AR15: Okay - did I...

[Ironbarr]

spend three hours and some 60+ rounds working at sighting in a scope on a 25-yd indoor range for nothing?

The routine iron sight zeroing at 25-yds (or meters) is supposed to allow zero at most other ranges with a click of the dial - would I expect my 25-yd scope zero to be worth anything at 100 yds for instance?

What do I need to know?

Thanks.

-Andy

 

[Navy joe]

Hi Andy, no time shooting is time wasted right?

You need to know how far above the bore axis your scope centerline is, the higher the scope is the more you are elevating the muzzle and the higher you will be further out. My scope is carry handle mounted and with a 25 yard zero I should be about 3.5" high at 100yds. So far this zero has been very good to me for 3 gun where the ranges vary from 10-90 yds. The bullet should re-cross zero at around 300. I also have a 100 yd zero on the scope, it's real scientific, I whip off the cover and crank it down a half turn. You'd think I'd mark it or something. I only keep two zeros, I see no need for 1000yd come-ups for a 2x scope. What I do need to figure out is how big my crosshair is in MOA so I can range with it.

I think you'll be fine, expect about 3 inches high. The only thing I've found with 25yd zeroing is that close enough on windage often looks awfully bad at longer ranges. I use a very small target like a 1/2" paster and get it exact.

You really need to take a day off(you're retired remember) and wander down to Pungo. The range is pretty quiet this time of year, I always have a good time there.

 

[444]

Of course what matters is that you know where your rifle hits at the range you are shooting at. Check out this website:
http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/zeroingmethods.msnw

Even if you decide that you arn't satisfied with your zero, your time wasn't wasted; you will at least be on paper when you go for your new zero.

 

[Ironbarr]

444 - Navy joe

444 - Roger that... the range guy showed me what some people do to range gear while "getting on paper"... lot's of torn up target clamps among other things.

Nav-J - You have PM. And I forgot to ask - when's your next Pungo? And what's your fee schedule for mentoring during my first outdoor range event since boot camp in '49? You Do have lesson plans for all this, right?

-Andy

 

[Navy joe]

Range time is always free, don't know when I'll get back to Pungo. I'd have to shoot it to see, sounds like you got both scopes to hit ok but my simplistic mind still fears detachable handles.

I think the short version is that with a good 25 yd zero you should be able to hit with no sight adjustment from 0-300 yds. With small targets like varmits or soda cans you just have to know you will be low less than 25, high from 25+ to 300 and then low again. Actual ranges vary based on sight height, bullet, barrel combo etc. pretty good rough guess. Once you get outdoors you can see where you hit at 100 and write down how high and how much to dial down.

I have a M-1 now, I'm sure you still remember how to run that thing.

 

[Ironbarr]

Ouch, #$@!!% thumb again...

Guess I gotta find a way to ... get off the pot and drive south a ways.

And I'd best get it done before that Mohammad trial starts, else the road through Princess Anne Courthouse might be a bit tedious to naviguess what with all those big city folks and their space odyssey up/down-link trailers looking for parking spaces.

As always, I appreciate your input - thanks again.

Stay safe.

-Andy