Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Primer: How To Measure a Group

I have a handicap of 1/4 MOA. So I have that going for me.

XL5,

True group size & maximum spread are not necessarily the same.

MM

My point exactly.

What I've learned over the years is that one can measaure groups just fine with a little sense. But the real potential of a rifle or a handgun is how well it groups consistantly. Doesn't matter if one shoots 3 or 5 shot groups. Over time, the real potential of the gun comes out. Assuming the shooter has a consistant shooting technique. E

My somewhat tongue-in-cheek comment above was meant to say a quite fundamental thing:

Unless you are shooting for competition (or doing an article) measuring groups down to a gnat's eyelash is fairly pointless. All you really want to know is whether a gun consistently shoots small groups or large ones with a given load. Shoot four or five groups as well as you are able; eyeball them and decide.

Leave the protractor, compass, and calculator alone.

XL5,

It could be I'm just not getting it, or it could be you're doing it wrong.



The only way that's possible is by selecting the wrong shot(s). The convention for group size is selecting the two shots that form the largest diameter of a circle - if there are shot's outside the circle the largest diameter wasn't selected.

I agree that group size alone only tells part of the story.

I'm with you. I'd like to see this explained as well.

I think everyone is forgetting the most important step: however you measure the group, divide the result by two before posting it on the internet.

First, remember that any shots outside a half inch are considered mulligans and that is what the little circle stickers are for that come with most targets, they cover mulligans.

Another good way to measure is to shot a box up and then find the three closest shots and measure those. Remember to not show the rest of the holes in pictures you send out though.

XL5 once again substantiates my long-held belief that math can take the fun out of anything.

don't forget BAD AMMO.
I find a flier in almost every magazine full!