Range Work

Double H Gunsmithing offers range work at our shop in Blanch, North Carolina. That includes sight-in at 100 yards and 200 yards with traditional or thermal optics, ammunition evaluation, chronographing, initial break-in and accuracy checks for new cut-rifled barrels, load exploration for handloads within book data, and collecting the range data needed to order a Leupold CDS dial for your preferred altitude and ammunition.

Related optics and build work lives on our Scope Mounting and Boresighting, Custom Picatinny and Scout Rails, Mauser Scope Installation, Shotgun Optic Installation, and Rifle Builds pages. Back to all Services.

What we do

You can bring the ammunition you want tested, or we can order it for you. Maker prices for ammunition and for Leupold CDS dials are outside shop control and are not published here. We will estimate those at current cost when the load and dial are fixed.

Sight-in

We offer sight-in with traditional optics and with thermal optics at 100 yards and 200 yards. Tell us the distance you want, whether the optic is traditional or thermal, and the ammunition you plan to use. Bring a few rounds of test fire ammo for the job, or ask us to order a box that matches what you shoot. For the best results, bring the rifle to sight in during conditions that match the hunt you plan to make. Right after hunting season ends is an ideal time and will provide a slightly better zero for that kind of weather.

Initial break-in and accuracy check

For new cut-rifled barrels, we offer an initial break-in and accuracy check for $150 plus the cost of ammunition (about 20 rounds). We break the barrel in according to Ken's barrel break-in method while evaluating accuracy on the range.

You can bring the ammunition, or we can order about 20 rounds for the job. Maker prices for ammunition we order are separate from the $150 labor.

Pricing

Those figures already reflect the four-percent cash discount in our usual practice and assume payment by cash or check unless we note otherwise. Thermal sight-in at 200 yards is estimated when you schedule the job. Ammunition we order for you is billed at current maker cost, separate from range labor. From June through September, a $20 high ambient heat surcharge applies because barrels take longer to cool between shots in hot weather. You will get the best experience when sight-in conditions match the conditions of your hunt. Right after hunting season ends is an ideal window and yields a slightly better zero for that weather.

Ammunition evaluation

When you want to compare loads, we shoot groups with the ammunition under evaluation and report which load groups the best in that rifle. Chronographing can be included so you also have muzzle velocity for each load.

Load exploration

For rifles that need to go beyond factory ammunition accuracy, we offer load exploration starting at $200. Using dies and reloading components you provide, we search for an accuracy node and report the best-performing recipe within published book range. We do not develop experimental loads that exceed book pressures or book powder charges.

We are not licensed to sell handloads. Load exploration is a recipe and discovery service only: you receive the best-performing recipe we find within book data. We do not sell completed handloaded ammunition.

Any unused rounds from load exploration will have their bullets pulled, and the components will be returned to you separately.

Bring the dies, brass, primers, powder, and bullets you want used, or ask us what to order so the components are on hand before the range session. Maker prices for components we order are separate from the load-exploration labor.

Chronographing

We chronograph ammunition and report muzzle velocity for $15 per ammo. That data is useful on its own and is part of what we collect when ordering a custom elevation dial.

Leupold CDS dials

Leupold Custom Dial System (CDS) dials are cut for a specific load and altitude. We collect the range data from your rifle and ammunition, then order the dial for the altitude and load you prefer. Shop labor for that CDS ordering service is $100. That figure does not include the cost of the dial itself.

At the time of writing, Leupold provides the first CDS dial at no charge for qualifying scopes; subsequent dials are about $80 each. Confirm current dial pricing with us when you order, because maker prices can change.

For a CDS dial, you must provide the elevation of your hunting destination and commit to a particular ammunition: preferably from the same lot, and at the very least the same brand and specifications. Bring the optic information Leupold needs for the order, or we will confirm what is required when you schedule the work.

Lead times

Lead times follow our general repair windows on the home page lead times table unless we give a different estimate for your session.

What to bring

Bring the rifle fully unloaded, plus the optic if it is not already mounted. Bring the ammunition you want used for sight-in, evaluation, chronographing, or an initial break-in and accuracy check, or tell us what to order. For load exploration, bring the dies and reloading components (or tell us what to order), and confirm the published load data you want us to stay within. For a CDS dial, provide the elevation of your hunting destination and commit to a particular ammunition (same lot when possible; otherwise the same brand and specifications).

For sight-in, ammunition evaluation, chronographing, and related range work with factory ammunition, unused factory rounds are returned to you. Load exploration unused rounds are handled separately as described above (bullets pulled and components returned).

Getting started

Call or text 336-694-5739, or email [email protected]. Tell us whether you need sight-in, an ammo evaluation, chronographing, a CDS dial order, or a combination. We will confirm a rough starting estimate and what to bring or order.