i know this sounds stupid but how do you sight in a rifle

[boomer1]

i know this sounds stupid but how do you sight in a rifle

[Fisher Boy]

you put the sights, iron or scope on a target, say a dime sized dot on a paper plate. take a shot, and see where the bullet went. if it is high and right, adjust the sights according to instructions that came with the scope, or the iron sights to move the sights down and left. Make slight adjustments, until your bullets are where you want them to be.

[MLH]

Not stupid at all. Using a scope or open sights?

[shane]

Make the sights go where the bullets are going. This is a pretty broad question. Are you using a scope?

[Jim in Mo]

Do you have a good range near by? If your not sure what to do go to the range and see if there are any helpers on the firing line. If not, look around for someone who looks like they know what they're doing. They'd probably feel flattered to be asked.

[boomer1]

yes i am useing a scope

[steve182]

First, you should sight in at close range. When you are sure the gun is shooting close to where you want it, shoot from a bench at 100 yds and make final adjustments

[Reid Jones]

easy demonstration video from who better than Larry Potterfield.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF3LCwrN3HY&feature=channel_page

[shane]

If you zero at 25 yards, you will be about dead on at 300, and only an inch or 2 high at 100 and 200.

[CPT BRAD]

get it bore sited at the store you bought it at then go from there.

[Jim in Mo]

shane, with my rifle your estimations are very close. At 100 I'd be 3 high with my handloads.

[rabbitpolice88]

Get your scope bore sighted so it will be on paper when you first go to shoot. Then when you are out on the range shoot a 3 shot pattern to see exactly where the gun is hitting. 3 shots helps eliminate shooter error, one shot doesn't give you a very good idea where the gun is really hitting. then from there just do one shot at a time and adjust the windage and elevation as needed. Once you are happy with where the guns is shooting get out a fresh target and put one or two more shots into it to make sure. This should only take about one box of ammo max. Good luck!

[bonnier-admin_2]

with or without scope?

[jbird]

boomer1, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. Here's what I've done for 20 years: Make sure your scope is mounted level and TIGHT, get a stable shooting rest (for years this was my truck hood w/ a blanket over it, now it's a small table and a gun rest) and shoot a round thru. Don't even worry about shooting the 1st round @ the target, because w/a new, or recently cleaned barrel, your 1st shot is often off target. Now, shoot 3 shots @ a target 25-30 yds. away. Make adjustments to your scope as needed (left/right, up/down). Repeat this until your dead-on @ close range. Now, back your target up to 100 yds. Shoot 3 shot's @ the bullseye, and check your target. Make fine adjustments @ this distance. If this is a deer rifle, say in the caliber range of .243-30.06, then a good rule of thumb is to sight in 2-3" high @ 100', which w/most calibers will put u almost dead on @ 150', an inch or 2 low @ 200', and 3-4" low @ 250'. So basically, you can hold dead-on the vitals and shoot from 0-250', which is where 95% of your hunting shots will be. Good luck.

[rocky d bashaw]

not a stupid question, everybody crawls before walking,bore sight first,dead on at 25yrds-2-3in high at 100yrds-dead on again 250-300 yrds depends on cal and weight.after sighting gun in,do not clean powder out of gun, you can run dry patch if you shoot alot but no solvent on wet patch untill after hunting season.