Verifying zero after a long trip?

[Brnsvllyjohn]

Do you check your hunting rifle after a long trip? I may go to Idaho this year and sometimes after we get there we shoot to verify zero. In over 40 years of long distance travel in a truck I have only had my gun change point of impact one time that I remember. The reason I was thinking about this was I went to the range yesterday for some mid season practice and my 7 mm was 1.5 inches low at 200 yards. I shot 3 times just to make sure and then moved it up to where I wanted it and shot some more. I recently purchased a new Polaris quad and spent WAY too much time putting miles on it in the first 3 days of the D 3-5 season so I figured my gun got way more rough treatment in the Kolpin gun boot than is normal plus I just wanted to shoot. I am not sure if the rough roads might have caused a minor issue or maybe the big temperature swing from 90 degree summer to 50 degrees and wet yesterday had anything to do with it. A stainless synthetic should not change point of impact based on temperature but maybe it did. Since it was off a little bit yesterday I may shoot again after I travel for my own piece of mind. The other factor is this is a new scope for this rifle and I need to be sure I trust it completely. The other Leupold never moved so I don't really expect to have issues with this one. Just wanted a little more magnification so I removed a 2.5 x 8 and went to a 4 x 12. If I go to Idaho the 2.5 x 8 will go with me in a box just in case.

 

[OPAH]

If I have a place to pop off a round or two in the proximity of a hunt without pissing someone off or spooking the game I do, as you said I have rarely had to make an adjustment but I tell you it is a real peace of mind knowing you good to go.

 

[JustGuy]

For years i use Leupold Zero Point Boresighter. Works super. Everytime i clean my gun i verify the zero.
Also good in installing a new scope on a rifle. Gets me in +-1 inch from bulls' eye

But if the POI shifts 1 inch on 200 yards due to humidity, oh well, it is SOOO important for hunting elk. I guess i'm such a poor shoot for it LOL.... So, i do not hunt elk

 

[Bankrunner]

You betcha, it's prudent and makes you confident when it counts.