Re: Proper Scope Zero
You had the scope mounted by a professional? Meaning you paid somebody to do it. Mistake one, but you're only on probation for that.
NEVER, I repeat NEVER let anybody else mount your scope unless you know beyond doubt that they are skilled, experienced, and responsible as if they had paid their own hard-earned money for that gear. Even then, I would NEVER let somebody mount a scope on my rifle if I could possibly do it, i.e. while I still have hands and eyesight!
If you're not comfortable mounting a scope to your rifle, then you should stand by and watch/help while an aforementioned qualified person takes the lead in this very simple -- but important -- task.
Here's how to boresight. Remove the bolt from your UNLOADED rifle. Put the UNLOADED rifle in a cradle or benchrest or something to hold it very steady. Peek through the bore at your target downrange, or a stop sign down the street, or whatever is handy at 50-100y or so away. Align the object in the center of the bore.
Next, peek through the scope without moving the rifle and see where the reticle is in relation to your target that you centered in the bore. While keeping the rifle in this position, adjust the scope knobs so the reticle intersects your target. Peek again through the bore to ensure the target is still centered, then again through the scope as a double check. Fine tune as necessary.
First shot will be on paper. Now aim at that first bullet hole, and while holding the rifle in that position, adjust the scope so that the reticle intersects the bullseye. Second shot should be very close to POA (point of aim).
What you want, Taylor, is for POA (point of aim) to be the same as POI (point of impact).
Sure, you can reset the turrets to zero. You loosen the set screws in the turrets, and disengage the turret by lifting it up a bit, then rotate it to the zero mark, press it back in place, and snug up the set screws. Another trick, which I think is a safeguard in case you forget which rotation of the knob you are on, is to remember how much MOA adjustment you have between the bottom of your scope's adjustment range and your 100y zero.
So, count the knob rotations, or the clicks if you prefer, and figure out the MOA between bottom and 100y zero. If you ever forget where you are during a match on your come ups at longer range, you can always dial back to bottom, then up to zero, then gauge your come ups accordingly.
Good luck, and good shooting.
