Questions about sighting in a rifle

[coonazz]

Questions about how others people shoot-

I bought one of those Caldwell lead sleds for sighting in my TC muzzleloader over the weekend. While I was shooting round after round, I really started to notice some of my inconsistencies with regards to how I was holding the rifle. Do you hold the rifle down at the forearm? Do you hold it down at the scope? Do squeeze the heck out of it towards your shoulder or towards the table to keep the barrel from going up? Or – Do you just barely touch the rifle at all with your non-trigger hand?

[temple droptine]

when using a lead sled, bags or bases. I rarely use my non-trigger pull hand for anything. If there is a bad wind, and I am forced to sight in with it, I might use it for balance if needed. If you touch it with your opposite hand, be for certain to do everything the same each time.

cb

[Artos]

good question...i'm sure blake will have some input on this too. I think being consistant between shots is the most important. The type of caliber makes a difference obviously. When i was shooting benchrest, i got my best groups shooting free recoil, where all i did was put my thumb behind the trigger guard and touch off the 1.5oz trigger. Others liked a death grip.

To me, a hunting rifle needs to be tested on the range just like you are going to handle it in the field so you know what to expect.

[az2tx]

I've never used a lead sled but when shooting off a bench I don't use my front hand at all, when shooting a rifle or shotgun I cradle the forearm, I don't wrap my fingers at all

[Sparkles]

when using a lead sled, bags or bases. I rarely use my non-trigger pull hand for anything. If there is a bad wind, and I am forced to sight in with it, I might use it for balance if needed. If you touch it with your opposite hand, be for certain to do everything the same each time.

cb

Yeah I shoot from a good rest but weigh it down with sand bags. Once the rifle is settled and aimed where I want it to shoot, I only use my trigger finger.

[billfromtx]

Once I have the sled adjusted so its pointing dead center of the target, I lightly lean into it. Center it on my shoulder, make sure the cross hairs are still good, take a deep breath, blow half of it out and sqeeeeeze!
I don't touch the gun with my off hand. The tighter you squueze the more you'll make the gun move.

[tvc184]

Sounds about right.

You could tie my weak hand behind my back when I am shooting off of a rest. It is only needed to reload and lay the rifle in the cradle/bags/etc.

[dustoffer]

Get rid of the sled and get some sandbags--mo bettah. Rifle reacts to the shooter's pressure, from front hand, rear hand, trigger, cheek pressure, shoulder, so the absolute best way to zero is how you would shoot it. Use the sandbags to get it zeroed, then take a few shots using a limb or side of a tree for support to see if it has an effect on point of impact.

[Artos]

another caution of the sled when using an older wooden stocked rifle...do NOT weigh it down too much or you risk the chance of cracking the stock.

those older guns need some give into your shoulder.

[Brett A]

I would get close with the sled, then shoot it like you would in a hunting situation to tune in it.

[Tommyh]

the sled is for sighting in only. once you get it sighted in properly, you need to shoot it once or twice to ensure accuracy, and then practice on a lighter ctg to keep from developing bad habits for hunting situations. for benchrest, its a whole other ball of wax.

[lovetohunt]

I wouldn't touch the barrel or hold the scope down. If you can grip the forearm then do so. Like the others have said once you have it shooting straight with the sled then take a couple shots without it. Also, remember a cold barrel shoots different than a hot barrel and a clean barrel shoots different than a dirty barrel.

So what I like to do when I sight in my rifles is to get it sighted in then clean the barrel and let it cool. Then with a cool barrel take a shot and note the difference. Adjust your sights according to the cool barrel. If you need to take another shot then go through the process of cleaning it and letting it cool. I know it's a pain but I'm picky like that since it's the first shot that counts. I'm an old small bore target shooter and I've seen how much it can make a difference.

[southpaw]

Don't mes with it at all, IT'S BOW SEASON.