HELP SIGHTING IN A SCOPE

[Melnic]

most newbies don't bring what they need to the range to hold the gun absolutely still.

 

[kalister1]

I have scopes that move the BULLET in the direction of the arrow and scopes that move the Cross-hairs in the direction of the arrow.
Whatever you do: Write down how many clicks and what direction you turn them.

 

[Pinecone]

I have scopes that move the BULLET in the direction of the arrow and scopes that move the Cross-hairs in the direction of the arrow.

This also.

 

[Pinecone]

most newbies don't bring what they need to the range to hold the gun absolutely still.

Your range does not have some sand bags around?

 

[Neutron]

If you can go to the Hap Baker range near Westminster they will bore sight it for you. You can also borrow their lead sled to finish sighting in the scope on the range.

 

[Biggfoot44]

The point is sand bags are not the same thing as absolutely still. ( Yes sand bags are useful shooting aids, but not the same as required for some of the methods discussed.)

 

[Pinecone]

I have done it off sandbags without problems. I have helped a number of people at the range sight in quickly this way.

It is better with two people. One to hold the rifle and twist the knobs while the other looks through the scope.

 

[Dan_Br]

Easier way at the range.

You can cheat a bit, and actually set your 25 yard setup for the bullet to strike about 1" above the aim point at 25. You will be VERY close at 100.

Using this method, you can sight in a rifle with 5 rounds max. And if you trust it, 3 rounds.

I might be confused but all the ballistic calculators I use say for 100 yd zero, point of impact is below bullseye at 25 yds.
sight over barrel 3.5 inch on Tavor
Range Impact
0 -3.5
5 -3.24
10 -2.98
15 -2.73
20 -2.49
25 -2.26
30 -2.04
35 -1.83
40 -1.63
45 -1.44
50 -1.25
55 -1.09
60 -0.93
65 -0.77
70 -0.63
75 -0.5
80 -0.38
85 -0.27
90 -0.17
95 -0.08
100 0
105 0.07
110 0.12
115 0.17
120 0.2
125 0.22
130 0.23
135 0.23
140 0.21
145 0.18
150 0.14
155 0.08
160 0.02
165 -0.06
170 -0.16
175 -0.26
180 -0.38
185 -0.51
190 -0.66
195 -0.82
200 -0.99

 

[Pinecone]

YMMV



You are right, 1 inch UNDER at 25 yards is close enough for MOST rifles. IF you want a 100 yard zero.

I normally zero at 25 close to dead on, then move to 100.

But you are correct, if you really wanted to cut down the rounds, use a ballistic calculator to figure the proper offset for 25 yards, and your 100 yard shot will be spot on.

But for hunting rifles, I suggest Max Point Blank Range zeroing.

So for my .308 bolt rifle, that would be +0.1" at 25 yards, +4.1" at 100 yards, for a 273 yard zero and a 321 yard MPBR.

That means from the muzzle to 321 yards, the bullet will strike within the vital zone of a deer, with a center of vital area hold (+/- 5 inches of point of aim)

 

[amoebicmagician]

I don't think sighting in a rifle is that hard at all assuming your scope is level and your rings/base are tight.

Shoot at 25 yards, try to get centered and 1-2" high at 25 yards. Remember, if you need to move it an inch at 25 yards its really 16 clicks (assuming you are 1/4" MOA = 4x clicks at 25 yards and 2x clicks at 50 yards).

Move back to 100 yards and shoot...adjust from there. Most targets have 1" gridlines...adjust accordingly. Usually no more than 5 shots to sight in a rifle.

it should be low, not hight. If your bullet has crossed your point of aim at 25 yards you will be WAY high at 100

 

[outrider58]

YMMV



You are right, 1 inch UNDER at 25 yards is close enough for MOST rifles. IF you want a 100 yard zero.

I normally zero at 25 close to dead on, then move to 100.

But you are correct, if you really wanted to cut down the rounds, use a ballistic calculator to figure the proper offset for 25 yards, and your 100 yard shot will be spot on.

But for hunting rifles, I suggest Max Point Blank Range zeroing.

So for my .308 bolt rifle, that would be +0.1" at 25 yards, +4.1" at 100 yards, for a 273 yard zero and a 321 yard MPBR.

That means from the muzzle to 321 yards, the bullet will strike within the vital zone of a deer, with a center of vital area hold (+/- 5 inches of point of aim)

Where are you hunting and what for? I zero my ML at 2'' high @100yds. My SG(for deer) @ 1'' high @ 100 yds.

 

[MKR03]

You can cheat a bit, and actually set your 25 yard setup for the bullet to strike about 1" above the aim point at 25. You will be VERY close at 100.

I don't think it's cheating as long as you confirm your zero at 100. I think it's being smart and saving yourself a lot of walking (especially with smaller caliber rounds and without a decent spotting scope). I recently mounted a RDS on a rifle, and I wanted to get as close to zero as I could at a 25 yard range (100 yard zero). I used the target below and when I made it to a longer range a few days later, I was dead on at 100. The red bullseye is your POA and the grey bullseye is your POI at 25. There are similar targets out there for different ammo/zero distances etc.

 

[Melnic]

I shoot rifle at AGC.
I will set target at 50 or 100
If I'm helping someone else I have them just pick a spot on the berm. After about 2-3 shots we can get it within 8" of what we are aiming at (usually better). Then we can shoot on paper and not worry about hitting the target frame. If I'm by myself I just hold it steady and look up before I pull the bang switch.
We will be done within the 1/2 hour cease fire interval of the range and be ready to shoot for groups on the next cease fire. I find this easier and quicker than having to move targets out.
To each their own.

If AGC has extra bags, I have not seen them.

 

[outrider58]

I shoot rifle at AGC.
I will set target at 50 or 100
If I'm helping someone else I have them just pick a spot on the berm. After about 2-3 shots we can get it within 8" of what we are aiming at (usually better). Then we can shoot on paper and not worry about hitting the target frame. If I'm by myself I just hold it steady and look up before I pull the bang switch.
We will be done within the 1/2 hour cease fire interval of the range and be ready to shoot for groups on the next cease fire. I find this easier and quicker than having to move targets out.
To each their own.

If AGC has extra bags, I have not seen them.

Have resorted to this myself on my 50yd range.

 

[Pinecone]

Where are you hunting and what for? I zero my ML at 2'' high @100yds. My SG(for deer) @ 1'' high @ 100 yds.

It depends on the projectile and muzzle velocity.

The numbers I gave were for my .308 rifle, shooting a Sierra 175 grain Match King, at 2600 fps muzzle velocity.

Slower or more draggy bullets will have a shorter MPBR, and different sight in parameters.

 

[Pinecone]

I shoot rifle at AGC.
I will set target at 50 or 100
If I'm helping someone else I have them just pick a spot on the berm. After about 2-3 shots we can get it within 8" of what we are aiming at (usually better). Then we can shoot on paper and not worry about hitting the target frame. If I'm by myself I just hold it steady and look up before I pull the bang switch.
We will be done within the 1/2 hour cease fire interval of the range and be ready to shoot for groups on the next cease fire. I find this easier and quicker than having to move targets out.
To each their own.

If AGC has extra bags, I have not seen them.

Why not bore sight first?

Done right, you will be on the paper.