Advice for sight in on scopes heavy recoiling rifles

[PeetMeech]

I made this for sighting in. It has adjustable height which allows me to mount heavy recoil rifle higher. Takes me off the bench which reduces accuracy some but sufficient for sighting in at 50 yards.
View attachment 711325View attachment 711326
Last time at the range with my 404 Jeffery I tried shooting it from sitting position with sling support and it actually worked well. Allowed me to roll more with the shot but not as much as standing. The sling under my left elbow helped keep the gun from jumping up and more steady than standing. Much more. Four legged shooting sticks would probably be the ticket.

You gotta hang onto the fore end of these thumper guns. Firmly. My first shot out of the 404 standing and rested over my day pack on top of the hood of a buddy's truck about knocked my eye out! The blood was flying. He wanted to run me to town to get sewn up. Thankfully he had a first aid kit in his vehicle and we were able to stop the bleeding and finish sighting in. My comment to him: "Well, it ain't no 30-06 [my go to big game rifle for sixty years]. Gotta hang onto this beast."

That does look like a nice support! I have decided to order some quad sticks that should be with me end of the year.

Yikes for the injury, was it a scope bite? eye relief issue? or just not holding fore end ?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

That does look like a nice support! I have decided to order some quad sticks that should be with me end of the year.

Yikes for the injury, was it a scope bite? eye relief issue? or just not holding fore end ?

Both. Didn't hold onto fore end firmly and the scope bit me. The old Weaver 3x doesn't have a lot of eye relief. I sent it back into retirement and bought a new 1-4x with more eye relief.

 

[Tanks]

I just like to be comfortable when shooting from the bench.

 

[PeetMeech]

I just like to be comfortable when shooting from the bench.

View attachment 711328

you dont hold the fore end?

 

[Tanks]

you dont hold the fore end?

Not when shooting from the bench.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

you dont hold the fore end?

He's obviously shooting a light caliber rifle in that photo (thin barrel).

 

[Tanks]

He's obviously shooting a light caliber rifle in that photo (very thin barrel).

True. .300 RUM, 220gr. @2910 fps.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

True. .300 RUM, 220gr. @2910 fps.

Well, lighter than 375. I would not suggest shooting a 375 one handed, even with iron sights. Still, that 300 RUM must jump a bit. Looks like quite a lot of scope relief. What is it?

 

[Tanks]

Well, lighter than 375. I would not suggest shooting a 375 one handed, even with iron sights. Still, that 300 RUM must jump a bit. Looks like quite a lot of scope relief. What is it?

Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15x44 BT 95mm eye relief (4.3")

 

[Russ16]

Well, lighter than 375. I would not suggest shooting a 375 one handed, even with iron sights. Still, that 300 RUM must jump a bit. Looks like quite a lot of scope relief. What is it?

I never hold the fore end of my M70 .375 when shooting from the bench. Never had a problem.

 

[Tanks]

Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15x44 BT 95mm eye relief (4.3")

Actually, 3.7” eye relief, used kg conversion factor instead of cm

 

[Ridge Runner]

I'll go against most all of the current responses by offering the way I sight in my rifles and slug gun. But then again I have been shooting for decades.

Forget the bench for sighting in. Instead just make yourself shooting sticks, or purchase a set. Next is not to expect a whole lot of accuracy out of factory ammo. Consistent 3 to 6 inch or smaller group should be good for hunting with factory ammo.

Since your first rifle is and you are starting with a high powered rifle; practice!, practice!, practice!

First dry firing, only work the bolt every [pick a number between 5 and 10] times for several hours per day [as much as possible]........after several days, a week, until your comfortable and confident, then with ammo, 2 rounds: 1 in chamber, 1 in mag.only firing the one in the chamber. The one in the mag is for practice reloading.....avoiding short stroking the bolt. Cycle the second round out and repeat steps below.

Start by getting comfortable with the rifle and using the sticks:

Set up a target at what ever range/distance.
Set up your sticks
Set/mount rifle on the sticks
Aim [at your target]
Squeeze trigger.

Zeroing:

Seems you are already on paper at 25m, move to 50m; once your grouping at the center at 50m, repeat at 100m, etc. Once you reach your desired zero range; then practice!, practice!, practice!.

Optional:

Now that you are accustomed to the rifle and recoil start working on various shooting positions: prone, kneeling, shooting off hand, and sitting.

I practice off hand shooting multiple targets at 50m, with the follow up at 10m to 25m and 40m to 75m. First shot is off sticks. And the sitting positon is from a chair, aka backed dove seat.

 

[Tanks]

Now that you are accustomed to the rifle and recoil start working on various shooting positions: prone, kneeling, shooting off hand, and sitting.

There is no way in hell I am going to shoot a .500 NE prone, serves no purpose unless one is a masochist.

Next is not to expect a whole lot of accuracy out of factory ammo. Consistent 3 to 6 inch or smaller group should be good for hunting with factory ammo.

Factory ammo can be accurate. Below are targets from my .500 NE and 9.3x74R.
.500 NE at 60 yards or so with a red dot Hornady DGS, left right barrels when I was sighting in.

Next the 9.3x74R Hornady spire point when sighting in 80 yards, left/right barrel scoped.

 

[R eight]

As someone has previously hinted at you’ve got big balls starting out with a 375 H&H. Better you than me and good luck.

Anyway, I’m guessing that there isn’t anyone locally that can help? So, here are my suggestions.
1. get some good hearing protection. I’d suggest double plugging. Earplugs in and then muffs on top. I think noise scares more people than recoil.

2. Forgot the lead sled. Don’t shoot prone. You’re best seated (with an upright posture). If you haven’t got a suitable table. Then sit on the ground and use a chair as your bench. Get an old pack full of rags or something like towels or a blanket rolled up for a rest. Hold the rifle with both hands.

3. Place your target at around 25 metres. Once you’ve zeroed at 25 you’ll be pretty much on the money at 100 meters (probably an inch or so high. But near enough) Use a 300 grain bullet; it’ll be the most versatile.

4. Once zeroed stay off the bench. For practice shoot tin cans from the standing unsupported position.

5. Have I previously mentioned that you’ve got big balls starting with a 375.

Practice with a mate. There’s nothing like friendly rivalry to make practice fun.

Good luck.

 

[Jon Glajchen]

I’ve found that when shooting my heavier recoiling rifles (416 Rigby, 375H&H) of a bench it is always better to try sit upright and lift the rifle with shooting bags so that it is level with my shoulder. This way the recoil is directed straight back into my shoulder and there is still a little movement backwards from my hips to mitigate recoil.

In order to get to this height I use an empty plastic cold drink crate as the base and place the shooting rest bag on top of it. This won’t eliminate all recoil but it certainly makes it a lot more manageable.

 

[PeetMeech]

I'll go against most all of the current responses by offering the way I sight in my rifles and slug gun. But then again I have been shooting for decades.

Forget the bench for sighting in. Instead just make yourself shooting sticks, or purchase a set. Next is not to expect a whole lot of accuracy out of factory ammo. Consistent 3 to 6 inch or smaller group should be good for hunting with factory ammo.

Since your first rifle is and you are starting with a high powered rifle; practice!, practice!, practice!

First dry firing, only work the bolt every [pick a number between 5 and 10] times for several hours per day [as much as possible]........after several days, a week, until your comfortable and confident, then with ammo, 2 rounds: 1 in chamber, 1 in mag.only firing the one in the chamber. The one in the mag is for practice reloading.....avoiding short stroking the bolt. Cycle the second round out and repeat steps below.

Start by getting comfortable with the rifle and using the sticks:

Set up a target at what ever range/distance.
Set up your sticks
Set/mount rifle on the sticks
Aim [at your target]
Squeeze trigger.

Zeroing:

Seems you are already on paper at 25m, move to 50m; once your grouping at the center at 50m, repeat at 100m, etc. Once you reach your desired zero range; then practice!, practice!, practice!.

Optional:

Now that you are accustomed to the rifle and recoil start working on various shooting positions: prone, kneeling, shooting off hand, and sitting.

I practice off hand shooting multiple targets at 50m, with the follow up at 10m to 25m and 40m to 75m. First shot is off sticks. And the sitting positon is from a chair, aka backed dove seat.

Hello,

Thank you for the detailed response. Indeed I have already ordered the quad sticks with the new scope rings. I have decided that I would not be seated, leaning on a bench for the next time I go out in nature, will either use table and kneel or stand (that way back upright will allow to roll with recoil) or use the quad sticks for the sight in.

In the mean time, I am definitely practicing at home with dry firing as you and authors have mentioned, in order to work on trigger technique.

 

[PeetMeech]

As someone has previously hinted at you’ve got big balls starting out with a 375 H&H. Better you than me and good luck.

Anyway, I’m guessing that there isn’t anyone locally that can help? So, here are my suggestions.
1. get some good hearing protection. I’d suggest double plugging. Earplugs in and then muffs on top. I think noise scares more people than recoil.

2. Forgot the lead sled. Don’t shoot prone. You’re best seated (with an upright posture). If you haven’t got a suitable table. Then sit on the ground and use a chair as your bench. Get an old pack full of rags or something like towels or a blanket rolled up for a rest. Hold the rifle with both hands.

3. Place your target at around 25 metres. Once you’ve zeroed at 25 you’ll be pretty much on the money at 100 meters (probably an inch or so high. But near enough) Use a 300 grain bullet; it’ll be the most versatile.

4. Once zeroed stay off the bench. For practice shoot tin cans from the standing unsupported position.

5. Have I previously mentioned that you’ve got big balls starting with a 375.

Practice with a mate. There’s nothing like friendly rivalry to make practice fun.

Good luck.

Hello,

Thank you for your advice. I will admit that I am definitely not starting out with 375HH because of big balls and confidence, as explained, living in Congo comes with a lot of constraints (no gun shops, no shooting ranges, no gunsmiths). I bought my rifle from a hunter that was leaving the country.

I have some acquaintances who are slowly integrating me in their group, so I try and learn as much as I can from them. But they all have 375HH and 416 rigby, dont really have choice to learn on 7mm or 30 caliber, or even smaller it would seem would be ideal.

Hence, either I learn on the 375HH and hunt in Congo, or I sell it and forget about it. I choose to learn and hunt in Congo.

Thanks for the steps and video, I think I have an idea how my next session will be going with new scope rings when they arrive.

 

[Ridge Runner]

There is no way in hell I am going to shoot a .500 NE prone, serves no purpose unless one is a masochist.

Factory ammo can be accurate. Below are targets from my .500 NE and 9.3x74R.
.500 NE at 60 yards or so with a red dot Hornady DGS, left right barrels when I was sighting in.
View attachment 711458

Next the 9.3x74R Hornady spire point when sighting in 80 yards, left/right barrel scoped.

View attachment 711459

The OP is shooting a 375!. Not a 500NE.

Just because you wouldn’t shoot your 500NE from the prone position doesn't mean another person wouldn't opt to shoot their 500NE, or any other large bore, from the prone position, or using other shooting positions.

Currently my 375H&H would be my max caliber from the prone position. Since my mobility/agility is relatively limiting these days, I prefer to shoot from 3 positions: standing supported, standing off hand unsupported, and from a seated position ie using chair/dove seat with back rest, boulder/rock, log down fall, etc, etc.

The modified technic I offered the OP; for him to conserve his ammo since he seems to have limited resources to ammo and doesn't reload, is my recommendation to him on sighting-in and practicing with his "new to me" and only rifle.

Regardless of caliber rifle, or gauge of slug gun, I generally practice with the first shot off sticks and a second follow up shot unsupported standing off hand. As if the animal is moving toward me or away from me. After sighting-in I switch from dot targets to animal targets.

 

[Daga Boy]

Hello Everyone,

I am creating a thread to have some advice and help on the sigh in of rifle scopes when considering "heavy recoiling" rifles.

Let me give everyone some context and as much information as possible. I am a new rifle hunter, deciding to get into big game hunting this year. Previous hunting experience is mostly small game with shotguns. I live in Africa, and hence to not have access to equipment (when I need stuff, I plan around vacation trips to Europe to get what I need).

Hunting season is ongoing and went out for the first time few days ago, and I wanted to sight in my scope.
-CZ550 375HH
-Meopta 1-6 x 24
-no access to a lead sled, but I did bring back shooting sand bags (front and back)
-no access to shooting range, so went into nature about 2 hours away

Now I have heard that shooting the 375HH from a bench is not comfortable, but I only intend to bench shoot to get my scope settled, but I must say it was not comfortable and that was my first time firing the rifle!

Here is how it went:
-bore sighted at 25m
-scope reticle on bullseye
-first shot (ever! damn...)
-aim rifle back at bullseye, then adjust reticle to the impact hole
-shoot again and I am about 3 cm away from bullseye; but that seems to be not good enough at 25m, as it would mean 12cm off at 100m.
-few more shots, always 3-5cm off at 25m

Issues I believe :
-I am a beginner rifle shooter, so probably just a bad shot at this point to be 3cm off at 25m...
-that recoil felt from bench did not help
-bags probably not at good as sled for precise sight in?
-scope rings moved from recoil, I think the screws are threaded as I could not the clamps tighter on the dovetails (just ordered some Warnes QD that will be here when a friends gets back)

Questions:
-do you sigh in your rifles from the bench? I know 375HH is not what you guys are used to, but on the bench it kicked me; how do you guys do it with your 40 calibers? (will use same technique for my 375HH)
-do you hold for end of rifle? hold bag that the bag and have only trigger hand on the rifle?
-I have a lot of practice in front of me, but I would like to quickly sight in next time with new rings and then practice from actual field positions (sticks etc), would rather avoid bench shooting; but having no shooting ranges, it will have to wait for when I actually go hunting (7-9 hours away) out in nature, so 3-4 times a season at most. Iknow it is not ideal but I have deal with my constraints....

Essentially any advice you have for me on sight in for these recoiling calibers, shooting techniques that work with my available equipment.

Thank you, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have to help me out.

Regards

a 375 should not be a problem unless its very light (Zastava and Sako tend to be too light) ; however it will be if you are not accustomed to recoil. I would suggest shooting it standing up at first in order to get used to it. Next (and after a break), back to the bench. Make sure you are comfortable and place a bean bag between the stock and your shoulder. All holes should be touching at 25m. Then move target to 100m, which is a good distance for a 375.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Another option to mitigate recoil would be to add weight. If there's someone knowledgeable that could remove the recoil pad and look to see if the stock is solid or has a hole in it. If a hole, add weight there.