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Groupie or Ho' Chaser? Zeroing the Rifle

2K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  BeerHunter 
#1 ·
Folks,
I learned back the ancient days when the M-16A1 was new and wheel guns still rode the hips of most police, to zero a rifle using 3 shot groups, adjusting the sights or scope and shooting another group until it hit the proper spot on the 25 yard zero target, then firing a fresh target for conformation. This was followed by firing on the Known Distance range at 200 yards or whatever was available for verification.

Now I see, even on the TV, people using a machine rest, firing a single shot (after bore scope alignment) adjusting the sights to the point of impact and then verifying the zero with a single shot.

So, how do you zero your rifle.

Geoff
Who had tri-focal spectacle troubles zeroing his AR with a Leupold Rifleman Variable. Next week my range is open and I will work at long range.
 
#2 ·
I use 5 shot groups. It's called triangulation for a reason. Fire 5 shot group, adjust from center of group. Fire another 5 shot group to confirm. Never ever adjust sights based on a single shot. Although only carbines are zeroed at 25 yards or 200 yards. Rifles should be zeroed at 100 yrds to make the math simple shooting at longer ranges.
 
#5 ·
I fire one round, without moving the rifle, move the reticle to the bullet hole. Fire another round and make the final minute adjustment. One can zero a rifle in 3 rounds with this methodology taught to me through counter sniper training at HK in 94.

I've also been instructed in zeroing like Bob explains. If I'm zeroing over 100 yrds, I use Bob's suggestion. At 100, what I described works quite well and takes a lot less time if you can zero from a bench and not field positions.
 
#9 ·
I fire one round, without moving the rifle, move the reticle to the bullet hole.
How do you do that? Is the rifle in some sort of vise?
 
#6 · (Edited)
Used groups for my carbine as Bob describes. Brownie told me of his method learned at HK sniper school but haven't tried that method yet. Put a new sight on my .22 rifle and might give it a try. Will use what works when I pick up a .308 rifle bolt gun or M1A, hopefully one day soon.
 
#17 ·
Xerox my carbine as Bob describes. Brownie told me of his method learned at HK sniper school but haven't tried that method yet. Put a new sight on my .22 rifle and might give it a try. Will use what works when I pick up a .308 rifle bolt gun or M1A, hopefully one day soon.
When are you finally out of the socialist paradise that is the DPRMD?
 
#7 ·
I was trained the same way back in the day. But with modern firearms, ammo and scopes I find I can dial-in pretty quickly with 1 shot per adjustment. Once I get closer to center, I get back to the 3 shot groupings. On a fresh firearm, I get it "on paper" first and go from there. This is actually one of the funner aspects of shooting for me.
 
#8 ·
I like shooting so I don't mind firing the extra shots. And when I make my adjustments it normally only takes once.
 
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