Group size

[colockumelk]

I don't group my arrrows as it gets to expensive when you shoot off fletching, robin hood arrows or fracture the other shafts.  I shoot a 5 dot target usually and try to take out the dots.  This also makes it a lot easier to pull the arrow out when they are not in a tight group.   

Yep I learned that the hard way last year.  My group size estimation is based off of how close each of my arrows are to the 3 spots I shot at.  I also forgot to mention that.  I NEVER shoot at the same spot anymore.  Not even when I'm shooting at 50 or 60yds.  That gets EXPENSIVE real quick doesn't it!

[PacificNWhunter]

Real expensive, I can only shoot 25 yards max at my house and burned through 2 dozen axis st's. Ouch!
I don't shoot groups anymore!

[adam.WI]

Chuck Adams says that at 20yds your group should be at no larger than 2".  Then for every increase of ten yds add an inch to that.  So for example your groups should look like this.  My max effective range for me is the farthest distance I can put 95% of my arrows inside of a 6" circle.

10yds = 1"
20yds = 2"
30yds = 3"
40yds = 4"
50yds = 5"
etc. 

This isn't meant to be a jab at you, to each there own, but I really don't like the 95% or the 6" circle idea. 6" isn't horrible but why not go for less. 6" isn't far from being a wounded animal. As far as the 95% that is a 1 in 20 chance of wounding that game. So with out going in to an argument of what is right and what's not that's my belief.

As far as 3.5" if your starting out, that's pretty good, just keep shooting and you should be all set for the season.

[konrad]

I have read the “rule of thumb” to be a one inch group at 10 yards, two at twenty, three at thirty, etc.
This by Chuck Adams (and he’s killed a critter or two).

I am OK up to 50 and hover around 5 1/2 but I keep trying!