Zero distance for air rifle silhouette

[rcb]

Based on the info I have found on this website and airgunadvice.net, I have acquired a AA TX200 and mounted a Bushnell 4200 6 X 24 scope (BKL 257 H rings) with the target dot reticle to shoot in springer class silhouette. It has been a lot of fun to shoot while breaking it in and I appreciate the wealth of info I have found here in selecting this rifle. I have zeroed it at 25 yds in my backyard using the JSB Exact heavies. Any suggestions for a zero distance to shoot in silhouette matches? Also, does anyone make a scale set of swinger targets you could shoot at a shorter distance (10-25yds) that would simulate the full target distances? Input greatly appreciated!

[Jason]

As with all silhouette disciplines, I would zero your knobs at the chicken distance and then adjust upwards from there for the other distances. Congrats on getting such an awesome setup!

[jdp]

Try a can of the JSB Match Diabolo Exact .177 Cal, 8.4 Grains and compare them to the 10.2 grain Heavies. You might be pleasantly surprised. They are a little lighter but more consistent in fps, more accurate, and easier on your rifle.

You can also get targets to print online that are to scale at different yardages.
http://www.citlink.net/~schattler/target.htm

[RickNW]

The TX200 is popular for Field Target, most experienced springers find the lighter pellets to perform the best- and most TX's shoot JSB's- so try the JSB Exact Express, 7.9 grain pellets. I also use these for 10 M rifles. I have not found a pellet that shoots better then JSB's in any of my rifles

Depending on what you mean for a ZERO- I like to Zero at the high point in the trajectory- then I know that everything is up, You can experiment; but guessing the point will be around 25 yards, my EV2 at 800 fps with JSB exacts, and zero is at 23 yards, My Anschutz 2025 shoots JSB Heavies at 800 fps and Zero is at 25 yards. I'm using the Anschutz for MS, I think it is something like 4 clicks up for Chickens and Pigs, then a few more for Turkey's and more for Rams.

For FT rifles I use the Zero point, 23 yards for zero'ing and if it off I rotate my tape to align Zero with the known zero point at 23 yards. I also use this for the Air MS Rifle to check thing out. The temp and humidity really messes with the pellets- so need to Zero it from time to time.

Most of the Euro FT type Match rifles shoot around 800 fps. This seems to be a good speed for the PCPs, the Springers tend to shoot faster, lighter and flatter.

Hope this makes sence and understandable- the big thing is expect the Zero to change from day to day.

[rcb]

Appreciate the input! I will try the lighter JSBs. Zeroing at the apex of the trajectory makes sense- I will start off with that approach. Is it worth getting one of those large elevation knobs/turrets and marking the 20, 30, 36, and 45 settings for quick adjustments? If so, where can I get a good one?

[jdp]

Put a piece of painters tape on your scope and write your settings for 20, 30, 36, and 45 on it. These settings will be changing because of temperature, humidity, height/angle to targets, distance, etc. So peal off the tape, put on a new piece. and write your new settings down on it as conditions change.

[rcb]

Thanks, simple and inexpensive...