There are such things as stupid questions and I have one.

 

Had a heck of a time with my rifle today trying to get it sighted in and wanted to see if I'm missing the most basic understanding of elevation and windage adjustments on my scope.  If I aim at the center of a target, fire and find that my point of impact is HIGHER than intended, do I want to turn my elevation in the UP direction or DOWN?  I assumed it was DOWN in this case but based on my piss poor experience today I'm second guessing myself.

Windage and elevation adjustment indications on sights are for bullet strike.

 

If you want your bullet strike to move up, follow the UP indicator (or go opposite from the DOWN indicator) on your optic/sight.

 

Same for RIGHT/LEFT.

 

You instinct was right. If your bullet is striking the target above the point of aim, you want to follow the DOWN indicator arrow on your elevation adjustment to lower the bullet strike into your point of aim.

 

Don't think about moving your aiming point, think of everything in terms of where you want your bullet to go.

Dont feel bad dude....I've confused myself a few times in the past.

If you get confused think of a screw. As you turn the front sight clockwise, the screw goes down into the front sight more. Lowering the front sight. In order to to line it back up you have to lift the barrel higher, thus shooting higher.

If things seem to be going backwards, check your scope mounts and rail.  I've had loose screws before, not noticed, and wasted a lot of time until I finally decided the scope was junk.  While I was taking off the junk scope to scrap it, I discovered the problem wasn't the scope after all.  The problem was a couple of rail mounting screws that had worked themselves loose.  

If things seem to be going backwards, check your scope mounts and rail. I've had loose screws before, not noticed, and wasted a lot of time until I finally decided the scope was junk. While I was taking off the junk scope to scrap it, I discovered the problem wasn't the scope after all. The problem was a couple of rail mounting screws that had worked themselves loose.

I see this a lot. Loose shit on a rifle is now the first thing I look for when troubleshooting someone's issue.

 

Get a paint pen and put witness marks on all of your screws, bolts, etc... That way you have a visual indicator if something is off and don't have to get a bunch of tools to check everything to make sure it is snug.

This is true....I've had my fair share of stuff loosening up throwing things off.....

What kind of fixed sight rifle and or scope are you using.

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/74201-set-up-your-scope-for-success-long-range-rifle-shooting-technique/#entry937691

Windage and elevation adjustment indications on sights are for bullet strike.

 

If you want your bullet strike to move up, follow the UP indicator (or go opposite from the DOWN indicator) on your optic/sight.

 

Same for RIGHT/LEFT.

 

You instinct was right. If your bullet is striking the target above the point of aim, you want to follow the DOWN indicator arrow on your elevation adjustment to lower the bullet strike into your point of aim.

 

Don't think about moving your aiming point, think of everything in terms of where you want your bullet to go.

Good bit of knowledge here. Thank you

Thanks all

 

My scope is attached very tightly so it must have been my "skill" (or complete lack thereof).

Easiest way to remember.

 

If your bullet hole is high, then put your crosshairs on the target and turn the dial to move your crosshair to the bullet hole (while keeping the rifle still).

Keep in mind, some of the foreign scope makers do not use "up/down" references on their scopes.