High end PCP accuracy

If my targets don't look like the test targets then the "only logical solution" is that the gun must be bad. It couldn't possibly be my fault!

Test targets from my experience and I repeat MY experience are always shot at distances which don’t offer a true test of the gun.

22 rim fires are typically shot at 50 yards and air guns at 25. Often indoors off a machine rest 

I’d hate to think that they had to fudge to get good groups at those distances

Any decent rimfire will shoot small groups out to 75 yards and any decent PCP will shoot out to 50. 

Separating the men from the boys happens at 100 

If my targets don't look like the test targets then the "only logical solution" is that the gun must be bad. It couldn't possibly be my fault!

Click to expand...

Seems exactly right. A test target should show that the rifle shoots accurately AS TESTED. And as noted such testing is probably done under ideal conditions. But that seems to be the entire point. What the gun does. Not what the shooter does or what the conditions may be. How relevant (and representative) is such a test target? Seems hard to say.

I don't think the guy's that are complaining are those getting validated target card's of accuracy with their purchases. The most popularly bought airguns are going to get the most press, whether it be good or bad press, because there are so many of them out there. A good gun won't be getting as much good press as a bad one because with a bad one someone is trying to get answers, so sthey put it out there on the intenet. On another note, an airgun requires a good person behind it to get the accuracy job done correctly, and, as you well know, you're going to hear more bad then good about any given subject on the internet when someone is seeking validated answers by their own faults.

Had a high end PCP which came with a "Test target" that wouldn't shoot straight.

Sent it in for a trigger issue, It returned with a new "Test target" but wouldn't shoot straight.

Then I discovered a loose scope rail. It shoots great now.

Make your own judgements what "Test targets" are worth.

BB64 nailed it on yardage. 100yards and over is a whole new ball game. Sub MOA groups are one thing, doing it consistently is some thing else again.

BB64 nailed it on yardage. 100yards and over is a whole new ball game. Sub MOA groups are one thing, doing it consistently is some thing else again.

Click to expand...

JMO but I bet that the vast majority of air gun shooters never shoot to 100 yards and I bet most seldom shoot beyond 50 yards. Accuracy at the ranges most people probably (IMO) shoot seems just as important as shooting accurately at longer ranges seems to be for others. For me, if a gun will not shoot smaller groups than mine inside 50 yards, then what it can do at longer ranges does not matter to me. I'm sure other people will have different opinions.

Perhaps the buyer is shooting a different brand of pellet then the test target was shot with. Also the totally wind less indoor test range and the test jig used for the targets. My experience is that I can sand bag my rifle and still I know my trigger pull is far from being snipper quality.

Perhaps the buyer is shooting a different brand of pellet then the test target was shot with. Also the totally wind less indoor test range and the test jig used for the targets. My experience is that I can sand bag my rifle and still I know my trigger pull is far from being snipper quality.

Click to expand...

Agreed. Seems all a test target could do (if valid, which is another issue entirely) would be to show the potential of the gun. One gun could shoot one hole under the conditions you note but not produce desired accuracy for a specific shooter under his/her specific conditions. But one gun that cannot shoot well under the noted test conditions seemingly would never shoot well for anyone. How any test target is shot is probably paramount and to be useful should be well described. Still might be difficult to match for any given shooter so not sure of their usefulness.