Advanced
Rifle
Rifle Zero Confirmation 100yd
Used in: Defensive · Military Qualification
Source: Standard marksmanship protocol
100 yd
Distance
15
Rounds
1
Reps
15
Total Rounds
Before you run any rifle drill, you need to confirm your zero. This isn’t a “drill” in the traditional sense — it’s a structured zero confirmation protocol that every serious rifle shooter should run at the start of a range session or after mounting a new optic.
Fire three 5-round groups at 100 yards: first from a bench or supported prone position, then from unsupported prone, and finally from a kneeling or standing supported position. Each group tells you something different. The bench group confirms your mechanical zero. The prone group tests your position. The kneeling group reveals how well you can apply your fundamentals under less stable conditions.
Measure group sizes. A properly zeroed rifle with decent ammo should hold 2 MOA or better from a bench. If your groups are larger than 3 MOA from supported positions, diagnose the problem before moving on to dynamic drills.
Range Setup
Setup
100-yard range with a stable bench or rest available. Use a 1-inch grid target or precision rifle target. Bring a spotting scope or walk your target between groups.
Scoring
Measure group size in inches or MOA for each position. Bench: <2 MOA = good. Prone unsupported: <3 MOA = solid. Kneeling supported: <4 MOA = acceptable.
Tips
Let the barrel cool between groups — heat changes your point of impact. 3-5 minutes between strings is standard.
Progression
Once your zero is confirmed, extend to 200 yards and confirm holdovers match your ballistic data. Run this protocol any time you change optics, ammo, or if the rifle has been bumped.