zeroing 22-250

[sako 23]

I have a sako 22-250 floating barrel rifle. When zeroing should I use a sandbag for stability or should I zero off the bipod as that's what I shoot off every time?

The reason I ask is I zeroed my new sights off a sandbag a couple of weeks ago and have had a fair bit off success. Last time out my gun took a knock so I thought I'd check zero. This time I shot off the bipod and was an inch higher and slightly to the left it could be because of the knock but Im wondering if all that weight on one point with the bipod is giving me a different poi compared to spreading the weight on the sandbag. I didn't have the sandbag with me to compare today so Im really not sure if it would make any difference.

[coldweld 65]

First zero off the sandbag , then re-zero off you bipod IF that is what you are going shoot off.

[Night Hunter 109]

I zero off my bipod mate, but be aware that you sometimes get bounce from the bipod if you are shooting from a solid surface or off the bonnet of a vehicle and if your rifle has taken a knock ensure that the action is centralised and is securely fastened into the stock,I say this because I noticed my sako barrel seemed very close to the wood on one side of the forend and I felt that I had accuracy issues once centralised and secured accuracy has improved.

Edited March 9, 2011 by Night Hunter

[sako 23]

I have had the trouble with the action not being centralised before but that was because of a loose screw. It was windy today but I just wondered if it would make a difference to the poi between both methods. I have always zeroed off the bipod lying down as thats how I shoot but after speaking with a friend I thought I'd try the sandbag which does seem to hold the gun like a vice. Trouble is I really don't fancy carrying a sandbag around all night even though the shots were on top of each other. Im going to re zero tomorrow with a cold barrel off the bipod as it's not far out now but I want to make sure. Thanks for the advice guys I guess I'll give the two methods a go next time I need to re-zero to see if there's any difference.

[Finkley 1]

There will be no difference in POI from one position to the other. Unless, for some reason the bipod is causing the stock to touch the barrel, or as previously mentioned you're suffering from bipod 'hop', but that's more like a 'pull' than a change in POI.

 

Try loading the bipod by applying significant forward pressure, it will cure the 'hop' issues provided the feet grip whatever hard surface you're shooting off. It also helps manage recoil and makes it easier to see the bullet strike.

 

I zero my 22-250 one inch high at 110 yards which leaves me bang on at about 200 and gives me a silly PBR when foxing.

 

Good luck.

 

Steve

[sako 23]

I can't say I really suffer from recoil with this 22-250 with the mod. I shot for 15 years with no mod on a 22-250 so this one which I've had for about 5 years is like shooting a .22(well not quite). That's a good point though about leaning into the bipod as my previous bipod on the old 22-250 had to be mounted the wrong way so over the years I've got into a bad habbit of pulling the gun into me not pushing into it, so I will be going out and thinking about that next time. Im not up with the abbreviations so what does PBR mean?

Thanks for the advice I'll check the barrel and stock tomorrow just to make sure but I think I'll still zero off the bipod.

[wally 0]

i think he means personal best record and i shoot my .223off a bipod and lean in to it whilst shooting makes the gun solid only thin is the screw that holds the pod on has threaded whilst doing it. atb

[Finkley 1]

i think he means personal best record and i shoot my .223off a bipod and lean in to it whilst shooting makes the gun solid only thin is the screw that holds the pod on has threaded whilst doing it. atb

 

Point Blank Range. The distance you can hold dead on and the bullet is within the kill zone either above or below the line of sight. In this case it's over 300 yards. That said nearly all my shots are taken well within 150 anyway. As such it does seem a little pointless for me personally considering the extra cost over a 223. We live an learn.

[sako 23]

i think he means personal best record and i shoot my .223off a bipod and lean in to it whilst shooting makes the gun solid only thin is the screw that holds the pod on has threaded whilst doing it. atb

 

Point Blank Range. The distance you can hold dead on and the bullet is within the kill zone either above or below the line of sight. In this case it's over 300 yards. That said nearly all my shots are taken well within 150 anyway. As such it does seem a little pointless for me personally considering the extra cost over a 223. We live an learn.

 

I did think point blank range at first but then I doubted myself as I use a .22 for shooting point blank but I see what you mean. That's interesting you aim dead on out to 300, I shot 2 foxes the other night one at 296 and one at 326 and held over by about 4 and 6 inches repectively. I guess it's down to the weight of the bullet head,load and rifle. Also the zero was smack on at 100 as I didn't take enough rounds so left it at that. It's even more windy today so I won't be re-checking for zero but when I do I'll give the inch high at 110 a go to see if it makes much difference with my gun. Most of my shots are at distance this time of the year.

Cheers for the reply