Why Shot Precision is Important

[Doc Shapiro]

Before we start off on this diatribe, let me define the difference between accuracy and precision.  Accuracy is the ability to hit your target, even if it's a very small one.  Precision is how tightly your shots group.  Now that that's out of the way...

I was having a conversation with another shooter this past weekend at a match.  He was (note that I said "was") of the opinion that shot precision is not important in CAS and that his load (which grouped about 3 inches at 10 yards) was good enough to get the job done (pistol load).  He loaded for minimum recoil. This causes group size to increase partly through the very erratic velocities that you get with small charges of powder. And from using a bullet too light for the twist rate of your barrel (it won't stabilize).

Anyway, I asked him how he liked the 9 inch circle pistol targets we were shootin.  He said "9 inches?  Those targets are 12 inches across!"  (ok, they were small targets for CAS, but very close so that the profile was pretty good sized.)  I said, "yeah, they are for me.  My loads group in one hole at 10 yards.  But for you, they are 9 inches. "

He ended up with a very puzzled look on his face.

I explained to him that with groups that big he is effectively shooting at a smaller target because the bullet could be off as much as an inch and a half from where he was holding his sight picture when the bullet left the barrel.  So in effect, his poor load was making the target smaller. He would have to hold much closer to the center of the target than I do in order to hit it.  So, his target size (the part of the target he has to aim at in order to be sure of a hit) is 3 inches smaller than mine.

I think that sunk in as he said "I'm going to come up with a load that groups better."

The moral of the story is that you really do need a load that groups well!

Doc

[Big John Denny]

Doc,

You're too right. Shooters become complacent because in SASS most of the handgun targets are large and close. I've not been to near as many shoots as you, but I've seen pards miss real bad when shooting at smaller pistol knockdowns and the like instead of the big sheets of steel they're used to seeing.

[Adirondack Jack]

Yup, Doc, yer right.  The other way to look at it is smaller groups equal faster runs.  I load for one hole at 15 yards standing, traditional grip.  I figure no, in a CAS shoot, I ain't gonna group like that, but can get away with a lot more imprecise sight alignment (which is to say quick and dirty) and still shoot clean.

It's odd how so many seem to not wanna hear this.  Maybe some lack the knowledge to do a proper handload workup, so they make excuses for loads loaded for light recoil and no care given to group therapy?  it sure is easier to pooh pooh group work with a SA revolver than to do it.  Othrs just (wrongly) figure 3 or 4 inch groups are ok as they reason they are shooting big steel.  Me, I wanna KNOW that bullet is laser beaming if the sights are right.

My worst shooting gun, a .32 S&W breaktop, groups a fist size at 10 FEET.  When we have a pocket pistol stage, I really have to bear down and shoot it well to hit with it, which costs time.  I still enjoy shooting the old pup, so I don't mind, but I don't enter speed pocket pistol events with it,