Why You Have To Know How To Sight In a Scope?
A scope is a must have for anybody doing shooting whether, for fun or hunting, this is because accuracy is always the key priority to anyone. However, you need to know how to sight in a scope, even when using the best scope in 2019
Having a scope mounted on a rifle does not mean that you can hit the target, this is because one needs some technical skills and understanding. Having the right information is the first step in understanding how u can well use the scopes. If you are a beginner, the following steps will help you get started.
Do the best scopes support sight in the scope?
Yes, the best rifle scopes typically support sight-in procedures. They provide adjustable windage and elevation turrets that allow for precise alignment of the reticle with the bullet’s point of impact. Sighting in is crucial for achieving accuracy and consistency in shooting. Look for scopes with reliable and user-friendly adjustment mechanisms to facilitate the sight-in process.
If you want to choose a good scope with sight in assist then the article How to Choose a Rifle Scope is for you
Is sight in the scope enough to get a good shot?
While sighting in the scope is crucial for accuracy, it alone is not enough to ensure a good shot. Consistent shooting technique, understanding ballistics, accounting for environmental factors, accurate range estimation, and practice are also important. Adjusting a scope is just one aspect of the overall shooting process and needs to be combined with these other factors for consistent and precise shot placement.
How to Sight In a Scope in Seven Steps
Step 1: Ensure the scope is installed properly
Check and ensure that scope rings and mount are properly fit on the rifle the way you prefer. Determine the distance that you want the scope sighted too, 50 to 100 yards is always the most recommended distance. But if you intend on zeroing at a longer distance like 300 yards, then you should sight in first from just a short distance.
Step 2: Adjust the eye distance
Get yourself in a comfortable place and ensure that the position of the eyepiece is in a way that you can clearly see crystal clear images. It is good to fine tune the scope and ensures that you create the perfect distance between your eye and the scope. This is very important as recoil might injure your eyes when the eye relief is closer.
Step 3: Get level
You will need a stable platform that will enable you to quickly and efficiently sight a scope. Looking at most ranges, you will find that they have solid benches that are very stable. The rifle also will need a good rest, if the shooting bench does not have a mount, then it is recommended to use a bipod. However, you should know that rifle mount is known to reduce recoil up to 95% while holding the rifle securely on the target.
Step 4: Align the reticles
Many shooters do not put into consideration the alignment of their reticle when zeroing in. this results in what we call “reticle cant”, this happens when the crosshair of the scope is not perfectly aligned and this may cause a shot to hit the target. Align the reticles by ensuring that the horizontal and vertical elements are exactly horizontal and vertical.
Step 5: Setting your MOA
Setting your zero can be said to be a major step, this can easily be done at a range as you will need multiple target distance. We recommend that you use at least 100 yards. Looking at various rifles, they will allow adjustments of the crosshair in ¼ MOA increments.
Step 6: Fire the shots in a group of three
Finally, the moment to fire a shot is here, once everything is lined up, fire the shot to the target. Note that you need to pull the trigger gently rather than tugging it, this is because tugging will make you miss the target. Fire on your three targets then go and inspect to see where the bullet hit, measure the bullet hole from the bullseye position and write it down.
For instance, we can assume that you had a miss that was two inches high and three inches low, you can be able to adjust this. We said that a click moves 1/4 of an inch at 100 yards because the distance is at 25 yards, you need to multiply the number by four.in the above case where the bullet missed by two inches high and three inches low, you will need 32 clicks on the left and 48 clicks upward.
Step 7: Keep tweaking
Repeat shooting at a different distance until you are able to hit close to the bullseye consistently. Mastering this might not be easy but after you understand it, you can try long distance shooting and still get to hit your target. Note that you should factor in environmental variables as they might affect the direction of the bullet.
Can We Sight In a Scope without Shooting?
While the most common and accurate method of sighting in a scope is by shooting and adjusting based on bullet impact, there are alternative methods to perform a rough sight-in without shooting. These include bore sighting, using laser bore sighters, or utilizing adjustable boresight targets. However, these methods may not provide the same level of precision as live-fire adjustments. It is still recommended to conduct actual shooting and make adjustments based on bullet impact for optimal accuracy.
If you want to learn the details then the article Scope Sighting – How to Sight a Scope without Shooting will help you
Conclusion
After sighting your scope, then you are good to go. Always ensure that when you go hunting, stick to the same load and ammunition that you initially used during the sighting, whether it is reloaded ammunition or factory. This will ensure that you never miss your target at any point and also allow you to fine tune your accuracy. After everything has been adjusted, bullet drops will never be a worry when shooting at long distances
