Sight Adjustment Savvy

by
posted on July 19, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
savvy1.jpg

Sight click graduations have a lot to do with how a shooter proceeds in a match. There’s no question that, for me at least, the finer the adjustment, the better. A sight that moves the bullet 3 inches per click is decidedly a more difficult decision to make! Finer graduations mean both less consequence on a missed read, and better results on a “hit.” They also allow me to take a precise setting to favor a wind change.

null
Keeping a list of target ring dimensions will help with sight adjustments during a match. Photo by Chip Lohman.

Figure out the number of clicks per ring to estimate needed correction. This is a term familiar to Smallbore and Air Rifle shooters whose sights use extremely fine click graduations. For the High Power 600 yard MR-1 target, scoring rings X through 8 are in 6-inch increments, or 3 inches per side, meaning that there should be about 2 clicks per ring with 1/4 minute sights: 6 (hundred yards) X .25 = 1.5 per click. A mid-ring 10, for example, should take about 3 clicks to center on the X (1 to get to the X ring, and another 2 to get to its center). This information especially helps new shooters to know “how many clicks” to move.

If you’re fishing for a zero on the outer rings, it helps to know that ring numbers 7 through 5 are double-wide, meaning it will take approximately 4 clicks per ring, or 6 inches of movement.

Do this for each target and you won’t get lost with sight adjustments during a match. You can find the target dimensions in each online NRA Rule Book.

Latest

Sw Specseriesvi Shotshow2026 1
Sw Specseriesvi Shotshow2026 1

SHOT Show 2026: Smith & Wesson Adds To Spec Series Lineup With New Revolver, Compact Pistol

Smith & Wesson adds two firearms to its Spec Series: a performance-tuned revolver and a compact metal-framed 9 mm handgun.

Collegiate Rifle: Akron Tested by No. 3 Mountaineers in Season Restart

Akron Zips rifle opens spring at No. 3 West Virginia as Rachael Paddock posts career highs, leading competitive smallbore and air rifle performances.

New: Benelli 828U SuperSport A.I.

The Benelli 828U SuperSport A.I. combines advanced barrels, recoil management and adjustability to deliver consistency and confidence for demanding clay shooters.

Remington Marks America’s 250th Anniversary With ‘We The People’ Limited-Edition Ammo

Remington unveils a limited-edition ammunition series honoring America’s 250th anniversary, pairing familiar calibers with commemorative packaging.

Beretta’s 500th Anniversary: Five Centuries of Italian Craftsmanship

As Beretta marks 500 years, the Italian gunmaker looks back to its origins while revealing how centuries of craft inform what comes next.

How to Duplicate .357 Magnum Factory Ballistics with Handloads

Extensive testing shows which powders and charge weights allow .357 Mag. handloads to reach factory velocities without exceeding published pressure limits.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.