SMALLEST GROUP SIZE AND NUMBER OF GROUPS SHOT

     "Even a blind pig will occasionally find an acorn" sometimes refers to a group or score shot in a match; and is a comment on the effect of luck or chance on match results. The "Infinite Monkey Theorem" is about the same effect.
     We recognize that even the most inaccurate equipment and inept shooter will occasionally shoot a small group or large score if enough targets are shot.
     The relationship between the number of targets shot and group size can be and has been calculated-examples follow.
     ("Long Term Average" or "LTA" group size is the average of a zillion groups fired by a shooter/equipment combination.)
     
     Examples
     Let LTA = 1"
     When two five shot groups are shot, 71% of the time one of the two groups will be at least 10% smaller than the LTA; .9" or less.
When three five shot groups are fired, 40.1% of the time one of the three groups will be at least  30% smaller than the LTA, .7" or less.
     When ten five shot groups are shot, 69.4% of the time the smallest group will be at least 40% smaller than the LTA, .6" or less. . 

     The calculations and tables for five and ten shot groups, from 10% to 50% reduction in group size, are in " SMALLEST GROUP SIZE AND NUMBER OF GROUPS SHOT.xls", ask and I'll send it.

The more targets shot, the LARGER is the largest group. We don't talk about that much. Back to the good news. 
     The more targets shot, the smaller the smallest group (and the larger the largest group.) And, the chance of  a very small (or large)group gets larger fairly quickly as the number of targets shot increases. (And, as the number of targets shot increases, the closer our estimate of LTA becomes. An argument for repeating the same actions in hopes of seeing different results.) 

     One conclusion is that the more matches entered, the more targets shot, the greater the probability of shooting a very small group and even setting a record. 

(Note that given the number of targets shot and group sizes, LTA can b