Re: Shot group at 600 yds
The percentage shows where your scores fall relative to a scale regardless of how many shots were in the match - if you shoot 97% in your match with 80 shots and I shoot 97% in a match with 45 record shots, then we both have the same 'ranking'. From the NRA rule book...
Table III
Individual F-Class
High Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98.00 and above
Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96.50 to 97.99
Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94.00 to 96.49
Sharpshooter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91.50 to 93.99
Marksman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Below 91.50
The classifications above are computed based on a rolling 120 shot basis - when you get 120rds down range with an average score above 96.50% but below 97.99%, they should send you a card marked 'Master'. When you get 120 shots consistently over 98%, they should send you one marked 'High Master'.
Sounds good and all, and it's certainly something to take a small amount of pride in, but for any number of reasons it's not necessarily an accurate basis for comparison. Someone shooting a 6.5-284 is probably going to make 'High Master' way faster than someone shooting a .223 Rem, and someone who shoots only on their home range in low-wind conditions will have an easier time making classification faster than someone who either shoots on a Dorothy-n-Toto range. Right now the cards I've seen don't say whether the scores were shot F/TR or F/Open, mid-range (300-600yds) or long range (800+). But if you find someone who shoots consistent no-shit HM scores with a .223 Rem at long range on windy days... listen to what that person has to say!!!