Reflections on Accuracy and the Number 4

It occurred to me the other day that the number 4 has a significant meaning in the world of shooting accuracy both with pistol and carbine. This came about after a service member emailed me from OCONUS and asked for measurements of a certain target so they could improvise making one and shoot some of my tests. I kept this under my hat for a few weeks until I could prove or disprove my theory. Ended up that my first thoughts were correct. I kept track of the group sizes of a diverse group of shooters. Obviously, all were good enough to actually be measured. So here goes-

The gold standard for pistol accuracy is the 25 yd line. The most common target at that distance is an NRA B-8 which has a 5.5" bull. The best shooters I was around and myself routinely had a group size of right at 4 inches on that target. Even when some guys would have an awesome few rounds, they would throw one or two and the average over 3 to 5 different shoots was still 4".

As for carbine, in my classes I use the same NRA B-8 at 100 yds for zeroing and accuracy work on short ranges. When I have a 200 yd range I go to a NRA SR-42, which has a 12" bull. Keep in mind that pretty much all NRA tagets are based on the principle of the bull being the width of the front sight post for the weapon and distance that the target was designed for (this in itself has proven to be a huge time saving factor in training, especially for accuracy , over the years. We should all thank the guy who figured this out).

No matter the distance, either 100 or 200 on the above respective targets the normal group size again after 3-5 shoots was an average of 4 MOA (minutes of angle), which equals 4 inches at 100 yds. and 8 inches at 200 yds. Another interesting point here is that the Appleseed Shoot, which is based on the old 'rifleman's qurater mile' of 500 yds is also based on 4 MOA.

As for the guns, none of them were super tricked out, just the normal combat modifications. Interestingly, even the 4 power optics like my new scope didn't really improve the group size that much on non-accurized rifles.

So I think that this is a good standard to aim for; 4 " group at 25 yds with a pistol and 4 MOA at either 100 or 200 yds. with your carbine.

Simple Post

"The simpler you make things, the richer the experience"

Can't conduct a good war without 'em, love me some Devil Dogs

Running Week of Nov 11

Sun- 1:25, VivoBarefoot Neo Trails

Mon- 2:10, Salomon XA Pros

Tue- 1:00, Salomon XA Pros

Thu- 1:00, Salomon XA Pros

Fri- 1:00, Salomon XA Pros

6h 35 m total

I've decided to go with Salomon XA Pros for my project this year (2012).  Not exactly a barefoot shoe, but minimal enough to have little heel rise and satisfy my mid foot strike. It's the best choice for the varying terrain I encounter on my runs and makes packing for trips easier because I can work in the shoe as well, and this makes my minimalist approach to life a little more doable. Lastly, I've ran an ultra 3 times with them with no issues.

Total gear reviews of my running kit will be coming soon.

U.S. Optics SN-4S

I've had my eye (pun intended) on a new 5.56 rifle optic for awhile. I am lucky enough that have about 4 years on the old Leupolds and roughly 6 years on the Nighforces. Both great pieces, no doubt, but this time I really wanted to simplify the process a bit more and not try to make the optic and rifle something it's not. In a nutshell, I wanted an optic that would be as simple and bombproof as possible, be able to shoot effectively at CQB distance, take positive head shots at 100, and engage at the max distance for 5.56 - IMO 400 yds on the body.


Larue OBR Mount is a no-brainer. Quick release mounts are an absolute necessity in case of obscured/broken lenses.

I wanted to take a different road this time because I've had adjustable turrets my whole life on the above mentioned scopes. Honestly, though, I rarely dialed elevation in training (where I come from we don't dial windage at all), and I never dialed it in combat. I'm not saying that it isn't ever going to happen, it's just for the 5.56 caliber and the distances it can be used at don't really make it that necessary to dial. Holds are fine, and I think are better (and make a better shooter!) for the shooter and the weapon system.


Here you can see the protective/watertight/dust proof covers of the elevation and windage turrets.

Adjustments for the SN-4S are 5/8" per click both wingage and elevation. This might sound sketchy to some but how tight can a 5.56 barrel and good ammo be anyway? The answers will vary depending on ammo type and scope power, but remember, I wanted one optic that could basically do it all from 5 yds to 400 without mounting superfluous gear (i.e.- a 45 degree mounted Micro) all over the gun. When you think about it, to get sniper rifle accuracy, let's say 1 MOA at 100 yds, you'll need at least a 10 power scope, and 12 would be better, which takes up-close shooting out of the equation without an additional side mounted, or top mounted red dot. Personally, I'm embracing my minimalist approach more and more because I haven't seen any real performance differences in the above mentioned setups on the range recently with the recce teams I've been shooting with. I thought that the 10 powers would crush me at distance but I've found that there are too many other factors that come into play than the magnification.


The left side knob is a lighted reticle with 50 plus settings. Sadly, it's not daytime visible. I would guess that they are working on this for the future?

The reticle for the SN-4S I have is unique in that there are two reticles. One is in one focal plane, one is in another. When the optic is on 1 power you have a black dot akin to an EOTech ring. Once you go to 4 power the other reticle kicks in with mil hash marks and cross hairs. Again, simple and easy. Parallax is fixed, so all there really is to do when you get it is adjust the ocular when it's on 4 power and you're ready to go. I personally use the edge of a building in the distance to plumb my scope in the mount after I get my eye relief.


Here is the reticle on 1 power at 10 yds.


..and adjusted to 4 power at 100 yds. Each hash mark is 1 mil.




Scopes and optics are almost like politics and religion- what you like is the best and everyone elses' sucks


I know, I know....I'm still waiting on some flip-up irons. No, I haven't changed my mind about that!

I dig it and can't wait to see how it does against red dots at close distances....until then

My Hero

Running week of Nov 4

Sun- 1:37, Salomon XA Pros 

Mon-1:14, Salomon XA Pros

Tue- 1:22, VivoBarefoot Neo Trails

Thu-  1:16, VivoBarefoot Neo Trails

Fri- 1:00, VivoBarefoot Neo Trails

6h 29 mins

Solid runs but unable to go long on Sun. Still deciding on shoes. Vivos are good but in rough terrain any minimal shoe is too thin. Salomon just sent me a new model to be released next year. I'm going to give them a shot on Sunday and I'll probably rock those or XA pros all next week.

I also picked up some new Icebreaker running shorts and tshirt which are the bomb. Look for a review soon.