Munch
Well-Known Member
While the rifle gets 99% of the attention with the type of questions posed by the OP...ammunition is often given a glancing thought...if at all. But is equally important.
Assuming the rifle has been built to exacting specifications and assembly techniques (which nearly all custom built by reputable gunsmiths, or top shelf offerings from certain manufacturers), if your ammo isn't up to the task getting the groups the OP speaks of, especially at distance, will prove to be a challenge.
I know my rifles (in a vacuum) are far more capable of producing very tight groups at distance than I am. The environmental variables will always be my handicap.
Back to ammo, I would submit, if your ammo cannot hold a 10fps SD or less than achieving tight, repeatable groups at distance will prove to be a very very difficult task.
Back to the OP, let's assume you opt for a 1 MOA standard of accuracy. Further assume the rifle, ammo and shooter are all capable. A 1 MOA accuracy translates to a satisfactory grouping of 8.347" at 800y. 8+" at 800y can easily mean missing a vital organ or kill zone and wounding game.
Thus, you can see why most prefer .5 MOA capability. But again, if you have a capable rifle and skills, you must check your ammo as well to ensure it is capable of achieving the desired results.
Regarding weight...heavier will always be better helping to achieve the most accurate results. But at what point does the rifle become too heavy and is nothing more than toting a "fine and pleasant misery"? That is an answer each one of us has to decide. But every ounce translates into a burden scouting/hunting the back country hours on end.
Assuming the rifle has been built to exacting specifications and assembly techniques (which nearly all custom built by reputable gunsmiths, or top shelf offerings from certain manufacturers), if your ammo isn't up to the task getting the groups the OP speaks of, especially at distance, will prove to be a challenge.
I know my rifles (in a vacuum) are far more capable of producing very tight groups at distance than I am. The environmental variables will always be my handicap.
Back to ammo, I would submit, if your ammo cannot hold a 10fps SD or less than achieving tight, repeatable groups at distance will prove to be a very very difficult task.
Back to the OP, let's assume you opt for a 1 MOA standard of accuracy. Further assume the rifle, ammo and shooter are all capable. A 1 MOA accuracy translates to a satisfactory grouping of 8.347" at 800y. 8+" at 800y can easily mean missing a vital organ or kill zone and wounding game.
Thus, you can see why most prefer .5 MOA capability. But again, if you have a capable rifle and skills, you must check your ammo as well to ensure it is capable of achieving the desired results.
Regarding weight...heavier will always be better helping to achieve the most accurate results. But at what point does the rifle become too heavy and is nothing more than toting a "fine and pleasant misery"? That is an answer each one of us has to decide. But every ounce translates into a burden scouting/hunting the back country hours on end.
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