what bullet do one use to sight in a rifle?

Hey.

Been trying to search for this question and there’s just to many characters to narrow down answer so I’m askin.

Question is what bullet do one use to sight in a new rifle? You hunting ammo or FMJ? Kinda want to see what most folks do.

The 5.56 I had are truck guns so FMJ. Now I put together a 300hamr to hunt. I bought a few different types of bullet/grain. I have WC 110grain VM,125grain Sierra hp, and fmj. I don’t know which to start with. Any suggestion would be great.

Thank you,
Eugene

Sight it in with what you will be hunting with.

Agreed. Then I want to know the difference between say my goid hunting rounds vs cheap pig rounds too.

Use the cheapest ammo to get it on paper, then zero it with the ammo that you plan to hunt with.

I use a laser bore sight to get on paper at 25 yards then fire a shot move my crosshair to POI then shoot again. Use your hunting ammo Should be on. Next find out where it hits at 100 or whatever distance you're looking for.

Which bullet do you have the most of ? Use that for sighting in and then see how it groups at 100 yds. Load up some of the others and see how they group, might not have to change your zero just check groups for each bullet til you find what your rifle likes.
hook_n_line has the method I use except spouse does the bore sighting without a laser on bolt guns.

Thank you all for replies. I’ll go with Sierra and record the others.

Eugene

I have few boxes of fmj for getting used to the rifle. I’ve sighted one scope before with help of friend so I can get it on paper. I hope.

Eugene

Find out what she likes to eat. Some of mine like high dollar Hornady stuff. Others like cheap bulk winchester stuff. Switch between different grains as well. Just see what she likes and go with it.

Just to dovetail into the previous comment, you might also consider asking others who own the same model rifle what they have found that shoots best in their rifle. That way you can limit your choices (and reduce what you spend) to those loads with the greatest promise. Granted, two of the same model rifle can shoot differently, but this route will put you in the ballpark rather having to use blind trial and error. Otherwise, you might end up with a bunch of ammo your rifle doesn't like. And don't forget bullet weight means everything when it comes to getting recommendations from others. Two different bullet weights of the same brand of ammo may shoot much differently in terms of group size and bullet drop. And just as a contrast, you might also find that two different brands of ammo with different bullet weights may shoot almost the same due to differences in the powder charges behind them. Yes, ammo makers can be as secretive with their powder formulas as Coke is with the formula of their soft drink, and for the same reasons.

So then, what rifle are you shooting so that others with that same model can help you out?

That good idea, Texan Dan. Rifle is parts together following.

300 Ham’r. AeroPrecision Upper lower. Wilson Combat 16.2” 1-15twist barrel, adjust gas block/tube and BCG. LaRue trigger. Midwest Industry handguard. Everything else AeroPrec parts.

Edit. Too add is going on Coyote hunt. I’m not sure on distance. If Doc clears it.

Eugene

Read all pages of this thread and take notes and you should be covered. Very good choice in parts and caliber https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/7506626/wilson-combat-300-hamr#Post7506626

Agree with this. You might find a FMJ bullet and your hunting bullet that shoot to the same point of impact but if not , sight in with what you plan on using most of the time.

When I was first gathering info on parts, I read through that thread and I saw some groupings. Back then this was going to be my truck/lease rifle so I wasn’t noting what I need now. I’m going to go through it again.

Thanks,
Eugene

THIS!

Thank you both... I believe sight in with what you hunt with Wins.

Eugene

I bought bulk 135 FTX and it will shoot it close enough to what I am looking for out of my 10.3". 130 Hot core is probably the direction I would lean but you cannot go wrong with WC ammo in this rifle.

Your right 2Beez and I just saw a WC post about the 125grain Serria HP so decision verify. I don’t reload so I’ll try others when they’re available.

Thanks,
Eugene

I also recommend 130SST or Hot Core based on the one I own....SST grouped the tightest ....

This^^^

Yes

Lots of good advice here, and i am sure that it works out great for you guys. But sometimes, the fact of the matter is that what you WANT to hunt with may not be what the gun shoots the best with.

I am kind of picky tho. I like to be able to cover 3 shots with a quarter at 200 yards. On some of my rifles, this wasnt accomplished with what i originally wanted to hunt with.

Sure. I mostly duck hunt and a few years back my buddy got me in his lease. I’m a newbie of all this so when there an opportunity to join in, I’m going to go watch, listen and learn.

Thanks,
Eugene