how do u zero a gun scope?

Question

guns

Answer 1

I have a bore guide , but still have to fine tune by bench fireing at a target. I have found that the bench sitting is still off from my shoulder fire , so I sight in by my normal shooting position. You should be able to zero in within 5 or 10 rounds
have fun and be safe

Answer 2

If you use a bolt action rifle with removable bolt, this can be fairly easy to get you " on the paper" without firing a shot.

If you can use a desk, with a large opened book placed on the table. With the bolt out of the gun, lay the rifle on the book like a page marker. (Now when you do this, you might not want to let people see you from a window or they will think you are a sniper. Maybe best to do this at a range anyway.)

What you are doing is using the book as a rifle rest while you sit at the table and look down the bore to a pre-determined target. Possibly a mailbox . You might want the target about 50 yards away.

You are looking down the bore to put the target into the "bore" picture. When you have the target lined up with the bore, adjust your scope to match this picture.

It is not difficult but does take a little time. The benefit is you will save ammo cost and range time and cleaning, plus it will get you on the "paper" where you can fine tune it when you go to the range. This is the original bore sighting method. You can also get a bore sighter and it will do about the same. Just follow the directions closely. You will still want to fine tune it before your hunt.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Matt M has it about right. I'm not sure how much you know about scopes, though, or what type you have. I hope you know there are two adjustment knobs, one for windage and one for elevation, on most scopes. Often target-style scopes will have fairly tall turrets, but hunting scopes have those little things with the covers screwed over them, in the center of the scope. After bore-sighting, I usually start out really close, maybe 25 yards, to make sure I'm "on paper." I normally shoot 3-shot groups and adjust either windage or elevation, not both at the same time, to compensate half way. That is, if I'm shooting left 4" at 100 yards, I'll adjust 8 clicks right, which in theory should move the next group 2", and continue until I'm pretty close. When I'm within an inch or two of bullseye at 100 yards, I quit, and shoot a ten shot string through a chronograph so I can calculate point blank range, and start over again to sight in for theoretical point blank range, which is a whole other topic. I do this because I'm a hunter, and all my paper-punching is just to get ready for hunting.

Answer 4

The two guys who gave the relatively long answers are right on. The only thing I'd add is that, at least on every scope I've used, the top knob is for windage, and the knob on the side of for elevation. Generally, in my experience, when looking down at your rifle from the butt end, moving windage knob clockwise will move your shots to the right, and when looking at the rifle from the side where the elevation knob is, turning it clockwise moves your shots down. Check the owner's manual to be sure.

Also, remember that you need to adjust your clicks based on your range. As stated, 1 click generally equals 1/4" at 100 yards. At 25 yards (1/4 the distance), you actually need to make 4 times as many clicks. So a 1" adjustment at 100 yards is 4 clicks, but a 1" adjustment at 25 yards is 16 clicks. A 1" adjustment at 200 yards is only 2 clicks.

You can visit the link below for a decent guide.

Also, you may want to adjust your reticle as well.

Loosen the eyepiece lock ring (if applicable).
Rotate the eyepiece in the negative direction (check your scopes owners manual).
Look through the scope toward the sky, or at a white wall about 10' away.
Rotate the eyepiece clockwise until the reticle appears sharp and black at a quick glance.
Don't look into the scope as you turn the eyepiece, as your eye will adjust to the out-of-focus condition.
Glancing through the scope will reveal the reticle as distinctive and black when it is properly focused.
Lock the eyepiece in place by tightening the lock ring.

Just remember that bumps and knocks will get your scope off mark, so an afternoon of target shooting will usually require a few periodic adjustments.

Answer 5

It's reasonably simple. First, if you have a gun in an expensive caliber you will probably want to have it bore sighted first. Most gun stores and any gunsmith can do this for you. Around by me it costs $5-10.
Next you will need some of the ammo you plan on shooting. Take the gun with the scope attached and ammo to a range. I setup for 50 yards and make sure I am close to center of the paper, if so I proceed to 100 yards, if not I make adjustments on the elevation and windage knobs to get close. Most scopes are set to adjust so that one click equals a 1/4 inch of movement at 100 yards, so adjust accordingly. At 100 yards I will zero the rifle by firing 3 rounds at the center of the bullseye. I will find the middle of that group, measure the distance from the bullseye and divide by 1/4 for the vertical and horizontal component and then adjust the scope for the calculated number of clicks. For some rifles I will sight in at 200 yards using the same process except at 200 yards one click on my scope is 1/2 inch.

Answer 6

You want the clifts note version I guess? First, you need a sighting target. Next, a bench rest at a range. The scope should have been mounted and checked that it's level. Typically then a bore sight laser is used to get the scope and bore aligned. Next on a near zero wind date shoot a 3-5 shot group. Let barrel cool and adjust crosshairs to the bullseye. Fire group again & adjust as needed ( up, down,left right) the crosshairs. Well that the clift notes version........

Answer 7

I'll be watching for the answers you get since I have a scoped rifle that needs to be zeroed and have yet to do it. I have a neighbor who is very good at such things, and has promised to zero my rifle for me, but he gets involved in so many things, like shooting crows as we speak, that he has yet to come zero my rifle. I think sometimes the store that puts your scope on will zero it for you, but then, maybe not. Best of luck and God Bless you.

Answer 8

sight in at 25 yards were u r shooting a group an inch high.
then move to 100 yards then fine tune. Depends on the caliber at 1inch high at 100 yards u will be back on the bulls eye around 150 or 200 yards.