How to Set Up a Rifle Scope for Perfect Accuracy: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Mount the Scope A properly mounted scope is essential for accurate shooting. Follow these steps to ensure your scope fits you and aligns naturally:

• Choose the Right Rings and Base: Ensure your scope rings and mounting base are the correct size for your rifle and scope tube diameter. This secure fit is crucial.
• Fit the Scope to You: To set the scope comfortably, hold your rifle in the same position you’ll be shooting from — whether that’s standing, sitting at a bench, or prone. It’s helpful to have a friend assist while you’re in position. The scope should be positioned so you have a clear sight without moving your head back or forward.
• Set Eye Relief: With the scope loosely positioned on the rail or base, adjust it until you can see clearly through the lens with the crosshairs or reticle in view. Your head should stay in a natural position, without strain. If the scope feels too close or far away, adjust the scope itself rather than your head. If it feels too low or high, you may need to change to different scope rings. Having additional rings on hand or visiting a gun store can help you find the best size.
• Attach and Level the Scope: Place the scope in the rings and tighten screws just enough to hold it in place, without fully securing. Double-check that your eye relief and position feel right, and adjust if needed. When the scope is in its perfect spot, ensure the crosshairs are perfectly vertical and that the rifle is upright. Tighten the screws in a crisscross pattern to secure the scope evenly.

2. Bore Sighting the Rifle (Preliminary Step)
Bore sighting is a useful preliminary step to help you get on target quickly before you begin live firing.

• Remove the Bolt: With the rifle unloaded, remove the bolt so you can look through the bore.
• Align the Bore and Scope: Rest the rifle on a stable platform like a sandbag or shooting bench. Look through the bore and align it with an easy-to-see target about 25 yards away. Then, adjust the reticle so it matches the target.
• Verify Alignment: Ensure the bore and scope reticle are aligned with the same target spot. If aligned, this preliminary setup should help you get close to the target at the range.

3. Head to the Range and Set Up
Choose a target at least 25 yards away for initial sighting in. Use a sizable backstop for the target. A large box cut ope make it easier to see if you are way off target. Set up a stable shooting position, such as with a rest or bipod, to minimize movement.

4. Fire and Adjust for Sight-In

• Shoot 3-5 Shots at the Target: Begin by firing a group of 3-5 shots aimed at the target center, keeping the rifle steady.
• Measure and Adjust: Examine where the shots landed. If they’re off-center, measure the distance and adjust the scope’s windage (left-right) and elevation (up-down) turrets:
  • Windage: Adjust this to shift the point of impact left or right.
  • Elevation: Adjust this to raise or lower the point of impact.
  Example Adjustments: If shots are 4 inches to the right, adjust the windage turret left. If shots are 3 inches low, adjust the elevation turret up.

5. Fine-Tune and Recheck

• After adjusting, fire another 3-5 shot group. Measure the new grouping and make additional adjustments as needed. Repeat until shots consistently hit near the target center.

6. Move to Longer Distances (Optional)
Once you’re sighted in at 25 yards, you can try sighting in at longer distances, like 100 yards, to fine-tune accuracy further. Use the same process of adjusting windage and elevation.

7. Confirm Your Zero

• Final Grouping: Fire a final group to ensure your shots consistently hit the desired point on the target. If your rifle consistently shoots tight groups in the same spot, your scope is now zeroed.

Understanding MOA Scopes and How to Adjust Them

Minute of Angle (MOA) is a common unit of measurement used in rifle scopes, particularly for adjusting the windage and elevation settings. It’s a crucial concept for making accurate long-range shots. In this guide, I’ll explain how MOA scopes work, and how to properly adjust them for more accurate shooting.

What is MOA?

MOA stands for Minute of Angle, and it is an angular measurement that equals 1.047 inches at 100 yards. For practical purposes, it is often rounded to 1 inch at 100 yards. MOA is commonly used in shooting for adjusting scopes, and it has a few key features:

• 1 MOA = 1.047 inches at 100 yards
• 1 MOA = 2.09 inches at 200 yards
• 1 MOA = 3.14 inches at 300 yards, and so on.

This means that if you make a 1 MOA adjustment, your shot will move approximately 1 inch for every 100 yards you shoot. At 200 yards, 1 MOA will move your point of impact by roughly 2 inches, and so on.

Why is MOA Important in Scopes?

MOA is important because it helps you make precise adjustments to your scope to account for things like bullet drop, wind drift, and other factors that affect the trajectory of your shot. When sighting in or dialing in your rifle scope, MOA adjustments allow you to fine-tune your point of impact based on the distance you’re shooting.

How Do MOA Adjustments Work on a Scope?

Most scopes have elevation and windage turrets that use MOA to adjust the position of the reticle (crosshairs). Here’s how they work:

1. Elevation Turret (Up and Down Adjustments):
   The elevation turret adjusts the reticle vertically, helping you compensate for bullet drop over long distances. If your shots are hitting low, you’ll adjust the elevation turret up to raise the point of impact. If your shots are hitting high, you’ll adjust it down to lower the point of impact.
2. Windage Turret (Left and Right Adjustments):
   The windage turret adjusts the reticle horizontally. This compensates for wind or other factors that push your bullet off course to the left or right. If your shots are hitting left of the target, you’ll adjust the windage turret right. If your shots are hitting right, you’ll adjust it left.

How Much Does Each Click of MOA Move the Point of Impact?

Each click on the windage or elevation turret typically moves the reticle by a fixed amount. Most scopes are marked with ¼ MOA or ½ MOA adjustments. Here’s how it works:

• ¼ MOA per click = ¼ inch at 100 yards, ½ inch at 200 yards, ¾ inch at 300 yards, and so on.
• ½ MOA per click = ½ inch at 100 yards, 1 inch at 200 yards, 1.5 inches at 300 yards, and so on.

In other words, each click on the adjustment knobs moves the point of impact by a certain distance based on the number of yards you’re shooting. The most common scopes use ¼ MOA per click (but some use ½ MOA per click), so at 100 yards, one click of adjustment would move your shot by approximately ¼ inch.

How to Adjust an MOA Scope

1. Zeroing Your Rifle (Setting Your Baseline)

Before adjusting your scope, you first need to “zero” your rifle at a given distance (usually 100 yards). Zeroing means aligning the point of impact (where your bullet hits) with the point of aim (the center of the target).

• Fire a Shot: Fire a single shot at a target from a stable position (e.g., prone or with a bipod).
• Assess the Shot Placement: After firing, check where the bullet hit the target compared to where the crosshairs were aimed.
• Adjust the Scope: Based on where your shot hit relative to the target, adjust the scope accordingly.

2. Using the Elevation and Windage Turrets

Once your rifle is zeroed, you can make more precise adjustments using the turrets. Here’s how:

• Elevation (Up/Down):
  • If your shot is too high, adjust the elevation turret down.
  • If your shot is too low, adjust the elevation turret up.
• Windage (Left/Right):
  • If your shot is too far left, adjust the windage turret right.
  • If your shot is too far right, adjust the windage turret left.

3. Making Adjustments Based on MOA

Suppose you’re shooting at 100 yards, and after firing your first shot, you find that the shot landed 2 inches low and 1 inch to the left of the target center. Here’s how you adjust:

• For Elevation (Up/Down):
  • Since 1 MOA = 1 inch at 100 yards, to raise your shot by 2 inches, you’ll need to adjust the elevation turret up by 2 MOA (or 8 clicks if the scope uses ¼ MOA clicks).
• For Windage (Left/Right):
  • Since 1 MOA = 1 inch at 100 yards, to move your shot 1 inch to the right, you’ll adjust the windage turret right by 1 MOA (or 4 clicks for a ¼ MOA click adjustment).

4. Fine-Tuning

After making initial adjustments, fire another 3-5 shots to see how well the changes are working. If you’re still off-target, continue making small adjustments, following the same process of adjusting ¼ or ½ MOA at a time. If you’re shooting at longer distances, use the same logic—just remember that the impact of each MOA will be greater the further the distance.

5. Confirming Your Zero at Longer Distances

After zeroing your rifle at 100 yards, it’s a good idea to confirm your zero at a longer range. For example, you may want to check at 200 yards to see how your rifle performs at longer distances and adjust for bullet drop or other environmental factors.

Summary of MOA Scope Adjustment

• 1 MOA = 1 inch at 100 yards (approximately)
• ¼ MOA click = ¼-inch adjustment at 100 yards (½ inch at 200 yards, etc.)
• Elevation adjustments (up/down) are made for bullet drop compensation.
• Windage adjustments (left/right) are made for wind or horizontal drift.
• Use small adjustments: Start with a few clicks and test, then refine as necessary.

Other Tips for MOA Scope Adjustments

• Consistent Shooting Technique: Ensure you’re shooting consistently (same stance, same trigger pull, etc.) so that your adjustments are truly related to the scope and not human error.
• Record Your Settings: Many shooters keep a record of their scope’s settings for different distances, so they can quickly dial it back in when needed.
• Weather Conditions: Be mindful of weather factors (like wind, temperature, and humidity) that can affect the trajectory of the bullet, especially at longer ranges.

By mastering MOA scope adjustments, you’ll be able to dial in your shots with much greater accuracy, whether you’re shooting at shorter or longer distances. The key is patience and making precise, incremental changes to match your shooting environment.

Understanding MRAD Scopes and How to Adjust Them

MRAD (Milliradian) is another unit of angular measurement used in rifle scopes, similar to MOA, but based on the metric system. Just like MOA, MRAD allows you to adjust the windage and elevation of your scope to fine-tune your aim, especially at long distances. In this guide, I’ll explain how MRAD scopes work, and how to properly adjust them for more precise shooting.

What is MRAD?

MRAD stands for Milliradian, which is an angular measurement. A milliradian is equal to 1/1000th of a radian. This is slightly different from the MOA system but is commonly used in military, tactical, and long-range shooting.

• 1 MRAD = 1 meter at 1000 meters.
• 1 MRAD = 3.6 inches at 100 yards (approximately).

This means that 1 MRAD is a fixed unit of measurement that helps shooters adjust their point of impact based on distance. It’s important to note that MRAD is metric-based, which can be more intuitive for shooters outside of the United States, as the system is based on the metric system.

How Does MRAD Work in a Scope?

In MRAD scopes, the windage and elevation turrets are calibrated to adjust based on milliradians (or mil). Each click on the turret represents a fraction of a milliradian, typically 0.1 MRAD (sometimes 0.2 MRAD, depending on the scope). When you adjust the scope, you are moving the reticle (crosshairs) by a fixed amount, which will then shift your point of impact accordingly.

Here’s a breakdown of how MRAD adjustments work in a typical scope:

1. Elevation Turret (Up and Down Adjustments):
   The elevation turret is used to adjust the vertical placement of the reticle. This compensates for bullet drop, which increases as the shooting distance increases.
2. Windage Turret (Left and Right Adjustments):
   The windage turret is used to adjust the horizontal placement of the reticle. This compensates for wind drift or any other horizontal forces affecting the bullet’s trajectory.

How Much Does Each MRAD Click Move the Point of Impact?

The amount each click of the turret moves the reticle depends on how much the MRAD setting is. In most MRAD scopes, the click value is 0.1 MRAD, which means each click moves your point of impact by 0.1 milliradian.

Here’s how the click value affects your adjustments at different distances:

• 1 MRAD = 1 meter at 1000 meters (roughly 3.6 inches at 100 yards)
• 0.1 MRAD (1 click) = 0.1 meter at 1000 meters (roughly 0.36 inches at 100 yards)
• 0.2 MRAD (2 clicks) = 0.2 meter at 1000 meters (roughly 0.72 inches at 100 yards)
• 1 MRAD at 100 yards = ~3.6 inches (for one full turn of the turret)
• 0.1 MRAD at 100 yards = ~0.36 inches (for one click of the turret)

If you’re shooting at 100 yards, a single 0.1 MRAD click would move your point of impact by about 0.36 inches. At 200 yards, a single 0.1 MRAD click would move your point of impact by about 0.72 inches, and so on.

How to Adjust an MRAD Scope

The process of adjusting your MRAD scope is similar to adjusting an MOA scope, but the key difference lies in the unit of measurement you are using. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Zeroing Your Rifle

Before making adjustments, you first need to zero your rifle at a specific distance (commonly 100 yards or meters). This is the baseline from which all other adjustments will be made.

• Fire a Shot: Fire a single shot at a target.
• Evaluate the Impact: After firing, check where your bullet hit in relation to your point of aim (the center of the target).
• Make Adjustments: If the shot was not at the center, adjust your scope accordingly using the MRAD turrets.

2. Using the Elevation and Windage Turrets

Once you’ve fired your first shot, you’ll use the elevation and windage turrets to adjust your point of impact.

• Elevation Adjustments:
  • If the shot is too high, you will adjust the elevation turret down (move the reticle down).
  • If the shot is too low, you will adjust the elevation turret up (move the reticle up).
• Windage Adjustments:
  • If the shot is too far left, adjust the windage turret right.
  • If the shot is too far right, adjust the windage turret left.

3. Adjusting for Distances

Let’s say you need to adjust your shot at longer distances (e.g., 200 yards, 300 yards, or even 1000 yards). You can calculate your required adjustments in MRAD using a few basic rules.

• 1 MRAD moves your point of impact by 3.6 inches at 100 yards.
• 0.1 MRAD moves your point of impact by 0.36 inches at 100 yards.
• For longer distances (say 200 yards), the impact moves roughly twice as much.

If your shot is 2 inches low at 100 yards and you’re using a 0.1 MRAD per click adjustment, you would adjust the elevation turret up by 0.6 MRAD (which equals about 1.8 inches at 100 yards). If you were at 200 yards, 0.6 MRAD would move the point of impact by about 1.44 inches (since 1 MRAD at 200 yards equals 7.2 inches).

4. Fine-Tuning Your Adjustments

After adjusting, you should fire 3-5 more shots to see if your point of impact has moved in the right direction. If you are still off-center, make smaller adjustments until you are consistently hitting the target.

Examples of Adjusting MRAD:

Let’s say you’re shooting at 100 yards and your shot is 3 inches low and 2 inches right of the target. Here’s how you would make the adjustments:

1. Elevation Adjustment:
   • Since 1 MRAD = 3.6 inches at 100 yards, you need to move your shot up by 3 inches.
   • 3 inches ÷ 3.6 inches per 1 MRAD = 0.83 MRAD (about 8 clicks at 0.1 MRAD per click).
   • Adjust the elevation turret up by 0.83 MRAD (roughly 8 clicks).
2. Windage Adjustment:
   • Since 1 MRAD = 3.6 inches at 100 yards, you need to move your shot left by 2 inches.
   • 2 inches ÷ 3.6 inches per 1 MRAD = 0.56 MRAD (about 6 clicks at 0.1 MRAD per click).
   • Adjust the windage turret left by 0.56 MRAD (roughly 6 clicks).

After making these adjustments, fire another set of shots to see if the point of impact has moved to the correct spot. If you’re still off, repeat the process with small corrections.

Summary of MRAD Scope Adjustment

• 1 MRAD = 1 meter at 1000 meters (roughly 3.6 inches at 100 yards).
• 0.1 MRAD = 0.36 inches at 100 yards (one click for many MRAD scopes).
• Elevation adjustments (up/down) compensate for bullet drop.
• Windage adjustments (left/right) compensate for wind or drift.
• Make small adjustments: Adjust the turrets in increments of 0.1 MRAD and check your results.

Other Tips for MRAD Scope Adjustments

• Use a Stable Shooting Position: Ensure your shooting position is stable to get consistent results.
• Keep Track of Adjustments: Write down your MRAD settings for different distances so you can quickly adjust to various shooting scenarios.
• Fine-Tune for Long Ranges: For long-range shooting, remember that wind and environmental factors have a larger impact on bullet trajectory. Keep fine-tuning your settings to stay on target.
• Work with Metric Units: Since MRAD is based on the metric system, it may be easier to use in countries that rely on metric measurements.

By understanding and mastering MRAD scope adjustments, you’ll be able to dial in your rifle’s point of impact with precision, whether you’re shooting at short or long distances. The key is to make small, deliberate changes and test your results consistently.

How Heat from Shooting Can Distort Shots in Some Rifles

When a rifle is fired repeatedly, the barrel heats up due to the friction of the bullet passing through. This heat can cause the metal to expand, which can slightly alter the shape and alignment of the barrel. As the barrel heats up, it may change the point of impact (POI) of your shots, causing the shots to land higher or lower than expected. This phenomenon is more noticeable in high-powered rifles or with frequent firing.

The heat distortion effect occurs because the metal expansion can affect the barrel’s rigidity and harmonics, which in turn influences the trajectory of the bullet. It’s often more noticeable during rapid fire or long shooting sessions, where the barrel has less time to cool down between shots.

Why You Need to Take Your Time When Sighting In

Because heat can cause these distortions, it’s essential to take your time when sighting in a rifle. If you’re adjusting your scope while the barrel is still heating up, you may end up with a false zero, as the shots may not be representative of how the rifle will behave after the barrel has cooled. To get an accurate sight-in:

• Allow the barrel to cool between shots to ensure consistent impact.
• Fire a few shots, then wait for the barrel to cool down before making any major adjustments.
• Shooting in controlled bursts allows you to avoid the barrel heating up too much and altering the results.

Range Wisdom: Beat Barrel Heat

When your ready for a new scope. ZCome see us @ www.bmgaa.com