Advice for sight in on scopes heavy recoiling rifles

[PeetMeech]

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

 

[Hogpatrol]

Do you reload? If so, start with lighter bullets and lighter loads until you get comfortable with the rifle, then work up to hunting loads. If you can get one, a PAST pad may help.

PAST Super Mag Plus Recoil Shield Ambidextrous

The PAST Super Mag Plus Shield is designed to provide the highest protection level of any PAST Shield. With the maximum amount of absorbing protection,...

www.midwayusa.com

Edit: The only good place for a lead sled is in the scrap pile. Have observed a few scopes destroyed in them.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I see you live in Congo, the DRC I suppose?

Learning to shoot a rifle using a .375 H&H, you are the man!
The 375 isn't a killer in terms of recoil but for a new shooter it probably is.

Recoil is not conducive to accurate shooting. Rather consistency is. Getting pushed out of shape with every shot makes being consistent hard.

Assuming that the PAST recoil pad shown above is not readily available in Congo, you could try my big bore bench rest method.

First, ensure your scope bases are secure, and your scope is properly mounted in your new Warne rings.

1. Mount your rifle in the bags or rest.
2. Kneel behind the rifle.
3. Keep your knees and back straight but not tight.
4. Adjust your rifle rest so that the butt is high enough to fit into the pocket formed between chest and shooting arm.
5. Readjust rifle height if necessary.
6. Dry fire the rifle a dozen times. Stand up, walk around and kneel back down behind the rifle.
7. Dry fire again and again. When dry firing the crosshairs should not move when you squeeze the trigger.
8. Keep your knees and back straight but loose enough to move like a willow tree in recoil.
9. When you master #7 and add #8, load one round and fire.
10. Repeat as necessary...

Once you are comfortable with the above kneeling bench rest method, it will be time to practice shooting off a set of tripod shooting sticks. One can make a set our of tree branches if necessary.

A. Adjust the sticks so that your rifle is high enough for you to properly should it with straight knees and back.
Note - One can lean into the rifle to oppose recoil. Some people do this very well. As an old High Power Service Rifle competitor, my stance is more upright for accuracy.
B. Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire until you can keep the crosshairs steady as you pull the trigger.
C. When you can perform #B time after time, it is time to load and shoot.

One can of course dry fire in their backyard, basement, or bedroom. Just find a tiny aiming point to sight on.

 

[PeetMeech]

Do you reload? If so, start with lighter bullets and lighter loads until you get comfortable with the rifle, then work up to hunting loads. If you can get one, a PAST pad may help.

PAST Super Mag Plus Recoil Shield Ambidextrous

The PAST Super Mag Plus Shield is designed to provide the highest protection level of any PAST Shield. With the maximum amount of absorbing protection,...

www.midwayusa.com

Edit: The only good place for a lead sled is in the scrap pile. Have observed a few scopes destroyed in them.

Hi,

No I do not reload, not possible here, no gunshops or gunsmiths. But it is a good idea on the bullet weigh, I will factory 250gr bullets next time I am in europe.

Interesting point about the lead sled leading to scope damage.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

After I bought my 375 Ruger, I bought a Lead Sled. I also got an Evo Shield shoulder pad and T-shirt.

For load testing, zeroing a scope or any extended range sessions with a heavy recoiling rifle, I have a way to shoot from a standing rest. I use two rectangular milk crates and a plywood top, sitting on top of the normal shooting bench. Shooting from the standing position allows your body to roll with the recoil.

 

[PeetMeech]

I see you live in Congo, the DRC I suppose?

Learning to shoot a rifle using a .375 H&H, you are the man!
The 375 isn't a killer in terms of recoil but for a new shooter it probably is.

Recoil is not conducive to accurate shooting. Rather consistency is. Getting pushed out of shape with every shot makes being consistent hard.

Assuming that the PAST recoil pad shown above is not readily available in Congo, you could try my big bore bench rest method.

First, ensure your scope bases are secure, and your scope is properly mounted in your new Warne rings.

1. Mount your rifle in the bags or rest.
2. Kneel behind the rifle.
3. Keep your knees and back straight but not tight.
4. Adjust your rifle rest so that the butt is high enough to fit into the pocket formed between chest and shooting arm.
5. Readjust rifle height if necessary.
6. Dry fire the rifle a dozen times. Stand up, walk around and kneel back down behind the rifle.
7. Dry fire again and again. When dry firing the crosshairs should not move when you squeeze the trigger.
8. Keep your knees and back straight but loose enough to move like a willow tree in recoil.
9. When you master #7 and add #8, load one round and fire.
10. Repeat as necessary...

Once you are comfortable with the above kneeling bench rest method, it will be time to practice shooting off a set of tripod shooting sticks. One can make a set our of tree branches if necessary.

A. Adjust the sticks so that your rifle is high enough for you to properly should it with straight knees and back.
Note - One can lean into the rifle to oppose recoil. Some people do this very well. As an old High Power Service Rifle competitor, my stance is more upright for accuracy.
B. Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire until you can keep the crosshairs steady as you pull the trigger.
C. When you can perform #B time after time, it is time to load and shoot.

One can of course dry fire in their backyard, basement, or bedroom. Just find a tiny aiming point to sight on.

Hi,

Yes in Congo, but the other one RC (Brazzaville); forest buffalo, bongo and sitatunga... Indeed I definitely wish I could learn on something smaller and work up, but here no access to rifles, bought mine off a departing hunter, and here 375HH is what eveyone uses, nothing else available hehehe

Thank you very much for that method, make a lot of sense, did not think of dry firing and checking that I am not moving or flinching!

Will definitely give all this a try as soon as I get new rings; unfortunately no access to PAST recoil pad, but will see if I can get something similar in europe.

 

[PeetMeech]

After I bought my 375 Ruger, I bought a Lead Sled. I also got an Evo Shield shoulder pad and T-shirt.

For load testing, zeroing a scope or any extended range sessions with a heavy recoiling rifle, I have a way to shoot from a standing rest. I use two rectangular milk crates and a plywood top, sitting on top of the normal shooting bench. Shooting from the standing position allows your body to roll with the recoil.

View attachment 711170

That is nice, and I can definitely see how shooting standing will allow me to roll better with recoil. Issue would be that I would need to pack everything out and probably build something far away from home, not practical when we are hours away. Will consider if we go with a few cars out next time

 

[SRvet]

Yes I sight in everything either from prone or on a bench. It isn’t comfortable but it serves a purpose. If I need to I can also shoot off quad sticks which gives a very stable rest. If you don’t know what that is then just ask. Shooting from standing including using a standing bench helps reduce the effects of recoil as your body can roll with the punch… literally! This video is me shooting a 458 Lott with 500 grain factory ammo. I’m using a set of Viper Flex sticks with the fifth leg. It is very stable.

What I would say is that a .375 isn’t an ideal rifle to learn to shoot. Start small with a .22LR, .223 or .243 and learn to shoot groups. Start with the fundamentals of marksmanship and learn to implement them. They are listed here:

https://www.mkbartlett.co.uk/data/0004SAA07HO.pdf

Here is a nice video on prone shooting that can be applied to any position.

Once you can consistently shoot small groups, work up to the larger rifles. Don’t overdo shooting the .375, four or five shots at a time is plenty. Be careful that you aren’t flinching when the shot goes off. If you do go back to smaller calibres until you stop flinching
Good luck with the process

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Here is a link to a 15-page USMC Marksmanship Training instructor's publication,

https://www.militarytraining.net/Marksmanship/Lesson%20Plans/SLR20F.pdf

Master the fundamentals and you will become a naturally good shooter!

 

[PeetMeech]

Yes I sight in everything either from prone or on a bench. It isn’t comfortable but it serves a purpose. If I need to I can also shoot off quad sticks which gives a very stable rest. If you don’t know what that is then just ask. Shooting from standing including using a standing bench helps reduce the effects of recoil as your body can roll with the punch… literally! This video is me shooting a 458 Lott with 500 grain factory ammo. I’m using a set of Viper Flex sticks with the fifth leg. It is very stable.

What I would say is that a .375 isn’t an ideal rifle to learn to shoot. Start small with a .22LR, .223 or .243 and learn to shoot groups. Start with the fundamentals of marksmanship and learn to implement them. They are listed here:

https://www.mkbartlett.co.uk/data/0004SAA07HO.pdf

Here is a nice video on prone shooting that can be applied to any position.

Once you can consistently shoot small groups, work up to the larger rifles. Don’t overdo shooting the .375, four or five shots at a time is plenty. Be careful that you aren’t flinching when the shot goes off. If you do go back to smaller calibres until you stop flinching
Good luck with the process

Thank for for the videos and ideas, indeed I do know what the quad sticks are, I think I will buy some this christmas when back in europe.

completely agree about starting out with smaller caliber, unfortunately no really possible for me as there are no shooting ranges or rifles available! But I thing this Christmas, will schedule many days in a shooting school , and will take training sessions over the time I am there. With instructor and smaller caliber, it should help me improve as well, more shooting time and instructor watching over me etc

 

[PeetMeech]

Here is a link to a 15-page USMC Marksmanship Training instructor's publication,

https://www.militarytraining.net/Marksmanship/Lesson%20Plans/SLR20F.pdf

Master the fundamentals and you will become a naturally good shooter!

thank you for that!

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

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

Just sighted in my 458 yesterday. Bore sighted at 15, then shot at 25 to make sure I was gonna be on target at further ranges, but no fine adjustments. Fine adjustments at 50, then again at 100, then shot some drills and a group at 50. I made a cushion with a tarp and used that as a rest over my truck bed, so I could shoot standing and absorb the recoil. I also put a blanket on my shoulder when I decided I was gonna have a longer range session. A lead sled would’ve been better, but I’m confident in taking ethical shots with it sighted as is. 33 shots from a 458 and I feel like I just got done shooting a 12 gauge at dove all day. More info on a thread called 458 Range Report

 

[Flipper Dude]

If I’m on the bench with my big rifles, I use towels folded over or I usually use a life preserver vest. Also a PAST pad as well. I cheat as much as possible. A 458 Lott will do that to you. Makes the 404J and the 375 fell like a pussy cat. With the scoped rifles I hold the grip and top of the scope turret. Sight in only, of course.

 

[cmk]

I've stopped using the bench altogether for my heavier rifles, even for basic sighting in (new scope/new load/etc). Quad sticks is what I use. They're stable enough for the purpose, are more similar to real-life situation shots, and it is far more pleasant shoot standing up.

 

[Luvthunt]

I am convinced that some of the impact of recoil is psychological. If your mental pic is “it’s going to kick” then the mental process is in effect as to the recoil.
With practice the mental effect is lessen, if it does not then you have reached your recoil tolerance level and either accept or go to a lighter recoiling firearm.

 

[Beck]

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

I would not fire anymore rounds until your new bases arrive as you're liable to damage your scope

 

[Beck]

You also do not need to be perfectly zeroed for practice if you can shoot 1" groups at 25 yards, you can practice at 25 yards which will help you get used to the recoil. You can then eventually got properly zeroed at 100 yards.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

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.

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."

 

[PeetMeech]

I am convinced that some of the impact of recoil is psychological. If your mental pic is “it’s going to kick” then the mental process is in effect as to the recoil.
With practice the mental effect is lessen, if it does not then you have reached your recoil tolerance level and either accept or go to a lighter recoiling firearm.

I am pretty sure that there is a psychological side to it all, but as you say, need to practice and see where I am, but I definitely found it more manageable when standing

 

[PeetMeech]

I would not fire anymore rounds until your new bases arrive as you're liable to damage your scope

yes that is certain, just took off the scope, looks good a part from some minor scratches on the finish, nothing deep