Since Saturday is a day that is more likely to see people out at the range this would be a good time to explain something to do on the range instead of mindlessly shooting paper and other objects into Swiss cheese. Here is a concept that anyone new to firearms should learn and those that have been around a while should always check now and then. If your firearm is zeroed in.
What does zeroing in mean? This is process where you systematically adjust your sights to hit the dead center of the target at range that you have specified. For handguns that could b 7 yards all the way out to 40, 50, or beyond. Rifles basic zeroing is at 100 yards with marksmen sighting theirs to 500+yards. Let's look at the process then talk about what you can do to extend your range.
Step 1: Find targets that have a grid or line pattern running through them. The reason for this will make sense, but it is easier to make adjusts by blocks or "clicks" then it is by you missed the bulls-eye by about 2 or 3 inches to the upper left hand side kind of. Here is a website that I found free printable targets on, http://www.targets.ws/sight-in-targets.htm or just google: sighting in targets.
Step 2: Always aim at the same spot on the target. Even if your first shot you can tell is low and left just keep aiming right at the same little mark on the bulls-eye. This is where the adage from The Patriot comes in, "aim small, miss small." Take your time, aim at the bottom part of the line of the bulls-eye try to put your sights right on that line every time and it will make your life easier.
Step 3: Fire three rounds. This is where the fun begins. You are going to want to take your time to aim then fire three rounds at the line we talked about. simply exhale slowly as you squeeze the trigger back and let the bullets fly. This is best done with some type of bench rest, but remember in a hunting or survival situation, you might not have those to rely on.
Step 4: Check your target and make adjustments. So you have fired your three rounds and they hit two boxes right and three boxes up on your grid. So aren't that far from the bulls-eye. You can now go back and look at your sights. Most sights should have a way to adjust them for wind-age (left to right) and elevation (up and down) Same with scopes. Read your manual to find what each click means. I believe most rifle scopes are 4 clicks are 1" for every 100 yards or so. so make the necessary adjustments.
Step 5: Repeat 2-4. Continue this process until your shots are consistently hitting in or right below the bulls-eye. Once in a while you might have what is called a flier. This will be a bullet that as you pulled the trigger something was just off and you pulled or pushed your shot so it will be an outlier. That is why we do 3 shots instead of 2 to accommodate for those fliers.
Now you can zero your firearm in for a set distance. Lets use my hunting rifle for example. It is set to 200 yards, but if my target is closer or farther I know no how to make adjustments. If I'm hunting an Elk that is 100 yards away I'm going to have to aim lower and if the elk is moving across a meadow I'm going to need to "lead" the target. Aiming in front of the elk to where it will be by the time the bullet gets there. You can make these adjustments in field by practicing on the range. Just zero your rifle in at a distance then set up targets closer and farther away than that distance and shoot away.
That is a basic explanation on how to zero in or sight in your firearm. If you have someone that is new to firearms that is going to go try one out today. Send this to them if you think it will help and try yourself and let me know what I could add or improve on.
Thanks an stay safe America!
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