10+ round groups

[Pdvdh]

What J.E. stated.

ES will increase, the more shots fired. SD may or may not because of the mathematical calcs.

I don't ever shoot 10 shot groups, simply because that's what Snipers Hide used to require before posting your group size. Whatever the Hide requires, I do otherwise...

I shoot enough 3 shot groups over time to get a pretty good idea though. I'd rather shoot 3 - 3 shot groups in three different weeks than 10 shots in one setting. Unless I'm firing my pea-shooter AR15, or plinking with a 22LR. Then it's till I tire of it.

 

[okie man]

I'm not saying shoot all ten in a row! Take one or 2 , do something else or shot a different gun. But when you're done at the day end! You'll know what you got!

 

[MontanaMarine]

I like to shoot 10 shots if I'm confirming a new load, or mounting a different scope.

The feedback can be a truth teller.

Take the group on the left. A three shot group with that load could be any three, tightest to loosest. If I got lucky and shot three tight, then went long and it fell apart, I'd be scratching my head.

The group on the right tells me everything is as it should be.

Shane

 

[MontanaMarine]

Same load on the left above, after playing with the seating depth,

Now I know what it can do, and any long range errors are going to wind or bad form.

 

[Pdvdh]

Wouldn't 3 or 4 three-shot groups provide similar information? And if shot over weeks rather than a single session, also provide insight as to whether or not your rifle maintains POI over time?

Three 3-shot groups is a tougher test of a rifles ability when fired over a period of time (say three separate months), than nine shots in one setting. At least for my hunting rifles, used for hunting at long range, where the first bullet impact is normally much more important than any of the following 9 shots.

If I'm competing where 10-shot groups are the minimum for a score, well of course I'll need to shoot 10-shot groups. But it won't be with my 338 Lapua Improved.

 

[MontanaMarine]

I don't really have an opinion or experience with three-shot groups over weeks or months.

I just like to know my rifle and load are shooting well, and 10 shots proves that be it good, bad, or ugly, in just a few minutes.

When I check zero it will typically just be a 3-shot group just to confirm my zero is where I left it.

Something like this,

 

[MontanaMarine]

I'm not suggesting anyone else is wrong, or should do what I do.

Just sharing my methods and reasons.

 

[MontanaMarine]

Probably another consideration for me is that I'm shooting 308s and 30-06.

If I was shooting a 26 Nosler or similar overbore chambering, I might not be so eager to use up my barrel life shooting 10-shot groups.

 

[TwoMore]

Probably another consideration for me is that I'm shooting 308s and 30-06.

If I was shooting a 26 Nosler or similar overbore chambering, I might not be so eager to use up my barrel life shooting 10-shot groups.

thats right or a 338 edge and my shoulder life lol I have a couple rifles I love to shoot 10 times and a few that I dont
I usually dont shoot more than 5 and most of the time 3 but mainly because of the chamberings. I love showing up the the bench and slapping three in a 1/4 minute at 600, ten is gunna take me out of it lol JK

 

[jrock]

I have read about the 10 shot groups more from benchrest or F class articles as their firing strings are longer. Statically, the more you shot, the more solid your data set will be. If I'm narrowing in on a load, I usually shoot 3 shot groups, 0.2 grain increments each side of the target value. This gives some decent data points to work with.

Once I select my load, then its practice after that. Its a good challenge to test yourself with a 10 shot group. It will tell you how consistent your mechanics are. Those strings tell me more about myself than a 3 shot group does.

In summary, 3 shot groups work well for me in finding a load. 10 shot groups are good for me to learn how to shoot better. 10 shot groups are 3.33 times more expensive than 10 shot groups (for those 338 shooters out there)

 

[OLI62]

At what cadence are you guys firing the ten shot groups at? In other words are you banging out ten in a row? Or, are you letting the barrel cool between some part of the ten shot group? For example - shoot five shot group. Let barrel cool. Shoot another five shot group at same POA then measure ten shot group.

I'm going to try ten shot groups this weekend and was just wondering if there's any protocol you guys follow on letting the barrel cool during the ten shot string. Thanks.

 

[MontanaMarine]

I don't time it, but 10 rounds in 10 minutes is probably close.

I'm shooting 308s in Rem varmint weight barrels, and the 30-06 has a Douglas #7 contour.

 

[OLI62]

I don't time it, but 10 rounds in 10 minutes is probably close.

I'm shooting 308s in Rem varmint weight barrels, and the 30-06 has a Douglas #7 contour.

Thank you MM!

 

[rfpalm]

I started 10 shot groups 4 years after watching my grandson shoot 10 1" crab apples in half with the groove 1/16 or less from dead center. It showed me how bad I was, and has helped me a lot in accuracy. I have not come close yet, but am improving slowly.