Accuracy life is an estimated, or empirically determined, number of rounds, of a given type, that can be fired in a particular gun before it fails to meet an accuracy specification.

Wide variations are common due to shooting activity, caliber, ammunition, usage, maintenance and design.

Footnotes / Sources:

“Glossary ⇒.” Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute. Ed. SAAMI’s Technical Committee. Web. 15-18 Jan. 2011.

“Chapter I. Mechanical Training, Section IV. Mechanical Functioning.” FM 23-55 Browning Machine Guns, Caliber .30, M1917A1, M1919A4, and M1919A6. Washington: United States of America War Office, 1945. 36-44. Print.