This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of how to sight in a .308 rifle, covering everything from preparation to final adjustments. Whether you're a seasoned shooter or a newcomer, understanding this process is crucial for accuracy and safety. Properly sighting in your .308 ensures you can hit your target consistently, making it vital for hunting, target shooting, or any other application.
Preparing for the Sighting In Process
Before you even begin, preparation is key. This phase prevents errors and ensures a smooth sighting-in experience.
Gather Your Equipment:
- .308 Rifle: Clean and properly functioning.
- Ammunition: Use the same type and brand of ammunition you intend to use regularly. Consistency is key. Avoid using handloads until you are experienced with sighting-in.
- Shooting Rest: A sturdy rest like a sandbag or shooting bench is essential for consistency. Improper support leads to inaccurate results.
- Target: A clearly marked target at the appropriate distance (typically 100 yards/meters for initial sighting).
- Tools: Screwdrivers (likely Phillips head and flathead) for adjusting your scope’s windage and elevation turrets.
- Eye and Ear Protection: Always prioritize safety.
- Spotting Scope (Optional but Highly Recommended): Makes observing bullet impact much easier. A spotting scope significantly speeds up the sighting in process.
Choosing Your Range:
Select a safe and appropriate shooting range. Ensure it has:
- Sufficient Distance: 100 yards/meters is ideal for initial sighting. You may need longer distances later for fine-tuning.
- Backstop: A safe and secure backstop is non-negotiable. Ensure your bullets will not travel beyond the range's boundaries.
- Clear Sightlines: Avoid any obstructions that could interfere with your shot.
Understanding Your Scope:
Familiarize yourself with your scope's adjustment mechanisms. Most scopes use ¼ MOA (minute of angle) or ½ MOA clicks. Understanding how each click adjusts your point of impact is essential for making precise adjustments.
- MOA (Minute of Angle): One MOA equals approximately one inch at 100 yards. A ¼ MOA click will move your point of impact ¼ inch at 100 yards.
- Windage: Adjusts left and right.
- Elevation: Adjusts up and down.
Often, scopes have markings on the turrets to help track your adjustments. Always refer to your scope’s manual for specific instructions.
The Sighting-In Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
This process focuses on the typical 100-yard/meter zeroing for a .308.
Step 1: Initial Shot Group
Fire three shots at your target from your chosen shooting rest. Observe where the bullets impact. Mark the center of the shot group. This will serve as your baseline.
Step 2: Assessing the Impact
Measure the distance between the center of your shot group and the center of your target. This will dictate the adjustments needed.
- High and Left: Adjust the elevation turret down and the windage turret to the right.
- High and Right: Adjust the elevation turret down and the windage turret to the left.
- Low and Left: Adjust the elevation turret up and the windage turret to the right.
- Low and Right: Adjust the elevation turret up and the windage turret to the left.
Important Note: The number of clicks required is calculated based on your scope's MOA or similar. Remember to make small adjustments—it’s easier to make multiple small corrections than one large one.
Step 3: Iterative Refinement
After making your adjustments, fire another group of three shots. Repeat this process, making smaller and smaller corrections until your group is centered on your target.
Step 4: Fine-Tuning at Longer Ranges (Optional)
Once you have a good zero at 100 yards, you can move to longer distances (200 yards or more) for finer adjustments. This ensures your .308 is accurate at various ranges.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Large shot groups. Possible Causes: Poor shooting technique, improper rest, inconsistent ammunition, faulty rifle. Solutions: Focus on technique, use a better rest, ensure consistent ammunition, have the rifle checked by a gunsmith.
Problem: Consistent left or right deviation. Possible Causes: Misaligned sights, canting the rifle. Solutions: Check sight alignment, practice proper shooting technique.
Problem: Consistent high or low shots. Possible Causes: Incorrect scope mounting, improperly adjusted scope. Solutions: Check scope mounting, carefully readjust the scope’s elevation.
Maintaining Your Zero
Once your .308 is sighted in, maintaining that zero is crucial. This involves:
- Consistent Ammunition: Use the same ammunition type and brand that you used for sighting in.
- Proper Cleaning: Regular cleaning prevents fouling that can affect accuracy.
- Careful Handling: Avoid dropping or impacting your rifle.
By following this comprehensive guide, you'll be well-equipped to sight in your .308 rifle accurately and safely. Remember that practice and consistency are key to becoming a skilled shooter. Always practice safe gun handling techniques, and consult with a firearms professional if you have any doubts or uncertainties.