New shooter and SH member from TN. Recently purchased my setup and all zipped in. Not sure what to do next. Not reloading so shooting factory ammo. I would like to have some input on what the progression is here, i.e. what should I do next besides just shoot. How do I go about building my dope?
Just getting started
- Thread starter And so it begins
- Start date
To get DOPE: shoot at known distances and record how many mil/moa clicks you have to adjust in order to obtain a hit at your point of aim. The "D" stands for data. You need a notebook to write the "data" down. Focus on your breathing, being comfortable behind the rifle, finding your natural point of aim. Above everything else, HAVE FUN!!
For instance: when I first started "long range" I got a 100 yard "zero" for my rifle with my chosen ammo, I placed a 12"x12" steel plate 500 yards away. I didn't have a ballistic calculator because that shit costs money, and money goes toward ammo and trigger time! When first starting, if you drop $500 on ammo, shoot, and record information of what's actually occurring, you will learn much more than shooting 30-40 rounds and plugging numbers into technology you probably don't fully understand. Back on track we go....
With my 100 yard zero, I knew I was going to have to adjust up, but I had no idea how much. I took a shot, missed, adjusted up a few clicks based on my impacts in the dirt, record that number of clicks. Shoot, miss, adjust, record. Shoot, DING on the lower edge of plate about 1" from the bottom. I send 2 more rounds to see what's going on because I'm all excited to hit steel that for for the first time!! One impact just above the first, and one missed low.
So, now, I have to come up about 5" still to get that "group" centered up in the steel. I was using 1/4 MOA turrets at the time. At 500 yards each "click" is a hair more than an inch (1.3" to be more exact). I put in 4 clicks elevation. Shoot, DING center. Shoot, DING, just below that one. Shoot, DING just above center.
Overall, once I had the elevation correct, I put 5 shots into a 4" or so group at 500 yards with my trusty Savage FP 26". I recorded my adjustment in my book.
Shoot, have fun, document your hits. Come back a month later to the same target, same rifle, same ammo, open your book, make your adjustment, and you should be right on target again as long as the weather is roughly the same. If it's hotter, your shot may be a little high. Colder? Your shot may be a little low. It's all part of learning what your gun does with your ammo with you controlling it.
Enjoy.
For instance: when I first started "long range" I got a 100 yard "zero" for my rifle with my chosen ammo, I placed a 12"x12" steel plate 500 yards away. I didn't have a ballistic calculator because that shit costs money, and money goes toward ammo and trigger time! When first starting, if you drop $500 on ammo, shoot, and record information of what's actually occurring, you will learn much more than shooting 30-40 rounds and plugging numbers into technology you probably don't fully understand. Back on track we go....
With my 100 yard zero, I knew I was going to have to adjust up, but I had no idea how much. I took a shot, missed, adjusted up a few clicks based on my impacts in the dirt, record that number of clicks. Shoot, miss, adjust, record. Shoot, DING on the lower edge of plate about 1" from the bottom. I send 2 more rounds to see what's going on because I'm all excited to hit steel that for for the first time!! One impact just above the first, and one missed low.
So, now, I have to come up about 5" still to get that "group" centered up in the steel. I was using 1/4 MOA turrets at the time. At 500 yards each "click" is a hair more than an inch (1.3" to be more exact). I put in 4 clicks elevation. Shoot, DING center. Shoot, DING, just below that one. Shoot, DING just above center.
Overall, once I had the elevation correct, I put 5 shots into a 4" or so group at 500 yards with my trusty Savage FP 26". I recorded my adjustment in my book.
Shoot, have fun, document your hits. Come back a month later to the same target, same rifle, same ammo, open your book, make your adjustment, and you should be right on target again as long as the weather is roughly the same. If it's hotter, your shot may be a little high. Colder? Your shot may be a little low. It's all part of learning what your gun does with your ammo with you controlling it.
Enjoy.
Welcome aboard! This sport is addictive - stick to your budget or let someone else guard your credit cards LOL.
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