The first shot of the season should never be a question mark.
It’s early. The range is quiet. Frost still hangs in the shadows as you settle in behind the rifle and look through the glass. This moment—before the trigger breaks—is where every clean shot later in the field is decided. Zeroing a rifle scope isn’t just a setup step. It’s a confirmation that rifle, optic, ammo, and shooter are all speaking the same language.
Done right, it doesn’t take a box of ammo or an afternoon of frustration.
Start closer than you think. One of the most common mistakes is beginning at 100 yards without knowing where the rifle is printing. That’s guessing, and guessing wastes ammo. Start at 25 or 50 yards, fire a single, deliberate shot, measure it, and make a clean adjustment. Once you’re centered, move back to your intended zero distance. Now every round has a purpose.
This is where repeatable turrets and clear glass matter. Zeroing isn’t about speed—it’s about control. Once you’ve confirmed your zero, take the time to reset your turrets to zero. That step matters. It gives you a true reference point, lets you track adjustments confidently, and makes it obvious if something ever changes. A quick glance before a hunt should tell you everything you need to know.
You don’t need a pile of gear to do it well. A solid rest, a clear target, and the ammo you actually plan to shoot are what count. A bore sight can save time, and writing down your zero never hurts. What you don’t need is rushing or chasing shots. Zeroing is about point of impact, not group size. A tight group in the wrong place is still wrong.
Three shots is usually enough to confirm. If you’re burning through ammo, something else is off—position, fundamentals, or patience.
Most missed opportunities trace back to simple mistakes: zeroing with one load and hunting with another, assuming last year’s zero is still good, or skipping a check after travel. Changing ammo means changing zero. Bumps, temperature shifts, and time all matter more than we like to admit.
Ballistics apps and fancy reticles only work if your zero is right. It’s the foundation everything else is built on. When the moment comes and the animal finally clears, there’s no time to wonder where your rifle is shooting.
You already know.
That confidence comes from checking your zero—and knowing exactly where your turrets are—every time it matters.