Scope sighting in update.

[johnboat]

ok, So I'm dialing in this scope. I want to get it dead on at 100 yards.

50 cal. in-line muzzeloader. I've got it into the bullseye everytime at 50 yards. Very tight pattern, just a pinch high in the smallest circle. 50 yards has been confirmed twice.
So I'm thinking I will move the target back to 75 yards to see how far, if any, drop occurs. Figuring, since its going further back, although its not much, I will be lower.

I shoot 8 shots, same ammo, same powder, with a gun rest, taking my time, cleaning between every three shots like a good boy, and guess what happens?..................I'm about 2 inches HIGHER!

Not just a few strays. 8 shots, directly above the bullseye in a 2 inch pattern. I was thinking since I was a pinch high at 50, I might be right on at 75 or even 100. Never would have figgured a rise.

Yes, I will go out again to confirm everything, but does anyone have an answer for me as to why the rise?

Thanks for any input.

[JOE WALLEYE]

you dont realize it, but your barrel is not parallel to the ground when you shoot. you are shooting at an uphill angle. everone does this to compensate for the affect of gravity on the bullet. you look thru the sights in a straight line (refered to as line of sight) but the path of the bullet is actualy and arch that crosses thru your line of sight twice. once on the way up and once on the way down. you may find your bullet strikes the target even higher at 100 yards that it did at 75yards. I wouldnt make adjustments at these shorter ranges, shoot at 100 and make your adjustments.

[Lundexp]

Yep JOE WALLEYE pretty much said it all. There is a difference between the bullet arch path and the line of sight, it won't hit at the same point no matter what distance. What you are experiencing is perfectly normal. Shoot it at 100 yards at the same setting and you may be near to right on or bit high at 100 yards. I actually have my muzzle zeroed in at 150 yards and it shoots 2 inches high at 100 and approximately 3 high at 50. The best thing to do is zero your gun in at the distance you want which you indicated is 100 yards, then go back and shoot it again at 50, 75, 100, and maybe farther like 125, 150 if you desire and record down the amount of rise and drop at the different distances so you have a idea of your bullet's trajectory.

[jigstop]

FYI rifles shots are measured in groups, shotguns pattern! Sorry, it's just a little pet peeve of mine.

Yes it's very common for a rifle to shoot higher at a longer distance for the reasons already listed.

[johnboat]

Thanks gentlemen. Out to 100 yards it is.

[johnboat]

Went out yesterday, brough along 250 grain sabots. (I had mistakenly brought out 200's at first. but was not opposed to using them.) Loaded up the 250's, shot at 100 yards, problem solved.
Brought the GROUP down to where it should be.
1 more trip of minor adjustments, then 1 more to confirm and I will be good to go.

Thanks again for the help.