Basic Training: How to Sight a Rifle Scope for the Range

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1. Step 1: Set Up Your Rifle for Accurate Sighting
1. Find a stable shooting position
1. Bipod
2. Sandbags
3. Shooting rest
2. Ensure scope is properly mounted
1. Check manufacturer’s settings
1. Too tight could break the tube
2. Too loose could shift scope during recoil
2. Step 2: Bore Sight Your Rifle
1. Gets your scope closer to zero
2. Saves ammo and reduce shots before dialing in
1. Quick Tip: Use a laser bore sighter in the muzzle or chamber
3. Step 3: Zero the Rifle Scope
1. Align the point of aim with the point of impact
2. Standard distance: 100 Yards
1. This can be adjusted
3. Shoot a grouping of three at a paper target and measure distance of holes
1. Based on these measurements, you can adjust your windage and elevation turrets
4. Step 4: Adjust for Windage, Elevation, and Parallax
1. Windage is any horizontal drift caused by wind
1. Adjust the windage turret in small increments
2. Elevation adjusts for bullet drop over distance
1. Compensate by dialing your elevation turret up
1. Quick Tip: Use reticle holdovers
3. Parallax is optical distortion noticed at higher magnifications
1. Adjust by focusing on a target at shooting distance. Turn the parallax adjustment until you see a stationary reticle
5. Step 5: Fine-Tune for Different Shooting Scenarios
1. Each scenario requires different settings to compensate for bullet drop, elevation, and parallax.
1. Hunters might adjust for 100 to 200 yards depending on game and environment
2. Long range shooters should compensate for bullet drop
3. Law enforcement and competition shooters can adjust for 50 yards
6. Step 6: Maintain an Accurate Scope
1. Your rifle’s zero can shift, so it’s important to regularly check and adjust
2. Do the following:
1. Ensure proper mounting
2. Use turret caps or locking mechanisms
3. Use microfiber cloth to clean
4. Store rifle in padded case