My point exactly, Bigeasy
Everybody is making better rifles now than 20 years ago. It wasn't that long ago that Browning came out with its A Bolt, guaranteeing 1 inch or better with factory ammo. Now, those groups are the minimum standard. I watched a guy with one of these a couple of weeks ago poking several 2s and 3s (real, honest to goodness 2s and 3s, not the internet kind
)
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/Model 12 Benchrest
You know, I used to shoot benchrest. But, then I discovered pistol shooting, then skeet, and now my bench gun has been converted into a new 1911 and 3 new shotguns. I was OK, with the right equipment. At my best, my aggregates were in the high 3s on a non windy day. I'm proud to admit that, because in all reality, for me that is really good shooting.
Reading mirage, wind, barrel temp, and the magic bullet Genies is very hard. There are guys at my club who could, and did, wax me regularly. But if you look at these aggregates from the best shooters in the world, shooting with $10k equipment, high 3s doesn't look too bad. I was generally happy with my scores if my aggregate was under 5s (there was always those flyers).
http://internationalbenchrest.com/results/group/2010/UnionCounty/Nationals/GroupNationals.phpI've shot my share of bug holes, but I considered them more luck than skill. We are very lucky to have so many fine rifle to select among. Never has there been higher quality for a good price than right now.
Finally, I'd take Tony Boyer with an out of the box Remington or Savage Varmint gun against me with any other gun, and in all but dead calm weather, he'll kick my...., well, he'll beat me.