Guys,
Off a bench my xbolt will easily hold just under an inch. My buddy and I did some shooting from field positions (off pack and sitting off tripod) yesterday, prepping for Idaho elk. Most of our shooting was at 300 with a little bit of wind. We were shooting at a 5 inch gong and probably hitting 1/3 times. Our misses appeared to be close misses.
I was pretty peeved at myself at first but then considered a 1 inch gun would have a 3 inch group at that distance, leaving only 2 inches of wiggle.
At that distance, how close are we? We are accustomed to shooting 150 pound whitetails.
Can you shoot prone from your belly? If sitting which is fine, are you balancing your elbow on your knee/thigh for elbow stability?
Good on you practicing field shots. THE biggest thing overlooked when hunting, especially when out west.
Elk have big kill zones easily double your 5" plate....practice and you'll dictate your own range, which is usually closer than when the bullet runs out of effectiveness...
