Three Or Five Shot Groups???

rahtreelimbs · February 1, 2006, 11:07 PM

When working up reloads do you guys use 3 or 5 shot groups. I have always used 5 simply because I don't soot the same everyday. I need 5 to take the
human variables out...........even with sandbags.

Smokey Joe · February 1, 2006, 11:49 PM

Rahtreelimbs--The larger the sample, the more human error is eliminated. For that reason, 5 shot groups are better than 3 shot groups when trying to evaluate a particular load for a particular rifle.

Call me some sort of nut if you will, but I happen to like to use 10 shot groups for that purpose, for just that reason. But then, I do enjoy shooting, too.

impact · February 1, 2006, 11:52 PM

I've had some real nice three shot groups. But I always do a five shot group. I think helps you learn a little more about your gun and your ability to shoot.

sportsmaster · February 2, 2006, 12:17 AM

I think that the more shots the better well at least up to ten because then you can truly see how consistent your shots are.

joneb · February 2, 2006, 01:19 AM

The more shots, the hotter the barrel gets, this will introduce another variable.

youp · February 2, 2006, 05:24 AM

I think that five and ten shot groups do more testing of the barrel quality and ability to dissipate heat than human ability to shoot. Some rifles begin to open the group after two shots. It is nice to know where your third and fourth shots are going to land. There are alot of shooters that spend a bunch of time learning where that first shot out of a cold barrel is going to hit, IMO that is the one that really counts.

joshua · February 2, 2006, 06:41 AM

My opinion on this is 3 shot groups are for hunting rifles, you usually shoot one shot only and hopefully it puts the game down, but the second shot or third may be needed for follow up to ensure of bringing home the game. When I'm testing hunting loads I try to shoot the 3 shots as fast as accurately I can. Don't get me wrong here, I do that as my final test for the loads just to see where the 2nd and 3rd shots will land as the barrel heats up quickly.

5 or 10 shot groups I do for varmint guns and target guns. Competition guns should be tested for groups depending on how many shots are required for each string in competition. That's how I stereotype my rifles, but I will make exception as I see fit. josh

Ruger4570 · February 2, 2006, 08:24 AM

Joshua: Ditto to your post

DWARREN123 · February 2, 2006, 10:52 PM

I heard 3 is for the shooter, 5 is for the gun and 10 is for everything.

Pointer · February 2, 2006, 11:53 PM

The action of the rifle slightly repositions itself within the stock each time it recoils...

After a few rounds it winds up back where it started... it makes a pretty consistent pattern in the process...

For barrels that get hot fast, like magnums, 3 rounds has to be sufficient.

For barrels that run cooler fives rounds is more efficient.

You should still wait for about fifteen minutes between rounds to ensure that the heat of the barrel doesn't interfere with your "printing".

After a while a good shooter can memorize the pattern and that helps him to know if he is shooting "proper" groups.

February 1, 2006, 11:07 PM	#1
rahtreelimbs Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Pa. Posts: 195	Three Or Five Shot Groups??? When working up reloads do you guys use 3 or 5 shot groups. I have always used 5 simply because I don't soot the same everyday. I need 5 to take the human variables out...........even with sandbags. __________________ Gotta Love The Smell Of A Good Rifle Powder!!!

February 1, 2006, 11:49 PM	#2
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	Statistical sampling Rahtreelimbs--The larger the sample, the more human error is eliminated. For that reason, 5 shot groups are better than 3 shot groups when trying to evaluate a particular load for a particular rifle. Call me some sort of nut if you will, but I happen to like to use 10 shot groups for that purpose, for just that reason. But then, I do enjoy shooting, too. __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe

February 2, 2006, 12:17 AM	#4
sportsmaster Junior Member Join Date: February 1, 2006 Posts: 13	Five shot groups are good but... I think that the more shots the better well at least up to ten because then you can truly see how consistent your shots are.

February 2, 2006, 11:53 PM	#10
Pointer Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 2,559	The action of the rifle slightly repositions itself within the stock each time it recoils... After a few rounds it winds up back where it started... it makes a pretty consistent pattern in the process... For barrels that get hot fast, like magnums, 3 rounds has to be sufficient. For barrels that run cooler fives rounds is more efficient. You should still wait for about fifteen minutes between rounds to ensure that the heat of the barrel doesn't interfere with your "printing". After a while a good shooter can memorize the pattern and that helps him to know if he is shooting "proper" groups. __________________ . "Political correctness is tyranny with a happy face." Charlton Heston 30-06 FOREVER

February 1, 2006, 11:52 PM	#3
impact Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: the great state of Texas Posts: 854	I've had some real nice three shot groups. But I always do a five shot group. I think helps you learn a little more about your gun and your ability to shoot.

February 2, 2006, 01:19 AM	#5
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	The more shots, the hotter the barrel gets, this will introduce another variable.

February 2, 2006, 05:24 AM	#6
youp Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Location: south of Canada, eh? Posts: 438	I think that five and ten shot groups do more testing of the barrel quality and ability to dissipate heat than human ability to shoot. Some rifles begin to open the group after two shots. It is nice to know where your third and fourth shots are going to land. There are alot of shooters that spend a bunch of time learning where that first shot out of a cold barrel is going to hit, IMO that is the one that really counts.

February 2, 2006, 06:41 AM	#7
joshua Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2004 Location: norCal Posts: 2,161	My opinion on this is 3 shot groups are for hunting rifles, you usually shoot one shot only and hopefully it puts the game down, but the second shot or third may be needed for follow up to ensure of bringing home the game. When I'm testing hunting loads I try to shoot the 3 shots as fast as accurately I can. Don't get me wrong here, I do that as my final test for the loads just to see where the 2nd and 3rd shots will land as the barrel heats up quickly. 5 or 10 shot groups I do for varmint guns and target guns. Competition guns should be tested for groups depending on how many shots are required for each string in competition. That's how I stereotype my rifles, but I will make exception as I see fit. josh

February 2, 2006, 08:24 AM	#8
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Joshua: Ditto to your post

February 2, 2006, 10:52 PM	#9
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 1,758	I heard 3 is for the shooter, 5 is for the gun and 10 is for everything.