hicker,
I agree with you to a point, but alleviating the variables with a gun at the bench makes a big difference regarding shooter error and field conditions. Especially at longer ranges that some shoot.
A 2 MOA gun at 100yds. can only be relied upon at a very limited range, considering all the variables. For instance, shooting a fox with a smaller target area, using a gun like that, wouldn't leave much room for error, especially if there were any distance involved.
Personally, with any gun, I try and get as tight a grouping as I can out of it using handloads, and for some, I understand that this isn't an option. If I can't attain a decent group, I try looking at other variables that could contribute to the gun's inaccuracy and fix them (or sell the gun).
I had a Mini several years back, and with good handloads, some slight trigger and action work, I was able to maintain a 3/4" group average. I guess that was okay for the most part. It wasn't a tack driver to speak of, but it was acceptable for it's intended usage. It's long gone, but not because it didn't shoot well. Just a deal I couldn't refuse probably......
The majority of Mini 14's, right out of the box, are notoriously poor shooter's....I'd think that Ruger should take notice on that one....but over the years they apparently never had.
I guess my point is that getting a gun to shoot the tightest possible groups over the bench, really buys you some more insurance in the field when it comes to wind, poor shooting positions, or any other variables that one might encounter.
I don't think I'd obsess over it all. Just work at getting the best possible result from a particular gun, and realizing it when I reach it.
Just me...........
Take care,
Bob