Posted on 05/02/2019 5:28:34 AM PDT by w1n1
Rifle scopes have reached a point where they are more popular than ever before. Rifle scopes are used by hunters, tactical shooters, and even people looking for a rapid use home-defense optic and especially tactical rifle enthusiasts looking to find the perfect optic for their AR-15. With optics becoming more and more popular, it’s important to know how to zero a rifle scope.
There are many, many different kinds of scopes out there. This guide is designed as a general guide for zeroing a rifle optic. Some scopes may require very specific instructions on how to zero them.
SELECTING THE RIGHT AMMUNITION
When you zero a scope to a rifle, you are also zeroing it to a specific type of ammunition. This is called a load, and factors that change a load include overall length, bullet weight, velocity, and projectile type.
Once a scope is zeroed to a certain load of ammunition, this load will be the most precise for that scope. Other loads of the same caliber may cause slight variations in accuracy. These variations are typically small and only make a significant difference at long range, or when measuring groups with precision devices.
DISTANCE & SETUP
Once your target is established, back up to roughly half the distance you plan on shooting the rifle at. At half the standard range, a shooter can easily adjust their rifle on target before moving back to their normal firing range.
From here you’ll set up your shooting position. The most precise and accurate method is using a bench rest and a sled or a gun vise to secure the weapon.
This takes the human element out of zeroing the scope and stabilizes it as close to perfectly as possible. Alternatively, a shooter can set up behind a rifle in the prone position, with sandbags or a bipod to aid in stabilizing the rifle.
BEGIN THE ZEROING PROCESS
Once a shooter is in position, they begin the zeroing process. For bolt actions, single shots, and AR-style rifles, the shooter can remove the bolt, and separate the action and look down the barrel. Shooters then adjust the weapon until the barrel is in relative line with the target.
The shooter can gaze through the barrel, and then the scope. If the scope is significantly off of the target, the view between the barrel and scope will be significantly different. Read the rest of how to zero a rifle scope.
I used a bore-sight laser and set my zero on the side of my neighbors house at 10 pm. Hope they were asleep at the time and did not notice the red dot on their home...
I can never get the deer to appear at the right distance. If only there were some kind of table to tell me how to maximize the ballistic potential of my load from muzzle to say, 300 yards. That’d be sweet.
Having many a scope, I feel they are overused and I often wish to take my rifles back down to iron sights.
That was YOU?
Sorry about that.
Always remember to make one correction at a time.
Don’t try dialing both in at once.
“If only there were some kind of table to tell me how to maximize the ballistic potential of my load from muzzle to say, 300 yards.”
Nikon makes the SpotOn software for use with their scopes. Hornady makes one for their bullets. The Nikon product is twitchy at best on my iPhone. The Hornady is solid and provides a wealth of data.
Both are available at the App Store.
L
This is my rifle,
This is my scope
One is for killing
One is hope.
Will take some work on your part (work up dope for the rifle and load), and expenditure for laser range finder, decent turret-adjustable scope... but you can get there.
Laze the deer, consult dope sheet, dial in scope, lay the crosshairs on the boiler room.
The definitive guide to sighting a rifle was written years ago by Patrick McManus.
It involves arriving at the shooting club half an hour before sunset the evening prior to opening day.
It is absolutely hilarious.
Thanks.
Deer from 20 to 200 yards, 30 degrees up to 45 degrees down, air temp fairly consistent, maybe some light rain. 30-06 zeroed at 1.5 inches high at 50 yards for 180 grain bullet, Pretty much put the crosshairs above the heart and squeeze the trigger. Sometimes they hold still long enough for lasing and consulting, sometimes they don’t. Need to dig out the rangefinder. Haven’t played with it in years.
Just sight your rifle in for point blank range, that should be good for most hunting situations. Note point blank range does not mean close range.
or:
I believe there was a good article on the merits of using 50 instead of 25 to zero your weapon.
Patrick McManus quote that’s apropos:
“He grouped his last five shots right in the center of the bull’s-eye. Then I showed him my technique of scattering shots randomly around the target because, as I explained, you never know which way the deer might jump just as you pull the trigger.” —The Hunting Lesson, February 1983
That sounds like my technique...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.