WEBVTT 00:00:00.433 --> 00:00:03.236 align:center line:85% position:50% size:35% (upbeat music) 00:00:06.006 --> 00:00:08.341 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% - I'm Colton Bonioli with North American Whitetail 00:00:08.808 --> 00:00:10.944 align:center line:79% position:50% size:55% and we're here to talk about rifle setup. 00:00:11.077 --> 00:00:13.980 align:center line:79% position:49% size:73% One of the most important parts of being a rifle hunter 00:00:14.347 --> 00:00:16.316 align:center line:85% position:50% size:80% is confidence in your equipment. 00:00:16.449 --> 00:00:18.651 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% You've gotta have confidence and know exactly 00:00:18.918 --> 00:00:21.187 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% where that bullet is going to impact the animal 00:00:21.621 --> 00:00:24.724 align:center line:79% position:50% size:80% and that starts with an intimate knowledge of your rifle. 00:00:25.024 --> 00:00:28.962 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% For me personally, I shoot my rifles year round. 00:00:29.095 --> 00:00:30.430 align:center line:85% position:49% size:33% It's my life. 00:00:30.563 --> 00:00:31.431 align:center line:85% position:49% size:38% It's what I do. 00:00:31.564 --> 00:00:33.633 align:center line:79% position:49% size:58% I'm always testing rifles, testing scopes, 00:00:33.900 --> 00:00:34.901 align:center line:85% position:50% size:50% testing new bullets. 00:00:35.034 --> 00:00:38.805 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% And aside from all that, I'm training consistently. 00:00:39.305 --> 00:00:42.075 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% If not every day, a couple of times a week, right? 00:00:42.208 --> 00:00:45.211 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% Or at least on the weekends when the schedule allows. 00:00:45.345 --> 00:00:48.081 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% So, but before I get started with a new rifle, 00:00:48.214 --> 00:00:50.150 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% or if you're gonna be going out and getting your 00:00:50.283 --> 00:00:52.419 align:center line:79% position:50% size:60% rifle going into and starting to training for 00:00:52.552 --> 00:00:55.255 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% the season is making sure your scope and your rifle 00:00:55.488 --> 00:00:56.122 align:center line:85% position:50% size:40% are ready to go. 00:00:56.256 --> 00:00:57.590 align:center line:79% position:50% size:40% The worst thing of going out and 00:00:57.724 --> 00:01:00.493 align:center line:79% position:50% size:75% shooting and getting ready for season and finding out that 00:01:00.627 --> 00:01:02.595 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% you're not hitting anything is because your scope 00:01:02.729 --> 00:01:05.432 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% is loose and that typically is the the culprit for 00:01:05.565 --> 00:01:08.334 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% most hunters when they're getting their rifle set up. 00:01:08.468 --> 00:01:10.670 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% Unfortunately most hunters wait until right before 00:01:11.171 --> 00:01:13.940 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% season the last minute and frantically trying to get 00:01:14.073 --> 00:01:16.976 align:center line:79% position:50% size:70% their rifle to zero and and shoot and then they find out 00:01:17.110 --> 00:01:20.246 align:center line:79% position:50% size:80% that their scope is loose and it just kills all the confidence 00:01:20.580 --> 00:01:21.648 align:center line:85% position:50% size:55% going into the season. 00:01:21.781 --> 00:01:24.117 align:center line:79% position:50% size:60% So starting out, I start with my action screws 00:01:24.250 --> 00:01:27.454 align:center line:79% position:49% size:73% making sure that they are torqued to the manufacturer's 00:01:27.587 --> 00:01:30.156 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% specifications. That varies from rifle to rifle 00:01:30.290 --> 00:01:32.892 align:center line:79% position:50% size:60% so make sure you look it up online you can find 00:01:33.026 --> 00:01:35.929 align:center line:79% position:50% size:60% most of this information and torque both action 00:01:36.062 --> 00:01:39.399 align:center line:79% position:50% size:70% screws to the manufacturer's specifications. 00:01:39.532 --> 00:01:41.301 align:center line:79% position:49% size:48% The next thing I do is make sure that 00:01:41.434 --> 00:01:44.170 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% my rail or bases are blue loctited in place to the 00:01:44.304 --> 00:01:46.906 align:center line:79% position:49% size:73% manufacturer's specifications for torque sets. 00:01:47.040 --> 00:01:49.309 align:center line:79% position:50% size:45% This is usually in inch pounds, not 00:01:49.442 --> 00:01:51.211 align:center line:85% position:49% size:73% foot pounds, but inch pounds. 00:01:51.344 --> 00:01:54.280 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% So that is a, there's a huge difference there, so 00:01:54.414 --> 00:01:57.183 align:center line:79% position:50% size:70% make sure you have the proper tools to do that job. 00:01:57.417 --> 00:02:00.520 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% Once I have my rail torqued and loctited in place, 00:02:00.653 --> 00:02:04.657 align:center line:79% position:50% size:60% I set my rings in place, and I set my eye relief 00:02:04.791 --> 00:02:07.293 align:center line:85% position:50% size:60% for my scope for my eye. 00:02:07.427 --> 00:02:09.696 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% And that's very important that you set it to you, 00:02:09.929 --> 00:02:12.899 align:center line:79% position:49% size:73% the shooter, and don't have somebody else set it for you. 00:02:13.166 --> 00:02:16.603 align:center line:79% position:50% size:75% Once I have my eye relief set, then I go through and torque 00:02:16.736 --> 00:02:18.404 align:center line:85% position:50% size:65% the tops of my rings down. 00:02:18.538 --> 00:02:21.574 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% And this is very critical, 15 to 18 inch pounds. 00:02:21.708 --> 00:02:23.977 align:center line:79% position:49% size:73% You know, it varies from scope and ring manufacturers. 00:02:24.110 --> 00:02:27.614 align:center line:79% position:50% size:70% you'll see a slight variance, but I run 15 to 18 00:02:27.981 --> 00:02:30.717 align:center line:79% position:50% size:70% on all my rifles, regardless of scope and rings, 00:02:30.850 --> 00:02:32.886 align:center line:85% position:50% size:80% and I've had tremendous results. 00:02:33.019 --> 00:02:34.954 align:center line:79% position:49% size:43% Now that we have our rifle set up, 00:02:35.188 --> 00:02:38.825 align:center line:79% position:49% size:78% we are 100% certain that everything that needs tightened 00:02:39.125 --> 00:02:40.393 align:center line:85% position:50% size:60% is tightened and secure. 00:02:40.627 --> 00:02:43.530 align:center line:79% position:49% size:53% So we have confidence in this setup. 00:02:43.663 --> 00:02:46.566 align:center line:79% position:49% size:78% Now it's time to go to the range and get the rifle zeroed. 00:02:47.133 --> 00:02:50.069 align:center line:79% position:50% size:70% A lot of that really depends on the ammunition, right? 00:02:50.203 --> 00:02:51.938 align:center line:79% position:50% size:60% We've got a great rifle, this Browning rifle, 00:02:52.071 --> 00:02:54.707 align:center line:79% position:49% size:58% is an accurate rifle, and it shoots a variety 00:02:55.008 --> 00:02:56.109 align:center line:79% position:49% size:48% of different brands of ammunition 00:02:56.409 --> 00:02:58.177 align:center line:79% position:49% size:48% and different types of bullets, right? 00:02:58.645 --> 00:03:01.481 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% Whitetail are not necessarily a hard animal 00:03:01.714 --> 00:03:05.451 align:center line:79% position:50% size:75% to turn off with a rifle, but choosing the proper projectile 00:03:05.685 --> 00:03:08.254 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% is more important than the cartridge you select. 00:03:08.721 --> 00:03:10.256 align:center line:79% position:50% size:55% There's a lot of great bullets out there. 00:03:10.390 --> 00:03:12.258 align:center line:85% position:49% size:63% I'm a huge fan of copper. 00:03:12.592 --> 00:03:16.062 align:center line:79% position:49% size:58% Copper bullets today are an excellent choice 00:03:16.195 --> 00:03:19.265 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% for hunters that are really hunting for meat, you know, 00:03:19.399 --> 00:03:21.768 align:center line:85% position:49% size:73% and not wanting to ruin meat. 00:03:21.901 --> 00:03:24.771 align:center line:79% position:50% size:70% Copper bullets shoot really, really well nowadays too. 00:03:24.904 --> 00:03:27.941 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% They've really dialed in the art of getting copper 00:03:28.074 --> 00:03:31.144 align:center line:79% position:49% size:58% bullets to compress and really shoot well out 00:03:31.277 --> 00:03:32.712 align:center line:85% position:49% size:58% of a variety of rifles. 00:03:32.845 --> 00:03:35.648 align:center line:79% position:50% size:50% So get to the store, find some ammo, 00:03:35.782 --> 00:03:38.418 align:center line:79% position:50% size:60% shoot several different boxes and find what your 00:03:38.551 --> 00:03:39.953 align:center line:85% position:50% size:55% rifle shoots the best. 00:03:40.587 --> 00:03:43.723 align:center line:79% position:50% size:55% on a well-constructed bullet that's going to 00:03:43.856 --> 00:03:47.927 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% provide great terminal performance in that deer at 00:03:48.061 --> 00:03:49.395 align:center line:85% position:50% size:55% 50 yards or 500 yards. 00:03:49.529 --> 00:03:51.564 align:center line:79% position:49% size:38% That should be your main focus 00:03:51.898 --> 00:03:54.334 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% when selecting ammunition and projectiles for 00:03:54.467 --> 00:03:55.568 align:center line:85% position:49% size:48% your hunting rifle. 00:03:56.302 --> 00:03:59.472 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% Once we have our rifle set up, the scope is secure, 00:03:59.606 --> 00:04:03.209 align:center line:79% position:49% size:73% everything's solid, and we've chosen that load that shoots 00:04:03.343 --> 00:04:05.645 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% the best out of our rifle, and we've established a 00:04:06.079 --> 00:04:08.448 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% great zero on the bench, it's time to get off that 00:04:08.581 --> 00:04:12.085 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% bench. One of the ways that I spend most of my time is 00:04:12.218 --> 00:04:13.853 align:center line:85% position:49% size:63% shooting off of a tripod. 00:04:13.987 --> 00:04:17.056 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% I have a flat rest that attaches to the top of my 00:04:17.190 --> 00:04:20.059 align:center line:79% position:49% size:73% tripod and it is a great simulation of shooting off of 00:04:20.193 --> 00:04:23.863 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% a tripod rail, a window out of a blind, it just kind of 00:04:23.997 --> 00:04:27.800 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% encompasses a lot of great training from standing 00:04:27.934 --> 00:04:31.271 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% to kneeling to sitting I can get that same you know 00:04:31.804 --> 00:04:34.641 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% contact on my stock that I will in a box blind or tree 00:04:34.774 --> 00:04:37.677 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% stand but just on a tripod and I can work through 00:04:37.810 --> 00:04:40.179 align:center line:79% position:50% size:70% those positions at the range or out in the field and 00:04:40.880 --> 00:04:43.583 align:center line:79% position:49% size:68% really get comfortable with my rifle and that wobble 00:04:43.716 --> 00:04:47.286 align:center line:79% position:50% size:65% in the reticle making sure I'm breaking great shots 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:51.391 align:center line:79% position:50% size:70% and I have pinpoint accuracy from 50 to 300 yards 00:04:51.724 --> 00:04:54.027 align:center line:79% position:50% size:75% however far you can shoot where you're gonna be hunting, 00:04:54.260 --> 00:04:55.895 align:center line:79% position:50% size:55% that's what you should be focusing on. 00:04:56.029 --> 00:04:58.364 align:center line:79% position:49% size:53% You've got the setup, build the confidence, 00:04:58.498 --> 00:04:59.632 align:center line:85% position:50% size:50% and that takes time. 00:04:59.766 --> 00:05:03.436 align:center line:79% position:49% size:78% So whether it's a couple rounds on the weekend at the range, 00:05:03.736 --> 00:05:05.805 align:center line:79% position:49% size:48% taking four or five shots every weekend 00:05:06.305 --> 00:05:07.907 align:center line:79% position:49% size:53% and spreading that ammunition budget out 00:05:08.307 --> 00:05:10.276 align:center line:79% position:49% size:63% is gonna help you be more successful in the field 00:05:10.777 --> 00:05:12.412 align:center line:79% position:50% size:60% because you're gonna have absolute confidence 00:05:12.645 --> 00:05:14.514 align:center line:79% position:50% size:50% in your rifle setup, placing that bullet 00:05:14.847 --> 00:05:16.883 align:center line:79% position:50% size:60% where you need to when that opportunity arises.