rifle sighting in

Ed Anger · Jan 14, 2022

Hi. I'm sure you've heard this or a similar story before, so maybe some of you have good advice.

I'm in Gaithersburg. Inherited a 270 rifle and bought a scope that I'd like to mount and zero in. All I have is sandbags and Cresap. Do I need to buy a fancy gun rest? I'd rather learn from an experienced person, but I'm willing to pay someone to do it. Can anyone help?

Thanks for reading this far.

Dave

budman93 · Jan 14, 2022

Something like a tipton gun vise can be helpful for holding everything securely when mounting a scope but it can be done without one too. For sighting in as long as you have a solid rest you'll be fine. Sandbags work great. I often just use my range bag as a rest. You can pick up an inexpensive laser boresighter to get it close before wasting live ammo. I used one recently on a rifle with a new scope and it got me pretty close before firing the first shot.

outrider58 · Jan 14, 2022

Sad bags always get my vote.

Read up on "Bore sighting" the rifle once you get your scope mounted. No need for a fancy laser sighting in tool. Just use your eyes. I highly recommend proper torquing of the mount and scope ring screws.

https://www.letsgoshooting.org/articles/bore-sighting-basics/

tallen702 · Jan 14, 2022

I agree with Outrider. Sandbags and pulling the bolt is the way to go. I just sighted in my CVA Cascade in .350 Legend that way a few months back at Cresap myself. I had it on the paper at 50 yards on the first shot by boresighting. 5 shots later and I was dead center at 50, then pushed it out to 100 and adjusted for my hunting rounds. Easiest thing in the world. As Outrider says, make sure your rings and mount are properly torqued to the specifications to keep things zeroed and easy to adjust.

ken792 · Jan 14, 2022

Zero the rifle the way you intend to shoot it. If it’s from a bipod, then use that bipod. If you’re going to rest it on a pack or tree limb, sandbags will be close enough. Clamping it in a rest won’t let it recoil the same way as it does against your shoulder before the bullet leaves the barrel.

John from MD · Jan 14, 2022

Ed Anger said:
Hi. I'm sure you've heard this or a similar story before, so maybe some of you have good advice.

I'm in Gaithersburg. Inherited a 270 rifle and bought a scope that I'd like to mount and zero in. All I have is sandbags and Cresap. Do I need to buy a fancy gun rest? I'd rather learn from an experienced person, but I'm willing to pay someone to do it. Can anyone help?

Thanks for reading this far.

Dave

If you are off during the week and willing to drive to Annapolis, I will help you zero your rifle at 100 yards - free of charge.

outrider58 · Jan 14, 2022

John from MD said:
If you are off during the week and willing to drive to Annapolis, I will help you zero your rifle at 100 yards - free of charge.

Very nice of you John! I don't care what they say about you. You're a good guy in my book.

John from MD · Jan 14, 2022

outrider58 said:
Very nice of you John! I don't care what they say about you. You're a good guy in my book.

Aw shucks.

Uncle Duke · Jan 14, 2022

OP, consider taking John from Md up on his offer. This process is one of those things that becomes a whole lot easier.....once you know and understand how and why. John most assuredly knows and understands how and why.

Virgil Co.C · Jan 14, 2022

There ya go , John shall help ya . Assuming it’s a bolt action you can bore sight before you get to range and get damn close on paper . Pull the bolt look down the barrel and dial in. Google how to do it to understand the science behind it . Been doing it for years and it works . Like I said it will get you on paper and should be reasonably close.

Squaregrouper · Jan 14, 2022

I agree with Outrider.
The following video is basically how I do it, with the exception I fire two shots before adjusting the scope again (2 shots touching confirm accuracy). Pay attention to what he describes at 3:00- determine your point of impact and move the crosshairs to match where the bullets landed; not adjusting the crosshairs to bullseye. It requires much less ammo this way.
Starting out at 50yds, this method should have you zeroed at 100yds in <10rds.

Ed Anger · Jan 17, 2022

John: I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from you. Will need to schedule a day off from work. If your offer is still on the table, what's your schedule like? --Dave

John from MD · Jan 17, 2022

Ed Anger said:
John: I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from you. Will need to schedule a day off from work. If your offer is still on the table, what's your schedule like? --Dave

Dave,

I am retired and my time is pretty flexible. But, I need over 40 temps as I have arthritis and sub freezing makes my life miserable. Other than tomorrow, I don't see anything around 40 for the next ten days.

For planning purposes, our club allows centerfire rifle shooting from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.

Regards,

John

Kman · Jan 17, 2022

John from MD said:
If you are off during the week and willing to drive to Annapolis, I will help you zero your rifle at 100 yards - free of charge.

You're a good man John.

As far as sighting in. I have a sled and bags somewhere, but I always use some homemade bags now. They're softer and flexible. Double bagged dry beans in bags made from old jeans legs and horrible stitching.

tjiann · Jan 17, 2022

John from MD said:
Dave,

I am retired and my time is pretty flexible. But, I need over 40 temps as I have arthritis and sub freezing makes my life miserable. Other than tomorrow, I don't see anything around 40 for the next ten days.

For planning purposes, our club allows centerfire rifle shooting from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.

Regards,

John

Which club is that John (if you don't mind me asking)? Thanks.

toppkatt · Jan 17, 2022

tjiann said:
Which club is that John (if you don't mind me asking)? Thanks.

Sounds like shooting times for Anne Arundel Fish & Game in St. Margaret's

John from MD · Jan 17, 2022

tjiann said:
Which club is that John (if you don't mind me asking)? Thanks.

Anne Arundel Fish and Game.

John from MD · Jan 17, 2022

toppkatt said:
Sounds like shooting times for Anne Arundel Fish & Game in St. Margaret's

Correct.

Ed Anger · Jan 24, 2022

John: That gives me a lot to look forward to when the weather warms up

Biggfoot44 · Jan 24, 2022

OP , we're assuming , but that is a bolt action ?

rifle sighting in

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