How do you measure your group size?

[freebullet]

I know there are different programs, methods for all kinds of competition, or even with a ruler. I'd like to know how folks here do it. Is there a consensus or standard? Any useful info is appreciated.

[williamwaco]

I use a dial caliper.
Select the two widest holes and measure from the outside of one hole to the inside of the other.

That will be the same distance as center to center.

[obssd1958]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Same here!

[phonejack]

Same also

[Hannibal]

I use a dial caliper.
Select the two widest holes and measure from the outside of one hole to the inside of the other.

That will be the same distance as center to center.

+ 3^^^^^

[starmac]

Tape measure, 99% of the time a 16 footer will do, but I keep a 25 footer just in case. lol

[NavyVet1959]

Tape measure, 99% of the time a 16 footer will do, but I keep a 25 footer just in case. lol

Obviously we have the same prescription for glasses. :)

[SeabeeMan]

I use a dial caliper.
Select the two widest holes and measure from the outside of one hole to the inside of the other.

That will be the same distance as center to center.

Way easier than I've been doing. Outside to outside minus the bullet diameter. I'm an idiot.:killingpc

[starmac]

Obviously we have the same prescription for glasses. :)

Yup, I need to get some new ones, it is getting hard to see the little marky markies on the tape. lol

[TXGunNut]

I use a dial caliper.
Select the two widest holes and measure from the outside of one hole to the inside of the other.

That will be the same distance as center to center.

If I'm having a really good day I have to measure total group diameter and subtract boolit diameter.

[country gent]

At the range I use the 6" metar scale in my pocket if it merits it it goes home to measured with calipers. I measure inside to outside also. Sinclars has an attachment for calipers with differnt calibers eched in it.

[texassako]

I measure outside to outside with a micrometer and subtract the bullet diameter because all of my groups have the holes touching.

I actually don't measure many groups except for with a few rifles using the above caliper method since the rest just need to be minute of critter.

[Dan Cash]

Found out I've been doing it wrong for a long time, I always measured Outside to outside, 1/2" group could be covered by a 1/2" dot. Grew up calling it by coins, cover it with a: dime, nickel, quarter, half dollar etc. Guess that just means the 1/2" groups were even better. What can I say? I'm modest, lol

That is the way I do it. Half a bullet on a target won't kill it as a rule.

[Bored1]

Depends on what I'm shooting and who I am with.

But generally if I can cover it with my hand for rifles @ 100 yds its "Good", less than 3 fingers is "Great", all touching is "F***ing AWESOME"

Handguns if I hit what I am aiming at outside 7 yds "Its all good"

This all changes of course when you or Paul are present. Then we have to get all technical and S*@#.

[btroj]

I use a tape measure or a caliper, depends on how close I want to be.

[btroj]

Oh, there is a different method. Sometimes I use a trash can to measure group size. That is the method I use when the tape measure isn't even needed.

[MaryB]

Did I hit the target? Good, am I mostly in the center, great, holes touch super, 3 or more rounds in one hole awesome. I don't measure, normally if it is good enough to kill whatever I am shooting it that works for me.

[gpidaho]

I have a 100' cloth tape in one foot increments as used in the logging industry. Works for me GP

[fouronesix]

The correct measurement of group size is center to center of two farthest apart, as has been posted. Using that method is logical also in that smaller calibers won't have advantage over larger calibers.

"Of course all my rifles are one hole tack drivers". Followed by the obligatory, "IF I DO MY PART"

[Tom Myers]

I use the Precision Firearm Records Digital Target Scoring Feature (http://www.tmtpages.com/New_Prec_BR/HelpRec/hs162.htm)

Just bring the target to the laptop or desktop, place the target on the screen and move the scoring cursor under the bullet hole and click.

The moniter calibration system can be adjusted to quite accurately measure, record and retrieve the group size for any and all targets fired from an individual firearm.


Place the target on the screen and click under the bullet holes
http://www.tmtpages.com/New_Prec_BR/HelpRec/Score~place1%20Targets.png



The computer determines the hole center coordinates of each shot then calculates and displays all the relevant group size data.
http://www.tmtpages.com/New_Prec_BR/HelpRec/Targets-Score.png

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

I'm with the crowd who just measure outside to outside of the two widest holes, then subtract a caliber.

I like the computer stuff listed just above, though.

[xacex]

I used to use a caliper, but now there is an app for that.

[starmac]

I am going to try the caliper method, he he. I just bought a 2 foot caliper.

[NavyVet1959]

1. Dime size
2. Nickle size
3. Quarter size
4. Half-dollar size
5. Silver dollar size
6. Plate size
7. Hulu hoop size
8. Same county

[Love Life]

The 8 inch paper plate is my accuracy standard for rifle. All shots on the plate is good enough for me because everybody knows I can put all my rds into a .100 group all day long if'n I do my part and it's "Minute of deer".

[silverado]

I usually just eyeball it, cut that number in half, then post the results sans photo. :takinWiz:
In all actuallity.... I just go by quarter, baseball, hand... imperical measurements :D

[Hannibal]

Oh, there is a different method. Sometimes I use a trash can to measure group size. That is the method I use when the tape measure isn't even needed.


Thanks for this. I can identify and it's good to start the day with a chuckle.

[opos]

Minute of yardstick

[Love Life]

It also depends if there are witnesses. The best way to measure groups for the internet is with a ruler. This way you can put the ruler over the flyer and just hoop and holler over the 1 hole group!!

[MT Gianni]

If it is smaller than the middle knuckle-joint of the middle finger it gets a caliper or tape measure. Other than that it gets evaluated.

[dakotashooter2]

Tape measure, 99% of the time a 16 footer will do, but I keep a 25 footer just in case. lol


Sigh.... Now I don't feel so bad...........

[montana_charlie]

I try hard to remember where the dust kicked up on my two farthest out shots, then I step off that distance when I'm down to retrieve the paper target ... and store it away for next time.

CM

[dakotashooter2]

It also depends if there are witnesses. The best way to measure groups for the internet is with a ruler. This way you can put the ruler over the flyer and just hoop and holler over the 1 hole group!!


Thats why the dial on the caliper is where it is... to cover the flyer........................

[rr2241tx]

I use a dial caliper.
Select the two widest holes and measure from the outside of one hole to the inside of the other.

That will be the same distance as center to center.

Another vote for this method.

[KYCaster]

I have a 100' cloth tape in one foot increments as used in the logging industry. Works for me GP


A long time ago, in a land not so far away, I worked part time for a land surveyor. We went out one evening to meet with a VERY irate farmer who accused us of gross incompetence because our measurements didn't agree with his by a big margin. He threatened to sue for the "extra acreage" he paid for when he bought the farm based on the survey.

We laid the surveyor's 100 ft. "chain" beside his old 300 ft. linen tape and his tape showed that the chain was only 72 ft. long! It took a while to convince him his tape could stretch 28%. He wouldn't believe it till he went down to the local farm store and bought a 100 ft. steel tape that agreed with ours.

Jerry

BTW..........My method of evaluating groups is the same as fitting an elephant into a match box.

Look at it through binoculars held backwards...............does wonders for group size! [smilie=p:

[starmac]

To be honest I really don't remember actually measuring a group, eyeballing has worked fine for my use.

[ph4570]

measured by how much meat is in the freezer at season's end.

[NavyVet1959]

A long time ago, in a land not so far away, I worked part time for a land surveyor. We went out one evening to meet with a VERY irate farmer who accused us of gross incompetence because our measurements didn't agree with his by a big margin. He threatened to sue for the "extra acreage" he paid for when he bought the farm based on the survey.

We laid the surveyor's 100 ft. "chain" beside his old 300 ft. linen tape and his tape showed that the chain was only 72 ft. long! It took a while to convince him his tape could stretch 28%. He wouldn't believe it till he went down to the local farm store and bought a 100 ft. steel tape that agreed with ours.


Actually, his tape has stretched 38.89%.

[Wayne Smith]

1) am I measuring groups or accuracy? For groups I'm off the target by at least 2" so I can see the group from my scope - takes time for a chance to go to the target.

2) If I'm looking for accuracy I want a group about 1" to 1.5" above the target @ 100 yds. That lets me know I'll hit my target out to 150yds if I do what is necessary. Generally no good shot greater than 150yds around here anyway.

[RayinNH]

One shot groups save a lot of time and you can claim that there are three or five shots in the hole.

[starmac]

One shot groups save a lot of time and you can claim that there are three or five shots in the hole.

I am with you, that first one is mainly what I am interested in anyway.

[Taylor]

Found out I've been doing it wrong for a long time, I always measured Outside to outside, 1/2" group could be covered by a 1/2" dot. Grew up calling it by coins, cover it with a: dime, nickel, quarter, half dollar etc. Guess that just means the 1/2" groups were even better. What can I say? I'm modest, lol

Same here,that's the way we did it growing up.If you can shoot a dime at 50 yds,a squirrel shouldn't be a problem.

[Blammer]

I use a yard stick.

[freebullet]

Not being in competitions I've never used the caliper. I like using targets with 1" grid lines if I'm going for smallest group possible. I don't measure when the best I can manage is a pattern.

The app and computer programs sound interesting, I wouldn't mind hearing about any you fellers like.

[nagantguy]

Lots of good methods but I use one that is "fool" proof! I put a little paper plate over a large one and then staple the whole thing to a 4x3 piece of freezer paper and then shoot a five round group, adjust for windage shoot a five round group, adjust for elevation and shoot her another five round group. Forgot to mention the rifle is locked down in a lead sled. Then unless the lead lead sled is broken you should have 3 fairly good groups that can then be cut out and glued to a 3x5 index card, put in your wallet and shown your buddies as undeniable proof of your marksmanship .

[MaryB]

Like this? I forgot my spotting scope and didn't see the second hit so I moved a little to the right and fired 2 more rounds. Off of a $35 bench rest.

.223 at 100 yards, 50 grain z-max over CFE223

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd248/maryalanab/2014-01-06_23-08-01_101_zps8cd7af2b.jpg

[Ed Barrett]

Way easier than I've been doing. Outside to outside minus the bullet diameter. I'm an idiot.:killingpc

that is what I do too.