How Many Groups?

[denton]

How many groups do you need to shoot to find out the accuracy of a firearm with a given load? It depends on how precise you need the answer to be. I've run the math:

A single five-shot group will give you the answer within plus or minus 50%. That is, if you shoot a 1" group, the long term average for that firearm and load could actually be anywhere between .5" and 1.5".

Five five-shot groups will give you an answer within plus or minus 25%.

Ten five-shot groups will give you an answer within plus or minus 17%.