Author Topic: Please help! Newbie has a few stupid quest  (Read 883 times)

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Offline mudvayne

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Please help! Newbie has a few stupid quest
« on: August 14, 2005, 11:13:22 AM »
I don't know that much about guns but I'm trying to learn. I just bought a single shot 30-06 that I want to use for deer season in the fall. Here's my stupid questions:
What does it mean to bore-sight your scope?
ALso, I have been seeing people talk about using 45-60 grain bullets to sight their guns. I thought that you are supossed to use heavier bullets like 150-180 gr for my 30-06?

Thanks......

Offline Rummer

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« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2005, 11:58:11 AM »
Mudvayne,

Bore sighting is when you look down your barrel at a target and then peer thru the scope to see where the sights are looking.  The better the rifle is bore sighted.  You then adjust the scope so that it is looking hwere your barrel is pointing.  The rifle must we braced so it remains still throughout this process.  Bore sighting will save you time and ammo but is not a substitute for sighting in.

When it comes to using 45-60 grain bullets to sight-in, I think you were either misinformed, or misunderstood what you heard.  

First, there are no 45-60 grain .30 caliber bullets.  .30 caliber bullets have a diameter of .308".  The bullet weights you will find for the .30-06 will range from 110-220 grains. For deer hunting I like 150's or 165's in the .30-06; but lots of guys like 180's.  I have one friend who shoots nothing but 180 grain partitions in his .30-06 as an all around load.

Secondly, you will want to sight in with the ammo you will be hunting with.  Different loads may or may not shoot to a different point of aim.  Sighting in insures that the loads you want to use hit where you are aiming them.  Your scope should provide instructions for how to make adjustments.

I hope this information helps

Rummer

Offline beemanbeme

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« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2005, 12:09:19 PM »
To my knowledge, they do not make a sub-100gr bullet in a .308 calibre unless they are talking about the sabotted rounds that have a plastic "shoe" with a .224 varmint bullet in it.  The theory is that the sabot, after stabilizing the bullet down the barrel, will open like a banana and peel away.  

Now then, bore sighting:  set up a target about 25 yards away from your shooting position.  Remove the bolt from your rifle and block the rifle  firmly into place so that the bullseye of the target is centered in the bore as you look down the barrel from the bolt end.  This may take a bit of shimming and jimming to accomplish.  Once you have that, look thru the scope -keep you hands off the rifle- and see where the cross hairs are and adjust.  One thing, doing it this way, the adjustments you need to make are backward.  Thus, when the target is centered in the bore, if the scope appears to need to be moved left, you need to move it right.  Same thing with the up and down.  Once you have everything lined up, put the bolt back in and fire one round at the target -still at 25 yards.  Then fire another at the first bullet hole.  This will tell you exactly how much you need to fine tune your scope adjustments.  

You can do the first portion of this exercise in your home.  I don't reccommend doing the test firing inside however.  Maybe out the window at your neighbor's dog that barks all night.

Offline mudvayne

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« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2005, 12:27:58 PM »
Ok, maybe when they say 55 gr they really mean 155 gr.  Thats probably what it was.

Would bore sighting be any different since my gun is break-action and not bolt action?

Also, what's the difference between cleaning your bore and lapping your bore. Since I just bought a used gun, how would I go about cleaning it before i shoot it?

I really appreciate your input!

Brad
Lincoln, NE

Offline TNrifleman

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« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2005, 12:53:23 PM »
Glad to have you here on the GB forum. There isn't a better one around anywhere!
 
Now, as to your rifle, I assume you already have the scope mounted. You really can't bore sight it like a bolt action rifle, but that is not a problem. If you place a large target at 25 yards, as has been recommended, your rifle will likely be "on target", but not correctly "zeroed", or sighted in. Once you have fired three or so carefully aimed shots off a good solid rest, then begin making sighting adjustments to your scope. Basically, there are usually two adjustment screws; one for right to left, and one for up and down. By using these, you can move your group to the center of your aiming point on target.  
 
Next, place another target at 50 yards, shoot one or two three shot groups and adjust as needed. If you desire a 100 yard "zero", then begin the same process at that distance.
 
Take your time, aim carefully, and use a good rest. The barrel will heat up fairly quickly with your rifle, that's normal, but let it cool down between shots.
 
You are smart to properly clean your rifle before shooting it. To accomplish that, you will need a good cleaning rod, preferably a one piece steel one, a good bore cleaner / solvent, a 30 caliber bronze bore brush, and some correctly sized cotton patches. Finally, buy a good lubricant / preservative type gun oil to finish up both the bore and exterior of the rifle. All these products can be found at a gun shop or from catalogs like Midway Arms.  

Bore lapping is different from cleaning in that it is a procedure done to smooth up a rough bore. You probably don't need to be concerned about that now.
 
For ammunition choices for hunting deer, I would consider a 150 grain soft point  bullet to start. Your rifle is rather light and will recoil more with the heavier bullet weights. The 150 is well suited for most deer hunting applications. Good luck with that rifle and enjoy shooting and hunting with it. 8)

Offline Redhawk1

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« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2005, 12:54:10 PM »
It does not matter if it is a break open or bolt action. Also there are bore sighters that either go in the barrel or magnetic bore sighters that are placed on the front of your barrel. Bore sighting get you on paper, then you do the final sight in and move out to your desired distance for zero. It is a easy process, not as hard as you may think.  :D
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Offline Lawdog

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« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2005, 12:55:00 PM »
mudvayne,

Quote
Would bore sighting be any different since my gun is break-action and not bolt action?


No difference.  Bore sighting saves time and money when you go to the range.  I wouldn't worry about doing anything but a good bore cleaning of your used rifle.  Just make sure there are no copper residue left in the bore.  I use Barnes CR-10.  Go to http://www.barnesbullets.com/prodcr-10.php for a description of CR-10 and how to use it.  Lawdog
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Gary aka Lawdog is now deceased. He passed away on Jan. 12, 2006. RIP Lawdog. We miss you.

Offline mudvayne

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« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2005, 01:25:09 PM »
Hey TNrifleman.....I grew up in Nashville,TN...lived there for 25 years and just moved to Nebraska about 5 months ago. I really miss TN and plan on moving back within a year or so. I work for the Federal Government so i can move around if I like. thanks for the input!

Brad

Offline TNrifleman

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« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2005, 03:00:19 PM »
mudvayne,

I live east of Nashville. You are right, Tennessee is a nice place to live. We would welcome you back. FWIW, the deer hunting here is very good, especially in the middle and western portions of the state. If I can help with info on your rifle, give me a holler! I love to see new guys get interested in guns and hunting.

Offline Mikey

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« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2005, 02:29:45 AM »
mudvayne:  When they said 45-60 grains, they may also have been talking about powder charges and not being clear enough about it to prevent confusing the terminology with bullet weights.  That said, there are sub-100 grain bullets you can throw down the barrel of your 06 but those are not meant for deer hunting - they have other applications for garden pests, plinking, fun shooting, etc., but not for whitetail.

Your 30-06 usually takes a nominal 150 - 180 grain bullet for whitetail.  Since you are in Nebraska, you may get some big whitetail out there and if the distances are long enough the 180 grain bullets give great stability and penetration at longer ranges.  If you were in the South where many whitetail are on the smaller side I would suggest the 150 gn bullets.

Bore sighting can be fun if you have a buddy with you.  You can always make bets as to how close to the bullseye the first shot will be after bore-sighting.  Just set up your rifle on a good rest, break open the action so you can look right down the bore at the target then make certain your target is centered in the view given by looking down the bore;  look through your scope and adjust/center your crosshairs to the center of what you see through the bore.   First shot shouldn't be more than a couple of inches off.  

The loser in this game usually buys the burgers (lol).  Good thing I like hamburgers because I usually lose (more lol).  HTH.  Mikey.

Offline Mikey

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« Reply #10 on: August 15, 2005, 02:37:58 AM »
mudvayne - sorry buddy, forgot one very important thing here - there are absolutely no stupid questions when it comes to shooting, hunting and firearms safety.  If you have questions friend, then you just keep right on asking them until you get a satisfactory answer.  Mikey.

Offline billy

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« Reply #11 on: August 15, 2005, 03:53:57 PM »
Hey Mudvayne good to have you on the board ,i live 40 miles south of Nashville .Good luck with your rifle.
I enjoy collecting guns, swaping and staying up on all the newest models. I deer, quail, squirrel and rabbit hunt.