Long-range shooting is not easy. Not all holding a rifle can go for long-range shooting. For starters, one of the most important things to note is making sure your zero is perfect. The longer the range of shooting, the obvious the error you make.
If you make a shooting error tagged “small” at 100 yards, this same error becomes “bigger” error at 1,000 yards. Hence, you need to pay attention to details before proceeding to shoot your next long-range.
The scope is the adjustment that helps you shoot accurately. The best way to save ammunition while shooting is to set your scope. Scope can be installed, and adjusted to help you shoot better. Choosing a great long range scopes is also an very important step.
Zeroing your rifle scope will help you hit the dead center of your target. Irrespective of the distance, zeroing your rifle scope will help you hit the target effortlessly. Here are some things to do to help zero your scope for long-range shooting.
Mounting Scope
The first step is to mount your scope. This involves you confirming that your scope is on the same level as your rifle. One of the important things to note is that efficient mounting must make the vertical crosshair align perfectly with the vertical centreline of your rifle.
The vertical crosshair is not useful always, especially for short-range shooting. But for a shooting range of 1,000 yards, you must ensure that they align. Otherwise, this will result in lateral miss.
To mount efficiently, ensure that your rifle is at the level of the crosshair. You then need to set the vertical crosshair on an object that is dead in vertical. There are several tools like scope setter that can help you achieve this effortlessly.
Zeroing Methodologically or Quick and Dirty Solution
Quick and dirty solution shooting is one of the best options if you are shooting at a very close range. The one-shot-zero method falls under this category. And they are effective if you are shooting at a distance of less than a hundred yards. But if you’re going further than that, then this method won’t work for you.
Little errors that won’t affect your shooting at 100 or 200 yards will become bigger ones at 1,000 yards. A more methodological approach will help you hit the target perfectly. You must not base your judgment on single-shot indicator. One good way to achieve efficient result is going for a three-shot group.
With this method, it will be easier for a shooter to find a nice average point, putting in mind the mechanical variability in your rifle, scope, and ammo makeup. This method also helps in eliminating shooter errors. If you can successfully deliver three shots in the same spot, then you can be sure both you and your equipment are in agreement.
Applying Math for Zeroing Your Scope for Long Range Shooting
Many who tries to zero their scope for long-range shooting really does not calculate. They instead use trial and errors till they get their optics right. Immediately they see their target, they fire. And after a couple of shootings they are there searching for the target again.
With scope turrets, you can avoid all these unnecessary calculations with little results. It provides the information needed for you to hit the perfect shot. Even on the first try, with scope turrets, you can hit the target.
Turrets of some scopes are marked 1 Click=1/4-inch. Other times, you may find markings like ¼ MOA. Do you understand that? Let me explain.
When you are shooting at space of 100 yards, your click will the bullet an impact of ¼ inch in the specified direction. The Minutes of Angle (MOA) and mils (Milliradian) are other measurements of scope that is proportional. With every half a distance shooting, your click will move your point of impact choosing by half of 1/4.
Say for example, at 50 yards, the point of impact will be moved by one half and one-quarter of an inch (1/8th). At 25 yards, it moves the point of impact by one-fourth of one-quarter of an inch (16th). The same calculation works for longer distances.
Popular scope turrets are marked in Milliradian, (1 Click =. 1 Mil). 1 Mil equals 3.6 inches at 100 yards. Hence, 0.1 mils equal 0.36 (1/3) of an inch in that distance. At 50 yards, its 0.36 inches, (1/2 times)
These calculations will help you know exactly the number of clicks you will need on your rifle to hit your target.
Pick your paper at 25 yards
The destination of your first shot after mounting a new scope is unknown. You may want to give it a try and fire a long-range away from the supposed target, or you can move your target close first at least 25 yards. Unless you miss or hit, you cannot adjust the scope.
When you hit the target, then you start to increase the distance and adjust correspondingly. Use the math given above to help you set your scope and hit the target.
Confirm at 100 yards
If you successfully hit your target at 25 yards, you should try a further 100 yards. Try firing again, at least three shot is a good way to access the effectiveness of your shot, although it is not the best accuracy test of course.
As you start shooting, focus on the math discussed above, you will need to adjust your clicks up, down, right, and left. After each adjustment, fire a shot or groups of shot and see if you hit the required target. If you fire in groups, check how closely those shots landed, they will give you a clue to the effectiveness of your shot.
Move to longer Yards
As you have done when on paper in 25 yards, your scope has been efficiently set, all you need is to keep adjusting at any length. At any point of adjustment, you need to put pen to paper and make some calculations.
To get better results, it is best to keep records of previous shooting at whatever yard. Note the number of clicks; this will help get your calculations right. When your mathematics is right, hitting your target at long range becomes easy.
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