[michigan0626]

With the limited rifle knowledge that I have, I heard people say that they have built some ultra accurate rifles from a Remington action. But, as far as stock production, Savage seems to be the most accurate out the box. At least the budget ones under a grand.

[2hot2handle]

Take it to the range and let the groups prove themselves. I've a guess it'll be more on who is the better shooter than which rifle is more accurate...but that's just my guess.

[Merc187]

Today, manufacturers have gone above and beyond to make their rifles the best. Each rifle performs differently however, it will be the shooter that matters. OUt of the box accuracy is great information when the compnay who built it shot it off a mechanical rest. All it proves is the rifle is capable of those groups. When you add in controlled heart rate, controlled breathing, trigger squeeze, optics, wind, temperature, humidity, etc... Those results go out the window.

Case in point - I can shoot a 5 shot group at 200yrds and cover them with a nickel. This is at rest from a prone position. I practice often and I leave myself no room for error. Last year on a deer hunt in MO, I had taken a shot at a doe that was about 120yrds away. Quartering to I aimed at the muscle group along the neck just before the front, left shoulder. My bullet impacted 8 inches behind where I aimed, entering the doe's ribs about 4 inches from the spine. WTF Right?

While I still brought down my deer I was upset about the placement of the shot. It was drizzeling, freezing, about a 10MPH wind, dusk, wet optics, and lets not forget this was day 6 of these conditions and the excitement of finally seeing worth taking was definately a factor. All of these things were out of my control and greatly effected my shot.

Conclusion - No matter what rifle you shoot - Practice Often. Just because a manufacturer suggests .5 MOA out fo the box - Does not mean you are going to get that same result. It all comes down to the shooter.

[tuck2]

I would not bet aginst any one who knows how to glass bed an action, free float a barrel, adjust a trigger, reload ammo, lapp bolt locking luggs, and recrown a muzzle. Or shot in four position rifle competion. I would bet on the best rifleman not the rifle. Over the years I have seen some bad out of the box rifles that needed a tune up to get them to shoot acceptable groups. Good luck.

[davemccarthy707]

Originally Posted by Merc187

Today, manufacturers have gone above and beyond to make their rifles the best. Each rifle performs differently however, it will be the shooter that matters. OUt of the box accuracy is great information when the compnay who built it shot it off a mechanical rest. All it proves is the rifle is capable of those groups. When you add in controlled heart rate, controlled breathing, trigger squeeze, optics, wind, temperature, humidity, etc... Those results go out the window.

Case in point - I can shoot a 5 shot group at 200yrds and cover them with a nickel. This is at rest from a prone position. I practice often and I leave myself no room for error. Last year on a deer hunt in MO, I had taken a shot at a doe that was about 120yrds away. Quartering to I aimed at the muscle group along the neck just before the front, left shoulder. My bullet impacted 8 inches behind where I aimed, entering the doe's ribs about 4 inches from the spine. WTF Right?

While I still brought down my deer I was upset about the placement of the shot. It was drizzeling, freezing, about a 10MPH wind, dusk, wet optics, and lets not forget this was day 6 of these conditions and the excitement of finally seeing worth taking was definately a factor. All of these things were out of my control and greatly effected my shot.

Conclusion - No matter what rifle you shoot - Practice Often. Just because a manufacturer suggests .5 MOA out fo the box - Does not mean you are going to get that same result. It all comes down to the shooter.

Hunting and target shooting are 2 completely different situations as your story points out. It takes a certain moment of calm collective thought to take an animal cleanly. Some of the best shots I have ever seen taken were with an old .303 with open sights at 300 yards by my father in law.