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I used to have some bad habits when it came to preparing for hunting season. Like many hunters, I spent much more time worrying about my gear and accessories than I did preparing my rifle. I’d go out the day before a hunt and shoot a couple rounds down the line and call it good. Ready to go. Now, I’m not saying this method doesn’t work, but it cost me a lot of money once, and that’s reason enough to find another system.

It was early morning and freezing cold and the male I had been watching for months, waiting for opening day, was about to cross the property line and into my kill zone. The monster we called “the big ten” flinched as my first bullet went over his back. Frustrated, I picked up another one and let it go, I’ll never know where it went! The big male took off like lightning and in about two seconds he was gone, not to be seen for the rest of the season. Bad timing to discover that two of my scope mounting screws were gone. Just like that dollar. I started following these seven easy steps to fine tune my rifle before hunting season to make sure I never had the same problem again.

1. Clean and inspect your rifle

Most bolt pistols are so easy to disassemble and clean that there is simply no reason to jeopardize the few days you have to hunt each year by carrying an uninspected firearm into the field. After making sure the rifle is unloaded, remove the bolt. Use a simple cleaning and lubrication product to remove dirt and debris and lubricate the bolt. You’ll want to do the same for the internal components of the action. It may seem pretty basic, but it doesn’t always take a lot of dirt in the right place to keep a deadbolt from closing. Now, check the bolts that hold your stock to the stock. There is usually at least one screw on the front of the magazine and behind the trigger guard. If these screws loosen in the field, you will run into serious accuracy problems.

2. Show your keg some love

Next, take a cleaning rod and run a patch down the barrel. If the barrel is dirty or you didn’t clean it after your last range session, I’d also go through a brush and cleaner first. This will help remove carbon residue and copper scale that hinder accuracy and help prevent future oxidation. You can get a basic cleaning kit from Brownell’s for under $30, a small price to pay to ensure you get the most out of your rifle hunting for years to come. Some people get into copper scavengers that require a hazmat suit to manage, but for the average hunter it really isn’t necessary.

3. Don’t rush the shooting range

One thing I have to continually remind myself is not to rush a trip to the shooting range. Reserve a few hours or an afternoon, enjoy the process and take your time. Get once again acquainted with the nuances of your rifle, from the unique way its bolt travels to the feel of its trigger. Take the time to set it up, enjoy the sun, and give your rifle plenty of rest between shots. Slowing down not only helps you focus on proper shooting mechanics, it also makes for a more enjoyable experience.

4. Believe in the bench

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve fired my fair share of test shots from the hood of my truck, but that’s far from ideal. If you want to get the most out of your rifle and ensure shooter error is subtracted from the equation, investing in a good bench and resting is essential. My go-to setup is Caldwell’s BR Pivot Bench ($450), which breaks down quickly and features sturdy tripod legs and a pivoting hardwood top, and a Caldwell Lead Sled Rest ($200) that helps mitigate the recoil and ensure consistency in shooting. I was without these items for years, but to my own detriment. Check out the options at Brownell’s and get something that works for you.

5. Check your optics

As I mentioned earlier, I have dropped the screws on my scope mounts, so I am very strict about checking the screws on my optics. Once I’ve made sure the bases are secure, I’ll retighten the ring screws. My current rifle hunting setup is a Mossberg Patriot Bantam rifle in .308 with a Leupold VX-3i scope, and with the Leupold mounting system, I have to remove the scope to refit the mounts. At a minimum, I’ll re-tighten the scope ring screws. Once the scope is locked in, I’ll readjust the eye relief and check zero with a few shots at 100 yards.

6. Check your uploads

I cringe when I see people firing different loads from year to year without adjusting their scope or at least zero checking. Sure, you might be shooting a deer at the minute, but that’s not acceptable for the sake of shooter confidence or ethical hunting. Due to the physics of gun harmonics, different loads and bullets of different sizes will hit different points, sometimes with substantial variation. So if I shot a 150-grain Hornady American Whitetail in my .308 last year, I’ll go back to zero-checking when I switch to the new 178-grain Hornady ELD-X for this year’s elk season. If there is a substantial difference, I will adjust my scope accordingly, and my preference will be 2 inches tall at 100 yards.

7. Target practice makes perfect

There are many different styles of paper targets, but I have used EZ2C rifle targets for several years. They’re relatively inexpensive (a 12-pack is less than $5), and the 1-inch grid makes scope adjustments easy.

Whatever goal you decide on, the important thing is that you get out there and practice, practice, practice. Remember, you’re not just making sure the rifle is on, you’re also making sure it’s still on! Work on your breathing, stability, and gentle trigger pull. Fire a group of three shots, let the rifle rest, and then do it again. Move around the field and try shots with sticks or field positions. Try to put yourself in a real world scenario: hit a target, get into position and make a well-timed shot. Good luck!