Quick Answer
Sight in your rifle for winter hunting 3-5 days before the season starts, when temperatures are around 40-50°F (4-10°C), and use a ballistic calculator or consult a ballistics chart for specific cartridge trajectories.
Choosing the Right Temperature
When it comes to winter hunting, it’s essential to sight in your rifle at a temperature that closely matches the conditions you’ll be hunting in. For cartridges like the .223 Remington and .308 Winchester, which are commonly used for varmint hunting, temperatures around 40-50°F (4-10°C) are ideal for sighting in. This temperature range allows for minimal expansion of the bullet, which can affect its trajectory and accuracy.
Understanding Ballistic Trajectories
To ensure accurate shots, it’s crucial to understand how different cartridges behave at various temperatures and ranges. Ballistic calculators can be a valuable tool in this regard, as they take into account factors such as bullet type, weight, and shape, as well as atmospheric conditions like temperature, humidity, and air pressure. For example, a .223 Remington 55-grain FMJ bullet at 40°F (4°C) will drop approximately 2.5 inches at 300 yards, while the same bullet at 0°F (-18°C) will drop around 3.5 inches at the same range.
Sighting in at the Right Distance
When sighting in your rifle, it’s essential to choose the right distance to ensure accurate shots at longer ranges. For cartridges like the .223 and .308, a good starting point is to sight in at 100-150 yards. This allows you to zero in on the bullet’s trajectory and make adjustments for wind deflection and other factors. Additionally, sighting in at shorter distances takes into account the bullet’s initial trajectory and helps you establish a more accurate point of aim.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.