Nobody.
They'd barely shoot that far if you pointed them up at a 45deg angle.
Still the point's not lost. Each and EVERY one of us should be able to hit a water mellon at 500yds, every time.
Look for the resonance of your barrel...try different bullet weights. Use a bullet with a good ballistic co-efficiency (at least .400). You should be able to shoot 5 shots into a 1 inch group at 100 yds.
Even Ruger and Savage rifles will do that if you find their resonance.
Please expand on “resonance”. I’ve never heard of it and want to know more.
That outlandish "theory" has about the same validity as man-made global warming and other religions based upon junk science. It is a shame that otherwise reasonable people accept such nonsense.
Are you kidding? To quote my favorite comedian, Jeff Foxworthy and our shared love of redneck terms: "500 yards? Well, I usetacould see that far and if you gave me a real good scope, I mightcould again!"
You're not discussing a 5.56mm round there. The max effective range on that is 460 meters, just about 500 yards and it's running out of steam and losing altitude pretty quick there. Besides, can you hit a watermelon at 500 yards, using iron sights, sitting on the grass? If you can, I'd pay money (about $1) to see that!
When I was a 1LT on active duty I was XO of the Division Pistol team. As such I got to hang around the division MTU (Marksmanship Training Unit) and speak to them quite a bit. Yes, resonance affects accuracy at those ranges and mostly beyond. But the only folks who really have to worry about that are the highly trained and specialized snipers in the military. Those reside at the division level and are doled out to units on a temporary basis based on mission requirements. At least that was the case during my service time (Cold War).
But there is more to being a sniper than long range accuracy. It's called fieldcraft It's covered very extensively on that Military Channel show about sniper school, which I'll bet is available for purchase. What you're discussing isn't the job of a sniper it's the pursuit of a hobby called "Bench Rest Shooting."
Of far more importance to accuracy at realistic defense ranges is the phenomenon called HOT/COLD barrel accuracy. At ranges far closer than your magic 500 yards, that is going to have a damping effect on accuracy. At least that is what the SEAL sniper who helped me accessorize and customize my Springfield Armory M1A .308 rifle told me during his training of me. By that time, I was still no novice and was already a senior NRA certified Instructor myself, but I long ago learned you never stop being a student if you truly wish to advance your own skills. HOT/COLD barrel issue will affect your point of impact at realistic rifle (using iron sights or non magnifying "dot sights") combat ranges of 100-250 meters. THAT's a realistic requirement for engagement using iron sights. But 500 yards?
Gimme a break.
I wouldn't be dogging on Savage considering I get dime sized groups with a 30-06 at that range.
With open sights, I would think that the proper range for a watermelon is 200-300 yards. I'm not sure that I could see it at 500, and I certainly wouldn't be hitting 100% at that range without a scope.