First time scope user

kitman · July 14, 1999, 04:14 PM

I have just purchased a scope for an old bolt action .22,the scope is a simmons 3x9-32, ANd i have weaver rings that you can look under to see the sites the ones for rim fire rifles. I have never installed a new scope or zeroed a scope Any tips and tricks will be greatly apreceated.

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"Its hard doing nothing, You never know when you are finished."

Art Eatman · July 14, 1999, 06:23 PM

I'm assuming your rifle has holes in the receiver, already tapped for scope-mount screws? And maybe you have bases which fit your rifle? If not, it's pro-gunsmith time.

Anyway, after the scope is mounted, and hoping the "see-thru" rings don't have the scope too high above the barrel for your comfort and the fit of everything with your cheek on the stock, you're ready for sight-in.

You need some sort of padded rest so you can have the gun stationary and not easily wiggled. Sand bags, blankets, picnic table...

Put some sort of brightly visible small bullseye out at 25 yards. Red or orange Pentel markings on the side of a white cardboard box is fine. 25 long steps is close enough to 25 years...

Remove the bolt, and try to center the red dot in the middle of the bore. Without further touching of the rifle, look through the scope. The crosshairs will be somewhere other than centered.

If the crosshairs are to the left, and you shoot the rifle using the scope, you would hit to the right of the point of aim. So, you would need to adjust the scope "Left".

Similarly, if the crosshairs are above the red dot, and you shoot using the scope, you would hit below the point of aim. So, you would need to adjust the scope "Up".

Keeping this in mind, and "Right" and "Down" also in mind, adjust the scope until the crosshairs are on the red dot.

This is your starting point for the shooting part of sighting in your rifle.

Stipulating the safe target and background, shoot and adjust as necessary. When you are exactly on with your three-shot or five-shot group, you are ready to zero at whatever range you figure is appropriate for your .22, which is probably around 50 or 75 yards.

Best luck!

Art

George Stringer · July 14, 1999, 11:23 PM

Thanks Art, that was a very good reply. George

kitman · July 14, 1999, 11:59 PM

thank you very much

------------------
"Its hard doing nothing, You never know when you are finished."

**4V50 Gary** · July 15, 1999, 12:00 AM

Ditto George. Happy to have you here Art.

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Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt

Art Eatman · July 15, 1999, 05:01 PM

Aw, shucks, guys!

Bill Hebert · July 16, 1999, 11:02 AM

Tom Gresham shared this method on his "Gun Talk" program. Mount the scope and shoot 3-5 rounds from the benchrest. Hopefully, you will have a group of holes in the target. Now you continue to hold the gun still on the benchrest and have a friend adjust the crosshairs (with you telling him/her which direction to move) until the crosshairs are centered in the grouping you shot. When the crosshairs are centered in your group, your scope is zeroed. Simple and quick....

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July 14, 1999, 04:14 PM	#1
kitman Member Join Date: May 17, 1999 Posts: 32	I have just purchased a scope for an old bolt action .22,the scope is a simmons 3x9-32, ANd i have weaver rings that you can look under to see the sites the ones for rim fire rifles. I have never installed a new scope or zeroed a scope Any tips and tricks will be greatly apreceated. ------------------ "Its hard doing nothing, You never know when you are finished."

July 14, 1999, 06:23 PM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I'm assuming your rifle has holes in the receiver, already tapped for scope-mount screws? And maybe you have bases which fit your rifle? If not, it's pro-gunsmith time. Anyway, after the scope is mounted, and hoping the "see-thru" rings don't have the scope too high above the barrel for your comfort and the fit of everything with your cheek on the stock, you're ready for sight-in. You need some sort of padded rest so you can have the gun stationary and not easily wiggled. Sand bags, blankets, picnic table... Put some sort of brightly visible small bullseye out at 25 yards. Red or orange Pentel markings on the side of a white cardboard box is fine. 25 long steps is close enough to 25 years... Remove the bolt, and try to center the red dot in the middle of the bore. Without further touching of the rifle, look through the scope. The crosshairs will be somewhere other than centered. If the crosshairs are to the left, and you shoot the rifle using the scope, you would hit to the right of the point of aim. So, you would need to adjust the scope "Left". Similarly, if the crosshairs are above the red dot, and you shoot using the scope, you would hit below the point of aim. So, you would need to adjust the scope "Up". Keeping this in mind, and "Right" and "Down" also in mind, adjust the scope until the crosshairs are on the red dot. This is your starting point for the shooting part of sighting in your rifle. Stipulating the safe target and background, shoot and adjust as necessary. When you are exactly on with your three-shot or five-shot group, you are ready to zero at whatever range you figure is appropriate for your .22, which is probably around 50 or 75 yards. Best luck! Art

July 14, 1999, 11:23 PM	#3
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Thanks Art, that was a very good reply. George

July 14, 1999, 11:59 PM	#4
kitman Member Join Date: May 17, 1999 Posts: 32	thank you very much ------------------ "Its hard doing nothing, You never know when you are finished."

July 15, 1999, 12:00 AM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,829	Ditto George. Happy to have you here Art. ------------------ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt

July 15, 1999, 05:01 PM	#6
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Aw, shucks, guys!

July 16, 1999, 11:02 AM	#7
Bill Hebert Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 1999 Posts: 180	Tom Gresham shared this method on his "Gun Talk" program. Mount the scope and shoot 3-5 rounds from the benchrest. Hopefully, you will have a group of holes in the target. Now you continue to hold the gun still on the benchrest and have a friend adjust the crosshairs (with you telling him/her which direction to move) until the crosshairs are centered in the grouping you shot. When the crosshairs are centered in your group, your scope is zeroed. Simple and quick....