Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Is the new stuff any better than best of 60 years ago?

I am getting back into shooting (rimfire) and last few days been perusing my favorite forums to read what folk are shooting for casual bench or steel in centerfire rifles. This is not a question asking for help. But an observation, which maybe totally due to my limited perspective. It does not seem the average grade varmint or sniper rifles perform any better than say Remington 40x from the 1960's.

I been considering CZ Varmint, Savage varmint, Sako, etc or the new Ruger Precision for less traditional platform. None seem to measure up to the old 40x. Granted the 40x cost more back in the day.

I mention the Remington because I watch a shooter fire small one hole groups. group after group, I mean "SMALL" under 1/4 moa. I though, hey I want some of that. He had an old scope that mounted on the rear of the receiver and rear of the barrel. After 60 years with CNC and improvements, I expect medium grade guns should be alot better today than higher grade from 60 years ago. I dont see that.

yes the 40x was a top gun in its day and I am looking a medium guns. yet, I would have expected more. The few guns with accuracy guarantee are 1 moa (some only three shots). I would think 1 moa was a given and the builders would compete with 1/2 or better guarantee.

Look at the Ruger Precision, best super match 6.5 ammo and 3/4 inch groups reported in American rifleman. What is that? I dont need a new gun to do that.

four, I have friends that were killing woodchucks in the 60's at 1200 yards.. With target model 70's and target scopes of that period..

I think the custom builds like those Scenar Shooter and others have and the new super accurate bullets make such shooting easier.. But guys were doing this long ago..

The differences are in accurate range determinations (that you can carry in a pocket), all weather stability of gun/stocks, and durability and reliability of scopes and adjustments.


You mentioned sniper rifles and there is no comparison from 60 years ago to now.

The biggest difference is now most beginners do not want to practice and hone their shooting and wind reading ability.
They just want to write a check and shoot 1/4 inch or smaller groups.

But, I do think as a general rule rifles are now built more accurately than they were 4, 5, or 6 decades ago.

Add to that list better ,more consistent bullets. read few benchrest articles from the 50s and 60s, all benchrest records were set with handmade bullets with very limited availability. Now those bullets are readily available. Scopes are clearer and more precise tracking. Back then it was possible to make an accurate custom rifle, with lots of work and practice. Now you can by a Ruger in a 6.5 creedmore, put an good scope on it and buy a case of factory loads and it will be accurate to way out yonder for cheap. I think on average the accuracy of rifles has been improved. Rimfires ammo has not seen the improvements other rifles have and I believe lots of older rimfire rifles are just as accurate as the current ones.
Although I have shot some .17 mach2"s that are ridiculously accurate when compared to other rimfires.

Speaking of rimfires: I once fired a fourteen shot group at 100 yards with my Remington model 34 with Stingers. It measured 7/8". I was told my particular rifle was made in 1934.

Interesting. I particularly like the reminder about the hand made bullets. I do remember reading with amazement about that back when I used to read magazines. I guess that was before Al Gore invented the internet.

When I was working up loads for a 7 Weatherby I tried some Nosler 150 Ballistic Tips and some handmade 140 grain hollow point bullets. I could regularly get 1" five shot groups at 100 yards with the BT and 1/2" five groups with the handmade bullets.

the 2.5-8x32 rifle scope i put on my pre-garcia sako .243 in 1968 was a great scope for its day. it does not even compare to a vx-1 leup, today. How ever my sako .243 rifle from 1967 is as good as any todaynot matter whether you are comparing the model 70 super grade or remington 700 from the custom shop. scopes are way better , rifles no.

Better bullets and scopes.

Cheaper rifles, some of which shoot really well, but many of which don't always work so hot.

I cant speak for rimfire cartridges/rifles being more accurate in modern times, or production centerfire rifles, but as far as centerfire custom rifles go, everything now is much better...barrels, actions, stocks, bedding, scopes, bullets, powder, cases, on and on.