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. Edit—I often hunt very close to our deer camp as well as at home, I have definitely observed deer spook and get out of dodge from loud noises including shots about as often as they dont, so I personally dont like to shoot near “camp”, but thats situational. If we were hunting even 1/4-1/2 mile away it would be much less of a big deal.

 

[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

 

[chindits]

No

If I’m at camp it’s usually too dark to shoot and all I want to do is eat and sleep

I only have 6 rounds when I leave the house whether I’m out for 4 days or 10

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

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.

Yeah I just don’t understand folks hesitation to shoot in hunting habitat in general. I guess during the season I can see the hesitation.

I grew up practicing where I hunted in A zone of California and the Sierras. I also now regularly shoot in areas here in AZ with desert big horns, mule deer, javelina, coues deer, etc. I shoot and scout in their habitat year round and see them weekly. They don’t go anywhere. The only animals that freak out and run off from gun shots are coyotes.

I have this weird theory that some ungulates hearing is so in tune for super quiet environments that their hearing is like those “sound enhancement headphones” that turn up the volume on quiet sounds and block out super loud decibel sounds like rifle shots.

I’ve even seen deer and elk get shot at and missed and the only reason they flinch or have a reaction at all is because of the dust or dirt moving near them.

 

[MuleyFever]

There is a video of guys that find some deer on a ridge and then shoot at rocks 100 yards away from the deer and the deer don't move. They are testing if you can take a practice shot to verify DOPE before actually shooting the deer.

 

[lukebrowning]

If you need peace of mind then do it. No sense hunting with a rifle you don’t fully trust, only to get a shot opportunity and miss because your rifle was indeed off.

For me I check zero after a flight mainly because I like shooting and hate any nagging thought my rifle might have become off. This is even with degreasing, torque, Loctite and top components. I haven’t noticed any affect on game.

 

[Jebel]

Generally no, but I would if something raised uncertainty in my zero.

Years ago a hunting partner’s rifle was knocked radically off. After several clean misses, he adjusted enough based on the dirt plumes to poorly hit a bull. That led to a prolonged tracking detour. Overall a bad scene, though the bull was ultimately dispatched. So the concern is real.

 

[pacoalcracker]

Again, a $100 Bushnell Boresighter set-up tells you all you need to know w/o having to fire a single shot. Anywhere, anytime and it only takes about a minute. Been doing it for decades. Try it and see for yourself. Its only $100. What do you have to lose?

 

[ID_Matt]

Again, a $100 Bushnell Boresighter set-up tells you all you need to know w/o having to fire a single shot. Anywhere, anytime and it only takes about a minute. Been doing it for decades. Try it and see for yourself. Its only $100. What do you have to lose?

How accurate/repeatable is this device?

 

[Kurts86]

I shoot while hunting to practice with real field conditions and shooting gear with the real wind I’m dealing with on a current day. It is NOT specifically to validate my zero but to develop the whole system including the shooter and any gear used. Zero validation is a side effect because I put of lot of effort into using robust systems to prevent zero loss.

 

[Formidilosus]

Are you guys too cheap to buy a Bushnell bore sighter for like $100? You sight in your rifle then install the bore sighter(can use the bore sigher to get you close at sight-in) and see where the crosshairs are on the grid and you take note of that. Then, you can verify it any time you want and if the crosshairs moved you can readjust your scope crosshairs back to the proper location on the grid and you are good to go. No need to fire a shot. I've been doing this for like 30+ years. Do it with multiple rifles. It comes with 3 different pilots to use with any caliber. Only weighs as much as a hand held range finder. Get smarter guys.

Been doing this for 30 years, but why? You have stated that your scopes losing zero isn’t a thing.

 

[gbflyer]

Only after I miss one.

 

[lhbackcountry]

There is a video of guys that find some deer on a ridge and then shoot at rocks 100 yards away from the deer and the deer don't move. They are testing if you can take a practice shot to verify DOPE before actually shooting the deer.

You had my interest, now you have my curiosity. Really is a great check

Did they shoot on the same horizontal plane as the animals? i assume horizontal so their elevation is set ??

 

[MuleyFever]

You had my interest, now you have my curiosity. Really is a great check

Did they shoot on the same horizontal plane as the animals? i assume horizontal so their elevation is set ??

I'll see if I can find the video.

 

[Hnthrdr]

If I’m not seeing game or I’m going to switch areas, I’ve been known to kill a few rocks during a rifle hunt, always good practice