Rifle Zero Target

The 2 X 1 MRAD spacing was a happy accident while doing the layout which I can use to confirm reticle subtensions, mostly for my SFP optics. I've never felt there's much to be gained from a tracking test done on an 8.5" X 11" piece of paper, since even cheap scopes can accomplish that feat and appear to be good. In my experience, noticeable deviations in tracking start to show up once you get past five mils or so.

I'll look into accommodations for IR lasers and WMLRF's, I don't have any so I don't need to zero them.

Mainly, I made the target out of my own personal preferences so the target is pretty beneficial for my purposes. I personally find the traditional large circle targets sort of limiting and kind of boring and out of the dozens of targets I've downloaded and used I always preferred to make my own.

Squares: The squares give me multiple defined aiming points vs a circle target. The smaller inner square works well with my higher mag optics while the bold outer square provides good visibility when zeroing my LPVO. Five of them let me do a 5X5 target to gauge the average accuracy of the rifle and ammunition. The gray provides contrast for LPVO use and helps me see impacts better at 100 yards vs. a blacked out box when using the riflescope vs. a spotting scope, which I don't have.

Squares Layout: Having a 2 mrad X 1 mrad layout allows me to confirm the subtensions on my optics, specifically the SFP ones. The distance to the target needs to be precise but it can allow me to confirm that on 10X for example 1 mil equals 1 mil and find the true half power. When I need more field of view I know where along the magnification ring I need to turn to hit true 5X so the reticle can be somewhat accurate still, my holds are just 1/2.

Diamonds: The diamonds can provide additional defined aiming points when using a magnified optic. At 50 yards the diamond over the C-Zone torso gives good contrast to make it easy to see when using my iron sights or red dot. The black diamonds give secondary points of aim for confirming zero.

C-Zone Target: At 100 yards, this is the target for my piggybacked red dot. Put the dot center mass and let it eat. It being scaled 1/3 size means that it can also be pretty versatile for practicing positional shooting or sling shooting with multiple rifles. For example, at 25 yards it would make a pretty good target for my Appleseed rifle to practice offhand, kneeling, and sitting positions.

For me, and again, I designed the target for me and my shooting preferences, it works to combine several targets I'd been using into one.

You noticed that too? Super annoying when it does that, I'll fix it and reupload the target when I can.

I updated the target to resolve a couple of issues and taking the feedback from earlier I added a 1/2" grid to help in zeroing laser devices. There's too much variation between devices, rifles, and zero's for me to definitively add a point of aim on the target and call it good. The target would also get pretty cluttered so the grid should allow the end user to measure their offsets and add a paster, sharpie mark, etc..to create what they need to get zeroed.

Finally got a chance to get out to the range today to take this target for a spin. I’m going to tweak the target a bit to make the torso and diamond stand out more but all in all it was a good range day.





It was funny that I shot a better group sitting off the tripod than I did prone lol.

I made some minor tweeks to the target and tried it out today, I think I'm done. The revised target is on the right and stands out better at distance for zeroing the red dot and the diamonds were enlarged slightly also. Attached is the revised target for those interested.

I'm pretty satisfied with the layout, it's an amalgamation of targets I've seen in the past and it accomplishes the goals I set for it, so it can not only be a zeroing tool but also a training one with some imagination.

Maybe I'll rename it "The Target"