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 an 'Honest to God' 3.5 MOA represents splendid shooting.