good for a rifle right out of the box with about 50 rds for barrel break in. I would like to see the groups hover around the .500-.750" mark though.

I wonder should a person run through another 100 rounds to smooth up the barrel some more, or jump right in and free float the barrel and glass bed the action?

Can't help but compare it to my Browning A-Bolt .243 Win that after bedding cut groups from 1" down to .650" The Browning did have at least over 100 rds through it before we bedded it.
 
Back around 50 years ago, folks were pleased if a hunting rifle grouped within two MOA. Benchrest folks were happy to get ten shots inside one-half MOA.

Even in today's world, one MOA is plenty good for deer hunting; your shots would be offhand or from a hasty rest, and not many folks can shoot even one MOA with a "perfect" rifle.

From my own experience, I'd say that working on the bedding will do far more to reduce group size than "more smoothing" of the barrel. Well, that and working up a tailored handload...

Your rifle already shoots good enough to ruin Bambi's heart out to 300 yards. Nothing wrong with improving your rifle, but ya gotta remember that once you've sighted in you're through with the benchrest. It's time for tin cans at 100 yards, offhand...

:), Art
 
Art's got it right. I think plinking is much better practice than bench-resting. Improvised rests, "field conditions", etc.

Bench resting shows what the rifle can do. Plinking shows what you can do.
 
Cain

Interested to hear you have a Browning - further to our dialouge on the 6.5 x 55 Tikka.

As mentioned Tikka have a solid reputation here ( UK ), but I feel my Browning Euro is a much higher quality rifle - in terms of materials, fit and finish. It has Boss - so aside from tuning that - no further tweaking applied - it will do sub 1/2" groups ( 30-06 ) all day off a rucksack field rest or Harris bi-pod.

The Tikka is getting there - as discussed, but having to work harder at it.

Both rifles are primarily for Deer. Even though I shoot for a specific area/ organ, my target is still at least 2" diameter and the kill zone realistically extends between 4 and 10" depending upon species. Could be argued that group largely irrelevant, within reason.

But gosh it helps confidence!

Key is to be a moderately good shot and an excellent finder of field expedient rests.
 
I agree completely. Offhand, field positions etc are the best way to get to know exactly how you and your rifle respond in true field work. But, it is also very good to know that from the bench at least you have the very best possible load and a shooting platform that will deliver the smallest possible groups from the bench rest.

Of course you can't expect sub-MOA from the field. From a practical point of view my sub 1" groups are really all a person needs for whacking a deer or moose at 50 yards from the blind or whatever.

What I really want to do if fine tune the rifle and load to such a degree that I absolutely know what it can do. Having said that it dosn't matter how good the load/rifle is if the person pulling the trigger flinches, or dosn't wait for the best possible target picture, or can't hit a pop can offhand at 100 yds.:D

Get the rifle/load a 100% and then practice, practice, practice!!!;)
 
Cain, as I said, bedding and a tailored load will do the most. Getting the trigger to the proverbial "snapping glass rod" condition is an enabler for you.

Weight of pull is a personal matter; I like a lighter pull than most folks. The "hunter's standard" seems pretty much to be three pounds.

Oakleaf, I dislike the Browning "Boss" purely from the standpoint of aesthetics. Since my little wax-paper shim between forend tip and free-floated barrel performs the equivalent "Fix" for tuning for accuracy, I feel the Boss is superfluous.

:), Art
 
I think I'm going to hold off any more handloading until after I get the rifle back from the 'smith. There is a very good local guy that does a great job on bedding. Could do it myself, but screwing up on a $100 junker is one thing, screwing up on a brand new one is something else entirerly.

What about pillar bedding? Any good or just an expensive hype?
Took a good look at the forend and there is a wee bit of wood touching just at the end of the stock. Clean this up and I'm sure good things will happen.

I just know there are 1/2" groups lurking in that rifle. Just hope there are some 1/2" groups lurking in me.:D
 
Art,

I rather like the look of the Boss - but eye of the beholder etc.

Downsides are - a. makes harder to keep water out on rainy days, b. can be a literal pain to bystanders etc.

However, key point on that Browning is that I would not otherwise shoot 30-06 and critically - neither would my wife. Recoil reduction is the essential benefit in this case. May be a wimps way out, but it allows us to enjoy the ( arguable ) benefits of the 30-06.

In terms of field accuracy, an illustration ( hopefully showing I worry too much about bench groups)-

Took a shot on Arran in January. Range paced to 180 yards. Target was a Red Hind in very poor condition and obvious distress. Position was prone, with Harris bi-pod ( rifle zeroed for it ) off a proverbial ' grassy knoll'. Aim point was behind foreleg - seeking the arteries atop the heart.

Bang! The deer vanished from my scope and the stalker ( who was spotting ) was slapping my back and proclaiming my skill. I went alone to collect the beast and gralloch. On arrival found I had hit it clean through the back of the neck and out under the chin ( from what I thought was broadside! ). On a Red Hind that represents a 'drift from target' of close on 18" - from what I would say was a near ideal rest. Accepted the praise - though I, God and now I suppose several thousand internet users know the truth!

Later checked the rifle - it was 'on'. Definate user goof.

I would just add, that neck shots, whilst they can be spectacular, are not something I would use other than in very specific cases - and the above would definately not be one of them.
 
Some guys are happy to shoot a magnum all day long and never notice recoil. I say, "Good for them." But, if a muzzle brake on a .22 rimfire lets a guy drive tacks, I also say, "Good for him." What's important is whatever enables the best performance from the shooter.

I sure agree about specific-instance for neck shots. I, nor few others, can shoot the way my father and uncle did.

I watched my father sight on a buck at around 250 yards, one late afternoon. Bambi was pretty patient, just looking directly at us. I watched my father's Springfield barrel wobble about, back and forth, and then "Bang!" Bambi disappeared. I walked up to him, and sure enough. Right through the white spot.

You have to learn to anticipate that point in time when the crosshairs are almost to the correct spot. You tell your trigger finger to move just at a time such that the "Bang!" happens exactly at that moment the crosshairs are on target. You have had to anticipate that last little bit of wobble.

It ain't easy.

Your brain gives the order, "Now!", but it takes two tenths of a second for your trigger finger to Do It. How far do your crosshairs move in 0.2 seconds? Only you can know.

:), Art
 
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