#2159906 - 11/11/10 02:48 PM
Why sight in a rifle every year.
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hpdi200
4 Point
Registered: 08/23/09
Posts: 395
Loc: Seymour, Tn.
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I hear alot of guys talk about having to sight their rifle back in every year.I am not talking about shooting it to make sure it is still on, but actually having to adjust the scope every year. Why is that so ? I sighted in the gun I most often use 10 years ago when I bought it, and have not had to touch it since. All my rifles have been like that, even my muzzle loader which is when the first inline night came out, how ever long ago that was lol.. I have taken my rifle several times out of state by truck, and even on a airplane and nothing has happened to change it. The strap broke on me in South Dakota while stalking and it fell over 15 feet down a steep bank. Seen guys with alot more high dollar class scopes having this trouble.Is it because they can't shoot or what. Just always wondered why this is ?
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#2159929 - 11/11/10 03:09 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: hpdi200]
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Hoytman
Spike
Registered: 10/08/10
Posts: 30
Loc: Mt.juliet, Tennessee
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I thinks its just a safety blanket type deal.You put all the work in for a big buck and you sure don't want to miss it after all that hard work....just my opinion though
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#2159940 - 11/11/10 03:19 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: Hoytman]
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Goshen Valley Boy
4 Point
Registered: 09/08/09
Posts: 494
Loc: Indiana
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My shotgun scope has not had to be adjusted for about 10 years as well. Just lucky I guess.
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#2159952 - 11/11/10 03:29 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: Goshen Valley Boy]
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Cy
6 Point
Registered: 09/20/09
Posts: 740
Loc: Wears Valley & Cannon County
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Sometimes they'll shift and sometimes they won't. I never had any trouble until last year. I leaned a rifle against a tree to attach a climber, kicked it over and it took a good knock and slid down the hill. Later in the season, I missed a coyote, then shot a buck but it didn't hit him where I thought it should. When I checked the zero, it was high two inches, right two inches. First time it ever happened to me, and I've moved lots of rifles across country.
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#2159954 - 11/11/10 03:31 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: Cy]
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BigGav
4 Point
Registered: 08/13/09
Posts: 252
Loc: Cleveland, Tn
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Would the quality of the scope play into it?
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#2159994 - 11/11/10 03:51 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: BigGav]
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762hunter
8 Point
Registered: 07/16/04
Posts: 1983
Loc: Memphis
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I think he said re-sighting in, not shooting to make sure its on.
Mine stay "on" unless something happens...
setting it next to a tree and it falling, strap breaking and falling, as for me I may change scope and put this scope on that rifle etc...
as long as I dont drop it, I dont change the scope mine always shoot "on"
but I do shoot them each year to make sure or after a trip to make sure
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#2160070 - 11/11/10 04:38 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: 762hunter]
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JEL
4 Point
Registered: 10/17/09
Posts: 227
Loc: Tennessee
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I think it has more to do with your scope mounts. I always and get a better mount no matter what kinda scope I am mounting. Kinda like those folks who's stereo and wheels are worth more than the car
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#2160086 - 11/11/10 04:46 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: JEL]
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arctic_cat
8 Point
Registered: 11/18/08
Posts: 1941
Loc: Lenoir City,Tn
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I will shoot mine before season to make sure its still on from the year before, but I never have to make adjustments. I dont shoot any kind of high dollar scope. Just bushnells from walmart on just about everything. not saying they are cheap or anything but I dont have a $800 scope on any of my guns. a box of shells can last me at least 2 years.
If you take care of your things they will take care of you
Edited by arctic_cat (11/11/10 04:49 PM)
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#2160198 - 11/11/10 05:52 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: arctic_cat]
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Bone Collector
12 Point
Registered: 09/09/09
Posts: 6110
Loc: Murfreesboro, TN
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Mine is usually on or just barely off and i make a minor adjustment and i'm done.
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#2160205 - 11/11/10 05:56 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: hpdi200]
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tndrbstr
16 Point
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 12157
Loc: knox co tn
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I hear alot of guys talk about having to sight their rifle back in every year.I am not talking about shooting it to make sure it is still on, but actually having to adjust the scope every year. Why is that so ?
Does it really matter why?...if it need adjusting then you do it...if it don't then you don't.....
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#2160287 - 11/11/10 06:43 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: tndrbstr]
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hpdi200
4 Point
Registered: 08/23/09
Posts: 395
Loc: Seymour, Tn.
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I hear alot of guys talk about having to sight their rifle back in every year.I am not talking about shooting it to make sure it is still on, but actually having to adjust the scope every year. Why is that so ? Does it really matter why?...if it need adjusting then you do it...if it don't then you don't.....
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#2160325 - 11/11/10 06:54 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: hpdi200]
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Yodel Dog
8 Point
Registered: 10/14/08
Posts: 1087
Loc: Mid Tn
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My reloads shoot exactly the same year after year. However, I don't see the same consistency with factory loaded ammo. I have seen two different boxes of the same ammo shoot totally different. I would think because it's likely different batches of ammo. If I shot factory ammo regularly, I would sight in anytime I opened a new box of shells.
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"...Shooting a deer is like shooting a cow..." Phil Robertson
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#2160338 - 11/11/10 06:58 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: hpdi200]
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Bertman
16 Point
Registered: 12/07/07
Posts: 18697
Loc: TREESTAND
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piece of mind for me if I shoot it before season and it is on.If I miss a deer I know it's me.
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#2160341 - 11/11/10 06:58 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: tndrbstr]
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easy45
18 Point
Registered: 11/06/07
Posts: 23801
Loc: Medon
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It is just a safty blanket for me to make sure I make an ethical shot
Edited by easy45 (11/11/10 06:59 PM)
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#2160523 - 11/11/10 08:16 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: easy45]
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huntinman
10 Point
Registered: 12/25/06
Posts: 2724
Loc: Hickman
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I shoot every year just to make sure everything is on. I may tweak the scope if I feel like it should be tweaked. I bought a Lead Sled last Fall, so I decided to "re-shoot" everything with a steadier aim. I also had some trigger jobs done in the past few weeks, so I wanted to try them as well.
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Whatever Doesn't Kill Us, Makes Us Stronger.
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#2160535 - 11/11/10 08:25 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: huntinman]
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Greg M
6 Point
Registered: 02/11/10
Posts: 753
Loc: Riverview, FL/ Bluff City, TN
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Better question, why wouldn't you shoot it just to make sure it's on?
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Riverview, FL
Firearms perfection improved
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#2160539 - 11/11/10 08:27 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: Greg M]
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TheAirMan
16 Point
Registered: 06/18/01
Posts: 10331
Loc: Moss, Tennessee
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Alot of you guys are missing what he's saying. He's not talking about shooting it every year to make sure its on. He's talking about having to adjust the scope every year when you do shoot it.
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#2160543 - 11/11/10 08:29 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: TheAirMan]
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Carlos Viagra
16 Point
Registered: 11/20/04
Posts: 12934
Loc: Cumberland Plateau
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Yep, he stated he "wasn't talking about shooting it every year to make sure it's still on." Most folks are only reading the title and responding without reading his comments.
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Do not be slothful- for yesterday and tomorrow are thieves of today.
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#2160750 - 11/11/10 11:34 PM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: Carlos Viagra]
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sneakboxer
4 Point
Registered: 03/21/10
Posts: 189
Loc: NW OR for now
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Possibly the shooter removed the action/barrel from the stock to completely clean the rifle after the season. And when he re-tightened the mounting bolts he went to a different torque?
I haven't had to adjust a scope other than when changing ammo.
Good question.
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Greg
Member of: DU, Delta, NRA, and GOA.
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#2160758 - 11/12/10 12:35 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: sneakboxer]
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Tiny
16 Point
Registered: 02/09/02
Posts: 17602
Loc: Knoxville
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Scope,Mount and Ring quality,Differences in ammo form lot to lot or another change in ammo ie 150 to 165 gr loads,and Care they can get knocked off in the cabinet safe rack or transport,goes for even the best quality scopes and mounts but usally they will hold. Also the conditions they were zeroed in to start with or rechecked in,ie a Blue Bird Day vs a 50 mph wind.I normally won't touch one if checking on a windy day.
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#2160778 - 11/12/10 03:27 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: JEL]
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RheePerry
4 Point
Registered: 11/03/10
Posts: 124
Loc: Columbia, Tn (Maury Co)
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I agree with this. Sometimes it is the mounts. I prefer a good set of see through mounts, im glad I had those when a deer crossed me at 10yds and had to use my iron sites.
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#2160855 - 11/12/10 06:27 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: hpdi200]
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tndrbstr
16 Point
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 12157
Loc: knox co tn
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I hear alot of guys talk about having to sight their rifle back in every year.I am not talking about shooting it to make sure it is still on, but actually having to adjust the scope every year. Why is that so ? Does it really matter why?...if it need adjusting then you do it...if it don't then you don't..... Don't guess it matters why, just curios to why some have to reajust the scope every yr, while some never have to touch them. A guy I work with has a Redfield on his 7 mag he put on in the late 80's and swears he hasn't had to touch it since. Just a topic I wanted to hear discussion about .
Ok,... To me there are just three reasons...either the scope itself has slipped internally(unacceptable!), external effects to the scope(loose mounting hardware, bumping, droppining the gun etc...), or changing the ammunition from what the scope was originally set up with...the last two are the most common I beleive....
Scopes are like anything else. there all very similar but there are no two that are just alike....I have a redfeild wide field fixed 4 power scope on my 30-06 that has failed to hit my desired point of impact just once in 40 years. That was about 20 years ago when it just gave up for some reason. Sent it back to the factory for a rebuild, sighted it in and haven't had the adj caps off of it in the last twenty years. Its just about the only gun I hunt with and its still dead nuts at 200 yards...I will shoot a couple of shots each fall to make sure everything is still good to go.
People are differant too,...Some people are just rougher on their equipment than others. It doeasn't make any differance if it guns, cars, or lawn mowers. Throw in the occational "oops" everynow and then and thier are always haveing to fix something...
Then there are guys, several on here, that either change or re-load differant brands, charges, or even scopes from gun to gun that are constantly adjusting thier scopes...
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#2160862 - 11/12/10 06:34 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: RheePerry]
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tndrbstr
16 Point
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 12157
Loc: knox co tn
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I agree with this. Sometimes it is the mounts. I prefer a good set of see through mounts, im glad I had those when a deer crossed me at 10yds and had to use my iron sites.
Some folks don't like the see thru's. I wouldn't take mine off of my go to rifle for anything. I was brought up with iron sights (semi-buckhorns) and have no hesitations in using em...I actually enjoy shooting with em...
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#2160908 - 11/12/10 07:01 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: tndrbstr]
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BlackBelt
10 Point
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 2614
Loc: SouthWest TN
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Since I went to using good mounts and a Leupold scopes, I haven't had to adjust anything. But I still check the zero every year just to ease my mind that everything is as it should be. Usually takes one shot.
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#2160930 - 11/12/10 07:25 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: tndrbstr]
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stik
TnDeer Old Timer
16 Point
Registered: 03/12/99
Posts: 18410
Loc: lenoir city,tn
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I agree with this. Sometimes it is the mounts. I prefer a good set of see through mounts, im glad I had those when a deer crossed me at 10yds and had to use my iron sites. Some folks don't like the see thru's. I wouldn't take mine off of my go to rifle for anything. I was brought up with iron sights (semi-buckhorns) and have no hesitations in using em...I actually enjoy shooting with em...
i absolutly hate the see-thru mounts. all they are good for is a scar on your forehead. they raise the scope too high off the barrel.
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experienced hunters know its not just a bushy white tail, its a big middle finger.
nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught
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#2160935 - 11/12/10 07:27 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: tndrbstr]
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dixieman
4 Point
Registered: 11/26/04
Posts: 295
Loc: waverly
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my 30-06 hasn't been touched in over 10 yrs ,blackpowder in 4 yrs since I first sighted it in, sounds like poor handling.
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#2160937 - 11/12/10 07:27 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: stik]
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tndrbstr
16 Point
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 12157
Loc: knox co tn
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I agree with this. Sometimes it is the mounts. I prefer a good set of see through mounts, im glad I had those when a deer crossed me at 10yds and had to use my iron sites. Some folks don't like the see thru's. I wouldn't take mine off of my go to rifle for anything. I was brought up with iron sights (semi-buckhorns) and have no hesitations in using em...I actually enjoy shooting with em... i absolutly hate the see-thru mounts. all they are good for is a scar on your forehead. they raise the scope too high off the barrel.
I guess you just have to know how to us em.... 
... corse if your gun doesn't have open sights then there is need for em....
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#2160954 - 11/12/10 07:39 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: tndrbstr]
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Goshen Valley Boy
4 Point
Registered: 09/08/09
Posts: 494
Loc: Indiana
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Not having see-through mounts cost me one of the biggest bucks I have ever had a chance to shoot. I could see him clearly at 50 yards but when I looked through my muzzleloader scope, I had nothing but glare from the sun which was rising in the sky behind him. If I had had see-through mounts I would have had him dead to rights.
Needless to say, my muzzleloader now has see-through mounts.
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#2161066 - 11/12/10 08:31 AM
Re: Why sight in a rifle every year.
[Re: Goshen Valley Boy]
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MUP
Non-Typical
Registered: 08/01/07
Posts: 36085
Loc: Just North of Chatt-town
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Not having see-through mounts cost me one of the biggest bucks I have ever had a chance to shoot. I could see him clearly at 50 yards but when I looked through my muzzleloader scope, I had nothing but glare from the sun which was rising in the sky behind him. If I had had see-through mounts I would have had him dead to rights. Needless to say, my muzzleloader now has see-through mounts.
Similar thing happened to me two years ago. I was using a brand new Mod 710 Rem b/a 30-06 that I had to sight in and use b/c my 742 Woodsmaster had started jamming just before the season opened. I shot a nice 8pt at about 120 yds(really far shot for me) and he went down....then got up and started the gosh awfullest running, twisting, flipping dash from that far ridge straight to right under my stand! The Mod 710 did not have the see thru mounts that I was accustomed to on the 742 and I could not for the life of me get on that deer with him zigging and zagging as he came right under my stand! And before anyone comments on being able to look thru the scope for a running shot, I am left eye dominant, and shoot right handed, and when I open both eyes, the left eye takes over and I don't see the view thru the scope, so I have to close the left eye for the scope. And I was thus unable to acquire that crazy running zigging/zagging buck for another shot. 
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MUP
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