What has made group size shrink since the early 80's

[hogpatrol]

I like the groups that are posted with digital measurements.

 

[Pappy42]

My one shot groups are fantastic!

 

[hogpatrol]

My one shot groups are fantastic!

Yeah. Definitely in the .0s

 

[Damon555]

I like the groups that are posted with digital measurements.

Now that's funny!......I can measure a group (close enough for me) with a caliper in about 30 seconds. I can't imagine having enough spare time on my hands to upload all my targets and run them through some kind of group measuring tool....I tried it once....my measurements we so close to what the program told me they were that I never bothered with it again.

 

[jimcasey01]

My one shot groups are fantastic!

Yeah. Definitely in the .0s

At least in the very low .1s

 

[bheadboy]

much wisdom above, improved bullets, brass, primers, scopes, wind flags, dies, etc.

my added take is the CRONO - I have learned more from my corno reports on loads I am trying than you can imagine. es sd/ HiLO etc.

test with a crono, ( none around when I started br in late 60's)and you really learn what you have nd the trojectory to expect.

Bob

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Great topic!.....Obviously technology plays a huge role in this phenomena....that includes great web sites like this one that allow an individual to glean years and years worth of experience in a very short amount of time.

Also agree that shooters stretch the truth about their group sizes.....As stated the internet is full of 1/4" factory rifles. When I see an entire target left out of the picture thus showing only 1 tiny group I know exactly what the rest of the target looks like......it looks like most of mine! I have yet to see a 1/4" factory rifle at the range......I'm sure they exist....just not where I'm shooting.

Many of the shooters on this site are exceptions to the rule.....I'm reminded every day what can be accomplished with a rifle being shot by somebody who knows how to consistently shoot small groups.....

I've been a frequent participant in matches over the years that include a factory or production rifle category.

Most of the time (five shot) group averages in the 0.4-0.6 MOA range do very well in these.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but not many.

 

[dkhunt14]

Back when I started in 1000 yard BR (2000). The old timers took their secrets and knowledge to the grave with them. It is no longer that way, with the internet, benchrest schools, shooting classes and etc.

Also I believe equipment like barrels and bullets got better. The one thing that I believe had the most improvement is good glass. Better visual, more power and scopes that hold impact. When I started a lot of guys used Unertyl's because they didn't trust receiver mounted scopes. Now you hardly see any used anymore. Mostly Night force and Leupold scopes are used now. Matt

 

[dragman]

You hit it right on the head Matt.
A lot of "old timers" took a lifetime to accumulate what they knew and they learned it the hard way costing thousands and thousands of dollars and time! Now lots of shooters LIKE YOU. are just a PM or email away and share any info you can to help guys out. Now a new shooter if they listen to the "RIGHT PEOPLE" can get going and skip a lot of the mistakes that used to frustrate people in the past.

 

[snert]

I concur, when I want the utmost accuracy I break into my highly prized stash of cleaning patches made from Ms Lewinsky's infamous blue dress, groups shrink by at minimum 47.2%

But her dress makes things get larger, or so I recall...

 

[Pablo]

After a 38 year break from the BR game, my perspective on the differences are that EVERYTHING is better. It was an unusual thing to see groups in the 1's back then, nowadays if your rifle won't routinely throw those out, you're hosed.

 

[1lnbrdg]

I thin it was global warming, better metrological conditions for the bullets to fly in.

 

[barefooter56]

First response was most likely the winner today, better everything being made for the most part. Better barrels, better glass, better front rests, better bullets and more consistent.

One would hope practice reading conditions, trigger control and position behind the rifle ( the biggest being learning to read conditions!) has been improved by practice are also factors. Equipment may advance but advancement of the shooter ( loose nut behind the butt plate) gives the most improvement.

 

[450AK]

I just started shooting groups like Cooper does...................at 48 yards.

 

[SG4247]

Berger bullets.

My guns dont shoot well with anything else!

 

[dickn52]

My one shot groups are perfect now.

 

[savagedasher]

My one shot groups are perfect now.

Equipment and technology . Larry

 

[Eddie Harren]

Equipment and technology . Larry

Practice and wind reading skills have nothing to do with it?

 

[Tommie]

I've read many accounts of old rifles that shoot better now than they ever could in the 1950's, 1960"s etc. I'm convinced the number one factor is better bullet quality. Specifically; jacket uniformity.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

Precision Shooting Magazine, and Oehler Chronographs should be #'s one and two atop the list, followed closely by J4 jackets and Berger bullets.