Rifle shooters then and now speak in terms of "minutes of angle" when referring to elevation or windage changes and any modern or antique rifle which can shoot many shots into "one minute of angle" is considered to be a very accurate rifle indeed.

At 100 yards one minute equals approximately 1.0 inch, 200 yards equals 2.0 inches and so on for longer yardage.

Many shooters are able to fire 8 to 10 shots inside one minute of angle (MoA) but that unexpected gust of wind or other factor usually spoils their attempt at long strings of shots inside one MoA. However........with careful preparation,  good shooting conditions and an above average amount of skill, a good marksman can do it with a small caliber black powder rifle. 

Shooting MoA with a large caliber black powder rifle is more difficult but can also be done.

CHALLENGE!!

Davide Pedersoli & Co. throws out the challenge to any shooter, anywhere in the world, using any brand of rifle which meets the rules requirements, and will award a handsome bronze plaque which recognizes the skill and accomplishment of any shooter using iron sights or telescopic sights (separate awards for each  class) who is able to fire 20 consecutive shots in one shooting session inside one MoA. 

The rules are given below:

MINUTE OF ANGLE CHALLENGE RULES

No entry fee or form required. Prizes will be awarded for both iron and scope sighted rifles and every winner will receive a bronze plaque. Each year a new contest will start.

1. Rifle to be .40 caliber or larger. 

2. Any rifle legal for (US) NRA silhouette, mid-range, long-range or Creedmoor matches may be used but an exposed hammer is required. 

3. Any pure black powder load will be allowed. No Pyrodex, duplex loadings or substitute BP allowed.

4. Only cast or swaged lead or lead alloy bullets allowed. No jacketed bullets or gas checks allowed.

5. Winners will supply two nice photos showing him/her with rifle used and the four targets or groups displayed. Sign a simple statement granting the right to use the photos in publicity releases. Full technical details of the rifle, groove diameter or caliber dimension, weight, type of sights used, shooting method and ammunition components and assembly data are required to be furnished.

6. The challenge is to fire 5 shots into each of 4 consecutive targets, or four 5 shot groups onto a single paper target on which the four groups can be properly separated, during one day's shooting session and each of the 4 group sizes must measure one minute of angle or smaller, for that  shooting distance.

Unlimited sighter shots on another target may be fired. The shooter and a range officer or club official are to sign off on each of the 4 targets or a single target stating each 5 shot group was fired at the stated distance and in a consecutive manner, and, the center to center distance size of each group is ONE MINUTE OF ANGLE or less for the distance being fired. 

The size of One Minute of Angle using the yards system will be as follows: 
                      100 yards = 1.047";                 200 yards = 2.094"; 
                      300 yards = 3.141";                 400 yards = 4.188"; 
                      500 yards = 5.24".

Shooters using the metric system will use the following MoA sizes given in inches:
                     100 metres = 1.08";                 200 metres = 2.16"; 
                     300 metres = 3.25";                 400 metres= 4.53"; 
                     500 metres = 5.66". 

Entries must also state the day, month , year and hour of start and completion along with shooters name, address, phone number. Also the name and location of the shooting range. 

7. Targets, releases and photos to be mailed to : 
    Dick Trenk Competition Events Coordinator Davide Pedersoli & Co.
         6310 93rd Ter. #4101 
         Pinellas Park, Florida 33782 USA
         (email any questions to dicktrenk@aol.com)

8. Australian entries can be forwarded via Forbes Wholesale Pty Ltd:
     P.O. Box 589, Eltham, Vic 3095, we will dispatch to USA for judging.

SCORING RULES 

For bullet holes which are oval in shape, the center of the hole will be considered to be 1/2 the barrel groove diameter from the edge of the hole nearest to the center of the group. Shooter and range officer (or club official) will determine to their own satisfaction, the center to center distance of each group by using any type transparent overlay or measuring device which does NOT enter the bullet hole. Any target which shows evidence of a plug or device having entered a bullet hole will be disqualified. 

Target judging will be performed by the High Power Rifle Team members at the Wyoming Antelope Club, (NRA affiliate) located in Pinellas Park, Florida USA.