Now that the snow is melting and some matches are in the foreseeable future, I want to test my scope for tracking. What is the "approved" method for testing the repeatability of my scope? What is the correct way to shoot a box?

Michael

Zeroed at 40 (distance doesn't matter but 25-40 takes out the wind/ammo variable), always aim at the exact same spot. 8 clicks up, 8 clicks to the right, 8 clicks down, 8 clicks down, 8 clicks to the left, 8 clicks to the left, 8 clicks up, 8 clicks up, 8 clicks to the right, 8 clicks down. Target should have a box shaped pattern and the last shot should be where the first one started..... if not check your mounting. if you are far to one side with windage it will screw with your elevation tracking....

At least that is the way I do it....


;)

I use pretty much the same routine. Aim at only one spot the entire test. But I will go as many as 4-6 minutes in each direction especially being close targets. I feel this gives a better representation of the scopes ability to come back to zero over a greater dialed distance range change.

Just remember which direction you are moving in with each change and how far you moved it


Dee

Any number of clicks/moa would work theoretically. The important thing is that the last shot hits the first shot and if you repeat it multiple times all the shots continue to be on or real near each other.

On a related matter.... I bought a lower cost Vortex scope to use on my indoor gallery rifle, and it has the "Dead Hold Reticle" pictured below...the scope performs well indoors. But, while looking at the diagram, I was struck by the minute of angle values for the "lower crosses." The first one down from center is 1.5, and almost equals my elevation adjustment from chickens to pigs; the second one down is 4.5, and almost equals my elevation adjustment from pigs to turkeys; and the third one down is 7.5, which might work if I laid it on the back of the rams..... Theoretically, couldn't I leave the scope zeroed at chickens, and then "adjust" for the different animals by using the different "cross hatches?" Theoretically..... then I wouldn't have to worry if the scope tracked true or not..... Theoretically....



I would have to use paper targets and bench the rifle, and maybe have to adjust my aiming points, but .... it just might work, huh? Theoretically......

I've always thought of mil-dot and multi-cross haired rets as being to busy for the eye to easily focus on the animal. It can of course be done but having to concentrate on when a selected cross hair is where you want it on the animal gives problems with breaking clean shots when the eye sees the picture it wants. The single dot rules IMO. No having to think about what line or dot to use when there is only one dot to choose from


Dee

Great weather today, so I tested my scope. Made a nice box, good boost to my confidence.

I have a mil-dot scope and tried the dots too...same results. I understand why some shooter like the single dot better, but in all honesty I never see the "other" dots. I have a Mueller and the center of the crosshairs has no dot - just fine crosshairs - finer than my 10pr Weaver. For the money I can live with the extra dots.

M

Snaketail,

I'm guessing you were planning on shooting in the rim fire silhouette match this Sunday at the Bench Rest Club, I just got a message that the match is cancelled due to the bad weather forecast.

Joe

Yes, I was planning to shoot the match. I came from Tucson - where we shot year round, usually in shorts, and there are three matches a month within easy driving distance!

I will be there for the April match and hope they have the Cowboy SB match too.

Michael

Man I wish we could shoot year round. Had to cancel our first match of the year due to a blizzard. Keeping my fingers crossed that we can shoot by april...