[kraigwy]

Read the links posted. Good start. I say start, but I believe to get a more accurate conclussion to getting a zero based on how you shoot.

Go ahead and walk your way to the center of the target at the distance you want your zero. But don't stop there.

Lets say you want to target or plink, requiring several rounds at a session. Once you get what you think is your zero set up a target and fire 20 or so rounds. Take your target and draw lines dividing it into 4 quarters. 12 to 6 o'clock, and 3 to 9 o'clock. Count your shots to determine how many shots are in each quarter. Adjust and shoot again. Keep doing this until you get an equal number of shots in each target.

This method will give you a true zero, weeding out the errors you get with 3 or 5 shot groups, hot or cold, fouled or clean barrels.

Now lets assume you are talking about hunting rifles, where the first, cold bore, shot is critical. Get your three shot groups centered as mentioned.

Then take one target, go out ever day for a week or so, (the more shots the more accurate your zero). Fire one shot a day. Regardless of weather or conditions. Take your target down so you can protect it for the next days shooting. Use the same target every day. Be sure you use a level to get your target set up the same. It don't matter if you clean your rifle or not. If you start your hunt with a clean bore, then make each days shot with a clean bore. If you use fouling shots then dont clean the gun.

After a week or so, (again the more shots the more accurate the zero) take your target down divide it into quareters and adjust until you get an equal number of shots per quarter.

With these metods, it doesn't matter how good you shoot, you can still get an accurate zero. One inch group or three inch group, if you center the group, its zeroed.

And when you zero, (after getting the three shots as close to the center as possible) zero from the position you are going to shoot. If you shoot competition such as high power, zero in high power positions. If you are zeroing your rifle for hunting, use your normal hunting position to zero your rifle.

Like any other task you take up, the more effert you put in your zero the more accurate your zero will be.