sighting in 30-06

[ShootALot523]

I've always sighted my 30-06 1 1/2" -2" high at 100 which was used to hunt wide open areas. This year I'm hunting an area where the maximum shot would be 150 yds, but there are a lot of good possibilities deer would pop out in a few places that are 30-50 yds. away. My question is do I keep it where it is or do I sight it in differently? I've never shot this under 50 yds. I'm wondering if at 50 yds. and less the bullet would shoot low. I'm obviously going to shoot at these closer distances at the range, but hate to burn more ammo than I need. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Art Eatman]

The only reason I'd change would be for punching paper in some sort of competition, or in working over up-close prairie dogs. Otherwise? It might make as much as 3/4" to 1" on Bambi, and that's too trivial to worry about.

My 2¢ worth, anyhow.

 

[Canazes9]

Leave it alone. It should be shooting roughly 0.25" low at 25, 0.5" high at 50 yards based on your described zero. In other words - perfect!

David

 

[BrocLuno]

Uh, scoped or factory irons? The incident sight line is different between the two. The irons are closer to the barrel center line so point of impact at intervening distances will be a bit different than with a scope as sighted. But, won't be more than about 1/2 inch difference, I don't think?

 

[jmr40]

Unless there is a very good chance I'll be shooting over 300 I zero right at 100. In the rare chance I get a longer shot a 30-06 with most loads will only be 3" lower at 200 than with a 200 yard zero and there will only be about 4"-5" more drop to contend with at 300. If I see a deer that I estimate to be around 150 yards or less I can simply hold on the center of the animal. If the range is over 150, aim for the backbone and the drop will still put it in the kill zone. If I underestimate the range, the bullet will be a clean miss under the animal.

When I hunted in the West I went to a 200 yd zero and would do it again. But around here 30 yard shots are much more common, although 300 is a real possibility. I'm more likely to need to thread a bullet through a baseball sized opening in brush at 75 yards and don't want to wonder about how high my bullet will be at that range and try to remember to aim low. With a 100 yard zero I'll never be more than a fraction of an inch low or high out to nearly 150 yards. Which is where 90% of all shots are taken, even in the wide open Western states.

 

[LoonWulf]

I use a 1.5 high zero on my 06. Shots have been made at under 10yds in heavy mangrove and keawe forest with no issues.

 

[Sav .250]

Aim it and shoot it........ no problem.

 

[Legionnaire]

Add my voice to the "leave it alone" crowd.

 

[Dr T]

Leave it be.

I sight my deer rifles 3" high at 100. This works for point blank to 250 to 300 yards (depending on rifle) for minute of bambi.

 

[OldmanFCSA]

but hate to burn more ammo than I need. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Why burn up all the extra ammo - you can sight-in ANY rifle with only 1 shot !

Put your rifle in a solid rest,
Aim at center point of target at range you wish to sight-in,
Fire 1 shot,
Re-aim at center point of target at range you wish to sight-in,
Move Elevation and Windage scope crosshairs to center on hole of 1st shot.
You're DONE.

Advice - rifle must be capable of shooting small groups.
Advice - remove scope caps before starting.
Advice - "Put your rifle in a solid rest," to prevent movement while adjusting scope.

This procedure will allow you to sight-in for your "Cold-Bore" first shot at any game animal or target.

A 2nd shot may be fired to verify adjustment was completed correctly.
This process has been proven many times - believe it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mudinyeri]

Leave it be.

I sight my deer rifles 3" high at 100. This works for point blank to 250 to 300 yards (depending on rifle) for minute of bambi.

X2

My .30-06 is sighted 2.5" high at 100 yards. I shot a Whitetail buck at about 50 yards last year. Blew up his heart. He walked about ten steps and dropped like a rock.