.. _Initial Sighting-in:

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Initial Sighting-in
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Here are some techniques to set the sights to just get shots on the target, when you have no idea how the sights are currently set (such as when mounting sights on the rifle).  At this stage the target will be at short range so no attempt is made to allow for bullet drop or wind.


.. _Bore Sighting:

Bore Sighting
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If you can look down the bore of the gun, then support the gun so that some aiming mark can be seen down the e barrel; it should be in the centre of the circular view that the barrel gives you.  While keeping the gun still, adjust the sights so that they are centered on the aiming mark.

If the mark is at a different distance to the target you intend to shoot at, you can make some further adjustments.  The line of the barrel will rise to meet the line of sight at the aiming mark and then continue rising.  Suppose the aiming mark is at 25m and the target will be at 75m and the barrel is 1 1/2" beneath the line of sight.  Then 50m after the aiming mark the line of the barrel will be 3" above the line of sight (as 50 = 25x2 and 3=1 1/2x2).  The sights then need to be lowered by a gradient of 3" in 75m (see :ref:`Operation of Sights`).


Barrel Sighting
===============

If you cannot look down the bore of the gun, then looking along the top of the barrel will enable you to choose the correct left or right movement to point at the aiming mark and looking along the side of the barrel will enable you to choose the correct up or down movement to point at the aiming mark.  You can then proceed as in :ref:`Bore Sighting`.

When someone sights a gun in at the Drill Hall indoor range, I like to look along the side of the barrel to make sure they do not hit the floor.


Spotting
========

When there is a backstop that can be safely hit and that reveal where it is hit (such as a sand bank), rough barrel sighting can be used along with the help of an observer who can tell where the bullets go that miss the target.  If safe and suitable, the floor of the range just in front of the target can be aimed at instead.