Ranging w/Sights

Hjaalmarch · Apr 26, 2015

I go to Freestate and Hap Baker quite often. Freestate is only 25 yd while Baker is 250 yd.

I took the AR to Freestate after using it out to 100 at Baker a while back. Surprise, didn't do so well.

So two questions - 1. at what distance do you keep your AR's zeroed? I was doing well with 100.

2. And after that, what do you do to switch ranges, like me from 25 to 100? Do you click the sights, or try to eyeball it?

BradMacc82 · Apr 26, 2015

A 25 yard zero on 5.56/.223 ar's, will have you roughly 2 inches high at 100, 1 inch high at 200, and on-target at 300. Rough numbers, but pretty close.

Me, I normally zero for 100, that's the distance I have available to me.

BossmanPJ · Apr 26, 2015

The buzz right now is a 50 yard zero for .223/5.56. Apparently a lot of people are switching to it because it is more versatile at distances to 300 yards. Me personally I use the 25 yard zero and cut the bullseye in half with the front sight post. Then at 100 yards us u hold my front post under the bullseye it is pretty close.

INMY01TA · Apr 26, 2015

100 yards with my AR's and 200 yard zero with my Remy 700.

mopar92 · Apr 26, 2015

36/300 yards with my AR's. Also going from 25 yards to longer ranges is much more unforgiving.

What ranges and positions where you using?

GUNSnROTORS · Apr 27, 2015

For the the M16A1 I learned with, short range (large aperture) and long range (small aperture) rear sights correlated with 25/300 meters (short) and 42/460 meters (long). 460 meters was max effective range according to TM-9-1005-249-10. This data was for 54/55 grain ammo. For M16A2/A3 rifles using M855 ammo and carry handle, max effective range was listed as 550 meters (individual/point targets) and 800 meters (area targets). For the M16A4 rifle, max effective range is listed as 550 meters (individual/point targets) and 600 meters (area targets). For the M4/M4A1 carbine, max effective range is listed at 550 meters (individual & point targets) and 600/800 meters (area targets), depending on service.

With all the variations available now, I'd verify any iron/buis sight assumptions/data on the range. To determine actual ballistic trajectories for the myriad .223/5.56 ammo available (not to mention barrels), I'd start with ballistics tables and sw to get a wag prior to zeroing. I zero my ARs at different ranges, depending on the purpose and the optics on them, and treat iron sights as close-range backups, due to aging eyes.

Pinecone · Apr 27, 2015

What ammo are you shooting? What length barrel?

M193 and M855 have different ballistic performance.

M855 out of an M4 (short barrel) zeroed at 34 yards, give a hit no more than 5 inches high or low out to 335 yards. Same round, zeroed at 36 yards, out of an A4 (longer barrel) give that 5 inches high or low out to 350 yards.

Magnumite · Apr 27, 2015

Using Federal 223 or XM193, I adjust mine (20" rifle length and practical M4):

Front sight up 3 clicks from military 'z' (battle sight zero) and rear sight starting at 8/3;
50 yard zero = rear 2 clicks down;
100 yard zero = rear 3 clicks down (practical POI with the 50 yard zero);

photoracer · Apr 27, 2015

Depends on you sighting system. If using iron sights I suggest going with a short distance zero. If using a tactical type scope go with 100 yards. I use BDC type scopes exclusively, 3-gun or not. Zero to whatever the scope makers recommends so the dots are spot on for established ranges. Use ammo that fits the ballistic curve the scope is made to use (usually NATO spec 5.56x45 in the case of that ammo, or M80 .308 in the case of a 7.62x51mm round).
But either way you may need to refine you sights slightly if you test shoot it at the longer end of the curve also. Just because its zeros at 30y does not mean things can't happen to the bullet by the time it gets to 300 yards. If I can only shoot it at 30 or 100 then I want the groups to be as tight as I can make it.
My goal is to be able to shoot 10 rounds semi-rapid fire at 300 yards and get all of them on target and at least 50% or more in the 10-ring (my best is 8/10 with 2 in the 9-ring with a 1-4x scope). I am sure others can do better.

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