How do I site in my new crossbow and scope?

[hamilton]

I got a new Horton 150 at the end os season last year and i need some help siting it in.
I am going to take the scope off first and try and site in that way without the scope. My first shots with the scope on were all over the place and about two feet off at thirty feet from target.
So, once i get the bow set close without the scope i want to know how do i get the scope close?

[rgecko23]

This is how my dad and I did his. Start off with the scope on at 10 yards, then work your way back to 20-23-40 etc.

Also, the biggest thing I have found with crossbows is, make sure you are pulling it back the same way everytime. two little marks on either side of the string while in the locked position will help you. You can easliy pull it more to the left or right and your shot will be off.

[dannmann801]

This is how my dad and I did his. Start off with the scope on at 10 yards, then work your way back to 20-23-40 etc.

Also, the biggest thing I have found with crossbows is, make sure you are pulling it back the same way everytime. two little marks on either side of the string while in the locked position will help you. You can easliy pull it more to the left or right and your shot will be off.

RG's advice is spot on.
I'd add that I have the same bow and reddot - make sure that the little allen wrench screws on the mount are tight and that the screw holding the base in the back on top is also tight. And if you're using the Horton cocking rope, that might be causing part of your problem too. I think that the rope puts pressure on the back of the sight mount and causes it to shift. I quit using mine and results improved dramatically.

Loved the red dot when it was working right, but went to a crosshair scope and things are much better.

[PureLuck]

I got a new Horton 150 at the end os season last year and i need some help siting it in.
I am going to take the scope off first and try and site in that way without the scope. My first shots with the scope on were all over the place and about two feet off at thirty feet from target.
So, once i get the bow set close without the scope i want to know how do i get the scope close?


Make sure the rope is pulled back the same every time, start out at around 10 yards to get a consistent grouping, wax wax and more wax. Can not stress how wax will improve your shooting. If you have wax on one side and they other is dry or somewhat dry, then your bolt will be getting more friction causing erratic flight. Just my 2cents

PL

[hamilton]

i will try putting two marks on the rope ,one on each side . I had thought about that too. I do have the rope cocking strap and i'm not too sure if i like it . It seems just as easy to do it by hand and not have to mess with that rope and then where to put it out of the way.
i got one of those allen wrench sets that fold up and am taking the scope off today and will shoot some from ten, then twenty yards . Maybe after that put the scope back on.
What should i look for with the scope back on. It seems like the red dot is way up high compared to where the end of the bolt is in view through the scope.

[Schu72]

I have never mounted and zeroed a scope on a crossbow, but have many times on rifles and shotguns. I quite confused as to why you want to pull of the scope, shoot and sight in with open sights, and then remount and sight in with the scope???? If its anything like a rifle/shotgun that will be a total waste of time. On a long gun, the open sights have nothing to do with the scope/rings/base.
I would make sure the scope is securely mounted and the tube is in general alignment with the shaft of the bolt. Then shoot at close range 10-15 feet, if you are that far off at 30 ft. Shoot several bolts before making any adjustments. If you can't group the bolts, there is an issue other than the scope. Make sure you use rail lube with Hortons and check your bolts to be sure they are not bent.

[uglykat26]

everything that everyone above me has said is spot dead on. its a waste of time to take your scope off and sight it in with normal sights unless your gonna hunt with normal sights, keep the scope on and sight it in close range , make sure all your screws are tight, the string is well waxed and the rail is very well lubed, if your bolts are even a little bent or your broad head or practice tip is a little off it will shoot off your accuracy , also the veins on the bolts make sure there is no chips or bends in them depending on if its feather or plastic , they are most likely platic veins, a bent vein will knock the accruacy off to , i had to go to a crossbow cause i have the starting of carpotunnel and cant pull back my compund any more, i just put a horton 175 on lay a way , i had one before and loved it

[hamilton]

thanks for the feedback gang. I will keep the scope on and try at close range and go from there. This crossbow stuff is new to me. I have a fusion in my neck and a torn rotator cuff so i cant do the compound bow anymore. Had my old Fred Bear since i was 21, over thirty years ago.

[mikew]

Simmons makes an excellent yardage scope for crossbows, have had mine on a PSE Crossfire for 15yrs and have never touched it since, 10, 20, 30yds no problem.

[mikew]

Hamilton, Uglykat is right on all points. In addition to the veins, they need to all be identical (height,length,placement) This happened to me one year. The guy that makes my bolts wasn't home one time and his wife put new veins on for me ( 2 bolts) and they were just a little bit different but boy what a difference on the target. Just remember that everything has to be the same way every time, any slightest change and you'll know it.

[hamilton]

Thanks Mike and UglyKat, I appreciate the quick replies. I have some time tonite to shoot. I 've had my Grandson home with me the last two days sick and couldnt go to daycare with a fever. Poor little guy ,Yesterday was his fourth birthday too.
Thanks again, lots of good reading here.