I have shot both rifles with Iron sights. At 100 yards, the 146 shot about 2 1/2 inches with my eyes and Norma Factory loads. The 46 was not far off that. The 146 fit me better with natural alignment of sights without adjusting my head and position. One of the reasons I chose to scope the M46. I will try to put together some comparisons when I brind them to the range and sight the scope. The 232 grain new norma ammo I have actually shot better groups than the old (20 years?) 286 grain I was shooting. I have a new box of fresh Norma 286 now and will work up some handloads as well. I took a ferrel ram in west Texas with the M146 a couple years ago with the 286 gr. Works well on game!