Why five shot groups?

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Why do people do a five shot groups? I can see a five shot group when trying to find a pellet that works, but I feel like to find the real worth of a gun and a shooter the groups should at least be 10 shots. I also understand that everyone is not as lucky as me and can not shoot at longer distances and have to shoot in their basements. It is of my personal opinion that shot groups should be shot between 30 & 70 yards. If you have a very accurate rifle and you are a decent shot 100 yard groups are really cool.

I am waiting on the day someone says "Look at my 3 shot group at 10 yards". I hope this post does not offend anyone, and some insight will make me a better person.

Well....for ME shooting more than 5 shots at a time is more a measure of the shooter than the equipment. While I do on occasion shoot 10 or 20 shot groups I find it more representative to shoot two 5 shot groups with a rest between than one 10 shot group.

15 out of 20 CPLs through a 3/4" killzone at 50 yards using my .177 break barrel R9 I used to own................


Here is a 5 shot 50 yard group shot with my newest R9..........

And the next 5 shots were on the paper target at 50 yards.......

Since both 5 shot groups were similar I see no value if "forcing" 10 shot strings. For example, here is a series of 5 shot groups shot from 10 yards to 50 yards when checking the pellet trajectory.........

Notice the difference in 5 shot group sizes especially at 35 and 40 yards.......is the group size difference due to the equipment or the shooter, probably the shooter who is shooting hunter class field target style (sitting on a bucket resting the gun on cross sticks), not bench rested.

Anywhoo......I've heard others extol the virtues of a 10, 20 or even 50 shot group, however I'm of the mind that whatever works is the right way to do it. When I first got into airgunning I used to use a powder burner norm 3 shot group and here are two 50 yard back to back 3 shot groups my brother shot using his bench rested .177 R9.......


Here is a 50 yard target I shot years ago with two 1/2"ish groups shot with a R9..........

The first 5 shot group was using a 30 yard zero and holdover. After adjusting the scope walking pellets to a 50 yard zero I shot the second 5 shot group. Point being.......whatever works best for the shooter is best. For one with great concentration perhaps groups of 10 or 20 shots work well....for myself, only on the occasional rare days!

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I think 5 shots is a reasonable number. I've done 10 shot groups but when shooting .22cal, 10 shots ends up just tearing big hole in the target so you really can't see individual shots that well. On the other hand, 3 shots just isn't enough to really be sure where the group is centering. So I like 5 shots as a good number and think it works for me to show group size and center point. Oh and added plus is 5 shot groups give me several groups between pumping up the rifle. If I did 10 shot groups... I'd only be able to do 2 groups before I had to pump again. With 5 shot groups... I get 5 groups before I have to re-pump the discovery. I do my groups at 50yards btw not 10

As a side note.......I really like your P40 avatar!