Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Question for shooters.

I dont want a gun debate just advise.

Adjusting windage on a rifle scope.
Screw has no markings ie left right just a slot.

Clockwise will move the shot group left or right?

Oh I might add it is on .223 winchester bolt action.
So would like advise on best range (distance) to zero.

I learned how to shoot in the army but you cant hunt deer with an M-16.

If you know the mfr of the scope, look them up on the web as it may have the information/advice you need. Best of luck to you this season. Lots of tasty deer up in your neck of the woods; I know.

My Uncle Vito recommends to just sneak up a little closer until wind ain't a factor then bust a cap in him. He says seating the 'mark' just in front of you in a Lincoln Town Car is best. Oh, and bring along plenty of plastic wrap and rags - And keep the number of Winston Wolf handy just in case -

"Look, Mr. Wolf, my gun went off, I don't know why, and now you're helping us out of the situation. I'm cool with it, all right?"

"on the windage I would just shoot one round, turn the screw a few turns and see which way it moves your point of impact."

Excellent advice, as well as checking out the web site of the scope manufacturer.

Zeroing distance, well, that depends on where you plan to hunt. If it's open ground, like grassland with few trees/obstructions, that means you'll be taking longer shots. Zero in at 175 - 200 yards. If you hunt in the woods, zero at 75 - 100 yards, or shorter. You need to zero depending on the conditions where you expect to hunt.

I'd zero in a 100 yards. I'm not sure how big the deer are where you hunt, but I'd be nervous to hunt deer with a .223 beyond 100 yards or so...

I might add that a head or neck shot would be preferable as well...

I was wondering about that myself. We can only use shotgun slugs (nasty out to about 80 yards in the proper gun) in IL but many friends use rifles in other states. Seems .270., .30/06 or .30/30 are the most popular for deer.

Thanks I'll be taking it down to the local rod and gun club
this week end to use their range. Will probly run into an expert or 2 there. Rifle was my now departed father inlaws.
This year is going to be my first attempt at getting one of the buggers before he gets me.Friend of mine has 15 acres of private land.Thats the only way you can hunt rifle in CT.
Shots (if i get any) will most likly be 50-100 yards.

Other wise you are limited to Bow,shotgun or black powder muzzle loader.

Shoot at least 3 rounds between adjustments. Usually clockwise will move it right. But check, because people mount scopes oddly lots of mine are mounted 90degs off.
Also sight in at 25 or 50 just know that you will have to make a bigger adjustment to move the bullet.

"Shooters"???!!! YEAH! I'm up for some shooters, alright!!!

So are you finally gonna buy this next round of shooters Jackson, you tightwad you???

(set 'em up, Barkeep!!!)

you can also laser bore sight it. You local shop should have the equipment to do it. Should not run very much $ to do it. If you chose the shoot then turn method. Make sure to put the weapon on a bag or bench weapon vise. So that you are getting the same point each time. Other wise you will run through a butt load of ammo trying to figure out why its all over the place. Lot like having the same locking point with a bow. consistancy is the key. Good luck with the hunt.

Agree with Wuff... get it laser bore sighted before you head to the range. Saves lots of ammo.

And what dill said...Usually clockwise moves point of impact to the right. But there's always the odd ones the have to be opposite of most folks. What you have there though is a fine varmit rifle. You will be able to take white tail deer out to 150 yards pretty well though.

Good advice here.
That seems to happen a lot around here .

While I agree that a .223 is a little light, with the right loads (heavier bullets), it should be fine. A little less muzzle velocity can result in greater accuracy and more retained energy down range. Again, the right bullets.

I would zero at 150 yards, then shoot groups at 50, 100, 200, and 300 so I know how to compensate in the field.

The group will move in the same direction as the rear of the scope. This applies to elevation as well as windage.

Just go full auto, then it won't matter where they are hitting. Spray and Pray - always been my favorite!

Put the scope on a sandbag or two and aim it at the target 50 yds away. Take out the bolt and look thru the barrel. See the target? If yes then put the crosshairs on the target (a piece of paper) and keeping the sights on the same place fire 3 shots. The center of which is not the POI or point of impact.

Keeping the sights on the target now move the crosshair adjustments to the POI (where the bullets went) by keeping the rifle on the target and carfully adjusting the screws. You want to move the crosshairs to where the bullets went. So the next time you shoot the rifle the bullets go where the sights are. Which direction the crosshairs move when you turn the screw is not important. What is important is to keep the rifle steady and only move the crosshairs a bit at a time. If there are arrows on the wheels then usually the sights move in the direction of the arrows.

to let those who reasponded know how I made out...

Not good.

Took the rifle to gun shop Sat afternoon.Asked the guy about laser sighting it. His first question was what do you
plan to use it for. I said I was thinking about doing some deer hunting on private land this fall. He said.
"not with this you aint" Turns out that those of you who said .223 is to light for deer are right.And according to the shop owner, Its illeagal to hunt deer in CT with anything under 6mm or .243 cal.He did offer to take the gun
in trade as partial payment for "real" hunting rifle. I declined. Guess I'll be returning it to my mom inlaw.

Oh well probly would have shot myself in the foot anyway.

Thanks for all your input.

Buy a shotgun in all seriousness.
Get a 2 barrel combo, slug and field. For those of you odd people that don't want to own 50 guns it will cover most of your needs. You can get a shotgun to be deer deadly out to at least 100 yards with the right slugs/optics combo.