What represents reasonable rifle accuacy? Col. Jeff Cooper posted his thoughts in a 1966 Guns & Ammo article:
"Actually, while accuracy is the great god of the rifleman, its single-minded pursuit may occasionally obscure some of the facts of life. The difference between one-minute accuracy and two-minute accuracy is the difference between heaven and hell to the purist, but I sometimes wonder if it matters much in a weapon intended for general use in the field. A one-minute weapon will strike within 1 inch its point of aim at 200 yards, while a two-minute piece will strike within 2. You can't see that increment with anything but a high-power telescope, and you couldn't hold that close if you could see it, from any field position."
Bill would point out that way back in 1921, George Farr drew a 1903 Springfield off the rack at Camp Perry, and entered the National Match competition. It was 4:30 pm. He assumed the prone position, and proceeded to place 70 consecutive shots into a 36" bull at 1,000 yards. Two hours later, in failing light, his 71st shot went wide. He did not win; a Marine with a telescopic sight bested him. Still, the simple fact that we are talking about his feat so many years later is ample testimony that holding a 'Honest to God' 3.5 MOA represents splendid shooting.