Question regarding "accuracy" quotes

B

Blade37db

New member
There are many posts where someone says "I can shot x inch groups with so & so gun at x yards". I'm wondering how people are shooting when they quote these results. Are they shooting single action from a benchrest? Are they shooting standing up with a 2 handed grip? Are specific target sizes being used?
The reason I ask is that I've been shooting an SP101 2 1/4 inch .38 at an indoor range. The markers at the range are 15, 25 and 50 feet. So, the max distance is about 17 yards. I like to shoot 2 handed DA standing and it's tough keeping it in the "5" area (center mass) on a silhoutte target, nevermind shooting 1-2 inch groups, that way. I'm trying to determine if I need a lot more practice or if I'm missing something when I read these "accuracy" posts.
Thanks.
 
Blade,
There is no set rule. If the shooter doesn't say, then you will need to ask. And sad to say but some of the reported groups may be shot with a keyboard rather than with a gun. My standard shooting program is 50 shots on one target at 22-25 yds (whatever our public range actually is), fired standing with two hand hold, no rest, open sights. My most recent target, shot with new Wilson Classic, is shown below. This target was shot in NRA Bullseye Timed Fire mode (5 shots in 20 sec's). The ten ring (white area) is 3 1/8 inches diameter.

493.jpg


Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
Good question. One which I have posted before and still wonder about. There doesn't seem to be a "standard" that one can assume a person used to obtain their groups; some use a bench, some shoot freehand - you just don't know unless you ask. I always shoot from a standing position, using both hands, but that's just me.

When people claim 1" groups from 25 yds, you can probably assume that they were shooting from a rest. LOL....you can also probably safely assume that the groups were closer to 2 or 3" as well. :D
 
That's nice shooting LHB. When I read that you shot it at 22-25 yards (not feet), my first thought was "Get back to the range and practice!". I'm lucky I can shot that tight at 25 feet DA (with a 2.25 inch snubbie). I felt a little better when you mentioned the Wilson Classic which I believe is a semi-auto SA 1911, correct?
 
Shooting is like any other sport. Pro-basketball players don't pick up a basketball, shoot a few hoops, and then go pro. Pro-baseball players don't pick up a bat and within a few months hit home runs. Pro players spend years shooting free throws and hitting balls. They have coaches who watch their every move and point out where they're weak. Shooting is the same way. It takes years of a lot of rds down range. You need a good coach. And like basketball and baseball, some are just better at it than others and no matter how much you try, you won't be as good as others in the game. So don't worry about it. Just keep sending lead downrange and making empty brass. You may never be able to shoot 1 handed at 50 yds and keep all the rds in at 2". You may never be able to do that at 50 ft either. Doesn't matter. Get the basics down and just keep practicing.
 
Blade,
You are correct. The Wilson Classic is a semi-auto 1911 in .45 ACP. I wouldn't want to try shooting a 2 1/4 inch snubby pistol at 25 yds. My group size would probably be measured in feet if not yards.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
One thing you are missing is that you are using a short barreled, fixed sighted revolver. Those 2 elements will make getting small groups a lot harder. Try shooting at the same distance with a longer barreled revolver with the bigger adjustable sights and see if your groups don't shrink.
 
I take it that most folks state if it is benched. Otherwise I assume folks are doing like me and free handing it. Maybe not.

single_action.jpg


In this case I was shooting at 15 yards, 50 shots per target, offhand (two handed modified weaver stance, 158 grn lead with stout load of 2400, 357 mag, 1939 Registered magnum.

I figure that is about a reasonable description of the shooting.
 
Shooting DA is tougher than SA. The Rugers are not known for slick actions out of the box either.

I've shot 1 1/2" groups offhand at 25 yards, it can be done. Keep practicing.

I know some shooters that can do it one handed off hand at the range. (I'm not one of them)

John Linebaugh states that properly built sixguns can make under 2" groups at 50 yards, perhaps better, hand held, but not sure if rested.
 
I shoot every chance I get, I shoot with one of the best shots I have ever seen. Once you go beyond 15yds with a handgun the tougher the good groups come. When you shoot a rifle the front sight is usually a little bead that you can hold in same place numerous times, most revolvers have combat sights which are wider and harder to hold consistently in same place twice. I consider myself lucky to get a 4 or 5 inch group at 25 yds off hand and maybe a little better in a bench. Most times when I read gun reviews in G&A or some other magazine it is at 25 yds and there is good groups but usually from the bench. Most shooters that go beyond 25yds with a handgun us optics not iron sights to get good groups after all we are all human and eyesight is eyesight.
 
Some people are very good with a handgun and some aren't. It's easy to say I shot a 1 inch group at fifty yards one handed, but it's another to actually do it. Personally I'm shooting at 15 yrds working my way out to 25 a little at a time. I use a two handed grip, no rest and I usually shoot 5-6 inch groups. More practice,practice, practice... :)
Keep shooting, be safe, and have fun!
 
Low key,

You have the right idea unlike others in this thread. 25 years ago when I started shooting pistols and revolvers I was a terrible shot. Just like most folks starting out I bet. It was not until I really started trying about 20 years ago that I got better. Even today, my shooting buddy can do at 25 yards what I do at 15 yards. The key is to practice, practice and practice some more. You need to put rounds down range. Like my little diamondback, I have fired that gun alone over 45,000 times. I figure in my career I have shot over a quarter million handgun rounds alone. Currently I shoot about 15 to 20 thousand rounds a year. Keep that up for 10 or 20 years and I might get good some day. Here is an example of what I can do at an actual 25 yards with the little Dback:

diamondback.jpg


Again, the key is to practice practice and practice some more. Otherwise, you will never succeed and just say B.S. like some above. The rest of us will look at your posts and groups and say, "Dang he worked hard and obviously shoots some decent groups".

pre25_best_target.jpg

Here is another 15 yard, 50 shot group with a pre-25. Not bad, but it needs work.

Some guns are less accurate, but still pretty darn good.
3844_2.jpg

15 yards, 50 shot, 38/44 outdoorsman. Not bad, but again, need some work.

Other guns just work!
610_65_target.jpg

15 yards, 50 shot, 610 6.5" first time out. Neat gun. Just plain accurate and dang I was ticked at myself for pulling that one shot


So my summary is, practice and snicker at the folks who say BS when they see targets like mine. I see them at the range often shooting shotgun patterns at 5 yards. Just remember, no matter how good you get, there is ALWAYS someone who does better, your goal is just not to be worse then the guy next to you.
 
Peter,

Talk about "one ragged hole!!" I bet you were good at that game Operation, weren't you? :D It takes a very steady hand!
 
Peter

Impressive! :) And correct, being a good shot takes practice. Your own best opponent is yourself, if you don't worry about the guy on the other bench and just try to shoot better than last week you'll have more fun.
 
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