Sighting Gun Near Calgary

[Alexwalker_10]

I'm planning to get out hunting this weekend and want to make sure I'm on target before heading out. I’m looking for a place near Calgary to sight in my rifle, ideally at 100 yards. I’m not currently a member at any ranges, as I’ve only recently gotten into hunting after turning 18 a couple of years ago and don't get to go out as much as I wish I could due to school. I’m open to any recommendations, thanks in advance.

[Lostinthewoods]

Originally Posted by Alexwalker_10

I'm planning to get out hunting this weekend and want to make sure I'm on target before heading out. I’m looking for a place near Calgary to sight in my rifle, ideally at 100 yards. I’m not currently a member at any ranges, as I’ve only recently gotten into hunting after turning 18 a couple of years ago and don't get to go out as much as I wish I could due to school. I’m open to any recommendations, thanks in advance.

drive up the 40 past waiprious away from the trans alta road which has a target shooting ban currently and find a nice backing and have at it.

[Alexwalker_10]

I did some research and some people online mentioned being able to get a 100 yard zero at a 25 yard range. Just wondering if anyone has done so before and if it's worked for you.

[gramps73]

Originally Posted by Alexwalker_10

I did some research and some people online mentioned being able to get a 100 yard zero at a 25 yard range. Just wondering if anyone has done so before and if it's worked for you.

yes you could do it but its important once you have it bang on at 25 you will need to test that out to 100 and beyond.
understand that 1/4 inch out at 25 will be 3-4 inches at 100

[Alexwalker_10]

Originally Posted by gramps73

yes you could do it but its important once you have it bang on at 25 you will need to test that out to 100 and beyond.
understand that 1/4 inch out at 25 will be 3-4 inches at 100

Gotcha, would I be able to zero for 100 at 25 yards accounting for this drop off if I we're to consider a ballistic calculator for adjustment? I know I'd be having to aim bull's-eye at 25 but have the impact about an 1 1/2 inches below to make it act as if it's shooting at 100, just not sure if this is the way to go or not, it is for a 300 win mag.

[Alexwalker_10]

Originally Posted by Lostinthewoods

drive up the 40 past waiprious away from the trans alta road which has a target shooting ban currently and find a nice backing and have at it.

I'll check the maps around there. I know friends of mine that have gone to crown over there but I have typically gone south since living in the SE. Thanks for letting me know!

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by gramps73

yes you could do it but its important once you have it bang on at 25 you will need to test that out to 100 and beyond.
understand that 1/4 inch out at 25 will be 3-4 inches at 100

1/4" sighting error at 25, is 1" sighting error at 100. What adds more error is muzzle velocity error, sighting height error, and B.C. error. The farther the shooting distance, the more those errors add up.

[Alexwalker_10]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

1/4" sighting error at 25, is 1" sighting error at 100. What adds more error is muzzle velocity error, sighting height error, and B.C. error. The farther the shooting distance, the more those errors add up.

With that being said what would you suggest? Being a newer hunter I probably wouldn't be looking to shoot at anything past 200 yds anyway. I shot a few targets on a land earlier in the month but it's to far out of Calgary for me to make it out again. When I setup on a tripod I was hitting at 100 yards however when I took 1 shot at 200 it didn't register. I may have just missed so that's why I'm unsure on what I should do.

[W921]

30/30 Winchester with iron sights and 170 grain factory type load shoots same at 25 yards and 100.
I'm guessing your caliber and scope height will effect things

[Alexwalker_10]

Originally Posted by W921

30/30 Winchester with iron sights and 170 grain factory type load shoots same at 25 yards and 100.
I'm guessing your caliber and scope height will effect things

I'm shooting a Browning 300 win mag, I believe the scope height is right around 1.5 inches and 180 grain bullets that are jacketed soft point. Vortex diamondback 4x16x42 scope. Looking at a ballistic calculator suggested I'd have to shoot one moa up on my scope for 100 yds if it has a 25 yds zero, does that seem right or seem as though I'd be aiming to high?

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Alexwalker_10

With that being said what would you suggest? Being a newer hunter I probably wouldn't be looking to shoot at anything past 200 yds anyway. I shot a few targets on a land earlier in the month but it's to far out of Calgary for me to make it out again. When I setup on a tripod I was hitting at 100 yards however when I took 1 shot at 200 it didn't register. I may have just missed so that's why I'm unsure on what I should do.

When you took one shot at 200, and never hit the target, the obvious response would have been to shoot again at 200 to figure out why you never hit the target. And that is still what you really need to do, before attempting a shot at an animal at anywhere past 100 yards.

[Alexwalker_10]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

When you took one shot at 200, and never hit the target, the obvious response would have been to shoot again at 200 to figure out why you never hit the target. And that is still what you really need to do, before attempting a shot at an animal at anywhere past 100 yards.

Yeah I do want to get out again with it to make sure I can adjust accordingly. With that being said though, If I was shooting at a 25 yd target would I be able to setup my shot on that to imitate what it would look like at 100 or even 200 yards or the only option to get back out and shoot at a target setup at 100/200? If I went that route as well would investing in a lead sled be worth it just for keeping the gun steady while making adjustments?

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Alexwalker_10

Yeah I do want to get out again with it to make sure I can adjust accordingly. With that being said though, If I was shooting at a 25 yd target would I be able to setup my shot on that to imitate what it would look like at 100 or even 200 yards or the only option to get back out and shoot at a target setup at 100/200? If I went that route as well would investing in a lead sled be worth it just for keeping the gun steady while making adjustments?

Of course you can use calculations to predict the point of impact at 100 and 200, based on a 25 yard sight in, but theoretical and actual point of impact at those distances may vary. The only sure way to know the point of impactat 200 yards, is to shoot your load, in your rifle, at 200 yards.
As for a lead sled , save your money, and buy a decent rest and bags instead. The Caldwell Rock set up is decent for the price.

[Koschenk]

I'd say if you sight in at 25 yards that's as far as you should be considering taking a shot at an animal too. Same goes for 100, or 200.

Don't let an animal be the place you confirm your theoretical point of impact.

Just my $0.02

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Koschenk

I'd say if you sight in at 25 yards that's as far as you should be considering taking a shot at an animal too. Same goes for 100, or 200.

Don't let an animal be the place you confirm your theoretical point of impact.

Just my $0.02

Exactly! Too many people don't actually know where the point of impact is, but they take a shot at a game animal anyways.

[Alexwalker_10]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Of course you can use calculations to predict the point of impact at 100 and 200, based on a 25 yard sight in, but theoretical and actual point of impact at those distances may vary. The only sure way to know the point of impactat 200 yards, is to shoot your load, in your rifle, at 200 yards.
As for a lead sled , save your money, and buy a decent rest and bags instead. The Caldwell Rock set up is decent for the price.

Sounds good thank you!

[W921]

Originally Posted by Alexwalker_10

I'm shooting a Browning 300 win mag, I believe the scope height is right around 1.5 inches and 180 grain bullets that are jacketed soft point. Vortex diamondback 4x16x42 scope. Looking at a ballistic calculator suggested I'd have to shoot one moa up on my scope for 100 yds if it has a 25 yds zero, does that seem right or seem as though I'd be aiming to high?

Years ago we didn't have calculator or computers but we had lots of written Theory about ballistics and different bullets, calibers and where they would hit at different ranges etc.
I wasted a lot of time reading this stuff before I realized what it was worth.
Like others have said. You need to practice at the range you plan on shooting at game.

[Smokinyotes]

If your open to any recommendation I’d recommend forgetting about hunting this year until your proficient out to at least 200 yards. My recommendation would be to buy a good bolt action 22 and 10,000 rounds of ammo. When you are proficient with the 22 move up to a centerfire.

[roper1]

Lots of shooting common sense on this forum. As a young guy myself a few years back, I'm glad Dad talked me into a heavy old 30-06 that I could handle the recoil. Bought many magnums later & love them, but I could shoot well long before I shot the big boomers. As others say, buy a .22 & shoot it lots.....then lots more. In the meantime try some straight across trade for a lower recoil rifle until you get much more trigger time.

Kudos to you for asking some good questions, and being aware of your game distance limits.

[elkhunter11]

The simple fact, is that many people that are not at all competent with their firearms are out hunting. Animals are wounded and lost, because people are guessing where their firearm will shoot, rather than knowing where their firearm actually shoots. And it's even worse with wingshooting, people get the stupid idea, that the way to learn to wingshoot, is by shooting at gamebirds.
Whether rifle or shotgun, it takes time ,effort and expense to become competent, and today's society is more inclined to take shortcuts, so the situation just keeps getting worse.
I take out a good number of new hunters, but before I take them out, I take them shooting, and we don't hunt, until I see that they can shoot. I was out with a friend and his son several years ago, the son was partnered with us on antlered and antlerless mule deer, and he filled both tags at under 200 yards. Then a whitetail buck appeared at 400 yards, but we didn't allow the son to shoot at it , because he had never shot at a target past 200 yards. The day was already a great success, so we didn't risk ruining it by letting him take a shot that he wasn't competent to take, and possibly wounding an animal.

[ScottFitter]

Honestly, lime others have said, this will not be your year to go out. However, after the season is over, contact me and I can take you out. I've got target boards and steel. If needed, I also have a 22 for you to shoot. All you need to do is supply ammunition. My son is roughly your age and wants to get back in to shooting as well, so it will be easy to get you guys both going at the same time.

[Alexwalker_10]

Originally Posted by ScottFitter

Honestly, lime others have said, this will not be your year to go out. However, after the season is over, contact me and I can take you out. I've got target boards and steel. If needed, I also have a 22 for you to shoot. All you need to do is supply ammunition. My son is roughly your age and wants to get back in to shooting as well, so it will be easy to get you guys both going at the same time.

Sounds great, thank you!

[densa44]

So my advice will not be on how to sight in your rifle. Since you are just getting started I suggest game identification. It seems easy but I’m sure others will be able to tell stories about hunters who got it wrong.
Welcome to the addiction.