Humbling experience

Flyingbullseye

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Jul 24, 2010
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    Michigan
    So I just got back from the range with my new still in build savage rifle. I've never really used a scope before as I'm used to using my M1's iron sights. For the time being I'm using a cheap ass tasco varmint scope just to get to the range until I can put enough money away to get a real scope. Never had a problem hitting paper before even with a slightly near sighted right eye. So back to the range.

    The first 20 rounds, not even sure if I hit air. It would have been one thing to hit paper and then make adjustments, but I had now idea where I was hitting. Tried my adjustments every which way and still nothing. So finally I asked the person next to me who I had already started talking to (and had a sweet expensive set up BTW) to spot my rounds. Finally things started to progress and I in a short time at least began to get a 1-2 inch group in and around the bullseye. The group sucks but we all have to start somewhere.

    The nice individual next to me had a newer nightforce. Nice!!!! Huge difference to my $80 tasco. The clarity on my scope was clear at every power but the parallax needed constant readjustment and at 100yds my elevation knob reads 4.4" up and windage is 6.4" right. Hitting center target. The only thing that drove me nuts was the eye relief suuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkssssssss! Not bad at 8x where the mil dots are supposed to be ranged at but get more than 12, 13 the relief starts getting <span style="font-style: italic">real</span> narrow.

    Anyway, what I had originally thought would be easy to do, zero a scope and hit paper with better than I made groups left me slightly embarrassed and instilled in me some humility. I at least figured I would hit paper. I'll freely admit it, I'm no sharpshooter. Now time to get better.

    Flyingbullseye
     
    Re: Humbling experience

    The thing that will harm you most in development is your pride. Don't worry what other shooters think, they don't matter.

    For me, it goes:

    Boresight at 50y then fire and adjust until correct, then move to 100. If the weapon is to be zeroed at 200 then I I adjust for such. It saves a whole lot of time and ammo.
     
    Re: Humbling experience

    Yep pride ain't good and I left it at the range today. Its good to learn and relearn some humility anyway. Unfortunately most of Southeast Michigan was at the range today, its a beautiful day, and the 25 & 50yd ranges had a sign up list with a wait nearly an hour. The 100yd was my only option. At least its zero'd by and large and I finally got to shoot. First time with this one. I like it.

    Flyingbullseye
     
    Re: Humbling experience

    I can agree with you on that one. I have had some " dont I feel like a real idiot" moments. Things will come along eventually. We cant all buy a 1/4 moa rifle and drive tacks from the get-go.