Lets consider most first shots on deer are cold bore shots how many here put a heavy en fesses on your first shot? no matter the range?
in the field first shots are more important than shooting a group on the range. Rio7
Any time I go after critters with a rifle that I have not hunted, I check for zero at the range I expect to employ said firearm.
If first shot cold bore is acceptable I do not fire a group.
Before I hunted the rifles above, I would check again for zero.
My idea, when you know you know and you know you know, confidence replaces hope/fear.
ya!
GWB