How to Zero a Scope and Rifle for Long Range Shooting

By Tom McHale

Tom Mchale gets new Ruger Precision Rifle which means it is time for a short class on how to zero a scope and new rifle for long range shooting.

USA –-(

Mounting the Scope

While we won’t go through the process of mounting a scope here, it’s important to mention one important part of the process—ensuring that your scope is level with your rifle. The vertical crosshair must be perfectly aligned with the vertical centerline of your firearm.

At closer ranges, a less than vertical crosshair won’t matter all that much. However, at longer ranges, a slight misalignment will cause a lateral miss. For example, a single degree of scope cant error can shift your point of impact by five inches at 1,000 yards.

You can check the level of your crosshairs by making sure your rifle is perfectly level and then lining up the vertical crosshair with an object that you know is dead on vertical. Or you can use a tool like the Scope Setter.

Methodical Zeroing vs. Quick and Dirty Solutions

If you’re going to do most of your shooting at less than …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand