The ‘Pie Plate’ Grouping

I had a recent varmint rifle that would only shoot a 5 inch group from the bench. When I called Browning they said they only guarantee 5".

I sent it back at the speed of light. 5" grouping off the bench is a ridiculously poor group size for any use other than making noise.

Everyone should learn how to take an improvised rest. I've often seen shooters standing beside a tree or shooting above a log when they could have made a steady shot from a rest. Most of these hunters claim that they don't need the advantage, yet they still miss that killing shot.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

I remember years ago I when I first got my .45 Kentucky patch and ball ML, I posted a pic of the target panel after my first day shooting free hand. I was putting most of the shoots into the black 5’ circle, so I made the comment “at least they’re Pie Plate, good for hunting”. The usual keyboard experts didn't agree.

I still have that old target panel, cut to the size of the pie plate. This comparison of it to the same heart. Makes for a good visual. Easier to see that when the term ‘Pie Plate’ grouping is used, it is in fact kill shot. Especially for larger caliber bullets like a .303, .45 ball or shotgun slugs.


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...psfdjcudhf.jpg



Back then, I posted that same target paper fixed to the side of my Doe decoy to show the relative size of the vitals on a deer and then put the decoy out at the 50 yd panel to show the actual visual distances to the target with open sights.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...pscc9e26ef.jpg

I can been seen, that the 'kill zone' of the vital area at 50 yds is quite large and a fairly easy to shot with even open sights.


http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps1754a52d.jpg

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Really enjoyed the pics and post... Pretty cool to see
Thanks for sharing it-put things into perspective.

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Originally Posted by patvetzal

Everyone should learn how to take an improvised rest. I've often seen shooters standing beside a tree or shooting above a log when they could have made a steady shot from a rest. Most of these hunters claim that they don't need the advantage, yet they still miss that killing shot.

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When I started shooting, I seldom shot freehand. If there was a tree nearby I was using it. Somehow, I've quit doing that over the years and never thought twice about it. Good advice.

Exactly a rest makes a hell of a difference. Shoot as much as you can. You will only get better. I enjoy my time shooting.

Five inch group being good enough? - not in my opinion.

One thing with heavy recoil rifles - how you hold your rifle on a rest may/will affect your point of impact.

Re: the pie plate sized target - If guys can hit that shooting quickly - its good enough for me.

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Originally Posted by ninepointer

Something I recommend that all deer hunters try is get off the bench and shoot 3 rounds, standing off-hand, into a pie plate sized target at 100 yards. Trust me, it can be humbling. :ashamed:

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Each and every time I have folks out who are sighting in for hunting season. We start at 25M, out to 100M, and then once dialed in and confident that the rifle is doing it's job, I then take the shooters back to the 50, and make them shoot 3 shots, prone, kneeling / sitting, and off hand.....

If they're not shooting where they need to be we re-do the process beginning back at the 25, without the rest.

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Originally Posted by fratri

Really enjoyed the pics and post... Pretty cool to see
Thanks for sharing it-put things into perspective.

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X2 good posting!

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

Five inch group being good enough? - not in my opinion.

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That's the 'inside the box' mindset. On that target panel, I don't see a 5" grouping.. I see 4 separate shots that all hit the 5" target. The black is the bull...not just the 1" center. That is the meaning behind the 'Pie Plate'.

In a hunting scenario it's the 1st shot that counts...so if you can hit the pie plate, it's good, you don't have to hit dead center of the heart, anywhere on it will kill the deer.

Here's another comparitive relationship pic; I use old propane tanks on the range because they, not only provide positive audio feedback (sound) of a hit, they also fairly closely represent the vital area of a deer as you can see.

If you look at the pic of the decoy at 50yds, you'll see my tanks on the left at 100 yd and one hanging on tripod by a bungy cord at 200 yds. I use these for visual and audio feedback when shooting. They are excellent targets for practice and fairly closely represent the 10" kill zone of a deer.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...psknbqrtli.jpg