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What is the optimal Zero range for precision rifle?

trickyric

trickyric

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I have been searching the forums but I can't find the topic:

I have always used a 100 yard zero on my rifles in the past but since I started shooting long range (500-1100 yards) I have been told by a few really good shooters that a 50-200 or 36-300 zero would be better for more accuracy.

I am wondering if this is something that is common or if these guys are doing it because it works for them?

Any help would be appreciated.

Ric
 
Depends on what you intend to have as your usual shooting range. If you shoot 1000 regularly, do a 200 zero. If it is usually within that, 100 is fine. Also, if you hunt with that rifle, you should probably have a 100 zero
 
doing some local competitions and the targets will range from 50 - 600 yards. I am looking for the best way to minimize adjustments.
 
100yards always. Takes atmospherics almost completely out of the equation. The only time to zero at farther distances is if your scope doesn't have enough elevation. Even then, I think I'd by a scope that can do the job.
 
100 seems to be the standard. Of course, you could zero it at the middle of your expected target distance, but you will have a much harder time adjusting for the close in shots than you would for just dialing or holding for 600 yards. I like 100 because it helps keep the math easy for me. Also, I know that if I am hunting or if SHTF, a 100 yards zero will be pretty accurate for unknown ranges of the "danger close" variety. I have never done any competitions; I am more of a tactical kind of guy.
That all being said, the best way to minimize adjustments: Use Holds.
 
trickyric said:
doing some local competitions and the targets will range from 50 - 600 yards. I am looking for the best way to minimize adjustments.
Click to expand...

I you want to minimize adjustments then purchase an optic that is designed from the ground up for holdovers, Bushnell w/G2 or H59 is a great example.

Chip
 
bodywerks said:
100yards always. Takes atmospherics almost completely out of the equation. The only time to zero at farther distances is if your scope doesn't have enough elevation. Even then, I think I'd by a scope that can do the job.
Click to expand...

I've heard of guys basing their decision on the calibre of round that they are shooting. I had a guy tell me that he zeroes his 308 to 300 yards.
 
100yrd zero.....means every distance I shoot at (including sub-100yrds) I will either need to hold high or dial up.

Also depends on your intended use...if you don't plan on shooting less than 500yrds EVER...then 500 yrd zero. ;)
 
I don't have the experience in long range to offer an opinion, but I zero my hunting rifles at 200 yds. That puts them about an inch and a half high at 100, but does not quite maximize mpbr. It is fairly easy to remember hold over at that zero out to five hundred, which is further than I am willing to shoot an animal. My LR .308 works well with a 200 yard zero as well. I have only taken it out to a little over seven hundred, but first round hits on steel plates are common with simple turret adjustments up to and including that range.
 
thrusty said:
100yrd zero.....means every distance I shoot at (including sub-100yrds) I will either need to hold high or dial up.

Also depends on your intended use...if you don't plan on shooting less than 500yrds EVER...then 500 yrd zero. ;)
Click to expand...

I'm more comfortable now shooting longer, and I haven't found myself shooting less than 200 in quite a while. I was in a bit of a competition on the base and we worked our way back to 600 metres (656yards) and I had fun. I didn't place overly high but I still shot better than 5 other guys.

My rifle was zeroed to 200 before I took it all apart the other night to modify my base so I could get 100% optimum eye relief. Now I am considering zeroing it to 300.
 
trickyric said:
I am wondering if this is something that is common or if these guys are doing it because it works for them? Ric
Click to expand...

That's pretty much sums it up. There are several threads on the topic but it depends on your intended use of the rifle, the ballistics of your cartridge, your reticle/sights etc. Probably the most generally used zero is 100 yds. because it gives the most convenient starting point for the most popular precision cartridges combined with the widest effective range. If you "only" shoot between 500 - 1000 yds. then a 500 yd. zero would make the most sense (in theory) but realistically most shoot a much wider range than that (50 yds. to ???) Also, "most" shooters find it is much easier to use "holdovers" (than under) and dial up (than down) but in the end it's really about your understanding, ability, equipment, style, and management of your rifle. It just depends on your individual plan.
 
In the world of comps. and shooters discuss their comeups at different ranges; "I'm at 14.5 moa at 600yds. or, I'm at 33moa at 1000yds. They are assuming from a 100yd. zero. In the world of hunting, a 200yd. zero will keep you in the "boiler room" of deer sized game from the muzzle out to 300yds. without holding any higher than the top of the shoulders with almost any centerfire rifle. and much further with some of the magnum calibers available. (point blank range).
 
Another idea which some use is to zero at 100 as normal and then for instance if your ranged targets or AO is let's say 1-600, dial up to 300 and know what your hold over/unders are. Some books have reticle hold pages or you can make your own, free drawn on blank paper or simply written down.
 
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trickyric said:
I have been told by a few really good shooters that a 50-200 or 36-300 zero would be better for more accuracy.
Click to expand...

I don't think you understood what they said to you because the distance at which you zero a rifle has absolutely nothing to do with how accurate that rifle is or how accurately you can shoot it.

Accuracy on target is the non-linear sum of two factors: the rifle system's mechanical accuracy and your own shooting skill.
 
trickyric said:
I have been searching the forums but I can't find the topic:

I have always used a 100 yard zero on my rifles in the past but since I started shooting long range (500-1100 yards) I have been told by a few really good shooters that a 50-200 or 36-300 zero would be better for more accuracy.

I am wondering if this is something that is common or if these guys are doing it because it works for them?

Any help would be appreciated.

Ric
Click to expand...

The 25-300 meter battle sight zero is associated with the the M4 and M16A4. It permits the shooter using a center mass hold on a E target to get a hit on that sort of target, with the bullet hitting somewhere above or below line of sight out to about 400 meters. If the rifle is fitted with something like a Matech or BDC detachable carry handle sight, the sight can be adjusted for hits out to about 600 meters.
 
That seems more to the point .
As for accuracy. I was told the drop in inches was dramatically less so in a competition the holds or adjustments would be much less
 
I have a 100yd zero. And then just dial the rest.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
 
Graham,
That thread was a bunch of people fighting with each other.
It didn't really seem to have answers to the question.
If you don't feel like wasting your time then don't.
Being obnoxious helps nobody.
 
What is the optimal Zero range for precision rifle?

trickyric said:
Graham,
That thread was a bunch of people fighting with each other.
It didn't really seem to have answers to the question.
If you don't feel like wasting your time then don't.
Being obnoxious helps nobody.
Click to expand...
In that Thread a lack of answers wasn't the problem. The Thread produced all the same answers as found on all the other Threads about the same topic, and then some. If you get put off by the banter, then simply look for the information within. I hope not to be wasting my time, as I linked you directly to the most useful information there.
 
Last edited:
what you call "banter" is neither witty or banter. It is just being obnoxious.
People like myself and the OP on the other thread ask questions because we want to learn from experienced shooters.
Save the "banter" for people you know and have that kind of relationship with.
In any event Sterling shooter and 40xs answered my question very well thanks.
 
What is the optimal Zero range for precision rifle?

trickyric said:
People like myself and the OP on the other thread ask questions because we want to learn from experienced shooters....Sterling shooter and 40xs answered my question very well thanks.
Click to expand...
"Keeping it in the boiler room" with a "25-300 meter battle sight zero" it is, then.
 
Buy and read "Applied Ballistics for long rang Marksmanship" By Bryan Litz. There is an entire Chapter dedicated to this very subject. Also on youtube check out the Sniper 101 series. The guy a goofy looking but puts out some great info. I think maybe you came into this thread expecting an answer like Do X because of Y. When in reality the answer is it depends. That is true of a great many things in this game.

if I was in YOUR shoes I would probably use a 100 yard zero and use some masking tape to mark out every 25 yards out to your max range on the tape on your elevation knob. It's crude but works.
Or get something like this:
Custom Turret Systems | Affordable Custom Turret Labels

Or make something like this:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bzvx3RuRX1QTQ196RThCSXBBMkU/edit?usp=sharing

see videos here:
SNIPER 101 Part 63 - Ballistic Tables - Excel TEMPLATES Intro - YouTube
SNIPER 101 Part 64 - JBM Ballistics Intro - YouTube
SNIPER 101 Part 65 - INTERPOLATION - YouTube
 
I hope I get to compete against guys who use a BZO with modern optics... that way I am guaranteed a Top 10 without much effort on my part.

How is Accuracy determined by Trajectory ? So if I have to dial "less dope" cause I have a BZO that make me more accurate than guys who dial more ? This is good to know, glad I stopped into this thread. I suppose if I was competing with an Iron Sighted M4, that BZO might come in handy, but with a modern optic...

Told by some really good shooters... where they really good back in 1978 ?
 
Battle Sight Zero... where they zero an M4 or other military rifles for a range that crosses two points and has a minimum hold between the near & far.

example 50 yard that then cross close to center at 200m so you can just favor the sight on a "man sized target" which is the key.

Basically if you hold some where in the center of the body you're apt to hit something from muzzle to 200m, from there you can just favor.

The "why" cause you're not gonna change your sight adjustments in combat... so one size fits all and gets you close in a variety of situations.
 
I zero at 100 because it is the easiest to get the most precise zero, and dial and/or hold for other ranges. Others certainly do otherwise, but not anyone I know or compete with.
 
A ton of good information!
So the BZO that people have been telling me about is strictly a combat thing.
that really makes sense now.
It did seem like it didn't really matter where the zero was as long as I know my dope.
 
What is the optimal Zero range for precision rifle?

trickyric said:
A ton of good information!
So the BZO that people have been telling me about is strictly a combat thing.
that really makes sense now.
It did seem like it didn't really matter where the zero was as long as I know my dope.
Click to expand...
Eureka!

Went from stating that I was not answering his question to confirming exactly what the thread I linked to showed the first time.

Maybe it just took Frank to say it.
 
Graham said:
Eureka!

Went from stating that I was not answering his question to confirming exactly what the thread I linked to showed the first time.

Maybe it just took Frank to say it.
Click to expand...

I believe I posted a "thank you" to you after your BZO quote.
That of course was after your "witty banter" post.
 
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