What does zeroing refer to in marksmanship?

Zeroing in marksmanship refers to the process of aligning the sights of a firearm with the weapon's barrel to ensure that shots will hit the intended target at a specific distance. This process is crucial because it establishes a point of reference for the shooter; when the sights are zeroed properly, the bullets should strike where the sights are aimed. By adjusting the sights based on the results from trial shots, a marksman fine-tunes their aim for accuracy, which is essential for effective shooting performance in both training and operational contexts.

While assessing distance to the target, testing weapon calibration, and cleaning the firearm before use are important aspects of marksmanship and weapon maintenance, they do not directly relate to the specific action of zeroing the sights. Zeroing focuses specifically on sight alignment with the firearm's barrel for accurate shooting.