‘Shooting the box’ is a term given to a simple test to determine the quality of a rifle or airgun scope (telescopic sight) – or, more specifically, the quality of its controls. There are several different ways of shooting the box but all are designed to determine the accuracy and consistency of a scope’s windage and elevation turrets.
A typical test could involve zeroing a scope at 25 metres and then shooting a five-shot test group over that distance. After this first group, the windage and elevation turrets are used to make adjustments 30 clicks up, 30 clicks right, 30 clicks down and then 30 clicks left. Five-shot groups are shot after each of these adjustments.
Having returned the scope back to its original zero setting for the final group, the ideal outcome is to achieve an even square with the final group striking in exactly the same place as the first one, as shown in the diagram below. This proves the adjustments to be precise and consistent as they return to the original setting.
In shooting, the term flyer describes a pellet that strays wide of the group. Flyers can be caused by damaged pellets, a problem with the gun, sudden gusts of wind or a mistake by the shooter. The one shown in the diagram was unfortunately caused by the latter…
