Do you zero off a bench or Tripod?

[Bowhntr6pt]

Rifles shoot different when shot off bags/ledsled/bipod/etc. vs 'offhand'. Shooter and situation determine where zero 'should' be.

I'd say "some" rifles... like I posted, I've tinkered with multiple rifles of mine and found no meaningful difference.

This is two 10-shot groups with bi-pod and rear bag... it isn't shooting any better benched... I've tried.







I say experiment with your specific rifle and find out if it shoots differently using various techniques... then you will know.

 

[Murl B]

^6 Covered shooting tables, Steel every 50 yards to 1800 yards good place to site in a rifle and shoot..

Used to be a 3500' airport on the North Ranch, we didn't need it so it has become a Damn good Rifle range. Murl B.

 

[hunt0168]

^6 Covered shooting tables, Steel every 50 yards to 1800 yards good place to site in a rifle and shoot..

Used to be a 3500' airport on the North Ranch, we didn't need it so it has become a Damn good Rifle range. Murl B.

That would probably be farther than shooting across the village I live in! Lol

 

[Murl B]

Over the years I have shot at many different gun ranges all over the U.S. and Canada,and other countries around the World, when it came to building a range here I knew what I wanted, Prone, Seated with a very solid table, Off Hand, Kneeling, Observation deck, Safe Rifle Racks, Target boards for Paper, and Steel,Surveyed distances, Easy clean up and Maintenance, This range fills the bill. and everyone en joy's it. Murl B.

 

[jmeddy]

Now I know why they say Texans do everything in a big way-awesome.

 

[Vect0rstar]

I always zero off of a bench/prone and then shoot a couple of groups off of the tripod to confirm zero and practice.

 

[Carlosflick]

Zeroing your gun off a bench rest is a great way to ensure precision and confidence, as it's a more stable platform. However, if you primarily hunt with a tripod, it’s a good idea to also practice zeroing and shooting from the tripod. The tripod introduces variables like balance and recoil management that differ from bench rest shooting. Since hunting scenarios often involve tripods, it makes sense to zero in conditions similar to how you’ll actually shoot in the field. That way, you'll know how your gun performs under real hunting conditions and minimize any surprises.

 

[sandman22250]

I’m curious to hear how others zero their guns and why. I have heard that if you hunt with a Tripod then you should zero off the Tripod. I have no problems killing Coyotes off my Tripod but I zero my gun off a bench rest. I’m definitely more steady off the bench and I’m confident that my gun is zeroed. If I miss I can only blame myself and not the gun.

I reload my own, so I load develop off a bench and I zero how I hunt

 

[Spurchaser]

I’d say whatever you can be steady on then zero from that. If you can lock that head down on the tripod, then shoot. If you can’t then a sandbag in the truck bed or a bag of corn will do.

 

[IlliniFan]

I’m similar to most here. I usually zero at my local 100 yard indoor range where I can set up on a bench with the chronograph and use an app like StrelokPro or Chairgun Elite to calculate my near zero for a maximum point blank range. I’ll get dialed in at that exact near zero distance, usually around 50 yards, and then confirm vertical corrections at 35, 75, and 100 yards. Then I like to go to an outdoor range or private property to confirm zero and practice shooting from a tripod, bipod, etc.

 

[hm1996]

Zero off bench/bags, check off sticks. Works for me, but I very seldom shoot over 200 yards in the field.

 

[Erie660]

I’m similar to most here. I usually zero at my local 100 yard indoor range where I can set up on a bench with the chronograph and use an app like StrelokPro or Chairgun Elite to calculate my near zero for a maximum point blank range. I’ll get dialed in at that exact near zero distance, usually around 50 yards, and then confirm vertical corrections at 35, 75, and 100 yards. Then I like to go to an outdoor range or private property to confirm zero and practice shooting from a tripod, bipod, etc.

What do you mean by exact near zero distance? What are your corrections at 35, 75, and100? I guess I’m just not following your corrections. If I zero at 50 yds with my 22-250 then I’m 1&3/4 “ high at 100 yds. At 200 with that 50 yd zero I’m still 1/2” high.

 

[IlliniFan]

What do you mean by exact near zero distance? What are your corrections at 35, 75, and100? I guess I’m just not following your corrections. If I zero at 50 yds with my 22-250 then I’m 1&3/4 “ high at 100 yds. At 200 with that 50 yd zero I’m still 1/2” high.

Here’s a previous post on my 204 Ruger where I walk through the ballistics app and the steps I take:
Post in thread 'Gonna be back in the 204 AR business...'
Gonna be back in the 204 AR business...

Once all data is in the app it has a drop table I use to verify on target.

 

[Oldcoyotetrapper]

I often zero off the mirror of my truck. I’ve also used Tri pod, whichever you hunt the most off.

 

[hm1996]

I often zero off the mirror of my truck. I’ve also used Tri pod, whichever you hunt the most off.

I've shot a couple of coyotes off the mirror of my truck over the years; apparently close enough to the bench zero it didn't make any difference.

 

[Oldcoyotetrapper]

I've shot a couple of coyotes off the mirror of my truck over the years; apparently close enough to the bench zero it didn't make any difference.

Yes Sir it’s a nice steady rest for me. I have an arca rail on my rifle so it’s completely flat so is my mirror. It’s a perfect mating surface.