Sighting-in your Deer Rifle

As deer season gets closer and preparations are made, sighting-in your rifle and practicing should be at the top of the list. Every hunter owes it to the animal they pursue to make sure their gun is on its mark. Injuring deer may be seen as inhumane and diminishes the view of hunters, especially if those deer are not recovered. Sighting-in your rifle needs to be done before every season, no questions asked. Even if it was only shot a few times the previous year, one little bump could change the alignment of the scope. It is good practice to make sure it is sighted-in before every outing in the field. Why put so much time and energy into getting that one shot, only to miss due to a scope that wasn’t sighted-in? As a hunter, you should also have a sense of pride in knowing your firearm is accurate and you are capable of hitting the target of your choice. Having an accurate gun will also save you ammunition which is becoming more challenging to acquire these days if you don't load your own.

Along with reassuring accurate shots, sighting-in a rifle also forces you to practice. If you are new to hunting with a rifle, find with a local gun range or sportsman’s club where you could safely sight-in your gun. Never be ashamed to find someone who has experience with sighting in a rifle and ask them for help. If you put on a new scope, you can bore sight a rifle for this first adjustment. It is a simple process that involves inserting the appropriate bore sight for your rifle in the end of the muzzle. This will shine a laser at the target so you can see precisely where your bore is aimed. Then you adjust the crosshairs so that they align with the laser. Bore sighting can save a lot of time and ammunition by eliminating any estimation while sighting in a rifle. Consider adjusting your scope or sights to a specific range of distances. For example, many deer hunters will ensure they are good at 100 yards but never practice shooting closer or beyond. You might also want to contemplate establishing a maximum distance you are comfortable shooting. You can accomplish this by spending time on the range practicing at multiple distances. For instance, if you know you could have a shot at a deer that is 150 yards away, you should feel confident shooting at 150 yards. Close shots can also cause a problem for many hunters who don’t practice under 100 or even under 50 yards.

Choosing a dependable target is something to consider when you are ready to sight-in your hunting rifle. There are many target options, and plenty of hunters prefer to use simple, paper, bullseye targets. However, gaining popularity with a lot of shooters are reactive targets because of how easy it is to see where the bullet is hitting. Reactive targets give you instant feedback with bright reactive rings illuminating around the bullet hole. These reactive targets eliminate the need to walk downrange or even use binoculars in some cases. This saves time and even allows you to practice in lower-light conditions. Using targets with actual images of wild game can help build confidence in your shot placement. Once you have your rifle accurately sighted in using classic bullseye targets, try wild game targets and make sure you are consistent with proper shot placement.

Being successful with your deer rifle

Part of practicing is making sure your shooting technique is fine-tuned. Proper shooting technique includes breathing correctly, squeezing (not pulling) the trigger, and keeping the buttstock of the firearm tight against your shoulder. Shooting more frequently will help you identify any problems with your firing technique. Always make sure your rifle is on a good rest when you are sighting it in. Minimizing human error is crucial for assuring that you are sighting-in your rifle accurately. There should be no movement in the crosshairs when you are pulling the trigger. There are numerous gun rests on the market, even rests where you can quickly and easily adjust the height. The gun should be anchored solid with the buttstock pressed firmly against your shoulder. It is alright to practice some freehand shots, but you should never shoot freehand when sighting-in a firearm. Preparing for all possible conditions is also something to consider. If you sight-in your rifle on warm a October day and never practice in cold temperatures, a foggy scope on a cold November morning is sure to add unneeded pressure to a shot if you are not familiar to shooting in those conditions.

Caring for your hunting rifle and making sure it is properly sighted-in also promotes safety by helping you know exactly how your rifle will fire. You will know how much recoil to expect and will get more comfortable with the gun in your hands. Being comfortable with your deer rifle builds confidence in your shooting ability and you never want to be questioning your shooting ability when you have a trophy buck in your scope. When you are not using your rifle, it should be properly stored in a case or safe. Hard or soft cases are necessary for making sure the scope is not being bumped around during transportation. When at home, larger gun safes are ideal for storing multiple guns. If they are in a suitable safe, there is little chance of them being jostled or bumped.

Before the season is a great time to inspect your hunting rifle and look for any noticeable flaws or other imperfections before heading to the range to shoot. Any imperfections like a loose scope connection or rust on the action could lead to shoddy shooting or, even worse, a serious safety issue. Get into the habit of inspecting your firearm from end to end every time you take it out of the case. This will ensure you catch any faults before you shoot. In addition, if you had any issues with bullets jamming or misfiring during last hunting season, it is imperative to see a qualified gunsmith. They can make any alterations in plenty of time before the season starts. Being prepared for the upcoming season is something all hunters desire to be. Preparation builds confidence and having confidence plays a large part in being successful.