Sight In Without Wasting Ammunition

[elkhunter11]

I am starting to see some people sighting in their hunting rifles again, and some people are using a lot of rounds, and not getting much for results. Instead of firing a group, and making a scope adjustment, some people are adjusting after each shot. If you typically shoot 1 to 2 moa groups, there is no point making small adjustments based on one shot, as the deviation in your groups is larger than the adjustments that you are making. This results in some people wasting 20-40 shots chasing the point of impact around the target. Once you are on the paper, fire a three shot group, then adjust the scope based on the group. If you do this, you can usually have a scope zeroed with 6 to 9 shots at most. And let the barrel cool fully before shooting again, in case the point of impact moves when the barrel heats up. The people that are chasing the point of impact around the target, by adjusting after each shot, usually end up with a barrel that is too hot to even hold in your hand.

[bessiedog]

Good helpy post.

I’ll be hitting the range lots over the next three weeks

Kids need to shoot thief big bangers more.

Lay off the gophers for a bit


I had a buddy instruct me on this other sight in method.

Shooter shoots at 25 or 50.... if he hits paper, he stays looking at the zero while a buddy clicks over the scope so the scope zero hits POI

Then shoot for center again... see how she goes.

This of course depends on the shooter maintaining their shooting position well.

It gets a guy able to shoot the 100yard paper quicker..... for adjustments of 3groups.

I’ve tried this and ya.... she works

Anyone else do this?

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by bessiedog

Good helpy post.

I’ll be hitting the range lots over the next three weeks

Kids need to shoot thief big bangers more.

Lay off the gophers for a bit


I had a buddy instruct me on this other sight in method.

Shooter shoots at 25 or 50.... if he hits paper, he stays looking at the zero while a buddy clicks over the scope so the scope zero hits POI

Then shoot for center again... see how she goes.

This of course depends on the shooter maintaining their shooting position well.

It gets a guy able to shoot the 100yard paper quicker..... for adjustments of 3groups.

I’ve tried this and ya.... she works

Anyone else do this?

I chase the bullet strike with the reticle, yes but I bore sight at 200 meters that way then sight in at the same distance and adjust the same way.
I can normally do it within 5 rounds
Cat

[Bigwoodsman]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I chase the bullet strike with the reticle, yes but I bore sight at 200 meters that way then sight in at the same distance and adjust the same way.
I can normally do it within 5 rounds
Cat

This is how I was taught. Works well and saves ammunition sighting in. I also would practice shooting in hunting situations. That was the most beneficial to me.

BW

[whitetail Junkie]

Sighting in a rifle for the first time for big game hunting and taking lots of shots to know exactly where your bullets hitting paper at different distances is fun and critical to me.

[jungleboy]

I don’t need to go to the range , they sighted my scope in at the gun store , it should be good right? 😜

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

Sighting in a rifle for the first time for big game hunting and taking lots of shots to know exactly where your bullets hitting paper at different distances is fun and critical to me.

Initial zeroing and practicing at different distances are two different things however!
Once my initial zeroing is down burn a pile of powder in my rifles to the tune of more than 40 pounds of powder a year in my target rifles and hunting rifles combines!
Cat

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by bessiedog

Good helpy post.

I’ll be hitting the range lots over the next three weeks

Kids need to shoot thief big bangers more.

Lay off the gophers for a bit


I had a buddy instruct me on this other sight in method.

Shooter shoots at 25 or 50.... if he hits paper, he stays looking at the zero while a buddy clicks over the scope so the scope zero hits POI

Then shoot for center again... see how she goes.

This of course depends on the shooter maintaining their shooting position well.

It gets a guy able to shoot the 100yard paper quicker..... for adjustments of 3groups.

I’ve tried this and ya.... she works

Anyone else do this?

I set the rifle on the rest and bags, remove the bolt , and then center the 100m target in the bore. Then I adjust the crosshairs so that they are also centered on the target with the bore. Then I shoot at 100m , and am always on the target with the first shot. If I am several inches from dead center, I fire one shot, and then make a rough adjustment, and then fire a three shot group, to base my fine adjustment on. Then it's usually one fine adjustment, and one more group to verify.

[bobwayzie]

Someone needs to post some posters up at ranges with how to on sighting in so all the noobs can get it down right rather than sending $100s of ammo down range with no results.

[Grizzly Adams]

Never tried it, but it's on the net so must be valid.

https://www.instructables.com/id/How...ake%20a%20shot.

Grizz

[Lefty-Canuck]

The last rifle I mounted a scope on took me 8 shots total 3 at 25, 3 at 100m and 2 at 200m to confirm.

LC

[bessiedog]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Never tried it, but it's on the net so must be valid.

https://www.instructables.com/id/How...ake%20a%20shot.

Grizz

Hm.... just one shot hey..?

I think I wound up shooting like 12 rounds before she was good good

But I did also move out to 100 yards to finish


All this scope stuff is new to me.... I’ve really only hunted with a scope recently

Iron sights was how I always got er done.

[Athabasca1]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Never tried it, but it's on the net so must be valid.

https://www.instructables.com/id/How...ake%20a%20shot.

Grizz

Yes the one shot sight in is a good starting point. Then go to 3 shot groups like Elk posted and do some fine adjustments.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I set the rifle on the rest and bags, remove the bolt , and then center the 100m target in the bore. Then I adjust the crosshairs so that they are also centered on the target with the bore. Then I shoot at 100m , and am always on the target with the first shot. If I am several inches from dead center, I fire one shot, and then make a rough adjustment, and then fire a three shot group, to base my fine adjustment on. Then it's usually one fine adjustment, and one more group to verify.

I find that it is very helpful to use an orange clay pigeon for the target by which you converge bore with scope reticle.

As Dick said, using a proper rest and rear bag is essential.

If it takes more than 6 or 7 shots to zero then something is wrong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF07A7HaR38

[badbrass]

Bushnell Bore Sighter! Best money spent! Used it many times and worked perfect!

[Chaoticelk]

Took 5 rounds to get onto zero at 100. 3 shot group 2” high walked right out to 600 with turret. No bore sighted needed man that 300 wsm is a light kicker beautiful shooting rifle

[Savage Bacon]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I set the rifle on the rest and bags, remove the bolt , and then center the 100m target in the bore. Then I adjust the crosshairs so that they are also centered on the target with the bore. Then I shoot at 100m , and am always on the target with the first shot. If I am several inches from dead center, I fire one shot, and then make a rough adjustment, and then fire a three shot group, to base my fine adjustment on. Then it's usually one fine adjustment, and one more group to verify.

I did this a few years ago with my red dot on my AR. Was actually just messing around with no real expectations but was pleasantly surprised at how close I was.

[Pathfinder76]

I zero at 400 yards or more. In other words, I generally use a reticle or turrets that allow me to zero at longer distances. Usually less than four shots will get you there. Bore sight (usually I’ve been load developing so over the course of time an approximate zero has been established so no bore sighting needed). Shoot one shot at 100. Adjust scope to where your trajectory should be. Then shoot at distance and usually shots two or three will be walked onto your zero.

[bobwayzie]

Originally Posted by chuck

I zero at 400 yards or more. In other words, I generally use a reticle or turrets that allow me to zero at longer distances. Usually less than four shots will get you there. Bore sight (usually I’ve been load developing so over the course of time an approximate zero has been established so no bore sighting needed). Shoot one shot at 100. Adjust scope to where your trajectory should be. Then shoot at distance and usually shots two or three will be walked onto your zero.

What's the reasoning behind the 400 yard zero?

[Roadhunter]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I set the rifle on the rest and bags, remove the bolt , and then center the 100m target in the bore. Then I adjust the crosshairs so that they are also centered on the target with the bore. Then I shoot at 100m , and am always on the target with the first shot. If I am several inches from dead center, I fire one shot, and then make a rough adjustment, and then fire a three shot group, to base my fine adjustment on. Then it's usually one fine adjustment, and one more group to verify.

This is the way I have done all of my life as well as long as it is a bolt action.
I will also sometimes look down the side of the barrel if I can’t look through the breech.

[Big Sky]

It's not uncommon to see people shoot a box of ammo and never hit the paper.
A big piece of paper sure helps. 2ft x2ft set up at 50yds. Eliminates a lot of the potential frustration.

[aardvaark]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I set the rifle on the rest and bags, remove the bolt , and then center the 100m target in the bore. Then I adjust the crosshairs so that they are also centered on the target with the bore. Then I shoot at 100m , and am always on the target with the first shot. If I am several inches from dead center, I fire one shot, and then make a rough adjustment, and then fire a three shot group, to base my fine adjustment on. Then it's usually one fine adjustment, and one more group to verify.

This is my method as well. Works good for me too!

[gunluvr]

I have a method of bore sighting a new rifle or new scope that has always worked for me. I have a wooden gate outside my front door that is about 10 yards from my kitchen table, that I can see though my front door. I affixed a small orange cross bullseye target to the gate. I clamp the rifle in my gun vise on the kitchen table , and with the bolt out, looking down the bore, carefully center the bore on the bullseye. Then adjust the scope's cross hairs to center on the bullseye. This has always put me on paper @ 100 yards. One scope needed only 3 clicks to hit center @ 100 yards.
I've always zeroed hunting rifles @ 200 or 250 or 300 yards depending on cartridge. Our range is only 100 yards so I have to rely on ballistic calculators to adjust to POI @ 100 yards. Sighting in @ 200 yards would probably be more accurate but require a few more shots/adjustments/second guesses?

[Stinky Coyote]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I set the rifle on the rest and bags, remove the bolt , and then center the 100m target in the bore. Then I adjust the crosshairs so that they are also centered on the target with the bore. Then I shoot at 100m , and am always on the target with the first shot. If I am several inches from dead center, I fire one shot, and then make a rough adjustment, and then fire a three shot group, to base my fine adjustment on. Then it's usually one fine adjustment, and one more group to verify.

This what i do to and it works awesome. Except after the 100 yard paper looking through bore and matching the crosshair...i shoot at 200 where i'm going to zero and i'm still close enough to walk it in in a few shots.

Little different if you don't have a bolt action then i'll start at 25 yards and start working things out from there. Takes a lot more shots.

Another tip i've found if guys are struggling with groups wandering a bit as they chase the bull of the bull...is to really get a hold of the rifle and mean those shots. Hold it like it's the last gun you'll ever see in your life and someone is trying to take it away from you.

If i'm ***** footing around and allowing too much free recoil i find looser groups and harder to get it zero'd perfect...but as soon as i strangle the gun a bit, both hands, hold harder into the bag or bipod, drive my cheek into the stock a bit more, and shoot like i mean it...groups shrink, and poi is consistent. And with lightweight sporter rifles this makes a noticeable difference for me. Hope that helps.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by Stinky Coyote

This what i do to and it works awesome. Except after the 100 yard paper looking through bore and matching the crosshair...i shoot at 200 where i'm going to zero and i'm still close enough to walk it in in a few shots.

Little different if you don't have a bolt action then i'll start at 25 yards and start working things out from there. Takes a lot more shots.

Another tip i've found if guys are struggling with groups wandering a bit as they chase the bull of the bull...is to really get a hold of the rifle and mean those shots. Hold it like it's the last gun you'll ever see in your life and someone is trying to take it away from you.

If i'm ***** footing around and allowing too much free recoil i find looser groups and harder to get it zero'd perfect...but as soon as i strangle the gun a bit, both hands, hold harder into the bag or bipod, drive my cheek into the stock a bit more, and shoot like i mean it...groups shrink, and poi is consistent. And with lightweight sporter rifles this makes a noticeable difference for me. Hope that helps.

I will take you up on that advice, Stinky!

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

I will take you up on that advice, Stinky!

Just watch that you are not putting too much tension into holding the the or things will go bad quickly .
Consistent pressure without torquing anything out of line is the key
Cat

[ronkaren]

Originally Posted by bessiedog

Good helpy post.

I’ll be hitting the range lots over the next three weeks

Kids need to shoot thief big bangers more.

Lay off the gophers for a bit


I had a buddy instruct me on this other sight in method.

Shooter shoots at 25 or 50.... if he hits paper, he stays looking at the zero while a buddy clicks over the scope so the scope zero hits POI

Then shoot for center again... see how she goes.

This of course depends on the shooter maintaining their shooting position well.

It gets a guy able to shoot the 100yard paper quicker..... for adjustments of 3groups.

I’ve tried this and ya.... she works

Anyone else do this?

been doing it that way for years, works well. I normally start at 30 - 35yds. and use a cardboard box,,,