What's a good group?

[Bruce McAskill]

All of my carbines would hold a four inch group or less except one with ball ammo. That one was six inches no matter what. But using a good soft point reload they all except that one would hold two inches or less. That one odd ball would still only do a six inch or bigger group. But most carbines can hold their own at 100 yards for sure.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Great groups, I have had 1 1/2" groups shooting paper at 100 yards from an NPM and Inland. I think 4 1/2" is a reasonable expectation. But there are so many variables. Barrel, barrel band, sights, ammo, wind, lighting direction, younger or older eyes, bag rest, elbow rest, standing, sitting, prone, how smoothly a person squeezes the trigger. That's for us weekend shooters.

Now consider the anxiety of facing someone shooting back at you. I carried a carbine on my boat one of my tours. I wasn't worried about 2" or 10" just hitting my target as we did insertions and extractions. It did it's job. Remember it is a combat weapon. Not intended for competition shooting.

Maybe some of us are expecting more then they were designed to do?

[ABPOS]

I absolutely agree with Jim. Your groups are fine. Shooting paper has a lot to do with environment. At our old club, the range was oriented East to West and the targets would have fabulous morning light conditions with no wind. You could really SEE the target and sights. The range I shoot at now is North to South with a big time crossing wind. No good light comes from the North, so all you see is blurry and full of the pesky cobwebs that plague us with old age. So expecting good shooting is a dream. But it's all there is in this area, so.......

My range does east to west. I agree about the sunlight. However, my range is right off of lake michigan. And when I say right off, I mean right off, There are berms and then there's the lake. And it's usually pretty windy. We get some calm days. But I swear, even when there is absolutely no wind in land, there's a 5-10 mph wind at the range. They don't call Chicago the windy city for nothin.... I'm like 70 miles north. Not that I'm complaining. Or making excuses. hehehheehe


Thank you about the groups. I can always improve though. And yeah, I might see better groups with handloads. But I'm still a novice compared to many. But I love shooting for groups. Is fun to me.

---------- Post added at 01:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ----------

Great groups, I have had 1 1/2" groups shooting paper at 100 yards from an NPM and Inland. I think 4 1/2" is a reasonable expectation. But there are so many variables. Barrel, barrel band, sights, ammo, wind, lighting direction, younger or older eyes, bag rest, elbow rest, standing, sitting, prone, how smoothly a person squeezes the trigger. That's for us weekend shooters.

Now consider the anxiety of facing someone shooting back at you. I carried a carbine on my boat one of my tours. I wasn't worried about 2" or 10" just hitting my target as we did insertions and extractions. It did it's job. Remember it is a combat weapon. Not intended for competition shooting.


Maybe some of us are expecting more then they were designed to do?

Wow, you and Bruce just gave me some humbling info. NO kidding. I'll have to put a scope on mine to get groups that small. LOL. Smallest group I ever got with irons was 1-3/8" with my Garand. but it was definitely not the norm for me.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

And I have never had good luck with my Garands, 3" at best. Never been a Garand guy, too heavy. I should sell the two I have.

[ABPOS]

Yeah, I think 3 MOA might be a good average with me and my garand also. Some loads do a little better than others. But I'm no expert. That's for sure. I think the garand is pretty heavy too. I don't like shooting it off hand at all. Kneeling, sitting or prone is fine. But dang it's heavy offhand. I'm pretty small though. I was stronger at one time, but not so much any more.

[woody314a]

Checking sights at 25 yds. 11(12)/1942 Underwood. 25 rounds!

[fn111557]

Here is my best 10 shot group from my I.B.M. This was the FIRST time I was able to get all 10 shots on the target. I followed the adjustment procedure shown on CMP’s website. Target is a printout of the Appleseed Redcoats 100 yard target, approximately 6”w x 5.5”h. Used a 6 o-clock hold, with a Caldwell rest under the front of the stock just behind the sling, free hand rest on the butt of the stock, VERY slow fire (1 – 2 min/shot). Yes I am proud of myself, I’ve only been able to do this 3 times.

CMP article; “Carbine Shooting with Accuracy” (section 4 explains adjustment)
http://www.odcmp.com/Training/CR/CarbineNotes.pdf

My BEST I.B.M. M1 carbine


My BEST 10 shot 100 yard group

[ABPOS]

Nice shooting guys!