How Much Ammo

[justonedeer]

I'm going to the range here shortly to sight in my .30-06. How much ammo should I take?

[Rustyaxecamp]

Has the gun ever been sighted in before?

Is it just to verify it is still on or what?

Do you know what your doing or is this new to you?

[Hunter333]

As much as you can carry! PRACTICE, PRACTICE,PRACTICE!! How much have you brought in the past?

[QuakrTrakr]

Are you shooting long range? Or short shots in the woods? I take as many different boxes (loads, manufacturers) I can afford. Every gun likes different loads. See what your gun likes.

[jmoser]

OK - I work as range officer and see and assist many folks sighting in; some who know enough and many who don't. My suggestions:

Before you go to the range verify exactly what 'click' adjustment your scope has: 1/2 MOA, 1/4 MOA, 1/8 MOA. [Had a guy just yesterday who did not know.] One MOA is ~1" at 100 yards, 1/2 inch at 50 yards, 1/4 inch at 25 yards. Also verify which turret is windage and elevation [had a different guy just yesterday who did not know.] Bring a ruler and calculator to the range - if you need to adjust 17 clicks swallow your pride and use pencil and paper for the math. Measure twice - click once! ;)

If the gun has not been zeroed yet and/or has a new scope: Put a target at 25 yards and fire two rounds to calibrate 'on paper.' You should get within 2" - 3" inches high/low, don't over adjust elevation at 25. If your 2 shots are real close then you should be able to get your windage dead on - 25 yards negates the effects of wind at longer ranges. If you cannot shoot 2 shots within 3/4 inch at 25 yards then you are going to have big problems at 100. [Rant on boresighting: more than one boresighted rifle has not hit paper at 50 yards. Ammo = expensive, paper = cheap. Shoot one at 25 to make sure.]

For all guns: At 50 yards fire a 3-5 shot group, do NOT make any adjustments in between shots. Find the center of the group and use this to adjust your windage to dead center. For most rifles/slug guns you want to be 0" - 3" high before moving to 100 - adjust elevation accordingly.

At 100 yards: shoot a 5 shot group, do NOT make any adjustments in between shots. Find the center of this group and make your final elevation adjustments to your preferred zero. If your group is right/left check the wind - your setting at 50 yards should trump 100 if ANY wind is blowing.

Now - not all scopes are equal, one click may not be exactly 1/4 inch, there can be slop/backlash in the clicker, etc etc etc. After I have adjusted the scope at 100 I like to shoot another 5 shot 'proof' group.

So - to quick check last year's zero you may need only 3-5 shots at 100 yards; starting from scratch you may need 15 - 20 rounds. IMHO I find that clicking between shots is a waste of ammo - shoot a 5 shot group, find the geometric center, make your required adjustments; reshoot a 5 shot proof group. Some like to put the crosshairs on the hole and click the crosshairs to center aim - unless you have the gun clamped in a vise this is a poor method: After the first click if the gun moves even a tiny bit it will not zero. I use a ruler to measure, calculate required clicks, and reshoot.

After you are zeroed, if your scope has this feature, turn both turret dial indicators to 'Zero.'


My $.02

[QuakrTrakr]

Jmoser- Nicely said! I don't like going to public (or private) ranges. There's too many guys that don't know how to safely handle guns. And/or have any etiquette.

[justonedeer]

Just to verify.

[Hunter333]

I love to shoot regardless it is just to verify or to start from scratch so my answer is still the same, as much as you can carry! :)

[QuakrTrakr]

Just to verify.
Take more than you need. Buy all of the same lot, so you know you're shooting the same round during hunting season as you shot at the range.

[Rustyaxecamp]

I usually take 20-30 round (I reload). Assuming you cleaned it when done last time you used it, fire it one as a "fouling shot" then a 3 or 5 shot group, making sure to let the barrel cool between shots. If it is still on (as they usually are) you are done. If not, see jmoser's post.

[yooperkenny]

I usually take 20-30 round (I reload). Assuming you cleaned it when done last time you used it, fire it one as a "fouling shot" then a 3 or 5 shot group, making sure to let the barrel cool between shots. If it is still on (as they usually are) you are done. If not, see jmoser's post.

So say you do this, and you are "done". Does everyone agree that you then shouldn't clean the barrel before you actually hunt?

[QuakrTrakr]

No fouling shot, unless you do it the night before hunting season. It might be easier just to run a dry patch down your barrel.

[Hunter333]

So say you do this, and you are "done". Does everyone agree that you then shouldn't clean the barrel before you actually hunt?

I have never thought about that before......:confused: Makes sense not to clean it.

[Rustyaxecamp]

I should have added.....It depends on the individual gun. Most of my rifles don't throw the first bullet (from a cleaned brrl) far enough to notice while hunting at "normal Michigan" ranges, however my 7RUM and my Rem 721 30-06 are off by an inch or so (which is far enough where I don't like it).

[QuakrTrakr]

My 30-06 is 1/2" high first shot while my .204 is 1" high if I don't dry patch them.