A popular sighting-in technique for rifles involves adjusting the scope so the point of impact matches the point of aim at a shorter distance than the intended target range. This allows shooters to make minor adjustments at the longer range without significant bullet drop compensation. For instance, a rifle zeroed for a 100-yard target at a 50-yard distance will typically impact slightly high at 50 yards and closer to the point of aim at 100 yards, with the bullet’s trajectory crossing the line of sight at both distances. This approach is often preferred due to the convenience of shorter ranges and the ability to quickly verify accuracy at a longer distance.
This method provides several advantages. It minimizes wasted ammunition and range time due to the closer proximity of the target. Additionally, it simplifies the sighting-in process, especially for less experienced shooters. Historically, this technique has been widely utilized by hunters and target shooters to achieve consistent accuracy without requiring complex ballistic calculations. It is particularly effective with flat-shooting cartridges.