Getting Your New Gunwerks Rifle Dialed
First off—congratulations on your new Gunwerks rifle. You’ve invested in a system built to remove guesswork from long-range hunting and shooting. This quick guide walks you through the same steps we use at the range so your first session ends with confident impacts downrange.
Set Up on the Bench (Skip the Lead Sled)
For zeroing and baseline accuracy checks, we recommend a solid support up front and a rear bag - not a lead sled. Lead sleds can create a different recoil impulse that changes both how the gun groups and where it impacts. A stable, repeatable field-style position tells you how the rifle really performs and gives you a true zero.
Setup Your Optic: Diopter & Parallax
Diopter (eyepiece focus): Adjust until the reticle is crisp the instant you look through the scope. Do this against a bright background so you’re focusing on the reticle, not the target.
Parallax (side focus): Bring the target into sharp focus and minimize reticle movement against the target as you move your eye. Yardage numbers on quality scopes should get you close, but it's wise to fine-tune for perfection.
Zero the Right Way
Start at 100 yards. Fire at least five rounds before making adjustments - 3 shots can lie; 5 give a better picture. Confirm your target’s reference marks, measure in the reticle, or measure on the target.
Be sure to shoot a group, then adjust. Shoot another group to verify. Once you’re zeroed, reset your elevation turret to the zero mark so future dope is clean and repeatable.
Load Your Ballistics (QR Code + Turret Info)
Every Gunwerks rifle ordered with a long range package will ship with ballistic data tied to your exact setup. Scan the QR code to pull the rifle profile and confirm the turret etchings match your load and zero. This gives you confidence that what you dial reflects your rifle - not a generic chart.
Sync Your Rangefinding Binoculars
Next, pair or load that same rifle profile into your compatible rangefinding binoculars. This ensures your range data and your corrections are giving the same result.
Adjust for Today’s Conditions
Ballistics change with density altitude and temperature. If your default profile was built for, say, 6,000 ft at 40°F, but you’re shooting somewhere warmer or lower today, update those environmentals before you stretch it out. Modern rangefinders and apps make this a two-minute task that pays off in first-round hits.
Confirm at Distance
With zero verified and ballistics synced:
- Range a real-world target (e.g., 600–700 yards).
- Dial the elevation your custom turret or solver calls for.
- Double-check parallax and body position.
- Press a clean shot and watch the trace/impact. Make a fine adjustment if needed and send another to confirm.
You’re Ready
That’s it—you’ve taken your rifle from box to verified dope using the same process we rely on in the field. Welcome to the Gunwerks family. If you need a hand with setup, ballistics, or gear selection, our team is here to help. Go make some steel sing—and when season opens, make it count.