Checking zero at camp?

[mxgsfmdpx]

I used to always do this.

Now that I use scopes that pass the field evals here and mount them properly with good torque values and de-greased/paint penned screws there is no longer a need.

 

[Marshfly]

Re-frame it as “practice” vs checking zero. Nothing wrong with getting some trigger time before a hunt or in between hunts.

Just like taking a few shots with your bow each day.

But I will admit, I do not shoot my rifles before a hunt like this. I just have confidence they are going to work, because they are built to do so intentionally.

 

[jzeblaz]

I do. I urge my buddies to as well. Usually one is off or may pull a shot a little under pressure while we watch and sometimes that can shake out the nerves. I don't think it matters much after season is open, especially as shooting is going on and the animals move some. If we're hunting some place that has a designated range, always try to send a few down after travel to confirm zero. No suppressors here either.

 

[General RE LEE]

In rural TN, the sound of random gun shots in the distance is normal. Deer in my area live their entire lives hearing gun shots.

 

[Rich M]

Please please please do not tell me anything along the lines of “If you buy XYZ scope you won’t have to check zero. Mines been dead on since 1995”

LOL! I have a 30-06 Model 70 that kicks like a mule. It broke a Leica ER and a VX-3 in 300 shots or less each. It wears a 2005/2006 VX-2 and the zero has not changed in about 10 years. That is one tough scope, of course they don't make em anymore.

In your scenario - car to horse to camp. Heck yeah - I would fire 3 shots at a reasonable range (200-300 yards) to verify. Sounds like a great trip, would hate to louse it up cause I was scared to make sure everything was ready for hunting.

 

[Macintosh]

yes and no. If I fly, I have always checked it and probably will continue to after watching my rifle case thrown around on the tarmac once. It's generally pretty easy and convenient, so I have never seen any reason not to. The last several years I have put more work into my equipment specifically to avoid losing zero, and when I've checked I have never had a zero-shift, even after the aforementioned olympic-level gun-toss. I will also shoot any chance I get, so if folks at camp were checking zero I'd of course join them even if I was confident my rifle was fine. Closer to home, I track my zero through the year and have a good sense of what my equipment will handle without losing zero, so barring something significant happening to my gun I see no reason to check zero if there are any reasons at all not to.

 

[TaperPin]

At trailheads I’ve always thought that was uncalled for. However, some of my fondest memories are hunting camps with wives and sisters and kids that aren’t hunting, but are making a social event out if it. Setting up a plastic table with a number of 22 rimfire rifles, maybe a pistol or two, and a big pile of ammo for anyone who wants to plink with. Sight in a rifle, shoot clay targets with a shotgun, or whatever. Food is always great, the stories at night are exciting, and game hanging from a nearby tree just seems right. I can imagine betting with my nephew to hit a pop can at 300 yards. Good times. Lol