I was recently in a box store accruing some hunting gear for the upcoming elk season and happened to peruse the ammo shelf. Curious as to ammo prices I spied a box of 250 grain Remington Core-Lokts in 35 Whelen…$79! Holy smokes! Pistol powder runs the same price as rifle powder now (~$45/lb) and primers are $80-$100 per one thousand. It seems that more and more projectiles are coming fifty in a box rather than one hundred making them twice the price and every manufacturer makes a “premium” line of projectiles for every caliber.

You can still find boxes of 270 Win, 30-06, 30-30 WCF, 308 Win, and 243 Win, that have been killing game since these cartridges’ inception, for reasonable prices of around $25-$35 per box on sale or clearance. Factory ammo, even this cheap, is fairly accurate and at these prices shooting off the shelf ammo is cheaper than hand rolling your own. Which brings up another question, “how much accuracy do I need and what criteria is required for a discipline?”

For the last twenty years or so I would venture there are more people who shoot than ever despite the rising prices to do so. However, while there is an increase in “people who shoot” there is not a proportional increase of actual “shooters.” I may be nit-pickin’ but I believe there is a difference. The main difference can be determined by answering this last question, “what does it take to become a shooter” but first lets talk accuracy per discipline.

Rifle Accuracy Criteria

My criteria for acceptable accuracy in the pursuit of big game is the ability to put three rounds in a 10 inch paper plate at 100 yards, off-hand in 10 seconds. With practice this can easily be accomplished. There are many who will contend for the meticulousness of load development and sub-MOA groups who are not capable of shooting from basic field positions or without a rest who cannot accomplish the above requirement.

Varmint shooting requires a different accuracy requirement. If one can connect with a twelve ounce Soda can or 18-20 ounce water bottle at 200 yards, 4 out of 4 times then this is acceptable accuracy for prairie dog, marmot, woodchuck, crow, and rabbit hunting. For coyotes and foxes I might add the caveat of being capable of a quick follow-up shot in 2 seconds. All this from a suitable rest (portable bench, vehicle hood, shooting sticks, etc.) or steady field position.

Those who can perform these tasks would be considered “shooters” by my reckoning for these particular disciplines. It does not mean that there are no other “shooters” but rather taking the time to practice and become proficient in a particular discipline makes one a “shooter.”

Pistol Accuracy Criteria

The term pistol covers a wide range of firearms. These include semi-autos and revolvers as well as single shots and bolt actions. Generically speaking a “pistol” typically refers to a revolver type handgun while the term “handgun” would encompass semi-automatics. “Pistolero” is a Spanish word that means gunfighter and that era took place in the late 19th century by individuals who wielded six-guns. My preference of handgun is the six-gun pistol and therefore my standards of accuracy will be different than those who shoot steel and various other semi-auto competition sports.

My requirements for pistol shooting is the ability to consistently hit a golf-ball size target at 10-12 yards and a softball size target at 35-40 yards. I also have an 8 inch steel plate set up at 75 yards and a 10 inch plate at 100 yards which I am able to ring consistently with each of my revolvers. These closer range requirements are “meat in the pot” capable (rabbits, grouse, etc.) and to 100-115 yards are big game capable depending on the loads and hunting requirements.

Rifle and pistol competition shooting are their own disciplines with specific criteria imposed by each shooter themselves. You might ask if I’ve mastered these self-imposed requirements personally. The answer is yes. The firearms I shoot with regularity and which I am most comfortable and familiar I consider myself a “shooter” in my disciplines.

To become proficient in any discipline you need to develop your own criteria for success, determine what standards are acceptable to you and do not deviate unless for the better.

In the next post I will cover a few concepts that have helped me become a “shooter.”