I'm just doing a bit of thinking here, which usually doesn't end up well, but bear with me.

When shooting plates/paper/rocks/whatever during practice, does anybody else like to look at their "distance from POA" as well as or instead of actual group size? Groups are as important to me as the next guy, but lately I've been focusing hard on keeping all of my shots as close to center as possible (which in theory should create sweet groups, too). For instance, if I'm shooting a 10" plate at 600 yards, and all of my shots are 3.5" from my POA, I could potentially have a 7" group, but the shots are still very tight to my intended point of aim, and would result in some good stuff happening on game...

Anybody else have thoughts on that?

Getting hits on your intended target, as always, is the point. Whether that be a 12" vital zone, a 3" varmint, or a 10" plate

A 0.1MOA group means little if it's 6" to the right of what you're hoping to hit...

POA / POI is all I look at. I only look at groups for Comps. and load development and check it once in a while. Other than that I want to see how close to the center of the plate I can hit. For long range hunting my practice at the range is done for the most part with one shot my first cold bore. Its the only one that counts.
Each rifle gets tracked for 1st round. One of mine always drops the first (Cold Bore) 1/2 MOA low and therefore gets a half added.

I suppose what I should've asked is if anyone keeps track of how close to center their successive shots are. That's what I've been looking at lately.

Tanner,

I have gone more toward the 'sniper/tactical' route than the 'benchrest' idea lately. No, I'm not a tacticool wannabe, but what I mean by that is instead of small/impressive groups I shoot for POA/POI intersection, especially from cold bore.

Now of course BR guys got to hit the X ring as well but you know what I mean...which is exactly what your thinking about and what Jordan pointed out, that is, consistency is good but accuracy is great. Far more important in hunting and plate shooting than small groups.

My .02

For a good example, I would love to participate in these new 'tactical' shoots where you have timed events that require you to move with your weapon and be able to hit various sized targets at UKD in real world conditions with no sighter shots.

I think that kind of comp would be a blast and would interest me very much. In such a competition you could see the importance of 'accuracy' over 'precision'.

Mojo,

What you said about 'accuracy' vs. precision is perfect. I like the thought of putting 3 in the mag, setting up prone over a pack and lightweight rear bag, and putting 3 shots close to center in a timely fashion. That spells accuracy to me, and you just can't beat it for hunting situations...

This is a pretty cool little video of a Tac Match, if you're interested. I'd really like to try one of these.

http://tacticalmatches.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=6044

Seems like most of those guys are running some sort of 6mm...

Tanner
I am actually starting to do the same thing. Group size is nice when trying to fine tune the load at longer range. Once that is developed its all about first shot hits and how close to center.

A nice trigger helps that huh!

Precision builds confidence, but accuracy fills the freezer.

Yes, its called learning to read wind.