Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Hunting Rifle Accuracy

SLM: Don't think either of you would want her now.

But you woulda.....then.

SLM: Don't think either of you would want her now.

But you woulda.....then.

Travis,

Damn, you're right, the .204 hasn't been accepted by the AKC--and apparently neither has the Ruger American! Though that doesn't mean those dogs won't hunt....

Just ordered an "All-Weather" (stainless) Ruger American in .243. Thinking it might just put 10 into an inch or so at 100. That would kill a bunch of PD's at 300, and maybe even a deer!

Travis did not know how old you were..

It's Victoria Principal...star of the original TV show, "Dallas".

She sure looks different today.

I didn't know either.

If she's that old, 'flave can have her.

Two years ago after comfirming my 180gr Partition load for the pre '64 30-06, I loaded two boxes. The Fwt. was in a McMillan Edge and zeroed for 200yards. I brought it to range four times while playing with other stuff.
I shot one shot from a cold barrel off my backpack, prone at 200 yards. All four single shots were almost dead center on my 5x5 inch target. The first hunting season ended with a 235 yard downyhill shot at a cow and last years raghorn was at 75 yards.
All I need to do hereafter is to confirm the Leupie 6x36 with a shot or two and I'm all done.

Col. Townsend Whelen said, "Only accurate rifles are interesting." Ok, setting aside any debate as to whether or not what he said is actually true, what was acceptable hunting rifle accuracy when he wrote it? What is acceptable hunting rifle accuracy today? I know that everyone talks about rifles that shoot little cloverleaves at 100 yards; but is that really necessary when shooting at deer-size game within common hunting ranges? Say 200 yards or less?

My guess is that while many rifles today are sub-moa, even untweaked from the factory, the average hunter probably isn't. So practically speaking, what is acceptable hunting rifle accuracy?

I'm posting this here as I hope some of the professional gunscribes will chime in as well.

Townsend Whelen was a big proponent of the ladder test to find the right node. That is typically the difference between an ok shooting rifle and a sub-moa.

Travis,

Trade ya: I won't write about the .204 if you quit running down the .17 Fireball. Just because some .17 isn't as "big" as your favorite doesn't mean it's not OK.

Or do you have to use the biggest .17 around to compensate for, uh, "other things"? That seems to be a pretty dinky method, though no doubt better than shooting a .270.

Travis,
I have plenty of others to shoot. Instead of dwelling on 3 shot and 5 shot groups, I decided on one with a cold barrel - just like how I want my hunt to go - one shot.

If anyone wants to really test their shooting, do a little fast walking or jog around the range facility. Then see how those groups look. A little real world hunt scenario is helpful.

I read a book by Mr. Whelen. Can't remember the name but it was really good.

Can't recall his writing about ladders.


Travis