To sight in a rifle effectively, follow these steps:
- Start by securing your rifle in a stable shooting position, ideally using a shooting rest or sandbags to minimize movement.
- Begin at a closer range (typically 25 yards) to ensure you're at least hitting the target paper.
- Fire a group of 3-5 shots while maintaining consistent aim at the center of the target.
- Observe where your shots are grouping relative to your aim point.
- Make adjustments to your sights or scope:
- For scope adjustments, follow the "direction of correction" principle—move the adjustments in the direction you want the bullet impact to move
- Typically, each "click" moves the impact point a specific distance (often 1/4 inch at 100 yards)
- After adjusting, fire another group to confirm the change.
- Once your rifle is hitting close to point of aim at 25 yards, move to your final zero distance (often 100 yards for most rifles).
- Repeat the process of shooting groups, making adjustments, and confirming until your bullets consistently hit where you aim.
- Document your final zero settings for future reference.
Remember that different ammunition may require different zero settings, and environmental factors like temperature and altitude can affect your rifle's point of impact.