AR Sponsor
Posted: 1/31/2008 11:58:55 AM EDT
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i'm taking my rifle to the range for the first time on sunday. I was wondering about zeroing the rifle, i've never done this. The rifle has a fixed front sight (the usual one) and it has an ARMS 40L BUIS (no optics yet). I want to get it all sighted in. my main question is this: I don't have sandbags or anything of the like. If I just hold the rifle but support myself using the benches they have, will that be sufficient for zeroing? I've always assumed you use a rest of some sort but I don't have one and can't get one locally before sunday. Is it not even worth zeroing it if I don't have it? IE will I be so inconsistant that it won't zero well? Thanks in Advance! 
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You don't have a range bag, a sleeping bag or even a coat you can roll up and use as a rest? You can use about anything. Also, I zero'd a rifle once with just BUIS's on it and then added an Aimpoint. After zeroing the Aimpoint, I noticed my BUIS's were a little off and had to be readjusted. It must have something to do with looking through the glass. You might want to confirm your zero after you add your optic. |
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well, in that case I do have some of those things lying around. i'll grab some towels and roll them into a nice roll and use that. Thanks for the idea. I kinda figured it had to be firmer. I'll do that! And as to the BUIS and optics: optics are down the road aways so I won't even worry about that. for now i've got just irons so these aren't really BUIS its just IS 
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| I made my bags with old jeans, a needle and thread, and some sand from the kids sandbox. Only takes a few minutes, doesn't cost squat. I guess you could use a lot of different things- old denim shirt sleeve, whatever. I bake the sand to dry it out, sew one end of the sleeve or pant leg shut, pour in the sand, fold it over until sealed, then sew it shut. Make several, and you'll be set. Good shooting! |
| I've use folded towels on a concrete block (prone) but being from NJ good chance you've got an old large phone book or catalog. I zeroed my rifle at 50 yards behind my house but I live in a very rural area. (AND I LIKE IT!) Just remember if you need to change elevation you have to move the front sight the opposite direction you want the bullet to move. Rear sight goes the same direction you want the bullet to go. I find it handy to have a multi tool on the range. Some times a small tip screw driver helps depress front sight detent if bullet tip doesn't easily move front sight. Good luck I'm sure you can overcome getting your rifle sighted in. Besides you'll probably enjoy the experience. |
No Gander Mtn or Sportsman Warehouse? Even WalMart has a bench top sandbag type rifle rest. |
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Honestly I wouldn't sweat it. When I zero my carbine it's either from the prone position, or from a shooting bench with my elbows resting on the table (much like I was prone). I don't shoot from sandbags so I figure why zero from them. Now my precision rig is zeroed from the bipod; but then again I shoot from the bipod often. |
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The way I look at it: Regardless if it’s a carbine, rifle or precision rifle, I want the most steady rest I can find while zeroing. If I zero from the prone un-supported then I’m adding unnecessary movement into the equation. Add that on top of the normal movement encountered when shooting un-supported and your sights could be significantly off. |
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My time in the Corps we never fired supported. Not for BZO, and not for qual. I shot just fine, and had a good zero. So you dont need to get the sand bags and doohickies if you dont want them, but, like the last post said, you will have a better BZO supported( and be a sissy.) joke Semper FI |
not in northern Jersey walmart doesn't carry it. |
Hell yeah, my arm used to be black and blue by the end of the week, then we went to that hasty sling. That worked too though, 11th award expert. I still use a loop sling when I shoot a high power match. SEMPER FI |
Cool, but you will want a 50 yard overall zero. |
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The 50y version is available at www.MD-AR15.com |
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