Checking zero
- Thread starter 4dds
- Start date
I will shoot at 100 when I get to the range to practice to get body and rifle warmed up so I will see if my zero is off which is very rarely is. I will check it prior to a match so I am confident for the match.
What they said. It answers alot of doubt if things aren't going well. There's nothing like spending hours with drive time & set-up for ELR only to find you can't hit shit after throwing $20 or $30 (or more) downrange only to find your zero is off lol. That way your friends don't have to call you a dumbass.....(followed immediately by them rolling around on the ground laughing THEIR ass off! i got to admit though, it IS fun when it's MY turn........
Maybe I'm strange but I very rarely check my zero. If everything is tracking I just leave it alone. I seem to get myself in trouble trying to chase a .1 of a mil around on zero. I do however have the advantage of having a 900 yard range on my farm. So like I said if it's tracking, I leave it alone.
Similar situation here, so I rarely check it, BUT, certainly nothing wrong with verification to ease ones mind.
Every time I shoot if I have access to a good 100 yd point of reference. A few minutes and a quick 3-5 round group to confirm the zero just confirms everything is still good and can save some frustration before you start slinging rounds at extended ranges. Its one less thing you have to diagnose if you start having issues.
Honestly, shooting groups at 100 yds is also a good practice just to reinforce good fundamentals and practice the basics. Its also a challenge to see how tight you can get the groups and puts you in a good mindset before you start pushing out to further ranges.
If you shoot with a couple of buddies, another great drill to shoot at 100 yds with precision rifles is what we called "know your limits". Place different sizes of shapes (square or circles) that start large and keep getting smaller and smaller. Take turns shooting each shape starting from the largest down to the smallest in sequential order. When you miss, you're out. Whoever takes out the smallest target wins. It is fun, get's you and your equipment warmed up, and confirms your zero.
Honestly, shooting groups at 100 yds is also a good practice just to reinforce good fundamentals and practice the basics. Its also a challenge to see how tight you can get the groups and puts you in a good mindset before you start pushing out to further ranges.
If you shoot with a couple of buddies, another great drill to shoot at 100 yds with precision rifles is what we called "know your limits". Place different sizes of shapes (square or circles) that start large and keep getting smaller and smaller. Take turns shooting each shape starting from the largest down to the smallest in sequential order. When you miss, you're out. Whoever takes out the smallest target wins. It is fun, get's you and your equipment warmed up, and confirms your zero.
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Love the KYL drill. We do it at 460 yards. Smallest target is a 1 3/4 circle. Lots of fun.
