Maybe what I should have said instead of "small plate" is "keep 'em in the black", (or about 6"), in an NRA SRM-whatever target that's used for 100yd Military Bolt Action matches. "Small plate" is better for a couple of reasons, mainly 'cause that's something everyone understands.
When I shoot in these matches, I'll shoot fifty rounds plus maybe five sight-in shots. Do I put most of them in the black? Yes, on a good day. Have I ever put them all in the black? Never. Highest score I've ever shot is 260-something, which puts me near the 50th percentile of people who participate in these matches at my club. It puts me I dunno, I'd bet in the top 25th percentile in a CMP match which is a better cross section of average shooters, depending on who shows up.
Bottom line? If I were drafted and sent to Iraq to do to Saddam what these guys have been doing in Washington, I WOULDN'T BE EVEN CLOSE TO 100% RELIABLE, ESPECIALLY UNDER PRESSURE, IN BAD WEATHER, IN A HOSTILE ENVIRONMNET.
That's the standard of marksmanship that applies in my house as well, not "Did I once hit a prarie dog at 300 yards", but "What can I consistently, reliably, and predictably hit at 100 (or 150) yards in the worst conditions and circumstances if my life depends on it?"
Answer: This dessert plate I'm eating my sandwich off of now at lunch. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it.
And I daresay if these guys are better riflemen than me (which hasn't been proven, BTW, one account of last nite's shooting was that one of them got out of a car and shot the poor lady from 30 yards) it's because they've had training and practice.
But the more successes this guy racks up, the less and less luck has anything to do with it and then skill, practice, and maybe training are the defining factors.