Sighting in 30-06 for hunting

[Releb]

Hi all,

Got myself a brand spanking new 30-06 to get into some serious hunting

Previous experience is varminting with the .223 and occasionally a 22mag so not reeeal familiar with the bigger calibres.

What does everyone find works best for them in terms of sighting in distance for a walk-around rifle for bigger game?

(New toys, yay!)

[John445]

Gratz on the new shooter

For game hunting sighting in at 200m is a pretty safe practice. That way you're about 1.5" high at 100m and 3" low and 300m.

Aim centre mass of your target anywhere from 100-300m and you should be in good shape with that sighting.

[agentzero]

100m is sort of "the usual" for sighting in isn't it?

For hunting rifles anyway?

[Monty]

100m is sort of "the usual" for sighting in isn't it?

Yes and no.

100m is basically the shooting "standard distance" for most things unless otherwise specified.

e.g. If someone says they're shooting a 1" group with their rifle, unless they specify otherwise they're likely talking about shooting at 100m.

Same for sighting in - 100m is "the norm" before setting up for your particular situation.

The reason to sight in at 200m instead of 100m when hunting is that it makes shooting over a varying distances easier because there is less drop to factor in when compared to sighting at 100m.

Expanding on what was mentioned above, using some of my ballistics for a 168gr 30-06 load you get the following:

When sighted in at 200m you'd be somewhere around 2" high at 100, bullseye at 200 and about 8" low at 300.

If you were sighted in at 100m with the same load, you'd be bullseye at 100, but 4" low at 200, and 14" low at 300.

As you can see, less correction is required to stay on target over those distances with a 200m sighting. Pretty much just aim slightly above centre mass at any distance and you'll still get a hit on target.

For a 100m sighting you'd have to be constantly thinking about your drop more and varying shot distances.

[John445]

If someone says they're shooting a 1" group with their rifle, unless they specify otherwise they're likely talking about shooting at 100m.

So set up my targets at 50m to be easy and don't say otherwise, and let everyone assume I'm an awesome shot?

[Releb]

For game hunting sighting in at 200m is a pretty safe practice. That way you're about 1.5" high at 100m and 3" low and 300m.

That sounds about perfect. Thanks John.

[Aussier]

For game hunting sighting in at 200m is a pretty safe practice. That way you're about 1.5" high at 100m and 3" low and 300m.

That sounds about perfect. Thanks John.

Good hunting, Releb

[Aussier]

So set up my targets at 50m to be easy and don't say otherwise, and let everyone assume I'm an awesome shot?

I shoot 1/8 inch groups all day long*

*At 10 metres.

[Herdsman]

I shoot 1/8 inch groups all day long*

*At 10 metres.

Ha ha