The Ultimate Rifle Tip: Real Time Zeroing with Ryan Cleckner | Long-Range Rifle Shooting

Former Army Ranger sniper team leader Ryan Cleckner walks us through his process for sighting in a new rifle in real-time and delivers several other shooting tips in the process.
Check out Ryan's book Long Range Shooting Handbook: A Beginners Guide to Precision Rifle Shooting at nssf.it/cleckne...
Ryan Cleckner is a best-selling author of the Long Range Shooting Handbook and is currently a practicing firearms attorney [rocketffl.com/]. Filmed at Texas Triggers [www.texastrigg...] courtesy of Colby Donaldson.
Subscribe to Ryan's channel: nssf.it/cleckne...
Rifle - Tikka T3x TAC A: www.tikka.fi/en...
Optic - Vortex Razor HD: www.vortexoptic...
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[@j.n.8745]

Finally, I have found someone I'm able to learn distance shooting. He is an excellent teacher. And I have watched hundreds of videos

[@meundju1]

I am a huge Cleckner fan becuase he is real! I love that he didn't reshoot this video to make it "perfect" in one take and just took it in stride and made adjustments like us all. Great video!!!

[@russmiller4801]

AWESOME! The newcomers witnessed the legendary Ryan Cleckner as a person with the capacity to err and benefit from the data in the same way.

[@nellanddudley]

Best instructor yet! Great videos...and no huge ego. I'm hooked.

[@geoblueGR]

He is the Buddha of sniping... He makes things simple so the common people be able to understand it... No hard terms,no scientific language... Just simple words carrying tons of knowledge...and always with a big smile in his face...

[@SillyLilleh]

Why this not the best video!??? No bullshit! Just pure knowledge

[@TheMotorcycleBoss]

I LOVE the fact this is a live video. No outtakes. The thing is, everyone will have questions and there is always videos on KZbin showing perfection. The good thing about live videos like this shows all of the ups and downs. Please make more videos like this. Great stuff.

[@danielesteves3435]

As a beginner, I’m really fortunate to have such great information. Thank you and You’re awesome at what you do. Don’t ever stop!!!

[@domesticatedwolverine4152]

Very few people are good in explaining something so technical but you pull it off smooth every time.

[@dpip4]

Please have him make more long range videos.

[@RyanCleckner]

Please help share this video and encourage comments/likes. The better this video does, the more likely we are to be able to do some more. :)

[@dpip4]

Ryan Cleckner will do. Do you do training anywhere?

[@mitcho53]

Still working as an attorney at FFLGuard?

[@RyanCleckner]

Mitch, nope, I run RocketFFL and have time to do videos like this. :)

[@bradslone8511]

@@RyanCleckner I always watch your videos because I like the way you teach. You explain things in a way for people to understand.

[@djm299]

An excellent instructor and even better man. Admits his human frailty.

[@kren1101]

I've had good luck with bore sighting at 25 yards, then shooting one round. Keeping the rifle steady I put the reticle where my point of aim was, and adjust the reticle to the center of the bullet hole. Then move to 100 yards, shoot a group, and adjust the reticle to the center of the group. Shooting another group to confirm. Also it has been suggested to keep your zoom out far enough that you can't really see where the bullets are impacting to keep you from wanting to adjust prematurely.

[@johnpikar4823]

No joke, everything I’ve learned about Mil’s, MOA and scope adjustments in general I’ve learned from these videos! Thanks for being so informative for a new shooter like myself.

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

Old school bore sighting. Love it. I typically make adjustments until the target is in the bottom 1/3 of the bore. Works like a charm.

[@parapearce3129]

You my friend explain things better than most. Keep it simple and fun to learn.

[@brucemulvey9948]

Thanks for allowing me to accept my imperfections when shooting. I did those same things and thought I was a “rank amateur”. It’s refreshing to see someone”wrestle” with minutes and mils and adjustments, and over correct (like I do sometimes). The end result was pretty impressive. Good information on not ruining a group by “compensating” on subsequent shots. Let the group be where it is, so you can make the most accurate adjustment. I feel better about my sessions, and hold this video in high regard.

[@travisnorton9097]

I really believe this guy is the best instructor for LRS on youtube

[@hadrienlart]

The camera work and the one shot sequence makes it almost cinematic!

[@DonziGT230]

Alternate method, and the one I use: bore sight at 100 then fire one round. With the reticle on the bullseye and the rifle steady, move the adjustments so that the reticle moves onto the hole made with the one round. Especially helpful with scopes that don't have accurate turrets/adjusters. From there you can fine tune if needed.

[@OutdoorLifeKR]

You are my best instructor on KZbin. Thanks!! Especially for that selfie tip!!

[@dens8681]

Problem is .... MY Thumb's not BIG enough ! ! !

[@maxwellbarnhart1375]

Man this guy is such a good teacher.

[@pw3543]

That was the best example of technical skill and teaching technique. Thank you

[@thormusique]

Yours are the best videos on the topic of LR shooting! Between your videos and your excellent book, I've had great some great success myself. I love your no-nonsense, keep-things-simple approach to all the technical details. Each time after I learn something from you, then apply it, I can see the common sense of it. Doing things this way also alleviates a lot of the stress of dwelling on a million different details that one could potentially obsess on in the process. So when I'm out shooting with friends, I found I've shot several fine groups while they're still struggling to make their first shot, accompanied by lots of grunts and groans. In short, thank you so much! And please keep these videos coming!

[@RyanCleckner]

Thank you!

[@snlconner]

I have the same testimony to shooting after the book and videos. I know how much I personally love helping new shooters get started and the satisfaction it brings me. I have to assume that it's the same for you Ryan. Your help in taking the stress out of shooting rifles has been the best experience shooting since my first few times handling firearms.

[@willb8684]

i love the simplicity so easy to over think things....got to get out and shoot...back in the day i figured a lot out just from trial and error...we live in great times with all the nice available equipment and knowledge at our fingertips.

[@loukennedy9058]

Excellent explanation of how to sight a rifle

[@jedimann7468]

Agreed, good stuff. Ryan was in the military and our favorite motto is KISS. Keep it simple stupid! It may have been made more PC since I've been in but you get the picture. The best way to train hundreds of people with different levels of learning is to keep everything to the simplest factors.

[@willo7734]

Ryan is really great at explaining things. The tip about treating the barrel like two circles while bore sighting makes total sense.

[@paulhomsy2751]

I've been shooting in different disciplines for several decades. Your explanations and information are clear, concise and very easily understandable. You do a first rate job. This is what gets new people involved in shooting sports. Keep it up please.

[@tyrisvn]

Your channel offer a lot information but don't get the exposure you deserve. Thank you for making these video.

[@toddb930]

You're a great teacher Ryan! Thanks for bringing us along on this zeroing outing.

[@lancemilsted8909]

Ryan...thanks for taking the time to do this. Really helped - Trying to get my hunting rifled dial in. I originally zeroed at 330 yards but I'm rethinking to do the 100 yard zero like you were suggesting.

[@fontking1a]

At 73 years old, it's been a few years since I could shoot prone so I use the bench. You younger guys have no friggin' idea what's in store as your get older. It's not fun! When you think about all the variables, a .5" group is fantastic. Even if you load your own ammo, think about wind alone and that's enough sometimes to really affect your groups. Factor in temperature of the barrel, harmonic distortion and the fact that we're only human and I would never complain about a group this size. Well done. Great video.

[@ckrebbs3888]

"I can already tell I messed something up" Shows sub minute zeroing group on target at 100yds lol

[@RyanCleckner]

That's the trick. Ignore a past mistake and focus on making the next shots count.

[@Dmmartin141]

For real!!! How is a sub MOA group at 100 yards “messed up?” LMAO. It also speaks a lot for the glass quality of that Vortex Razor.

[@zhukie]

@@Dmmartin141 All Tikkas are also guaranteed MOA or sub at 100m

[@markbritton844]

Right! One hell of a group, lol

[@redblue40rc33]

For a former sniper and trainer, it's not acceptable...atleast for somebody's head at 1000 yrd shot 😂

[@stevepotter658]

Wow.I love the way you talk to the camera like we are there with you and are your mates.. thanks you .

[@johnsanders7337]

Best dude on you tube... because he s honest. Honest w himself FIRST and when he s NOT... he s honest about not being honest..

[@Oopsie223]

I liked that it was a single take. Good explanation of the relative movements to adjust impact.

[@patrickkrebs]

Ryan - Your videos are the best! You've helped me get up the curve so fast. Thanks for keeping it real and working through this stuff with us! Your book is a great resources too.

[@JimmyHondaRacing12]

Thumbs up on the Tikka! Very nice.

[@TheDeadeye83]

Dude you where at 25yds and made a vertical correction for 100yrds. .2 mills was your first move at 25. You even said I need to be 3/4” low at 25 to be on st 100. Your shot was maybe 1.25” low. Dang how sweet it would have been to have nailed the bull second shot from 100. I think you did it on purpose. 🧐cause you where live. I have watched all you vids and I believe there to be no one person that could ever be as thorough but simple in explaining what many try to make as hard as possible to make them selves look good. Thanks you sir for your vids and your time serving our great nation. Thank you.

[@rickwhiterock2681]

Thank you, Ryan, for a professional presentation, you made it easy to understand. Excellent explanation on zeroing. I looked at a number of videos, yours was to the point. Just received my new rifle and red dot sight, will be heading to the range this week. As a former U S Army draftee, thank you for your service.

[@Stealth170rl]

Great video ryan! You should do a, "What is in my pack?" Video.

[@bjornegan6421]

probably a pillow or two or maybe a blanket or a sleep system. maybe rain gear..

[@Sharberboy]

He covers it in his book 😉

[@BigMikeyTheGreek]

Great to see you back making videos with NSSF. I learned a lot form your first series and I bought your book which has been very helpful in my learning the sport of precision shooting. Thanks Ryan!

[@jo-elcody3245]

I am kind of newer to LR shooting (and not looking to be that guy either) and this was the most easy to follow yet intuitive vid. No boasting, just thorough instructing. Thank you sir!

[@advancednutritioninc908]

Very Well Done! Understandable and kept simple! Humble from a guy who has probably a lot more training and experience than most people that will every watch this video. Thank You!

[@randytrent6424]

Ryan just watched you scope in. Actually watched it twice. Ended up 5 perfect in 1/2 inche at 500 yards I believe. You truly are one of the best easiest to understand long shooter I've found so far. I added your subscription as your info is priceless. A shooter willing to show is errors while scoping is worth weight in gold. Thank you sir for your info and honestly. Awesome Sauce

[@deltazulu2848]

I'm reading your book now, Ryan. Your techniques have made me a much better shooter and now a competent hunter. Thank you very much.

[@rainohhell7365]

Best explanation I’ve ever heard.

[@splatterhousethorn]

Absolutely the best how to zero video I've ever seen. I love the one shot take. Other guntubers should take note of this style of how to videos if they want to be taken more seriously.

[@cennedym]

Really like this. One thing.i do is after the first shot as long as it felt good I recenter the cross hair where I discharged it ,bag it solid so it doesn't move then using the turrets move the crosshair to the bullet hole then raise the elevation from there. That actually works at 100 but you have to be super aware of where it goes off . Just seems to save me a little time. Great job am super excited to see the rest of your vids.

[@grendelgrendelsson5493]

What a great bloke! He reminds me of a Sgt I once knew who guided me when I was but a young lad!

[@luvtahandload7948]

Nice video, Ryan. Concerning boresighting, on my range I have an old car tire hanging from a post right beside the 100 yard target butt that I use for boresighting. That gives me three circles to line up; two steel and one rubber.The tire fits very precisely in the borehole. If I do a good job lining up all three, I skip the shot at 25 yards and my first shot at 100 yards typically hits as close as 2 inches away from the bull. After my initial click adjustments, I can be pretty much where I want to be in two shots, total. But at least one group is necessary to confirm. I'm going to look for some more of your vids. This was the first one I've seen. Thanks!

[@rudyparnell8246]

Best advice ever and great demo. Shoot off the reticle and shoot at speed.

[@stephenbrunner482]

Fantastic! I really enjoyed your honesty and practical approach. Thx

[@ConcealedSteel]

I love the bore sight technique here. I don't remember where I learned it but it really really saves ammo and time. I do this with every rifle that gets an optic whether it's a red dot or a magnified optic, AR...it works with everything. I did it the other day with a Grendel and I had very little adjusting to do once I got to the range.

[@jedimann7468]

Outstanding series Ryan. Plan on zeroing an AR I recently built and this will help immensely. I went thru a good amount of weapons training but not to a snipers level as you did and even I still learn tips and tricks on shooting. Thanks brother, and thanks for your service. Semper Fi!

[@jedicazador]

I was DM for 7 years, suffered from some serious medical issues and forgot many aspects of shooting.....some things I just knew and couldn't articulate what I was doing just training imbedded in ya, thank you for this video sir, it bring back many ah ha moments for me. Appreciate your time and knowledge.

[@rsquared9703]

These tips are great not only for sighting in a scope but for finding good hand loads when trying to get the most accurate round, I refer to these videos quite often to hone my shooting skills.

[@shoualor6391]

R Squared ((

[@samsam-mf5um]

start hunting 3 years ago and i learn lot from you i have better skill than some of friend's been hunt more than 12 year's thank you so much man

[@cllistings5914]

I purchased his book and I have to admit, there’s a lot of technical information in it. It’s mind numbing and you think you’re never going to get it. And then, as I was reading page 251 and he was using an example a 100 yards zero, my subconscious spoke to me and said “90 meters”. For many of you that’s an inconsequential conclusion. But for me, it was a eureka moment. All attributable to Ryan’s simple tips, tricks and pnuemonics. Thank You, Ryan.

[@RyanCleckner]

This just made my day!

[@chrisinidaho4569]

You're doing it the hard way. A ballistic calculator can tell you the distance from the bore a given load's bullet crosses the line of sight for a given sighted-in distance. Instead of shooting from 25 yards, shoot from the calculated distance. After the first shot, put the reticle on the bullseye/point-of-aim and hold the rifle steady while a buddy turns the scope turrets until the reticle is over the bullet hole. You can do it by yourself if you have a gun rest/vice that will hold it steady while you make the scope adjustments. Now the gun is basically sighted in for the sighted-in distance (200 yds?). Check your work from the sighted-in distance (200 yds?) by shooting a few rounds and make any final scope adjustments. It's really that simple.

[@Goalie001122]

Total gentleman & professional

[@mercyrules1617]

FOUR YEARS AND IT NEVER GETS OLD! GREAT VIDEO! GOD BLESS!

[@bcoutdoor]

Excellent! You are by far the most active/informed person in the shooting world! Great stuff !!

[@Zuhalter87]

I honestly liked how yhe video wasn't spliced. And the teaching during the walk. Only man on KZbin making things make sense for me.

[@Gunner-73]

The reason your rounds went high is... when you shot your first round, it hit just about right, the only adjustment should have been to the left. Depending on the height of your scope. Looking at the center line of the scope and the center line of the bore, about 2 inches. at 25 yards, the rounds should be hitting to 2 inches low. I shoot a 6.5 x 20 x 50mm Leupold on my rifle and have to use extra high bases, so I'm right at 2 inches low at 25 yards.

[@artsmith103]

You are correct. There's a nice diagram of what you are explaining here: www.optico.us/ballistics/zeroing/

[@lukepace8546]

Ryan Cleckner gives some of the best information for long range shooting, keep it coming!

[@eb_z0694]

Just bought my first bolt gun and scope with no idea how to get going. Found these videos with Ryan explaining everything!! So awesome what a cool dude and clearly a great instructor

[@Dmmartin141]

What a GREAT teacher/coach. Anyone can see exactly why he was picked to be a sniper instructor! I’m about 4 or 5 videos into the channel, anybody interested in this subject needs to subscribe!!! 10/10

[@johnbowman1052]

Thanks Ryan for screwing up and showing how to proceed with the mission. I have been shooting for 30 years in and out of the military and I wish I had been taught this method from the beginning. It is simple and doesn't require a bunch of expensive equipment that you have to tote out to the range. I am now going to train some relatively new shooters and we are going to watch your video first before attempting to sight in new rifles. Thank You for your service past and present and thank you for being a humble instructor that encourages anyone to learn to do it right regardless of your God given talents. Even the best screw up that's how they became the best.

[@ppalla]

Thanks for producing these videos. Really appreciate your effort. Keep up the great work

[@18whlsrolin]

Thank you, definitely a video that should be seen by all rifle hunters/shooters.

[@MattStormsSEO]

Ryan Cleckner your videos have really helped me out a ton over the last year.

[@TheBanjoFlyBoy]

Great video! Lots of good technical information. However as a wingshooter and knowing nothing about MOA here's what I came up with to sight in my new Ruger American .243 with a crossfire II scope. This was so easy that I'm sure it's not an original idea! I hung an 8 inch AR500 steel target on a shepards hook. From 25yds away I set the rifle in a table vice and did a bore sighting just as you did. Then with the crosshairs on the bullseye I took two shots that landed on top of each other. About one inch left and an inch and a half high. I then put the scope back on the bullseye and without moving the rifle I moved the crosshairs up and over to where the first two bullets hit. Then I aimed back on the bullseye and took a shot. I'm not that great a shot, but with the rifle held securely in the vice scored a perfect bullseye. I plan on using the same method next at 100yds. Oh and BTW from now on I'll be using paper targets cause the .243 with 70gr hollow points put some pretty good craters in that hardened steel!

[@wrightearl34]

Great video on zeroing realistic and real-time pitfalls of zeroing your gun. Oorah Marine Corps

[@tonchecker]

Good explanation on MOA and bullet drop at 100 yards. Cheers!

[@valdo345jr]

Thank you for leaving all the warts on. Helps me figure out what I did wrong. When I see a pro screw up then see what he does to straighten things, I can then see how to straighten out my own, all too frequent, foul ups...

[@stevenfuller1697]

Love this video. Took my brand new RPR out with my new nightforce scope and boresight it at 100 yards. Got it close on paper. Took about five shots to track onto hitting bullseye. Saved so much time and ammo doing this. Was keyholing my shots. Even my shooting buddy was impressed.

[@mikeb.1674]

Man you definitely have gain another subscriber. You teaching methods are easy to soak in. Great video, and keep up the amazing work.

[@lukeheffo4575]

Nice to see you back doing a video Ryan Cleckner.

[@thomasdestry5188]

Mr. Ryan thank you for that incredible journey of learning, shooting can be fun. But we still need more love, especially now.

[@ExpeditionaryRanger]

This is one of the best shooting vids I've ever seen on youtube. I've been a university competitive shooter (smallbore) and now a rec shooter and avid hunter. This confirms a lot of my own thoughts/approaches, but also a few things I've missed. Thanks for the work!

[@RyanCleckner]

Thanks!

[@johnfrederikson2002]

You do a very nice job of explaining things. Thanks. J.

[@mopar21]

This sniper's got talent.

[@KarmaFlight]

Where have you been? You are an awesome instructor!

[@ejr2627]

Awesome video and Great work Ryan. You communicate your teaching in the easiest manner. Your delivery and presentation are spot on.

[@michaelmonteith4957]

Great Video. I pick up things I didn't think about, and it also showed me things that I "hoped" I had the right idea on. Thanks for showing it!

[@franciscoponce9461]

SUBSCRIBED this is just informative and I like that absolutely no obvious advertisements. Just great!

[@jedharris478]

Been watching/listening to this whole playlist for several days while at work. Going to be applying these to high power pcp airgun shooting.

[@CoyoteCanyon72]

This guy is a great presenter. Nice attitude, likeable and great teacher. Thanks a lot.

[@josephkuhlman654]

Great video and your book was a great help for us beginners. Thanks.

[@waltmorris9328]

i can save you a lot of time and ammo . if you have a bullet on the paper put the cross hairs on the point of aim and being careful to maintain that hold and turn the turrets until the cross hairs are covering the bullet hole. then test fire that setting and fine tune from there! you are sighted in.

[@Thor2233]

Sorry bud I'm new to rifles, what do you mean by putting the cross hairs on the point of aim?

[@theactualtrokz]

Good to see Ryan back in the lens. 👍

[@trwagner1]

Breath control is amazing, you went from multiple breaths to none and a hold and then a trigger pull.

[@MatteoPezzoni]

Really nice video, lots of information and tricks thanks!

[@toddb930]

I just noticed Colby Donaldson filmed this. Thanks Colby!

[@intheshapeofhuman]

Awesome video. I shoot off my bag as well to avoid bipod bounce. Waiting on my signed copy of your new book!!

[@vic721]

Thanks for the video I did this at the range and was hard finding paper. Then I finally got one on the top of the board and I was good lol

[@bill65761]

Did you start with the bore sighting at 25 yards? That puts your barrel and your scope on at least "speaking terms".

[@FL1911]

He is back!!!

[@billbee235]

That’s my exact setup right for precision shooting! My TAC A1 has been shooting groups that are sub 1/2 MOA consistently with my hand loads. 42.5gr H4350, CCI BR2 primer, with a 143gr ELD-X

[@nowherespecial6780]

That tika rifle looks exactly like my ruger precision 338. folding stock and all . Your teachings are awesome

[@Neur0bit]

Great tips as usual Thanks Ryan!

[@IvanZehirov]

Thanks bro. You rock

[@MrRichinil]

Great vid . Sometimes people dont understand that the eye will follow the hole in the target . While shooting 300 matches with a bow and arrow we will fix the target after a bad shot so as to not start a group outside of the X ring . The holes that hit the center of the X we do not fix . It makes a big difference at the end of the match , believe me . By fixing the bad holes I mean that we close the paper up from the back so we only see the X from the shooting line .