Scope Sight-in

I can get on target at 100 yards by just pulling the bolt while on sandbags and dialing the scope in... I have never bore-sighted a rifle in 40 years.

That is, literally by definition, boresighting. :)

OP, the amazing thing here is that while there are a ton of differing methods and opinions, and they all work, everyone is in agreement that you should be doing it yourself. Read that again: right here on CGN...everyone is in agreement!!!

I'm not sure that's ever happened before! :)
 
Last edited:
I set up a target at 25 or so yards and fire one shot. Then with my rifle held firmly and not easily moved in the shooting rest, I get the reticals lined up on the centre of the target again. Looking through the scope without touching the rifle except the turets (and very carefully to not move the gun) I crank the turrets to move the reticals to be on the bullet hole. This eliminates counting clicks. Some guys have a hard time trusting that it takes 64 clicks to move 4 inches at 25 yards.
 
Last edited:
I set up a target at 25 or so yards and fire one shot. Then with my rifle held firmly and not easily moved in the shooting rest, I get the reticals lined up on the centre of the target again. Looking through the scope without touching the rifle except the turets (and very carefully to not move the gun) I crank the turrets to move the reticals to be on the bullet hole. This eliminates counting clicks. Some guys have a hard time trusting that it takes 64 clicks to move 4 inches at 25 yards.

Yep that is how I have always sighted in
 
I enjoy using my bore sighter.
With my horrible shooting eye, getting the +'airs just right is an effort for me.
Soooooo, when it comes time to re & re a scope, I insert the bore sight gizmo
and line it up with the scope's +'s.
Pull scope, replace and re-install. Liner up and presto.
Sure beets the pizz owtta bring'n tewls to the range to remewf the bolt awn the levers.

Strokes'n folks........do whut pleezes yah..................:wave:
 
This is not necessarily correct, I have shot from bags and sighted in from bags and then made shots in the field at some extended ranges, without any changes to scope setting what so ever. It all depends on your bench technique.

I would say that that is not quite right. I think it is more rifle dependant than shooting style (except obviously not resting the barrel on the bags and making sure sight picture is the same and you are not canting when not on the bench etc etc). On my Accumark and my varmint rig (700 hb 22-250) and my sheep rig (bil leeper custom 260 AI based on Win 70 CF) absolutely no difference between bags, offhand, prone etc. On my .22 silouette rig (cz 452 silouette) there is about a 2.5 inch diff at 100 yards between bags and no bags which is the diff between ram and no ram. On my cf silouette (custom 7mm-08 on Rem 700 action) rig about .75 inch the other direction. I think sight in from the bag but confirm from prone or sitting or however you usually shoot in the field just to make sure. Not a huge diff. To a shooter not reaching out past 300 should be less than minute of moose difference for sure.

On another note to anyone who said boresight so as not to waste ammo I say it is impossible to waste ammo if you practise good shooting form. Thats like saying avoid losing golf balls to water trap by only putting in your basement. You wont get to be a better more knowledgable shooter without shooting. Line up at 25m and make big adjustments. Get it within 2" and then on to 100m. Zero it or better yet 1.5 high for novice shooter and back out to 200. When you can knock 4 shots into <6" back out to 300.
 
50 yards is a good place to start... Rarely will the rifle need to be started at 25 yards. But if you are missing the target completely then start at 25 yards... It's good to have 3 different brands of ammo of the same grain and same type of bullets. Like a pointed soft-point or a round soft-point. And this may - depends on the grain of bullet selected for the caliber.

Always ensure that the scope mounts are set in firmly and the rings are properly tightened; and the scope is in a good location for one's aiming.

Use the full power of the scope to sight in. Like a 3x9-40 should be set at 9 power. This is the application used in a Second Focal Plain scope.

Set up a target that is visable so the center can be easily seen through the scope.

One it is determined where the bullet is printing on the target the adjustments can be made to establish zero(bullseye).

If one is 4 inches off zero, then set the scope crosshairs on dead center and adjust the scope to the point of impact. This saves time and ammo.
The rifle and scope must remain still while the adjustments are being made. Do Left or Right First and then do Up or Down adjustments.
After zero is established - try different as determine which brand is most accurate.
 
On another note to anyone who said boresight so as not to waste ammo I say it is impossible to waste ammo if you practise good shooting form. Thats like saying avoid losing golf balls to water trap by only putting in your basement.

Who looses balls in a water hazard while putting?
 
No. The rifles that Ganderite would fire in shooting matches would be properly bedded.
Also, I had the same thing happen years ago. A heavy calibre center fire match was coming up and I would use my perfectly well bedded 30-06 Husqvarna, scope sighted, that was a tack driver with the barrel hot or cold.
For final check I got into the prone position, but used a firm support under the front wood and tweaked my scope.
Went into the match next day and from the prone, the shots went low enough that by the time I realized what had happened, I had lost enough score that I became an also ran, when all was totaled up.

Everyone has their opinions, but when I read the below sentence, I quit reading.

"My marksmanship skills, plus this preparation should have been enough to make me a big winner."
 
I try and keep my commentary warm and friendly lately but stumble here and there, this thread I can tell will be one of those stumbles. If you cannot set up and sight in your own rifle and scope you likely really shouldn't be hunting yet, sight in is something you should do yourself.

You're being more charitable than I. I was going to ask if it wouldn't just be easier if someone shot the deer for him.

Then again, perhaps there is a legitimate excuse...like he is going to be away all week for work and is supposed to leave just after he gets back for a week in the mountains. Or maybe his car is in the shop and he can't get to the range. Maybe his wife is away and he's watching the kids all week.

See...kinder and gentler.
 
Back
Top Bottom