| Siting in a rifle involves just a few easy steps if | | | | squeeze of a shot. |
| done in a methodical manner and with the right | | | | 5. Make a call (in your mind) on your shot. Was it |
| tools. This procedure will usually require 6-9 rounds | | | | a reliable shot, or do you feel you flinched or |
| of ammunition. Let's get started. | | | | moved. If so, mark that shot off the target (I |
| Make Certain the Scope is Firmly Mounted | | | | use black electric tape) and do not consider it. If it |
| The rifle scope should be firmly mounted using | | | | was true, proceed to the next step. |
| whatever method is appropriate for your | | | | 6. Measure your windage and elevation in inches |
| application. I usually apply locktite to the mounting | | | | with a ruler. This will guide your 25 yard |
| screws. | | | | adjustment. |
| Bore Site the Rifle | | | | 7. Return to your rifle and adjust using the |
| I typically bore site at 100 yards. Here are the | | | | directions with your scope. Typically, each click on |
| steps involved: | | | | the scope represents 1/4" at 100 yards. Yours |
| | | | may be different. At 25 yards multiply the |
| 1. You will need a "target" at the range you for | | | | number of clicks you would use at 100 yards by |
| which you are bore siting. This can be anything | | | | 4. |
| that can easily be seen as you will begin by siting | | | | 8. After making your adjustments, repeat the |
| down the rifle's barrel. | | | | procedure of firing one shot to check your |
| 2. Here is the first place you will need any special | | | | adjustments. If you are close to within 1" of your |
| tools, but these can be fashioned from things you | | | | crosshaired target, proceed to your final siting in |
| likely already have around. The basic idea is that | | | | at 100 yards. |
| you will site down the bore of the rifle to your | | | | 100 Yard Final Adjustments |
| target and then adjust your scope to be on that | | | | Before starting this phase, if you required a |
| same target. Therefore, the rifle cannot move | | | | significant number of rounds at 25 yards, allow |
| between these two procedures. This can be done | | | | your barrel to cool to the surrounding air |
| with sandbags, a rest made with v-cuts made in | | | | temperature. |
| wood, or any other of a number of ways. | | | | |
| Anyway, either buy a rest or make one that will | | | | 1. Place your target at the range at 100 yards. |
| serve this purpose. It will not be necessary to | | | | 2. Set up your sandbags rest and prepare to fire |
| have something that will remain steady from a | | | | a 3 round group. |
| rifle recoil as at this stage you will not be firing | | | | 3. Using the same procedure outlined at 25 yards, |
| your rifle. | | | | fire 3 rounds aiming at the bullseye of your |
| 3. Do whatever needs to be done to gain access | | | | target. |
| to view down the inside of the barrel of your rifle. | | | | 4. Your group should be at or around 3" in |
| Usually, this simply involves removing the bolt. Of | | | | diameter. This is irrespective of how well the rifle |
| course, there are some actions that do not lend | | | | is sited in. Try to accurately estimate the center |
| themselves to the possibility of bore siting. | | | | of the group. Mark this center and measure to |
| 4. Adjust whatever contraption you have your | | | | the center point of the bullseye at which you held |
| rifle resting in until as you site down the bore you | | | | your aim. This measurement will dictate your |
| are looking at the target you chose. | | | | adjustments on the scope. |
| 5. Adjust the windage (left and right adjustments) | | | | 5. Make your scope adjustments for windage and |
| and elevation (up and down adjustments) of the | | | | elevation. Some target shooters insist that |
| scope until you are on the target with your | | | | windage and elevation should be adjusted for |
| crosshairs. | | | | independently. For competition shooting this may |
| 6. Double check through the bore to make certain | | | | be necessary. For siting in a rifle for big game |
| no movement occurred. | | | | hunting it is not in my opinion. In fact, it is a waste |
| Make a 25 Yard Initial Adjustment | | | | of ammunition. Keep in mind that this time if 1 |
| The targets I use for the 25 yard and 100 yard | | | | click represents 1/4", you will use 4 clicks for |
| adjustments are 14"x14" in total size and have a | | | | each end of adjustment. |
| large red bulls eye area. They are around $3 for | | | | 6. Repeat the process of firing a 3 round group. If |
| 25 and can be found online searching for "rifle | | | | your group is satisfactory, you are finished. If not, |
| targets for siting in a rifle." Here are the simple | | | | repeat the adjustment procedure. |
| steps you will use. | | | | Things to Keep in Mind |
| | | | - First of all, safety is the most important thing. |
| 1. Using sandbags and a rest, place your hand | | | | Adhere to all firearm safety rules and firing range |
| under the forearm of the rifle which is resting on | | | | rules. |
| the sandbags. | | | | - Use the same ammunition with which you will |
| 2. Load one round in the rifle and prepare to fire. | | | | hunt. Different cartridges will site in differently. |
| 3. Take a medium breath as you place the | | | | - Study the trajectories for your cartridge. It |
| crosshairs on the middle of the bullseye. | | | | should be known what adjustments to make for |
| 4. Slowly exhale and when comfortable gently | | | | shots at different ranges. |