What load?

[Elkhunter1]

You can start at 100 yards, look for a group in the 1 inch range about 1.5 to 2 inches high. Then move back to 250, your rounds should be very close to dead center there. All of our rifles that have non-ballistic scopes (that can't be dialed in) are dead on at 250.

[Scooter]

When you stack rounds MOA... I would only start at 50 if I had absolutely no idea where the rounds would hit. Here's my new scope sight in procedure:

 

1. With the rifle unloaded and pointed downrange in a sturdy sight-in vise or a good benchrest position, look down the barrel after pulling out the bolt and orient the barrel onto a nice visible target of some kind at about 100 yards or so. Lock down the rifle.

2. Move up to the scope and look for that same target and move the crosshairs to the target. This aligns your crosshairs with the barrel and will tell you whether something is mounted off center, if you need shims, etc... DOUBLE AND TRIPLE CHECK both the bore sight picture and the scope, it will save you ammo.

3. Shoot a 2 or 3 shot group at 100 yards on a standard 100yd sight-in target using a plain white 36"x36" (roughly) sheet for a backer. If you don't hit the sight-in target you should be able to see the impacts "off the paper". I don't recommend sighting in any closer than 100yds because the Nikon Buckmaster is designed for precise adjustments of 1/4" per click at 100yds. If you stack the rounds in a good group (2MOA or less) then go ahead to #4

4. Adjust the scope to the correct number of 1/4" clicks, tap the turrets lightly, and send 2-3 more rounds. You should be good to go if you did it right... If not- repeat the process.

 

Now, if/when you want a 200yd zero- consider that each click will now move the windage/elevation point of impact more than it will at 100yds so figure at least 1/2" per click, probably a little more.

 

For the 30-06, depending on the load-out you choose, I would recommend a zero of 150yds or 200yds. It's gonna depend on the ballistics of your round, but you gotta make that call based on where you hunt and how far you are comfortable shooting. I use a 150yd zero on mine.

[dieselroe]

/> Ok,

 

You should have 2 inch groups at 200 hundred off a lead sled device. Heres what to do. Buy a few different loads that have been suggested here and take them to the range. Since its 40-50 a box. I would just start with the next load you like and you can go back with a new type each time if that doesn't work. For instance. My tikka 270wsm did not like the trophy bonded by federal in 130, it grouped about 18 inches at 300. The ballistic tips in 130, it loved and grouped 2 inches at 300!!, well, I wanted a better bullet then ballistic though, so I took out some of the new Trophy copper by federal in 130. It liked that just as well and now I can use the copper solid I like.

 

Every rifle barrel is different and you have to figure out what yours likes. This will build confidence and give you a rifle that you can trust for life. I trust I can take game with my 270 at 490. I took a muley 2 seasons ago like this and I won't shoot anybody elses rifle now.

 

You really need to spend time at the range and get confident groups at 200. I like to go to casa grande range so I can get confident at 300. There are no range officers there and the people are really nice. Bring your own chair and spotting scope though!!!

 

I've had better luck using only federal premium products. No federal blue box stuff or soft points of any brand.

 

Nosler accubond

trophy copper

barnes ttsx

 

Oh yeah, and cheap scopes will get knocked off just by driving down a dirt road. Especially Simmons, they suck!!!! I have a leupold vx1 I bought on sale on ebay new for 270. It won't get knocked off. It has a low power range but 9x, but its fast and reliable.

I have a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40. Thanks a ton for the replies. I will for sure be trying this stuff out. As far as sighting in goes, what would be the best way to start. I started at 50, then went to 100, then to 200. I don't think I ever got it dead on at any of those distances though. When do you know to step up the distance?

 

That's a good scope.

 

At this point I would say you have many factors.

 

Does the gun have a really stiff trigger? (this can affect accuracy) are you just shooting off sand bags(thats not a good accurate way to test loads), are you pushing the gun, or flinching, (this can be huge, you may be flinching and going off target), how is your breathing? (always shoot when exhaling, don't hold your breath), how often are you cleaning your bore(groups will spread out after fowling begins), is the scope mounted level?

 

Start by buying a lead sled by caswells. This allows you to put your gun in the rest and set it on target. Then you just get in behind it and barely move it to get comfortable. You are basically slightly holding the gun and pulling the trigger without pulling or pushing the gun off target. After you get a certain ammo to shoot accurately in this position then you can confirm that the rifle is on and any missing or spreading out of groups is the shooter.

 

I would always start with a bore sighted gun at 50, take a 3 shot group from a lead sled and move the dials according to the center of that 3 shot group. If this group(no matter where it is on target) is larger than 6 inches, than its more likely the ammo(usually ammo) or gun. Make sure all allen bolts are tight and secure on stock and scope mount. If all this looks good, switch ammo. A gun should perform at least a 3 inch group on a lead sled at 100 yards. If not, get a new gun. 3 inches at 100 is 9 inches at 300. Out in the west we have long shots.

 

This will take a few trips to the range and some money but after you get a good confident rifle, You'll never question your gun again. You'll know its your gun and you're set up and its deadly accurate. The confidence in the weapon you wield is deadly!!!

 

I would be happy to help and have a lead sled if you want to meet at Ben Avery sometime.

 

Personally I would buy the 165 grain or 180 grain Federal premium trophy copper and see if that will shoot well.