Three Shot Average Zeroing Method

I learned some new techniques for sighting in while filming with Shawn for Vigilance Elite Patreon last range session. 

SHAWN RYAN COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO ZEROING YOUR RIFLE

The most notable takeaway for me was to shoot in volleys of three in order to triangulate an average point of impact.

Unlike Shawn, I personally hate the process of zeroing. I’m impatient and often find myself chasing my zero. His technique of using the average of three shots helps minimize that issue.

I’ve always used the four shot zero method when zeroing my long guns to get close enough and never really take it any further once confirming minute of dude level accuracy at varying distances. 

Let’s be real, if your zero is good enough to consistently ring torso sized steel offhand at 100 yards and in, it’s probably good enough to impress 90% of shooters on the range. I know Shawn probably just cringed wherever he is as I finished typing that last sentence. This shows the difference in priorities between an operator and a marketer. 

While filming this video, I realized the optics on most of my rifles are probably not as fine tuned as I should want them to be.

Shawn Ryan’s Zeroing Process

Set your natural point of aim on the bullseye → Take your time and shoot a three shot group → Draw a triangle with the three impact points → Mark the center of the triangle to establish your average point of impact → Adjust your sight accordingly to move that point of impact to the bullseye → Make bold adjustments → Shoot three more shots to confirm

The Main Takeaway

Zeroing is where you build your confidence with your weapon. This is where you calibrate the settings to your eyes and verify the point of impact first-hand. You will gain peace of mind by personally calibrating your system that will eliminate doubt in a serious situation.

Conclusion

Next time I’m zeroing, I’ll be trying the three round volleys of fire and then making adjustments based on the average triangulated point within the group. Normally I’d use the four shot zero to get close and then I’d blow through way too much ammo trying to stack rounds on the bullseye. 

I could tell after seeing Shawn’s methodology in action that taking the three shot average would have helped me conserve ammo throughout this process because it gives the shooter a better idea of where to make adjustments.

In an ideal world, I’d be stacking every group but, real life isn’t exactly like the movies.

Jon Howard | Director of Marketing | Vigilance Elite