The Firearm Guide: The difference between Accuracy and Precision.

Hey there, I'm sure you've been contemplating in deep thought about what the difference between accuracy and precision is - so we'll discuss it real quick and not waste too much of your time.

Accuracy

Measures how close the mean point of impact of a number of rounds is to the point of aim.

Accuracy revolves around your ability to hit where you're aiming. If you're looking at a specific spot on a target, such as center mass, and you hit that specific spot, then you're accurate.

Take a look at these crudely drawn examples.

As you can see with the last example, accuracy depends on what you intended to shoot. Take your point of aim, find the average of where your rounds hit in relation to it, and use that to determine if you're accurate or not.

That's accuracy in a nutshell.

Precision

The ability to strike close to the same point over a number of rounds in order to create a shot grouping.

Precision is less about hitting what you're aiming at, and more about if your rounds are consistently hitting in the same location. In fact, feel free to use either precision or consistency as meaning the same thing. For me, it's much easier to call it being consistent as it helps me easily differentiate the two.

Lets take a look at some more crudely drawn examples.

And finally, to sum it all up, here's a small, crudely drawn chart including the two of them:

See? That wasn't so bad. So, in conclusion, Accuracy vs Precision can also be called Accuracy vs Consistency. Accuracy involves hitting where you're aiming, and precision / consistency involves your rounds hitting close to each other.

Accuracy is generally affected by mechanical error. Maybe you didn't zero your optic properly. Maybe your barrel is still warming up, causing some sporadic shots. This is assuming you're aiming stable at your target of course.

Precision is generally affected by user error. Your breathing, sight picture, and stance all contribute to your stability and consistency when firing. If you're consistent in your shot groups, then chances are you're either making a consistent mistake or there's a mechanical factor involved and that's why you're not accurate. A consistent mistake isn't always bad though - just adjust to that mistake!

I hope you got something out of this, and as always be safe and tune in for more content!