When do you stop chasing accuracy?

[startrek1761d]

I have a Tikka T3X Veil in 6.5 PRC, I am loading 143 ELD-X not because I particularly care for them but that's what shoots so far. I am using RL26, Nosler blem brass and Fed 210M primers. If I have not had much coffee, it shoots .5 to .6 at 100. My intent is to use it for whitetail to 800 yards. My longest shot so far is 519 yards with a 257 weatherby. Is there any point looking for another 1/4" of accuracy since I will be shooting off a bipod in field conditions?

 

[jsmitt6]

For me, I want a load under 3/4". I know I could mess with the load a couple of range trips and get them lower, but with components being scarce and my time being valuable, I do not think I see the costs outweigh the benefits. More power to you if you enjoy spending the time working through load development, but it isn't for me.

 

[Huntnful]

I like where your at. Consistent .5/.6. Very few groups larger, and some groups smaller on a given day. But consistent .5/.6 for sure.

 

[TheSouthpaw]

If it were me, I'd stop chasing groups and go shoot in various conditions at 800+ yards.

 

[.30-06]

when you have trouble finding the holes

 

[Jon Bischof]

I had similar experience with my Tikka T3. Tried lots of different bullets too but it wouldn't shoot as well as yours. That didn't keep my son and I from killing a few deer with it but I was never satisfied with it. Always wanted to do better. Finally sold the Tikka and used the money to buy a Sauer in the same cartridge. It shoots everything I feed it better than the T3.
As to when you give up trying to improve, it depends upon the gun and your purpose for it. Your goal of 800 yards may require you do better. I'm satisfied if I can get 3 holes all touching at 100 yards. What kind of groups are you getting at distance?

 

[Wetwrk]

I have the exact same rifle, got it this spring. It's my favorite rifle to date. And it hate, hate, hates hornady 143 ELDX. I shot a three round, three inch group, as fast as I could jack a shell in at 707 yards last week. It's running 2907 fps with 58 grains of H1000 and 156 Bergers. I'm gonna tweek a few things but seriously for me its shooting gold compared to other rigs I have.-WW

 

[just_jon]

As a general rule, I don't chase accuracy beyond 1/2 to 3/4 moa in a big game hunting rifle. I would rather spend my time and components working to become as proficient as possible at the distances I plan on hunting.

 

[Jon Bischof]

I have the exact same rifle, got it this spring. It's my favorite rifle to date. And it hate, hate, hates hornady 143 ELDX. I shot a three round, three inch group, as fast as I could jack a shell in at 707 yards last week. It's running 2907 fps with 58 grains of H1000 and 156 Bergers. I'm gonna tweek a few things but seriously for me its shooting gold compared to other rigs I have.-WW

If he could get it to shoot like yours with a different bullet, that would be well worth the effort.

 

[Plinker147]

No reason to keep chasing for a hunting rifle, at 1/2- 3/4MOA your good. Really 1MOA your good. I shot a few deer and elk between 5-600 yards with 1 MOA rifles.

To consistently get under 1/2 MOA you reloading practices have to be spot on, more like bench rest. That's way expensive, frustrating and no reward for your effort. I compare it to trying to be good at golf!

 

[Wetwrk]

If he could get it to shoot like yours with a different bullet, that would be well worth the effort.

Mine shoots 124 Hammer Hunters great, as well as those 120grain Mono Noslers. Gonna try some 127 Barnes next after I dial the 156's a bit. If his gun hates those 143 Hornadys like mine did I'd move on to another bullet. It was embarassing how bad 143's shot in my rifle.-WW

800 yards is a 8 inch circle for one MOA so half MOA at 800 yards is a four inch group pretty much I believe.

 

[Joefrazell]

3/4 or less is all that's needed. What's more important is consistent poi from outing to outing and not getting shifting issues.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

The eld-x line is hit or miss accuracy wise... it sounds like it's a hit with your rifle, so I'd just shoot it and get your shooting at range down. Hornady pills are just fine on deer, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. We've killed a few with the 143 eld-x from a creed, and it worked well.

 

[tmanoid]

3/4 is better than a lot of people hunt with. Not worth time and money to keep searching especially with it being so hard to find supplies. I think I would be happy and move on. Good luck