What range to zero?

T

Tex06

Private
Minuteman
Oct 19, 2010
8
0
39
Ga, USA
#1
I'm new to the forum and just finished my first Sniper Challenge. I believe I now have a very expensive hobby
laugh.gif


I've got a Winchester 70 (.308 Heavy Varmit) that currently has a Simmons (6-16x40, duplex) hunting scope on it. I'm getting a Bushnell 3200 (10x40, mildot) and was wondering what range should I zero my scope? The current scope is set for 200yds (2-3 shots all touching on paper). Should I try to duplicate this or should I use some other distance?

Any and all input is appreciated, my searches didn't seem to turn up much of anything useful.
 
#5
Re: What range to zero?

Zero it at whatever range you prefer (or that you will be using most often when shooting)...just make sure you know your dope so that you can dial it in for other ranges (shorter or further) as needed.
 
#8
Re: What range to zero?

Depends, what is your use. For a hunting rifle that I won't shoot over 200-300 yards, I zero at 200. For a target gun that I will be dialing on all the time, then I go with a 100 and dial from there.
 
#9
Re: What range to zero?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">did you really say "Sniper Challenge"????

100 yards..... </div></div>

It was at Creekside, ran by Joe (Same guy running mammoth), He calls it the "sniper challenge". He always runs a good match.

OP- 100 yrd zero and call it good. Then gather your dope. If you not a member at the Creek yet, become one and shoot with us on members only wed.
 
#10
Re: What range to zero?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KNIGHT11B4</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">did you really say "Sniper Challenge"????

100 yards..... </div></div>

It was at Creekside, ran by Joe (Same guy running mammoth), He calls it the "sniper challenge". He always runs a good match.

OP- 100 yrd zero and call it good. Then gather your dope. If you not a member at the Creek yet, become one and shoot with us on members only wed. </div></div>

always get nervous that the term "sniper" get thrown out there and when it is their first post I am trying to make sure they do not become the shit magnet D' Jour....
 
#11
Re: What range to zero?

I'm gonna be differant and say 250 yards. Reasoning is and short ranges, <300 yards you don't have to worry about sight adjustments. You still have your data for longer ranges, which you probably have more time for adjustments.

Its the zero I use on my hunting rifles, I don't hunt over 300 yards yet I can hold on, and never be too high or low for the critters I'm after.

Pretty much the same principle the army uses on their iron sighted rifles.

SDM use 300 as did snipers using the M-21 (ART). It was zeroed for 300 then and you increased the power of the scope, you also adjusted for elevation changes.

Marines in Vietnam used the Redfield Acura Range scope on the orginal M40s but they normally carried the rifles set for 500 yards and held under for closer targets. It's more accurate to hold under at closer ranges then hold over for extended ranges.

JMHO
 
#12
Re: What range to zero?

Thanks for all the input guys. Looks like 100yds is the most common. Next step is to start gathering data.

The "Challenge" I competed in was awesome, only hit 8 targets of 37 but hey, 1st place hit something like 24....so I didn't feel completely terrible.

One other question....what is a canted scope base? And what is the advantage of it to a standard set of 2-piece rings? I saw this mentioned but don't know if it applies to me. This is a strictly target gun, most shooting will be for competitions (I know Creekside is only 540~ish yards long but don't know how often other competitions exceed 1000yds).
 
#16
Re: What range to zero?

KraigWY's reply got me thinking, and it does make sense.

However, I have been used to 100 yard zero, and already memorized my dope out to 500 yard. Im sticking it to 100yards.
 
#17
Re: What range to zero?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tex06</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...One other question....what is a canted scope base? And what is the advantage of it to a standard set of 2-piece rings? I saw this mentioned but don't know if it applies to me. This is a strictly target gun, most shooting will be for competitions (I know Creekside is only 540~ish yards long but don't know how often other competitions exceed 1000yds). </div></div>

A canted base is used for longer ranges where your scope would run out of elevation adjustment if mounted on a flat base. Nothing to do with the rings just the platform you mount the rings on. They can be found with various inclines, for example 10, 20 and 30 MOA.
 
#18
Re: What range to zero?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dogmessiah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depends, what is your use. For a hunting rifle that I won't shoot over 200-300 yards, I zero at 200. For a target gun that I will be dialing on all the time, then I go with a 100 and dial from there. </div></div>

I would have to agree with this. I zero'd the scopes on my dad's hunting rifles at 200yds, since the stands we hunt on have a view out to about 300 yards, and a game trail runs through at approx. 200 yards. On a target rifle, I would zero at 100
 
#19
Re: What range to zero?

Thanks again everyone!

For this gun I'm gonna stick to 100yds but it seems to me that since canted scope rings zero at 10, 20, etc MOA above @ 100yds this would be very similar to actually zeroing further out.

If I can get my hand on a flatter shooting rifle (dad has a .300 Wthby Mag), I'll try zeroing further out.
 
#20
Re: What range to zero?

Scoped target rifle: zero at 100 and dial up from there.

Aperture sighted target rifle: zero at 600 and use the elevation adjustments in both the front and rear sights to keep the aperture as close as possible to centered on my eye regardless of distance.

Rimfire: 50 yards

Hunting rifle (6.5x55) 200 yards.
 
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