Box Test

Pretty easy.

Put up a target that has no holes in it. Larger the better. Put a single dot in the center of it.

Shoot 1 round at the center,
Adjust scope 5moa up and 5moa left, shoot one round.
Adjust scope 10moa down, shoot one round
Adjust scope 10moa right, shoot one round
Adjust scope 10moa up, shoot one round
Adjust scope 5moa down and 5moa left, shoot one round.

You can do that a couple times and you should have 5 nice groups, one in the center and one on each corner.

Then you can measure your groups and see that the centers are 10moa apart at the corners.

There are several ways to shoot it, but this is a simple method. One hint, keep track of where you are at with a piece of paper at the bench. Also, let the barrel cool between shots. Be very precise with every shot, aim all your shots at the center. Some folks shoot the corners first, then shoot the center (that way you have a very consistent aimpoint without any holes in it. Also, make sure you know your exact yardage, so your measurements will work correctly.

Hope this helps,
AJ
 
When I hear box test, I'm thinking scope.
If this is what your after, it is to check the tracking of your scope.
No set things, just shoot your small group center of target, then crank up and over right "say up 3 MOA and over 3 MOA" shoot then go down 6 MOA and shoot, then crank 6 MOA to the left and shoot, then up 6 MOA and shoot, then right 3 MOA and down 3 MOA and shoot back into your starting group.

Each group should be 6 MOA apart in the four corners and a group in the middle from the start/end.

Only lets you know if your scope is tracking, the bigger box the more you learn as far as how far each click is really moving the cross.

Cam
 
HA HA AJ beat me to it!!!!
Now I know what AJ has been doing wrong! He shoots counter clock wise!!

Cam
 
Thanks guys, just checking:D.

I am having a difference of opinion with a scope manufacturer on "how to shoot a box test". Strangely when I shoot the scope, it is consistently off with this method. I was sure I was right but wanted to hear it from someone else I know and trust.....thanks.
 
Thanks guys, just checking:D.

I am having a difference of opinion with a scope manufacturer on "how to shoot a box test". Strangely when I shoot the scope, it is consistently off with this method. I was sure I was right but wanted to hear it from someone else I know and trust.....thanks.


What are your measurements? Is it consistently moving corner to corner, or not returning to center? Let us know, I'm intrigued.

Thanks,
AJ
 
because i use 30 or so moa in the verticle and a handful on the horizontal, i perform what i call a diamond test. same thing as a box test only different. use a piece of paper that's 4 ft tall and at least a couple ft wide. target is close to the bottom because i'm about 3" high at 100 and shoot one round. i always go clockwise, not for any particular reason, just what i do. up 15moa and left 7. fire one round. up 15 and right 7. down 15 and right 7. down 15 and left 7. i only shoot one round each time and i'm also cranking the scope verticly and horizontally each time. this prints 4 groups that are in a diamond, 30" from top to bottom and 14" apart horizontally. this is the amount of travel i use the scope so i test it using the entire range it will be used.
i've also mounted the scopes on a 22 and performed this test at 25 yards. a bit cheaper on ammo and no barrel wear on the big boys.
 
What are your measurements? Is it consistently moving corner to corner, or not returning to center? Let us know, I'm intrigued.

Thanks,
AJ

My Dad has three identical scopes. We shot box tests using a 4" square at 100 yards. All three scopes returned to zero perfectly. However, when using the method you described, the corner groups were consistently 1.5 to 2 MOA off. We ended up with a square that was approximately 5.5" inches to 6 inches instead of 4 inches.

This all started because shooting drop data, his .243 showed only a 1 MOA drop at 300 yards when zeroed at 200. We knew that was not quite right and began investigating. It has been a very disturbing deal, especially when all three of these scopes show the same condition.
 
My Dad has three identical scopes. We shot box tests using a 4" square at 100 yards. All three scopes returned to zero perfectly. However, when using the method you described, the corner groups were consistently 1.5 to 2 MOA off. We ended up with a square that was approximately 5.5" inches to 6 inches instead of 4 inches.

This all started because shooting drop data, his .243 showed only a 1 MOA drop at 300 yards when zeroed at 200. We knew that was not quite right and began investigating. It has been a very disturbing deal, especially when all three of these scopes show the same condition.


What click value does the mfg say the scope has? If you are using 1/4moa and doing 16clicks, but the scope is actually 1/10mil (.36"), then 16clicks would equal 5.76" at 100yds.

fwiw: I don't know what your .243 load is, but a 55gr varmit bullet at 3750fps will drop about 1.5" from 200yds to 300yds. That is almost exactly .4mil drop (would be 4 clicks in a .1mil scope), would appear to be 1moa thinking the clicks are 1/4moa.

What scope is it?

Thanks,
AJ
 
Last edited:
What click value does the mfg say the scope has? If you are using 1/4moa and doing 16clicks, but the scope is actually 1/10mil (.36"), then 16clicks would equal 5.76" at 100yds.

fwiw: I don't know what your .243 load is, but a 55gr varmit bullet at 3750fps will drop about 1.5" from 200yds to 300yds. That is almost exactly .4mil drop (would be 4 clicks in a .1mil scope), would appear to be 1moa thinking the clicks are 1/4moa.

What scope is it?

Thanks,
AJ

Scope is an 1/8 MOA per click. The .243 load is a 95 grain Gameking. Don't remember his exact specifications, but the drop should have been in the 2 MOA neighborhood.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 15 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.
Top