Zero Range

[ltcnav]

Hi All,
Am a recreational SS shooter. Have a range in my backyard, NRA specs, have a group over once or twice a month and do a shoot, use NRA rules. Used to shoot 40 targets, took too long, too many shooters, so have gone to 20 target shoots.
Most all, including me, use stock rifles, most with 3x9 scopes.
At what range would you zero the scope for least amount of holdover/under? First thought is 50 yards, halfway to max 100 yrd target. Second thought, zero at 70 yrs, half way between 40 and 100, the actual shooting ranges.
Working with some ballistic tables, it appears that the 70 yrd zero would result in smallest holdover/under.
Thanks,
Jerry

[Jason]

I've never seen anyone have much success at trying to shoot smallbore silhouette without adjusting scope settings for each animal. The most successful attempts at it have used a dead-on sight in on turkeys at 77 meters. That leaves aiming at the base of the leg on the chicken (40m), bottom of the belly on pigs (60m) and just slightly above the top of the back of rams (100m). This game is hard enough without the handicap of not changing changing scope settings, though.

[pistolero45]

I agree with Jason.

There was a fellow at our club who used a 3-9x scope and kept it sighted for turkeys. Most of the time he won A class, too. But higher magnification and adjusting for point of impact at each distance will earn you a higher score.

[cedestech]

Agree with both above. I suppose you could do it with a mildot scope but still, that is just too much work for not enough return.

There again, if you are just screwing around for fun then sure, I vote zero on the turkeys.

[Jerry G]

I would go with the turkey setting also.

[AddictedToSB]

Turkeys or Pigs. I used to shoot a mil-dot scope, and had the best luck using one of those as my zero. Which was best seemed to be tied to scope power.

[RBriscoe]

If you absolutely are not going to make sight changes, sight in on the 77 meter turkeys as Jason suggested. It is the only solution that is reasonably workable. All the rest result in very difficult sight pictures.

Now the question. Why don't you want to change sight settings? Most scopes have some sort of friction adjustment that a coin or screw driver will work on just fine. It may not be as convenient as a knob with clicks, but it usually will get the job done. Many of the scopes have a little slider so that you can set your zero for chickens and go from there. If not you can make a few marks with something that will allow you to make repeatable changes. Give it a try. You just might like it.

It sounds like you are having a great time shooting with friends. Congratulations!

P.S. If you go with the fixed sight settings, make a little diagram of the sight picture for each animal as a reminder for next time.

Rick

[ltcnav]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the replies. Why not adjust scope? Good question. Mostly because I have probably 15 or so different shooters, all borrowing my guns. I have a CZ Lux with a 3x9 Sightron scope(which I am pleased with) and I love that rifle, a Marlin/Glenfield bolt with a BSA Sweet 22(obviously that scope gets set for shooting range)-I am really not convinced as to the accuracy of that scope system, and a 10-22 with a Nikon 4x, which is a really good set-up(volquartson trigger parts).
So you see, with so many really inexperienced shooters on different rifles, and with all kinds of ammo, really not practical to adjust scope. Actually I tell them not to touch scope settings!
Again, in it for the good time, not record setting scores!
I laugh, because the shoot is very humbling, especially for guys that occasionally plink around and think they are hot shots! I have humbled a couple of army/marines just out of basic.
My son usually turns in the best score, with a target 10-22, with volquarteson trigger parts-He usually shoots in the mid-twenties, scores in the teens are considered very good.
Most shooters, who only shoot at my place are luck to get a 5.
I emphasize the value of the sport to deer hunters, better idea of range estimation, and makes you a better shooter all around.
Thanks

[pistolero45]

I salute both you and your fellow sportsmen, for you are playing the game as it was originally intended.

Me thinks that in addition to the difficulty factor, new shooters get turned off by the equipment race.

[Dee]

If everyone is using different ammo and the same rifle with fixed scope settings who knows where you might actually be hitting regardless of what animal you zero on. Sounds like you have a good time trying anyway Nice to be able to shoot at the house isn't it


Dee

[kevinbear]

What state is all this backyard blasting happening in? Most of us have a "real" hunting 22 in the safe and would like to drop in for a match.

[ltcnav]

I'm in the UP of Michigan. And , yes I know about the ammo. I have actually benched about 6 different brands from my 10/22 and the CZ, have done it on targets on the same piece of paper so you can see the difference, a neat way to look at groups is to turn the target over, to get rid of the bullseye markings and you just see the bullet holes on white, the groups are much clearer to see(I usually measure with a quarter). For all of my rifles, and the folks who shoot them, the Remington Golden Bullet seems to be the best all around performer(function and accuracy).
I have found some ammos match to particular rifles, but am not going to try and sort out ammo and rifles for a dozen shooters!(besides, I encourage all to bring own ammo, back when the prices skyrocketed-I would go through $100 a shoot! for ammo)
Remember, it is for the fun. It is mostly neighbors and guys/families from my church, we have a potluck/grill dogs-good time.
I have a centerfire range in the front, so when the silo shooters are on, the pistols are blazing in the front.
Happening this Sunday!

[OLd_Sarge]

I'm in the UP of Michigan. And , yes I know about the ammo. I have actually benched about 6 different brands from my 10/22 and the CZ, have done it on targets on the same piece of paper so you can see the difference, a neat way to look at groups is to turn the target over, to get rid of the bullseye markings and you just see the bullet holes on white, the groups are much clearer to see(I usually measure with a quarter). For all of my rifles, and the folks who shoot them, the Remington Golden Bullet seems to be the best all around performer(function and accuracy).
I have found some ammos match to particular rifles, but am not going to try and sort out ammo and rifles for a dozen shooters!(besides, I encourage all to bring own ammo, back when the prices skyrocketed-I would go through $100 a shoot! for ammo)
Remember, it is for the fun. It is mostly neighbors and guys/families from my church, we have a potluck/grill dogs-good time.
I have a centerfire range in the front, so when the silo shooters are on, the pistols are blazing in the front.
Happening this Sunday!

I sure wish i was in your neck of the woods, this sounds like a hoot!

[1stlttightwad]

I think you are going the right way with a single zero range and not moving the turrets..With so many folks shooting the turrets would become worn out in no time..Sounds like everyone is having a good time at "your"range. I guess we are luckier than most in that we have our own range..Our family has a range with hanging steel plates, target holders and all the supplies that we need kept in a dry box at the pistol rail (25 yds)..We could shoot 550 meters if we wanted to get all the way back to my sis's pool but usually only shoot at 100 or less unless we are shooting centerfire for deer season. Living here in South Georgia even though there are neighbors a hundred yards away they don't mind the noise..That was taken care of when we built the range by inviting them over and they can use the range as if it was their own..Good neighbors for sure. Good luck on your shoots...Dave....Deo Vindice.
PS: It's like Ted Nugent says..."You can't do that in France" LOL

PSS..I click on the top left smilie and I get the blue tooth smilie..what am I doing wrong...Thanks, Dave

[RBriscoe]

One thing you may want to consider is figuring out an ammo that everyone would agree to buy and then get a couple of cases to split up so that everyone buys a few bricks.

This would help eliminate the variable of what the rifle does when changing from one brand (and lube) to another andweight simplify the sight setting differences.