Accuracy VS Precision: Whats Better?

What is the importance of accuracy? Well, it depends on what you are trying to do. If you are trying to qualify on a paper target, being able to hit inside a certain area will be good enough. If it is in competition, as long as you skim through and get your hit, it is all good. In combat, connecting with the torso is the name of the game. All of these scenarios could benefit from more precision of course, but perhaps there is a problem with people understanding when they are being accurate and when they are being precise.

In my mind, I think that accuracy is a very broad word that basically is thrown around too freely. All too often, the term accuracy is used interchangeably with precision. They are actually two different things because the term accuracy is more relative and objective based on a general area, while the term precision is used to describe pin point placement with little deviation from the desired area.

When it comes to accuracy, I would personally define acceptable accuracy as being shots placed in the high center chest with a deviation of 4 inches in either direction. that type of accuracy, if centered on the heart, will typically keep you in an adequate zone that will cause damage to the vital organs. However, if a head shot is needed, we may wanna consider that this will fall outside the realm of relative accuracy and into the realm of precision.

Precision is not too important in most uses of a firearm except for certain things like competition and feel good range time. It is natural for us to wanna poke a hole with a bullet wherever we wanted it to go. This is not all that realistic without intense discipline and experience. The concept of precision is the same as the concept of relative accuracy; pulling the trigger without disturbing the desired sight picture. Precision will obvious require damn near perfection in everything with little to no room for error, human or mechanical.

Personally, I feel that relative accuracy will cover you for most things out there. I don't see too many instances where "thread the needle" precision is completely needed, except for situations similar to a hostage situation. But that brings it's own can of worms to including an understanding of anatomy and ballistics. Being a surgeon with a bullet is useless unless you know where to place it for the desired effect. I like to be able to hit right where I want, but as a human being with limitations, I feel that we need to realize that sometimes good enough is enough. As long as you hit your target, I think you are good to go.