Before practically heading out for hunting, there must be some practice shooting you would want to learn. We are here to make your learning effortless. Beginning with 100 yards zero is the basis for shooting. Even if you intend to shoot a longer or shorter distance, 100 yards is the perfect range to start.
Why 100-Yards?
In easy words, sighting in is known as zeroing. Zeroing is setting or fixing your rifle scope so that the bullet hits the point you are aiming. For maintaining the expert skills of shooting, you should know how to adjust zeroing. While the best range to learn is 100 yards. Why not 150 or 200? Well, there are multiple reasons.
Number one is that most of your scope settings, like MOA, are based on 100-yard increments. Number two is that 100 yards are the best base distance for the minor environment. You can practice shooting within this range, even at home. Even in woods, 100-yards would be pretty close to bulls-eye.
Here is a step-by-step guide containing all the crucial points you need to learn about zeroing a rifle scope at 100 yards.
Step#1. Understand Your Rifle Scope
Before beginning, you should thoroughly know your rifle scope. Understand the type of reticle of your rifle.
You should see if it is MOA or MIL. Different reticle types will affect the units of measure to which the scope centers as you turn the turrets.
Understanding your scope limits, measurements, and reticle types will eventually help you gain accuracy and precision.
Step#2. Setup and Mount the Optic
Mounting will set the basis for your accuracy in shooting. This step might appear skimmable but is very important when practically zeroing a rifle scope at 100 yards. Do not set up for cheap mounts; start with getting the best quality mounts.
Make sure you torque the rifle scope to correct factory settings. You can do this using the appropriate torque wrench. Other than this, you can set it up while purchasing. Most shops will do this for you while you are making a purchase. Get yourself safety glasses and follow all the recommended safety measures.
Step#3. Begin With Boresighting
Boresighting means sighting the red dot scope without shooting. In other words, it is ensuring that your scope aligns with the barrel. The process is simple, less time-taking and easy to learn. Boresighting will give you hold on accuracy and will eventually provide you best results.
All you need to do for boresighting is make sure your bore sighting laser dot is on the red dot scope of your target. Your rifle will ultimately shoot the point of your bore laser dot. This step will help you understand where you are going to hit your bullet. This way, you are going to gain more efficiency while zeroing your rifle scope at 100 yards.
Step#4. Setup for 100 Yards
As explained earlier, 100 yards is the most common range to begin zeroing the rifle. Maintain a distance of 100 yards. Once you have set up the target, look through the scope. It would help you get a clear picture of the bulls-eye of your target. You are now ready to shoot your test fires.
Step#5. Do Test Fires
Take three to four shots. Look where the bullets have hit, whether it’s the red dot scope of your target or you have missed it. It is quite vivid that you can not get your aim right in your first shot. One needs a lot of practicing to achieve their target. Look why and by which measurement you have missed your target. Make proper adjustments accordingly.
Step#6. Make Proper Adjustments
Once you know that you have missed your target, which is very likely to happen, begin with making adjustments. There can be various reasons why you have missed your target. It might be because your scope needs adjustments. Unmount and tighten your scope in the right direction. Count the number of inches by which you have missed your aim. Divide these inches into quarters and adjust by counting clicks, respectively.
One other thing you can do is start making adjustments by rotating the turrets. Move the reticle up and down, left and right, and place the reticle over top of the first shots. By this, you will be re-aligning the reticle to meet the dead center where the bullet is hitting.
Step#6. Fire Again
After making proper adjustments, you can begin with happy shooting. Fire again; this shot must hit closer to your target and keep on practicing. Aim for the bulls-eye by zeroing the riflescope at 100 yards. Keep on making proper adjustments until you strike your target.
Conclusion
Zeroing the scope is just the beginning of shooting. It needs practice and continuous effort. So, it is best, to begin with, 100-yards in diameter. The above-provided steps will help you understand the basics. Once you have learned to zero your rifle scope at 100 yards, you can advance towards greater distances. Keep up with the steps, be confident with your rifle, and enjoy shooting.
