Trip to the range with my wife to sight in her new rifle.

[priv8ter]

So, got a chance to run to the range this morning with my wife. While we brought some pistols, our main goal was sighting in the new NEF Handi-Rifle that she is going to use for deer this year. To that end, when I bought the gun yesterday, I bought 2 boxes of Federal 130gr Power-Shok .270 Winchester. Figured no sence burning through the expensive stuff on the first trip.

But, after firing 10 rounds down range, it looked like I should have bought a couple of more boxes, maybe.

Since it was my birthday present, but in reality is going to be her gun, I let my wife put the first 3 rounds through it. Then I fired two at my target. None of those 5 were on the paper. So, then I had the wife fire a few more, while I looked to see if I could tell where the bullets were hitting. As near as I could tell, we were hitting high and to the right. I took over again, and aimed low and to the left...but still no joy. It was at this time that we made two decisions. First...we needed help. Second, next payday, I get to go buy a spotting scope. Luckily the only other gentleman on the 100 yard rifle range was very understanding of us walking down to look at our target.

Swallowing my macho pride, I went and asked the Range Officer if they might have a bore sight, soI could try to zero in the rifle again. The store I bought the rifle and scope at mounted them for me, andtold me that the scope was bore sighted, but...from the evidence I had my doubts. The Range Officer came over, and with no tools, just looking down the bore and then at the scope, told me I was about 3-feet off to the right. So, he made a few adjustments, and my wife tried again. Hey! Look at that. On the paper at least. Some day, I hope to be cool enough that I can bore-sight a scope with no tools.

It took us the rest of another box of ammo to get the rifle zeroed in, and even then, it wasn't perfect. But, I think that's just my wife and I. At least we are able to keep them in the 9-ring now. My wife is hoping to go back next week to get a chance to actually start working on accuracy now.

But, hey, it was a nice hour and a half at the range with my wife, and we learned two things. As stated, we need a spotting scope. And, after firing 25 rounds, it proved my wife can handle a .270, which, had me a bit worried.

greg

 

[MaterDei]

I have only two comments

1. Nice range guy, you should continue to support them with your business.
2. Cool wife.

Michael

 

[swingset]

Some day, I hope to be cool enough that I can bore-sight a scope with no tools.

No cool about it, you just need to start simple. Just remove the bolt and line up the target looking through the bore. When you're on target looking down the bore, then while keeping the rifle still look through the scope and adjust it till it's aiming at the target too. That's boresighting. If you keep the rifle from wiggling around, it will be on paper and close to bullseye.

Then, when you want to get it sighted in, do this:

Start at 50 yards, where you will be able to easily see your hits on paper through the scope. This will get you close enough to bore-sight and then move out to 100 to fine it in.

Second, when you're on paper at 50 yards and can see your hits, it only takes 4 or 5 shots to get perfectly sighted. Here's how....

Shoot 3 shots while aiming directly at the bullseye's center. Then, look at where the 3 shots grouped. Imagine a "center" between those shots. Now, make sure your gun is in a rest or firmly held in place. Aim again at the center of the bullseye, and while holding it there adjust the windage and elevation of your scope so that the crosshair moves to the middle of the group of 3 shots you fired. This will move your reticle to your true point of impact. Just make sure you keep the rifle stable when you do this. Now, fire another bullet and see where it hits. If you followed my directions, you should be dead center.

Whala. Now, you can move out to 100 yards and fine tune your scope using a spotting scope.

Oh, and if you need a really nice, workable but cheap spotting scope, go here:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=92070

$70 will buy you a scope that's capable of seeing .223 holes clearly at 300 yards. I have one, they're great for the $$.

 

[roscoe]

Definitely start sighting in at less than 100 yards - 50, or even 25.

 

[priv8ter]

Yeah, but...

My range doesn't allow center fire rifle cartridges on the 50 yard range

I'm sure they make exceptions for extreme situations, but...

What made me feel worst about the situation was that the other gentleman on the 100yard range was using an old rolling block rifle(not sure of the make) shooting 38-55 black powder loads, and he was putting up 2-3 inch groups. Practice makes perfect, I guess.

greg

 

[Big_R]

The fine gentlemen just bore sighted the old fashioned way. I do the same, and you don't need to be at the range. In my basement, my wife has a wildlife picture with a yellow flower. I put rifles into my cleaning rest, sight down the bore on that flower, and adjust the scope to the same point. It will work on any rifle/shotgun that you can see down the bore from the breech end.

Ryan