Zeroing An Elk Rifle The Day Before A Hunt?

Welcome to Ron Spomer Outdoors! In this episode, I work on zeroing my elk rifle the day before the hunt? Did this pay off for me? Watch this episode to find out.
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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
Produced by: Red 11 Media - www.red11media.com/
Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[@CanadaGunTube]

Nice Elk Ron! This is an excellent real-world example of why we get as close as possible and practice as much as we can afford!

[@mqeqeshe1]

This is why everyone loves Ron. He has an enormous wealth of knowledge but can’t count to 3. He’s sub-MOA at 300 yards but can’t hit a 4 MOA target at 400 😂. The second part reminds me so much of myself it’s scary. Nice rifle and a very nice bull!

[@austinadams4703]

​@RonSpomer0utdoors how long do you let your barrel sit and cool when zeroing a rifle?

[@easttexan2933]

Ron, I think the biggest problem you have with sighting in, is reading your target. On your first shot you wanted 3" high and you got 3.25" but yet called 4.5". If you would have just moved your POI to the left and no elevation, you would have been dead on with what you wanted.

[@charlesmullins3238]

I thought that too…bout half off which I’m 3/4 to full send myself..

[@packerjh2]

He did have a little error reading target(they r even numbered, lol) but every1 does it....I hate when u change windage opposite direction u want!

[@easttexan2933]

@@packerjh2 I use to do that until I finally memorized the direction the turrents turn. They all turn the same direction.....Counterclockwise for Right and Counterclockwise for Up. Once a grown man can master that two step process sighting in becomes so much easier. Stops all that standing up and looking for directions unless of course you have the old school turrents where you need a penny, or a dime to turn them, then you have to stand up but not for directions lol.

[@charlesmullins3238]

@@packerjh2 that’s mandatory for me…cost me 1 extra shot every damn time

[@lancewenmohs3081]

🤣Admitting, I have done the same thing Ron did on various occasions-misread the # of lines up/down or left to right....make the adjustment on the scope and Holy Cow, I'm still off my an inch all because I can't properly read the target lines in relation to my bullet hole. (guilty as charged..)

[@redteam9881]

3” high at 100 yards has always been the standard especially with Western hunting. With a 300 WM that will give you a PBR just over 410 yards on Elk and 440 yards on Moose. 180gr Nosler Part @ 3156 fps Judging yardage is the hardest part that why I always carrying my trusty Leica Rangefinder and rifle ballistic dope if needed.

[@joeinmi8671]

Wow great elk! It's refreshing to see someone talk the talk then back it up. Hunting elk here in MI is literally like hitting the lottery!

[@markkosa1]

Model 700 in 30-06, Federal Premium 180 grain 3 inches high at 100 yards, Leupold 3x9 has never been adjusted since sight in over 20 years ago and has taken 17 elk for me. I fire a couple shots before the season open and always good to go...

[@edwardabrams4972]

I know the feeling! I had to dial in 4 rifles the day before with new scopes for my sons and me!

[@interrestrial9815]

I really appreciate your demonstration of the effects of wind and the difficulty of reading wind between you and the target. It is quite the excitement to believe you can consistently hit well at 300, 400 yards while hunting. If that cool breeze would just cooperate and die, you can.

[@KeystoneTexan]

That’s an awesome bull Mr. Spomer! Congratulations

[@justice1327]

I don’t think you are counting the squares correctly. If you were aiming at the center of the small diamond.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

There's no visual marks at the square centers. You hold reticle on hash lines. At 100yd each square represents about 1 minute of angle from the shooter's pivot point. To move the reticle from one side of the square to the other, you need 4 clicks on the turret.

[@ringo666]

Hi, Ron! Enjoyed this video, took me back a bit. I was reminded of qualifying with the M-16A1 in the Army. Man-sized knockdown targets at 100, 150, 200, 250, 400 meters. The "16 back then used a 55gr bullet. While it would have been nice to have a scope, using iron sights at 300m is something of an accomplishment! I was right along with you on each shot, and while I felt you were misreading a couple hits, it worked out well I'd be happy with that 400yd performance, too! Nice elk! Heckuva rack!

[@loganmorton9304]

Was doing my head in lol

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

You kids, I had to do it in freezing rain with an M14 January 1966, still made company high man, grin................... @@ringo666

[@joemisak7925]

Exactly.. he missed about an inch a couple times lol

[@johnnash5118]

Heading out this weekend, start of Blacktail buck season, 10/7-11/4. Ron I challenge you to a NW Oregon Blacktail episode, the trophy on your wall was taken in SW Oregon, which is much wider open with clear long ranges compared to say, the Trask unit. Come on over and show everyone how tough it is over here on BLM or USFS lands in Oregon rain. Get a guide, but the Willamette unit on a farm won't count, it's gotta be in the Coast Range on public land like the rest of us have to do. I have a 4x5 scouted out from last year's elk hunt; the devil knew buck season was over and boy did he taunt me. Gonna get my sweet revenge with my inherited Savage Mod. 1899 from my G-Grandfather, given to my grandfather in 1935, then to my mother. They all hunted Blacktails with it since it was bought new in 1912. I love you my friend!

[@JoeAroner-SIWAYTV]

That is definitely hard hunting up in the Trask. Way way harder than plucking them off my deck on Chehalem Mt. Have you tried to get permission to hunt logging property?

[@whiteyfisk9769]

Nobody in their right mind would set foot in Oregon at this point, especially in the NW part. Burn in hell

[@JoeAroner-SIWAYTV]

@@whiteyfisk9769 there is a reason we are trying to become part of Idaho. Basically as long as you stay out of Portland, Eugene, and Ashland you will be fine. Besides, I like to think of it as we have them surrounded.

[@whoshotashleybabbitt4924]

Ron’s backyard is HUGE! Mist take forever to mow lawn out to 300 yards! Surprised the HOA lets you zero rifles. 😂

[@anthonyboatright6960]

He might have let them shoot a bit,so they wouldnt get their panties a bunch.

[@seanhumphreys5498]

Great shot on the elk! I always love watching your videos because I know that I will learn something and will get some great insight on guns or optics. Thank you and keep up the great work!!!

[@Dusdy]

Beautiful Elk Ron, Thanks for the video.

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

Yee haw, food for winter! Great tutorial on zeroing scopes.

[@dennismacwilliams196]

Ron what was the caliber of your rifle ?

[@michaelwilson9986]

Well Done Sir..Congrats on the Elk... Whens Supper😂

[@superseries7007]

4:54... Looks 3.5 high to me. 🤷‍♂️

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

Yep, he's off a inch several times IMO

[@fedup3582]

Watching you shoot at 400 yds just reinforces my thoughts about long range shooting at game animals. I know your are an accomplished marksman and can make long range hits, but you have just demonstrated the riskiness of attempting those shots at long range.

[@redteam9881]

400 yard / 500 yard shooting is a cake walk If your gun is zero 3” high at 100 yards . I don’t even consider that long range ! Especially with 300 WM or 338 WM .

[@mrj10101]

Good job and good luck on your hunt 🦌

[@DSMattitude]

I know a couple people who "know where it hits" and have it "good enough" and they miss their animals completely at modest ranges.

[@efrencarrasquillo1077]

Probably best video Mr. Spomer, keep them coming

[@joelowery6919]

Great video Ron, and a fantastic bull!

[@Bashe1965]

That is the same bullet I hand load in my .270 WSM ! 129 gr LRX

[@Vince-ml9gw]

Excellent work Ron!

[@jk-kr8jt]

Ron, nice bull. Congratulations. Cheers Jeff

[@blaynemacpherson8519]

You are said 3 1/4” high when you were 2 1/4” high I am assuming you were aiming centre? You had a stiff wind as well what did that do to your bullets?

[@aceoswell9849]

He did that twice.

[@blaynemacpherson8519]

@@aceoswell9849 yup

[@Aaron-hr5bb]

Worst I've seen was an out of state hunter opening day of November 1989 elk season at 10,000 feet and 15 inches of snow in Colorado. We met him when we headed back to camp for lunch. He complained that the store had sold him the wrong ammo for his rifle, it wouldn't chamber. I checked his rifle, a Remington 700 in 7 mm Rem Mag. Ammo said the same on the headstamp and it appeared to be the same cartridge I had used in previous years before I sold mine. I tried to chamber a round and indeed, it wouldn't close. I took the bolt out and looked down the bore. It was clean and shiny. I looked at the bolt and the ring extractor was rusted in place. I tried to loosen it with my camp toolkit, but no go. I ask how long ago he had sighted in the rifle. He never had. A store in California had used a collimeter to align the scope and told him he was good to go. I suggested a gunsmith to him a couple hours down the mountain and we left the next day with our elk. I never heard from him again and I have never seen anything like that before or since. If you don't practice, at least sight in your damned rifle! I was a subsistence hunter in those days and I couldn't imagine the thousands of dollars wasted by an out of state hunter on a trip of a lifetime because he didn't at least fire a half dozen rounds.

[@clrd4tkoff]

Awesome Video Ron! Im in the same boat! 👍🏻🤣🤣

[@gunnrwallace6323]

Congratulations!

[@gregtruchot8826]

Beautiful Bull! Great video!

[@sheepdog1102]

Enjoyed your video 😊

[@Getoutside308]

Congrats! Great bull!

[@BuckMasterNorm]

Thanks

[@ThemantleofElijah]

Great content fun to watch

[@ladon.grantiigrantii5701]

Ron I'm going on my first elk hunt in your state in little over a thanks for all your work will let you know how it goes

[@martincorona9825]

Good video thanks

[@hammerheadms]

Awesome bull, Ron!

[@HondoTrailside]

Great to see a shooter verifying all the yardages, and not just going by the "projections". Interesting, also, how accurate the projections turned out to be, even though verifying the effects at range is still the ethical choice. Also interesting how a pro doesn't have a 400 yd range. That is one of the problems for many of us. I can do 250 on my property, but that is also the max yardage at the range.

[@aceoswell9849]

Awesome bull Ron, good shooting.

[@TMFShooting]

Another Great Video Ron 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@greasydot]

Very nice Bull.

[@idahoron]

Great shooting 👌

[@yankeefist9146]

Best closing comment ever!!

[@Sillyworld82]

Nice shot

[@borisbuliak3626]

Nice bull Ron. Much success

[@joemisak7925]

You need to go count your lines again lol

[@markstiefel1953]

Dangit Ron. I was driving through WY today, saw a truck & trailer from Idaho, and thought maybe it might be you there hunting elk!

[@charlesmullins3238]

Just blew primer in my 6.5prc waypoint…130tmk…I got the fn special police .308 Ron and been shootin 20oz bottles at 254yrds so I turned em on end and still nailed 1…110gr nosler varmageddons goin round 3300fps from that monster 24” heavy barrel..they smack bottles and jugs harder than that prc and shot .4” group to confirm my zero…hell ol 147fmj bulk .308 loaded with superformance printed .5”…hellova .308….lobe my 7mm rem 700adl looks just like yours

[@ElijahLarson]

I might be crazy but youre off on that elevation by an inch.

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

Yes he was, twice or more, each line is one inch in my book. But I love Ron, all good eh?

[@Paladin1873]

Nice setup, but that scope probably cost more than most of my rifles.

[@Wheelchair-bear]

Beautiful bull! Nice shooting! I was wondering what are you using for a phone mount on the spotting scope?

[@michaelnelson1911]

Tell us a little more about the gun. What caliber is it? Thanks for sharing.

[@jk-kr8jt]

From the bullet weights and velocity that he states, I'm guess it's a 280 Rem or 280 AI.

[@bhuff4748]

7mm rem mag

[@WayStedYou]

If you read the box on the table its 7mm rem mag

[@atlas4733]

Seeing that Elk shot at the end, I think I'm a target enthusiast, not a hunter. Good shot though!

[@m444ss]

Double check your required elevation adjustment at the 4:56-5:00 mark - what's on paper vs what you thought was on paper.

[@jwoak0913]

Damn Ron your square counting is suspect 😂

[@clintonlayne9253]

Ron how long did it take you to drag it out LOL😊 Great Elk.

[@tttd3e]

MPBR!!

[@keithprinn720]

starts to get expensive with ammo costs sighting rifle plus all the spotting and gear like chronograph and top notch scope, bit different to going out with an 06 using open sights fifty years ago.

[@poorfatman5317]

Nice elk

[@sharrq27]

I’m preparing for my first elk hunt next year with a 7mm rem mag and I have been very interested in using a copper bullet. I wanted to know what you thought of the performance of the Barnes 139 LR compared to any of the 150gr copper options or the old standby 175gr corelokt. Obviously shot placement is first order and you were successful with 2 shots, did you feel like it was lacking in any way? I don’t expect to even try anything beyond 300yds.

[@aronbrooks3008]

Wow! Very nice bull Ron!! Congratulations. Curious to know if you have ever reviewed the Marlin model XL7 and if so what did you think of it? I have one in 30-06 and it's done well for me. Really need to shoot it more though. Thnx for the great video!👍

[@cliffhunter1061]

He reviews whichever manufacturer pays him or gives him free hunts, I owned a high end outfitting retail store for 30 years; these writers are all the same. Set your rifle up early, quit overthinking and giving in to marketing. Or go ahead and burn your barrel up playing. I’ve been on many elk hunts on public land Wyoming. I checked my rifle with only 2-3 shots every year after the first 8 shots when I sighted in when it was new.

[@rexlee3710]

I must have missed it. What cartridge does the rifle shoot?

[@jcjustice3786]

Go knock one down. 👍👍👍👌

[@Weatherby406]

This is gonna be me waiting on ammo for my new rifle

[@mikerobinson6606]

My dude needs a better spotter...lol

[@Russ1tonram]

Don't do as I do, do as I say. You are quoting my cousin who preached some really fine sermons. Unfortunately, they were from a bar stool. Accurately but no one till years later ever put it together he was quoting real scripture and correctly calling them. Lol.

[@jcows12]

Well hopefully, since he knows scripture he has come to live by it too. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

[@SpartanONegative]

I put a red dot on my ar 10. . Yeah im going to take it off and just use iron sites until I can afford a scope. Dont get me wrong my Sig red dot wasn't cheap. . But its nothing compared to the scope i want

[@themooreclan1220]

have you tried painting camo on your guns, what's your thoughts on painting

[@FranciscoRomero-nr3li]

Hey Ron what rifle brand are you shooting

[@01kxrider]

How can I get a hold of this chart from elevation and windege?

[@blightedblue2762]

My hunt is next week ..... new rifle , new scope , new caliber. 0 range time 😅 might have to use ol bessie this year instead

[@ddselvig]

Do you clean the fouling out of your bore after sighting in and then fire a fouling shot before you go hunting?

[@jakecrane3690]

Is that a borden timberline ???

[@mikewest712]

Those Talley scope bases?

[@davidtennyson4908]

Those guys (Best of the W) that shoot game at looong range have a two to three man team walking them through the shot. Keep it to 350-400 and aim and shoot. The modern scoops that want wou to dial crap is, well, crap. If you need three inches high, aim high. If you need six inches into the wind, pull into the wind. What the hell happened to "nimrods"? If you're so dang far you need a slide rule to calculate trajectory, you're target practicing on live game. Love you Ron, followed you for decades. But range it, aim it, adjust with the Xhairs and squeeze. Quite clicking. Just my $0.02 worth.

[@davidtennyson4908]

And great bull!

[@charlessmith4242]

@@davidtennyson4908 * Oh, I thought you were describing your first comment.😂

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

I concur; I'm old too I'm not gonna start twisting things the day of.

[@ICU2B4UDO]

Ron, what caliber rifle?? You never mentioned it...

[@bryanradik7404]

The box say 7mm Rem Mag

[@ICU2B4UDO]

@@bryanradik7404 ...Thanks, I couldn't see it...

[@tbnrfan6965]

What’s the best scope for 3006 salvage

[@robertdewalt8711]

One of reason I got wind meter to know how much wind.

[@42N8_1]

No offense Ron, but I recommend you take a distance shooting course.

[@jimyeats]

I’m sure Ron would love that. I also bet he would surprise you with what he is capable of in real world hunting and longer range shooting.

[@charlessmith4242]

* Might want to take a course in how to count those squares.

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

LOL, indeed............. @@charlessmith4242

[@jimyeats]

@@charlessmith4242 Yeah, cause while you’re trying to film, talk, manage camera’s, and look through a scope you can’t slip up with your counting.

[@arthurdirindinjr1792]

Was at my favorite public range back in 2003 with my life long friend and hunting partner double checking our fully rifled slug guns zeros about 10 days before opening of shotgun deer season Both our guns were shooting great. I had sent mine a Marlin 512 Slugmaster to a smith long ago for a trigger job crown the muzzle and glass bed the action so it was a honest tac driver A guy was there trying to sight in a Ruger M77 in 30/06 and going about it in an utterly disastrous manner with zero hope of getting his scope zeroed before he ran out of ammo He asked our help and I said OK but let me do it 100% because I would like to get back to shooting ASAP because I still had to check the zero and do more practice shooting with two more inline ML's and my 12ga Browning A--Bolt This guy was shooting seated on the ground NOT off one of the benches off three stacked milk creates and a section of carpet trying to zero his scope at 100 yards. I bore sighted the scope at 25 shot a group at 50 then 100 then at 200 took total of seven rounds Asked the guy was he planning on doing any hunting with this rifle? He said rather sheepishly he was leaving on a guided elk hunt in two weeks. I was utterly shocked as was my friend My friend and I had already been on two rifle and on one ML elk hunts all DIY killed nice bulls every trip two were over 330" and we literally shot hundreds of rounds in preparation for those hunts. He was very thankful and even offered to pay me $50 I declined and said best way to thank me is take that $50 buy more ammo and shoot as much as you can before you leave for your hunt as all hunters owe it to the animal and our sport to be as good of a shot as we can be and never shoot beyond our capabilities

[@carlwilliams6300]

What caliber was that sir?

[@lyellclare9365]

That scope is available in a 4W cross hair ( each mark is 2 MOA for windage ) Problem solved.

[@WayStedYou]

7:25 isnt that 2 and a half high?

[@chadwallace3598]

What caliber was that?

[@TheAlbertaChannel]

I’m trying to find a new elk rifle. I do have a .303 Lee Enfield and was curious if loading a 130grain ‘Cutting edge ESP Raptor’ brass bullet would be a sufficient choice if I can get that bullet moving fast enough. But as well I have my eyes on either a 7 rem mag or a .257 weatherby. I know the 7 mag is popular and bigger but I like my quarterbores and already have a .25-06 at home so it would be better for logistics to have two .257 caliber rifles. Plus I think I would like the lower recoil of the .257 weatherby over the 7 rem mag. Thoughts?

[@damondiehl5637]

If you have the muzzle ported or add a muzzle brake, you won't have any issue with recoil. I have a Savage 116 in .338 Win Mag with a ported barrel. It's loud, but it doesn't kick any harder than a .30-06.

[@raleighthomas3079]

The .257 Wby. will work within about 300 yds., but use a tough bullet like the Barnes TTSX or TSX to avoid blowup is you get a close shot.

[@THERESISTANCE762]

Is it hard to get an elk tag in Idaho? For an out of stater that is?

[@mqeqeshe1]

It really depends on which area and weapon you choose. There are good archery hunts with over-the-counter tags. The better units for rifle hunting are handled through a drawing and odds are not that great. Idaho doesn’t have a bonus point system so you have the same chance as any other non-resident.

[@mrV69]

What’s the barrel length?

[@getoffmylawn8986]

Did I miss you saying the caliber?

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

On the end it doesn't seem like he understands the markings on the scope clearly at all; also shooting down that angle how low did he have to hold off to achieve maximum accuracy? JMO

[@jesseperezz]

What is the caliber?

[@vincethewoodlander]

For shame...lol. work gets in the way for everybody I guess.

[@michaelmeyers1827]

What caliber are you using

[@exothermal.sprocket]

7mm Remington Magnum

[@texpatriot8462]

Knowing the drop is 3.5" at 350yds, do you shade high when you actually aim at an animal at that range?

[@sethboyce9832]

Yes

[@sethboyce9832]

MPBR used to be a safer alternative before laser rangefinders were so easy to aquire. Nowadays you can pick up a decent laser rangefinder that will get you pretty close at that range. Way better than guesstimating back in the day

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

I concur, at that range hold on the hair, can't go wrong with a spine shot.@@sethboyce9832

[@jjgriffin3275]

If you have your own Land you can shoot on, Thats the BEST way is to do it day before hunt. as long as your not shooting where your hunting and spook deer.

[@davidcantwell2489]

I've known guys who wait till they got to camp to .. kind of .. zero their rifles.

[@JoeAroner-SIWAYTV]

Never know what can happen during transport to your rifle on the way to camp. It’s always a good idea to take a couple shots in camp before going out. But not shooting before leaving? That’s just bold to say the least.

[@davidcantwell2489]

@@JoeAroner-SIWAYTV Very true. But some hunters, and I use the term loosely, are like nascar fans, they don't really go for the race ,they go for the party.

[@WolfzVideo]

I got a secret for ya too Ron.. but I can't tell you.. it's a secret

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I'm rather forgetful too, but I remember that I remembered what I was keeping a secret, but I forget what I remembered.

[@WolfzVideo]

@@exothermal.sprocket you're right.. i cant remember it now lol

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@WolfzVideo 😆

[@curtbetzler3526]

I'm just wondering why such a light bullet for elk I would think I would use nothing lighter then a 180 grain bullet?

[@lancekrystoff9619]

If I’m not mistaken that’s a box of Barnes Vort-tx monolithic bullets. The best way to use them is to drop your grain weight and push them very fast. They perform very well when that is done, and in my opinion hit harder than your run of the mill 180 gr. “cup and core” lead bullet would.

[@WayStedYou]

because its copper its more like a 160 grain in lead for displacement

[@curtbetzler3526]

I've always use trophy bonded bear claws 180 they hold together fantastic and hit hard as hell the federal high energy

[@hrdrockfarm8948]

No comment.

[@bayfilly1]

7mm ???? you never mentioned the calibre