How many rounds to zero rifle?

[SmokeTheClay]

Depends on your zero accuracy requirements. Should be able to get pretty close in 2 or 3

[Lonestargrizzly]

6 max.

[IronsightsRifleman]

When your car is broken, how many hours does it take to fix it?
It depends.

[subscriber]

A mistake many make is to start zeroing at too distant a target. They miss it completely and don't have a clue about the size and direction of the error.

It seems wimp-like, but place a large paper target (or if outdoors a cardboad box) at 25 yards for your first shot. Unless you know you flinched badly, set our sights to correct that shot. If you like, shoot a shot at 25 yards to see if the POI is within an inch of the POA.

Then, set the target at 100 yards and repeat the process. Then at 250 yards, or whatever extended zero you actually want.

I have seen a friend completely miss a foot square cardboad box at 100yards, 20 shots in a row; and refuse to bring the target closer because "he can shoot". Eventually he shot at the same box at 25 yards and noticed the holes just at the bottom edge.

If your gun groups poorly, or you are not steady, then it is going to take a lot more shots to see if any given shot can be deemed representative of the group. Else, it does not have to take that many shots.

If a new gun won't group, then check the sight and stock screws for tightness. This assumes you have confidence in your ability, gained by shooting other guns. If this is your first gun, let someone who has demonstrated prior ability also shoot it, in case your ability or technique is the weak link.

Zero confirmation shots on rifles to be used on African "safari" usually has the outfitter insist on you shooting three shots at 100 yards. They are OK with groups larger than 3" (depending on the caliber and animal to be hunted), providing they are reasonably on center, left to right; with a reason for vertical deviation - such as being zeroed at 250 yards.

If there is a large deviation from center, they make you go through the process of adjusting zero. If your shots are far apart for a given sight setting, they may deem your gun or sight in need of mechanical attention, or you incompetent. If the cause can't be found and fixed, they usually then offer one of their rifles, for you to demonstrate reasonable proficiency; and to use on the hunt. Failing that, you become a spectator...

Zeroing with only a few shots may be a point of pride thing, but you should shoot more than a handful of shots with a new gun or sight, to gain confidence in that platform, and its stability and reliability.

[pratchett]

A mistake many make is to start zeroing at too distant a target. They miss it completely and don't have a clue about the size and direction of the error.

It seems wimp-like, but place a large paper target (or if outdoors a cardboad box) at 25 yards for your first shot.

This is pretty close to my method. 25 yard target. Fire one, adjust. Fire one, adjust. Repeat until bullseye, then verify with a 3-group bullseye. Then push to 50 yards and verify windage. Then adjust for elevation. Verify with a 5-round bullseye... meaning, the center of all impacts should be the center of the bullseye.

[Scratch705]

As many as I need?

Although I do try to do it within 10 rounds. 2 sets of 5 round groups. I mostly have plinking ammo so trying to chase the impacts is stupid. So i shoot 5 rounds while keeping my poa as near exact same as I can then i adjust to be around the center of thst group. Then i shoot the next 5 round group to confirm.

[Zenderfall]

Depends.

The definition depends on whether or not that rifle is already somewhere near the X ring of a 100 yard target or, something that “could land anywhere”. For the latter, I take the bolt out of the rifle and do a visual boresight at 100 yards. What’s tricky about this is that the sight adjustments are now backwards, since I’m moving the center of the reticle towards the point of impact and not the other way around. Having done this so many times, this takes a minute or two.

After that the first round will land on the paper, somewhere. Then, it all depends on the quality of the rounds, sights (scope) and the trigger to get it from “somewhere on the paper” and move the point of impact to the X ring. With cheaper scopes, keep in mind 0.25 MOA per click isn’t always .25 MOA and so it may take a few extra shots and some more turns to fine tune. Also, some brands of low-grade ammo have a really hard time getting precise shots. Don’t want to give out any names, like Tula or Brown Bear.

All in all, should be less than 10 shots to make it to the X. Sometimes less than that on really nice setups. On low-priced setups, sometimes 9 ring groups are the best I can get.

[russ69]

This is pretty close to my method. 25 yard target....

Bore-sight the thing first, if possible. If not, throw one in the berm at 100 yards and see where it goes. Shooting a rifle at 25 yards is a waste of ammo. If you can't see your bullet impacts, then bore-sight very carefully, you'll be on paper.

[Preston-CLB]

At 100 yards, I usually will fire a round to warm up the barrel then three shots to check POI vs. POA and then adjust the scope as needed. Next, after allowing the barrel to cool a bit, I'll fire another three-shot group to see how things look.

I use a bipod and a rear bag. Savage M-10, .223 Rem, Leupold VX3 scope, and factory ammo.
-P

[iMigraine]

Well after three shots.... of bourbon fell like I can't miss.

[BrokerB]

took me 5 rounds in the mosin pu and that weird soviet scope. It doesn't punch single group holes so when they were all within 2 inches I was happy and moved on to blasting steel plates with it

[FNGGlock]

Depends on whether it is a handgun or rifle. Also depends if it is hunting rifle vs target rifle.

[stormvet]

Depends on whether it is a handgun or rifle. Also depends if it is hunting rifle vs target rifle.

Very true, also can depend on what type of day you are having.

A zero power PA RD took me 4 rounds recently, it was way right from the factory. I was surprised how far off it was, as that?s not normally the case.

[RandyD]

When I go to the range, the last thing on my mind is, how few shots will I take to sight in the firearm. When you go to the range, go with the intent of having fun. The more groups you shoot, the more confidence you will have in the firearm and your ability to hit a target.

With an unsighted scope, do yourself a favor and initially take a few shots at 25 yards to insure you are on paper at 100 yards. What subscriber said in post #19 happened to me and I was too proud to bring the target from the 100 yard line to the 25 yard line.

[Calisnaps]

Typically 3-5 if I use my Boresighter first. More if I am drifting the sight with a punch and hammer.