1. This first thing to know in rifle sighting in is that all rifle sighting systems give you a point of aim on any target.
2. The second thing to know in rifle sighting in is that all rifle sighting systems compensate bullet or projectile drop.
3. The third thing to know in rifle sighting in is that a bullet constantly drops once leaving the rifle barrel, the arc that it drops in is the bullet trajectory.

Four Terms To Know When Properly Sighting In A Rifle:

 1. Point Blank Range; Point blank range when sighting in a rifle is the first point at which the line of sight intersects with the bullets path in the bullets trajectory arc.
 2. Mid-Range Rise; Mid-range rise when sighting in a rifle is the highest point in the bullets trajectory between the point blank range and the true zero point.
 3. True Zero; True zero when sighting in a rifle is the second point at which the line of sight intersects with the bullets path in the bullets trajectory arc.
 4. Maximum Point Blank Range; Maximum point blank range when sighting in a rifle is the height of the mid-range rise and the bullet drop beyond true zero, both are equal in measure.

 Note: Maximum point blank range height for deer hunting is we'll say three inches for a dead on hold for a kill shot, so your bullet in mid-range rise is three inches and your load and rifle combination allows the bullet to drop three inches below line of sight at 275 yards and you have properly sighted in and shot your rifle knowing that its mid range rise is exactly three inches, you now know that your maximum point blank range is 275 yards.

 Note: Before sighting in your rifle you need to know how far above or below true zero you will still be able to hit and kill what ever you are hunting, with a dead on hold, varmint rifles typically are 1 1/2", deer under 150 lbs. 2 1/2", deer over 150 lbs. 3" and elk 3 1/2".

This method of rifle sight in is universal for any rifle type, sighting system, caliber and or cartridge. I will explain why at each step of the rifle sighting in process.

1. At exactly 50 yards put up a target that you can clearly see with your sight system.

 a. For a air-rifle of reasonable power, 50 yards will most likely be the furthest maximum point blank range in the trajectory path for sighting in purposes.

 b. For a rimfire rifle, 50 yards will most likely be the true zero point in the trajectory path for sighting in purposes.

 c. For a muzzleloading rifle, 50 yards will most likely be the mid range rise in the trajectory path for sighting in purposes.

 d. For a centerfire rifle, 50 yards will most likely be the point blank range in the trajectory path for sighting in purposes.

2. Now with your rifle properly rested on a rifle rest on top of a solid shooting bench, slowly and methodically fire three precise rounds.

3. Make an exact measurement from the center of your group to the center of your target make your windage adjustment accordingly, if you need to go left or right and you have windage adjustable scope bases, use the windage screws on the base, not the scope, rule of thumb for windage adjustment, if your bullet impact is to the left side of target loosen the right rear windage screw on the base and tighten the windage screw on the left rear side of the base.

4. Fire three more rounds to confirm your setting, if all is well and you have centered your group move on to step 5. If you are not satisfied with the accuracy of your ammunition at this point go no further until you have the ammunition you are happy with.

5. Depending on your rifle scope this is all you will be able to accurately do for this range outing, there are a lot of rifle scopes that do not like windage and elevation adjustments all at the same time. Any attempt to keep shooting with one of these scopes will only waste ammo and aggravate you to the point of despair.

6. Establishing a reference zero.

a. Low powered air-rifles and small .22 rimfires, at exactly 50 yards zero your rifle.

b. More powerful rimfires move out to exactly 75 yards and zero your rifle.

c. 30/30 trajectory class centerfire rifles and muzzleloading rifles move out to exactly 100 yards and zero your rifle.

d. High powered rifles move out to 100 yards and make sure your rifle is still center and a little high and then move on out to 200 yards and zero your rifle.

7. Trajectory plotting your rifle and ammunition combination for proper sight in.

  Class a and b rifles take your target and move it closer to you, firing 3 shot groups in 10 yard increments, mark the range on the target at each shot group.

 Class c and d rifles take your target and move it closer to you, firing 3 shot groups in 25 yard increments, mark the range on the target at each shot group.

a. Continue moving the target closer to you until one group of shots emerges as the highest, this is confirmed when the next target move closer to you the grouping is lower.

b. Congratulations riflemen at this point of the rifle sighting in procedure you have now established a true zero point and more importantly you have found the mid-range rise for your rifle, scope mounting, and ammunition selection.

c. Now measure the center of your highest group on your target to your zero point, this is your true mid-range rise.

d. Is this acceptable, or does it need to be adjusted for more or less rise.

d. part 1. If the mid-range rise is to much, class a & b rifles move your target 10 yards closer, class c & d rifles move your target 25 yards closer to you from your original zero yardage and re-zero your rifle. Then repeat step 7 of the rifle sight-in procedure again.

d. part 2. If the mid-range rise is not enough, class a & b rifles move your target 10 yards further, class c & d rifles move your target 25 yards further from your original zero yardage and re-zero your rifle. Then repeat step 7 of the rifle sight-in procedure again.

 Note: Repeat this procedure till you have exactly what you want.

8. Establishing your rifles maximum point blank range.
 Now that you have established your mid-range rise and your true zero, it's time for the final step in properly sighting in your rifle (M.P.B.R.).

  Class a and b rifles take your target and move it from your true zero point further from you, firing 3 shot groups in 10 yard increments, mark the range on the target at each shot group.

 Class c and d rifles take your target and move it from your true zero point further from you, firing 3 shot groups in 25 yard increments, mark the range on the target at each shot group.

a. Continue moving the target further from you until one group of shots emerges as the same distance low as your mid-range high.
 Note: Example 2" high, 2" low.

b. Congratulations riflemen at this point of the rifle sighting in procedure you have now established a true zero point, you have found the mid-range rise and you have found your true maximum point blank range for your rifle, scope mounting, and ammunition selection.

 Your Rifle Is Now Properly Sighted-In.