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There’s always “that one” who spoils the fun

We were out practicing in ideal and very unusual weather for us.
Unusual being it wasn’t windy. In Oklahoma you WILL shoot in the wind.

Mark shooting his TX200 while I my S500. After confirming my range card notes I thought I’d do a 10 shot group @ 55 just for kicks.

I hate 10 shot groups...

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To some degree we ourselves are spoiling our fun.... 😄

By the way we measure our groups....

I explain.



The way we usually measure groups is the EXTREME SPREAD method.

In a 10-shot group we measure only the 2 shots that are farthest apart from each other, say, 1.5 inches apart.

And ignore the quality of the other 8 shots...! Which could have been all in one ragged hole of 0.5 inches. But: Our performance measurement method EXTREME SPREAD does not care, nor does it tell us the whole story. It leaves us with the fragmented knowledge of 2 shots only. 😟



Thankfully, there are more reliable measurement methods that measure MEAN SPREAD (two of the common ones are mean radius and CEP).

These MEAN SPREAD methods take all 10 shots into account to indicate our shooting performance. And the more shots you take the closer your result represents the true performance of your gun or you the shooter (statistically reliable). Very much unlike the EXTREME SPREAD method where results get worse and worse the more shots you send at the target.



➔ I use RangeBuddy (Android; on IOS it's called Sub MOA) and TargetScan (both systems) to measure mean radius, and there are others, some free, some for a small fee.



😊 Matthias


 
Being something of a perfectionist, in many ways I consider perfectionism an absolute CURSE. Of course one of those ways is an accuracy obsession with five consecutive five-shot groups before rendering judgement about a gun's accuracy. Then, even if results are good, often wanting to confirm that such a demanding accuracy test STILL wasn't a fluke; and trying to repeat it. Like I said, a CURSE!

Doesn't help that my thirty-acre Ranchito Robinson place has a well-deserved reputation for hideous wind conditions, so most of my serious airgun accuracy testing is done overnight... by spotlight. Suffice to say shooting groups beyond five shots, and especially from anything less than a solid bench-rest, complicates matters MANY-FOLD! Offhand... FORGET IT!!!

But what's that they say? "A bad day of shooting beats hell out of a good day at work." This might be a good time to disclose I'm retired. So I have plenty of time to enjoy/endure my obsession. 

That said, I don't know whether to admire or pity someone that shoots TEN-SHOT groups... or a springer in Field Target! If I didn't know you Oklahomans well enough to admire you, I'd have to pity you. Great shooting, Dave! And nice TX, Mark. That you got it from Wade and he captured a National Champion title with it is an excellent bonus. 

"If all we shot was quarter inch groups it would be boring right?" RIGHT, Flint. But I wouldn't mind a few more 1/4" groups; they make such nice photos.

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Happy Shooting, Y'all!