ADVANCEMENTS IN MODERN DEER RIFLES
When I first started seriously shooting and deer hunting in the 1960s, an “accurate” deer rifle was one that produced three-shot groups at 100 yards that measured 1 ½ inches; anything that grouped 2 inches was considered accurate enough. And that was usually achieved only after trying lots of different ammunition, working the trigger over, glass bedding the barrel, and other custom shop-type modifications.
Today’s off-the-shelf, moderately priced rifles routinely shoot 1-inch groups or less. That kind of accuracy breeds confidence that when you squeeze the trigger at distances both near and far, your bullet will hit right where you want it to. There are a lot of reasons for this “accuracy invasion,” as I like to call it. Better machines and machining techniques, tighter tolerances, space-age quality control, and heightened competition between gun makers are just a few of the reasons. Here are some of the advancements that contribute to this accuracy revolution you may never think about when looking for a new rifle — but
