3 shot groups?

[Hanshi]

I've mentioned this elsewhere - if I already posted this here, please forgive; senior moment year, ya' know.

Seems  many, if not most, of my 5+ shot groups have that one lousy shot that messes up what otherwise be a nice group.  What I'm beginning realize is that in hunting scenarios, perhaps 3 shot groups may be all we need.  True, with small game, more shots are normally fired; but I believe 3 shot groups - with the .32 and 36 I still prefer 5 shots - are a good indicator across the board.

Consider: With modern guns every round is identical, of course.  But with muzzleloaders, each load is a separate EVENT and differs from all the other loads in some small way or another.  The most BP shots I've fired at deer were two (2) shots at two (2) deer.  Shots 3-5 were irrelevant for that purpose.    Smoothbores firing ball are especially suited for 3 shot groups.  I've never fired more than one shot at a deer with mine.  This also applies to rifles used in the bush for game.  After all, the best shot - if one misses the first shot - is still the first shot.

Now, if one wants to find the very best load and/or eek out the best accuracy of a ML, 5+ shots is the way to go.  Target shooters need a larger sample of shots, as well.  Admittedly, I still end up shooting 5 shot groups with rifles even when I start off with just the 3.  But I'm confident when the three shots are "on".

What do the peanut gallery think?   

[Patocazador]

3 shots is fine. All you want to do is make sure you're going to drop that deer, hog, etc.

With modern guns the bullets I use are so danged expensive I never shot more than 3 at a target. (I'm cheap. That's why I'm a member here.)

[Winter Hawk]

I was brought up to shoot 5 shot groups because with three, one of them could be a flyer and you don't know it, while with five shots if four are clustered together and one is off a ways you can pretty well discount it.

Having said that, I agree that three should be all we need since each shot is an individual event.

~WH~

[beowulf]

have to agree , 3 shots is plenty , after 5 shots I have trouble finding the rifle ,let alone loading it !