zero'ing a rifle and loading question

[black_ump]

i have a few loads in which i feel with a tiny little tweeking seem to be spot on at 100, i took those loads out to 200 and they opened up quite a bit.

my main goal is ground hogs at 2-400 yds so iam guessing i should zero at 100 then right ? and do all my testing at that range instead of 100 ?

my bullet of choice is eaither 155 smk or 175 smk i also have 190 smk's

how would you go about picking from these 3 grain bullets and testing them ?

3 or 5 round groups ? i know every one uses varget but all i have is blc-2 and wont have money to get any powder for a while so keep blc-2 in mind

 

[bozo699]

Re: zero'ing a rifle and loading question

what are you shooting---.308 win?

 

[black_ump]

Re: zero'ing a rifle and loading question


Ooops ya i forgot to put that

 

[TimK]

Re: zero'ing a rifle and loading question

How are you generating come-ups for range? Will you be holding for elevation or dialing?

If you're dialing for elevation, a 100yd zero is fine. If you're holding over, you might be happier with something like 200 yards. Once you pick a bullet and load and get a muzzle velocity, run it through some software and the best zero range will become apparent.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: zero'ing a rifle and loading question

It is common for laods that shoot best at 100 won't do as well as we might think at longer ranges. BR shooters who shoot at both 100 and 200 often have somewhat different loads for each range. Meaning it's ideal to test your loads at the most common expected distance.

System for zero is a personal choice.

 

[RTH1800]

Re: zero'ing a rifle and loading question

I would test at the longest distance to likely be fired. For 400 yard shooting I would use the 155 SMK. 42-45 grains IMR 4064. Work up to max. in .5 grain steps. Zero for 300 Hold or dial from there. Or get a 22-250 and forget about range out to 400.

 

[black_ump]

Re: zero'ing a rifle and loading question

kool thanks

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: zero'ing a rifle and loading question

For shots 300 yards and less try a flat base bullet and see how they perform. The boat tail bullets were primarily made for longer shots. Sometimes it can take 150 yards for the boat tailed bullets to stabilize or "go to sleep".

For shorter shots I prefer a Berger 150 grain flat base.

But to each his own.

 

[black_ump]

Re: zero'ing a rifle and loading question

iam going to try 110 sierra hp's for under 200 yds

 

[jbaldwin]

Re: zero'ing a rifle and loading question

You may consider 125 Nosler Btips for those shorter shots.