Gun Series - Accuracy, Precision or Both | Eastern North Carolina Now

    This is an expansion to Ted's Gun Carry Permit Series. Ted suggested that I add some military specific context to the series. Here are the links to Ted's articles on BCN:

1. TMc Carry permit 1,
2. TMc Carry permit 2
3. TMc Carry permit 3
4. Tmc Carry permit 4

    The old saying that practice makes perfect is even truer when it comes to accuracy in weapons training. Many people confuse accuracy with precision. There is a big difference and a critical circumstance is not the time to learn the difference.

    Accuracy is the ability to hit what you are aiming at (Bullseye). Precision reflects how close your hits are (i.e. A tight Shot Group). In self defense both are required. A tight shot group off target is useless.

    Don't try to beat the Military system when qualifying on the range. If you think you can get a cushy assignment by screwing up your score, think again. I did my best to qualify not accurate, not precise. It did not work. The Army has a real twisted sense of humor.



   

    Case 1: Not accurate, not precise: A shooter stands, aims through the rifle's telescopic sight, and fires four shots at a target. Upon examining the target, the shooter sees that all four shots are high or left and scattered all around that part of the target. These shots were neither accurate (not close to the center) nor precise (not close to each other).

    Case 2: Precise, not accurate: The shooter assumes a prone position, rests the barrel of the rifle on a support, takes careful aim, holds his breath, and gently squeezes the trigger. The target shows that these four shots are very close together, but all four are high and to the left of the bull's eye. These shots are precise (close together), but not accurate (not close to the center of the target).

    Case 3: Accurate, not precise: The shooter adjusts the rifle's telescopic sight and, full of confidence that the problem of inaccuracy has been solved, stands and quickly fires four shots. Upon studying the target, the four holes are scattered across the target, but the location of each of the four is very close to the bull's eye. These shots are accurate, but not precise.

    Case 4: Accurate, precise: The shooter again assumes a prone position, rests the barrel of the rifle on a support, takes careful aim, holds his breath, and gently squeezes the trigger four times. This time, the four holes are very close to the center of the target (accurate) and very close together (precise).

    Here is a link to the extract above.