Question on Sighting in a hunting rifle-

[rmarshall]

So do you all use max power while sighting in? or use the power you will use most often while hunting? sorry for the dumb question, just got thinking about it. Do the points of impact differ with a higher power? Say i use a 3-9 and most often while hunting its on 6 power, should i sight it in on 6 or go to 9 for greater magnification, and roll back to 6 to hunt and not worry about the difference in maginfication. sorry guys for the dumb question, i just wondered what everyone else does. thanks

 

[bullet]

Sight in on full power and go hunting using what ever power you want when in the field.

 

[Polaris]

I like to sight in on max power, and practice with the power levels I use in the field as well as verify POI with changed power settings. Some cheap glass will shift due to inconsistencies in the moving parts. For instance with a 3X9 scope, I'll zero from the bench on 9, and verify poi and practice at 3 (close cover and walking), 5.5 (stand setting) and 9 (reach out and touch something).

On some scopes the ranging and BDC markings on your reticle will be affected at different power settings. Read your literature and know your dope before using these toys. I've got hash marks on my reticle but I usually go Kentucky on longer shots. I know my drop in "minutes of deer brisket."

 

[cloverleaf]

As much as I like to shoot those little "Cloverleaf" groups at 9x, I do most of my practicing at 4-6x as well as my hunting. The nice part is, it makes your wobbles and shakes less noticable. CL

 

[usmc 89]

you can sight your rifle in with any power you want, as long as you are shooting through the center of the scope ie center of reticle you should not have an impact shift. someone did make a good point about the calibration of a moa mil or bdc reticle, make sure when you do employ a holdover reticle it is at the proper power. also you will want to make sure the reticle is not canted this will create problems that progress the further down you go. put the gun in a rubber jaw vice take ring tops off remove scope place level across the top of bottom half of rings secure it in vice when level. place scope in lapped rings use cap if it has a flat spot to set level on or stack valve clearance guages on underside of scope and level, keep level on until tightening is complete.

 

[Guy Miner]

Dang! Mostly I hunt with fixed 6x scopes.... Leaves me out... :grin:

I think you're getting good advice here. Shifting zero with power adjustments is something that used to happen pretty often, but anymore I don't see it happening with better scopes.

Best of luck, Guy

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Many older scopes would shift points of impact as the magnification level changed. Redfield used to advertise this as an ADVANTAGE of their scopes. The 1960s to 1980s Redfields, if sighted in on 9x, would shoot 2 inches high at 100 yards on 7x. The point of impact for 3x, or 9x would match up, but inbetween, the POI would change. Gunny Hathcock wrote about using the 9x Redfields, and it was due to this change in POI with change in magnification he instrusted his snipers to put their scope on 9x and never change it.

I have a variable power simmons that I also changes POI with change in magnification. At the high and low settings the groups match up, but inbetween, they change.

Nightforce, swaro, other high dollar scopes, well I don't know. I've never had the money to test them.

 

[rmarshall]

Thanks guys for the words of advise, much appreciated. I have two VX2's and one burris fullfield, i probably won't have to worry much about POI being to much different, i will test to see though. Thanks again

 

[SJB358]

I haven't had any issues with POI changing with different powers in quite awhile. Most of the decent scopes track pretty well while adjusting the power range as long as you maintain the same stockweld and sight picture. Scotty

 

[wildgene]

...easy check, sight your rifle in @ high magnification, then shoot a few groups @ lower magnifications. Expect your groups to open up a little, & be aware that your crosshairs will cover considerably more of the target @ lower powers, making it very important that you pick an aiming point you can "center" @ all powers to prevent a large shift, but you should be able to tell if it's you or the scope set @ different powers causing any dispersion...

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I sight in at max power which for me is 9x...dont currently have anything of higher power. But then usually hunt with the scope on 6x as a general rule. That way inside of 100 yards I dont just see hair yet I still have a decent magnification at long range.