Anybody else check their first shot POI in preparation for hunting season? I got new P35s in 177 and 22 caliber and have been getting them ready for our October 1 opener for small game season. I adjusted the zero to an estimated 38-40 yards (can't shoot past 33 in my yard) and found the POI was moving a bit day to day. The 177 has been fine for several days now so I am confident in it. The Athlon 6-24 on my 22 was scaring me but yesterday it was the same in the afternoon as the morning and this morning it was still the same. All were slightly low for 25 where I check when it's windy as it is today. So I turned it up a few clicks and seem to have it dialed in. Now if it holds that when I check after lunch I think I may use it first. Saturday is looking bad here due to Ira but I should have a chance to get out early next week.
My scopes all cost about $200 so they are definitely not high end. They work fine. But sometimes it seems to take them awhile to settle after adjustment. So I like to take them out and shoot a few shots once or twice a day to make sure they are staying sighted in. If it's windy like it is today I don't worry if the impact is a little in the direction the wind is blowing but if it moves opposite to the wind or moves much in elevation I start to worry a bit about the scope. The POI on the P35-22 initially moved due to the shroud moving forward allowing the shorter hair curler to tilt and get in the way of pellets causing clipping (I had an issue in the shroud). I turned the Athlon all the way to the limit down before I figured out it was clipping. But after I fixed the shroud and resighted the first few checks had the POI moving an inch or so at 25 yards - a lot. But after that it has been at most a few clicks off.
I enjoy finding an accurate pellet for new rifles and on the P35s changing the shrouds to make them quiet and checking penetration in wet paper of the pellets they like. All part of my process for "getting ready". Verifying first shot POI is about the last step for me.
My scopes all cost about $200 so they are definitely not high end. They work fine. But sometimes it seems to take them awhile to settle after adjustment. So I like to take them out and shoot a few shots once or twice a day to make sure they are staying sighted in. If it's windy like it is today I don't worry if the impact is a little in the direction the wind is blowing but if it moves opposite to the wind or moves much in elevation I start to worry a bit about the scope. The POI on the P35-22 initially moved due to the shroud moving forward allowing the shorter hair curler to tilt and get in the way of pellets causing clipping (I had an issue in the shroud). I turned the Athlon all the way to the limit down before I figured out it was clipping. But after I fixed the shroud and resighted the first few checks had the POI moving an inch or so at 25 yards - a lot. But after that it has been at most a few clicks off.
I enjoy finding an accurate pellet for new rifles and on the P35s changing the shrouds to make them quiet and checking penetration in wet paper of the pellets they like. All part of my process for "getting ready". Verifying first shot POI is about the last step for me.
