Accuracy standard

[longcruise]

To put it into perspective, the union requirement to join a sharpshooters regiment in the CW was a standing 5 shot group at 100 yards not to exceed 21 inches.

That was probably measured with a string from center to each shot and the 21 being the sum of the string measurements.

I expect most internet accounts of accuracy are exaggerated. Posting the best 5 shot group out of twenty fired is not a standard, but a statistical anomaly.

I agree. And not unusual to have a discounted "flyer" as well. When we hunt, flyers count!

 

[hanshi]

I don't hunt so all shooting is at targets on the club rifle range. I don't shoot at 100 yards very often, in fact it's rare when I do. About the best I can average for 5 shots at 100 yds is between 3" - 4". At 50 yards my groups depended on what shooting possition I fired from. Off the bench average maybe 1.5" and average near double that offhand. Aging eyes can no longer guarantee that precision. There are good days I could brag about but every year that goes by results in fewer and fewer.

 

[nick_1]

Yesterday I hit 10 steel in a row. Today my grand total for 10 shots was 3 hits. Must one of my bad days...

 

[Freedom]

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...target-celebrates-national-kite-month.178585/
Some more of you folks should attend our monthly shoot, right here on the forum.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I did for a short time but now I have no printer for the targets....

 

[mikesto44]

I'm not a paper puncher either except to get my sights adjusted. For hunting we like to tape a clay pigeon on a string and hang it from a line. Then practice off hand trying to hit it. Windy days makes it so much more fun.
Theirs a big difference between muzzleloaders an modern guns for MY accuracy standards. But everyone has their own standards an that's great.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

The heavy, scoped target rifles of the mid-late 1800's were [and some still are] capable of shooting excellent 10 shot groups.

 

[shorthair]

I like my round balls to touch at 100 yds with my full hunting loads.

 

[Seabee Chief]

One hole groups from a gun every time it goes to the range for what ever reason, and for how many shots fired, is not a possible reality. I have been told of these guns, but yet to see one, Everybody shoots a screamer or two now and then, some refer to them as "wallet groups" to show off. Competition shooters often refer to how well they are shooting by what their aggregate is, which means "ALL" groups, not just the best are added together and averaged out. All them "oops" shots are figured in. For no other reason other than my own, this is how I refer to my firearms when asked. Every time I shoot a group, regardless of group quantity, with any of my guns I keep a record of group size, date and conditions. plus load data. I start from day one shooting the gun, in whatever the conditions of the day are. There are target firearms and there are hunting firearms, it is possible to combine the two but more easily said than done.

I am new to flintlocks. And agree with a lot of what you say. BUT. One hole groups are possible. I stared shooting with a 308. I know we are not supposed to mention those. But after hundreds of different loads, diff powder, diff bullet weights, diff primers, diff seating of the bullet. With 3031powder, 43.5 grnsand 189HPBT. At 100yards I could one hole 5 shots. But that was 50 years ago.. all I am saying. Is that each gun has a sweet load. One it will prefer over all others for the best accuracy. So it’s like finding out EXACTLY what you spouse likes. May take some time and work but we’ll worth the trouble.

 

[mikesto44]

A lot of guns will an do shoot one hole groups. But YOU have to be consistent in everything you do. Once you remove the human error out of the pictures.
The biggest issue with accuracy is the finger on the trigger. Then you add in wind, humidity, available light excetra..
Like a friend says " All his guns are capable of one hole accuracy. ". It's those follow up shots....lol

 

[JDBraddy]

This book helped me a lot.

Greatly improved my shooting.

 

[Blackpowderart]

As long as you can hit a red coat at 100 yards, you are doing just fine.

 

[Seabee Chief]

A lot of guns will an do shoot one hole groups. But YOU have to be consistent in everything you do. Once you remove the human error out of the pictures.
The biggest issue with accuracy is the finger on the trigger. Then you add in wind, humidity, available light excetra..
Like a friend says " All his guns are capable of one hole accuracy. ". It's those follow up shots....lol

Well said brother

 

[Grenadier1758]

As long as you can hit a red coat at 100 yards, you are doing just fine.

During the French and Indian War, it was the Red Coats that saved the colonies. My targets wear white coats.

 

[JDBraddy]

During the French and Indian War, it was the Red Coats that saved the colonies. My targets wear white coats.

They're coming to take me away!
The big strong men in little white coats, are coming to take me away! HE!HE! HA!HA! HO!HO!