So I've been patterning reflex sights for several years now and I have a heck of a time keeping the gun still to move the red dot to the center of the pattern core. Looking for something that uses a clamp on the forend and that keeps the stock stable. The Caldwell Precision Turrent rest or the Lead Sled max look like they'd do, but I don't want to spend that kinda money if I don't have to. I have also looked at combining BOGs Death Grip clamp and Rapid Shooting rest and using a sandbag for the shoulder stock. Optics Planet has a good deal now on the BOG components. How do you dial in a red dot?
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While zeroing I just use a range finder and Caldwell lead sled and I use big pieces of paper and I use a small stick on target dots and do my zeroing that way... I hold to the dot and if it shoots off the mark of center on the dot I just make adjustments until i'm satisfied. I do all of this with just cheap lead loads. After that I will finish with a couple TSS loads.
So I never worry about trying to clamp it down. IMO
I do this with both red dots and turkey scopes
I do pretty much the same thing, except when I make the adjustments I actually watch the sight's red dot move from where I was aiming to the POI. So I'm looking through the sight while I'm adjusting. I line up the elevation first, then the windage. Doing it this way has saved me some shells sighting it in. But trying to hold the gun still while I'm doing it makes it a challenge.
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I have found the same thing when sighting in my red dots. If possible have someone adjust the sight while you hold the gun in place with both hands while on the bench or lead sled. All they need to do is lightly turn the tool in the direction you tell them till you say stop. I know it's not the most convenient way but it will be more precise.
I just shoot at close range with cheap dove loads adjusting by measurement. Once I am set at 10-12 yards, I step back to 25 and do the same. Once I am happy there I shoot a Longbeard at 40 and adjust if needed. Once I do this I clean the gun and take one shot with the TSS load. Usually if I need to do any adjustments here it is just a click or two. I know I am not answering your question per say, but I like to sight in the gun like I am hunting, my back on tree while on the ground.
Quote from: lunghit on May 20, 2025, 06:33:33 AMI have found the same thing when sighting in my red dots. If possible have someone adjust the sight while you hold the gun in place with both hands while on the bench or lead sled. All they need to do is lightly turn the tool in the direction you tell them till you say stop. I know it's not the most convenient way but it will be more precise.
I've thought of that, but then I imagine losing patience with the person I ask to make the adjustments, which would be my son. May try it though. What the ideal "for me" would be is to have the gun in a vise on a turret.
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I don't clamp it however, I did a single shot 410 not too long ago, that was an ez one. I cracked the action open and placed it on bags. I put a dot on the wall at 7 steps. Looked down the bore and aligned it to the dot on the wall. Then made the proper adjustments. Went to the range and shot at the XXX paper. One dove load it was good. Backed it out to 30 one tss perfect. Did that one in 2 shots. (A lil lucky)
The pump I did before turkey season was a little different. I put it on bags again, with a dot on the wall 7 steps away. Turned on the sight and aligned it with the rear and front beads the best I could. Standing in back of the gun going back and forth realigning.
My elevation, I would look down the side of the barrel and try my best to get it what may be close.
At the range again XXX paper. Dove loads, my windage was good. But my elevation was off, but not horrible. I keep it on the bags and made the minor adjustment and it was good.
If it's a rib mount, take off the barrel and try and bore sight it like I did with my 410.
:anim_25:
if on a table build you a box. Say 8 to 10 inch wide and long as you like. I did 2 feet. The ends on top cut V in them. You can build it out of 1x6 1x8 or go 2x8 or 2x6 Put bottom in it then you put your tools in it so carry box you carry everything you need. Now on end you can put L brace to put bolt to raise or lower the box,
I have a lead sled and a bog death grip and I still use a sand bag when dialing in my red dots.
I have a cheap plastic adj rest that has some rubber straps that go over the barrel/forearm & stock for cleaning. I fire a round at a dot, find center of pattern and place another dot. I strap down the gun in the rest with the rubber straps and make adjustments from initial dot to new dot without touching gun. Maybe a few tightly wrapped bunjees on your rest would secure gun to make adjustments??
***edit: I just saw that you don't have an adjustable rest so my idea is trash. :)***
Quote from: btomlin on May 20, 2025, 04:49:07 PMI have a cheap plastic adj rest that has some rubber straps that go over the barrel/forearm & stock for cleaning. I fire a round at a dot, find center of pattern and place another dot. I strap down the gun in the rest with the rubber straps and make adjustments from initial dot to new dot without touching gun. Maybe a few tightly wrapped bunjees on your rest would secure gun to make adjustments??
***edit: I just saw that you don't have an adjustable rest so my idea is trash. :)***
Thanks! I'm not opposed to getting an adjustable rest.
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Quote from: Meleagris gallopavo on May 20, 2025, 04:57:54 PMQuote from: btomlin on May 20, 2025, 04:49:07 PMI have a cheap plastic adj rest that has some rubber straps that go over the barrel/forearm & stock for cleaning. I fire a round at a dot, find center of pattern and place another dot. I strap down the gun in the rest with the rubber straps and make adjustments from initial dot to new dot without touching gun. Maybe a few tightly wrapped bunjees on your rest would secure gun to make adjustments??
***edit: I just saw that you don't have an adjustable rest so my idea is trash. :)***
Thanks! I'm not opposed to getting an adjustable rest.
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I just looked and mine is an old "bench buddy" rest.
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I use a Lead Sled and have had no problems. Would buy another.