Zero range indicators

85MikeTPI · May 24, 2020

Apologies if this is too noob, but as my collections grow I run up against it more often.

I have different guns for different distances and they range from being zeroed at 100, 200, 400 yards. Inevitably I pick one up to shoot after several months and can’t recall it’s zero range. Does this just flag me as keeping poor DOPE records or is there a common way people keep track of their zero range?

I finally grabbed my 1000yd - 1mile scope and realizing it’ll have to be zeroed at yet another range.

https://aaoptics.com/REFURBISHED-GOLDEN-EAGLE-HD-15-60X52-RIFLESCOPE-ECR-1-MOA_p_522.html

Swaim13 · May 24, 2020

I think it depends partially on what you are shooting. I would zero my rifle at 100 or 200 depending on the velocity of the cartridge. This way your zero doesn't have any windage factored in.

I generally zero my scope out or set the parallax to the range I have dialed to before putting the rifle away. It's best to zero it out though so you don't have any doubts. You can save what distance your zero is in your ballistic calculators. Otherwise, blue painter's tape with the info on it can be placed on the stock while it's in storage

dist1646 · May 24, 2020

I make up a label with zero's on it. Attach to either the side of the stock or on top of the front bell of the scope. If they need to be protected from the elements, cover with scotch tape. Easy and cheap.

rbird7282 · May 24, 2020

Why wouldn’t you just zero them all the same (at 100 yds or distance of your choosing) and then use a ballistics calculator to dial up.

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1time · May 24, 2020

Precision stuff gets zero’ at 100 that way closer or farther is dialing up. Close range stuff gets zero’d at 200 so everything is minute of head from point blank to a little over 200. For the precision stuff, always dial back to 100 before leaving the bench/switching rifles. Hard lesson learned during a match.

outrider58 · May 24, 2020

dist1646 said:
I make up a label with zero's on it. Attach to either the side of the stock or on top of the front bell of the scope. If they need to be protected from the elements, cover with scotch tape. Easy and cheap.

I do this, but only on guns with BDC optics. Rifles, I zero 2'' high at 100 yds. Bolt shotgun and muzzle loaders are zeroed 1" high. I don't shoot competitively. My guns are set up for hunting.

Mr. Ed · May 24, 2020

I hang a key tag on each rifle with the range, ammo and whether or not it's zeroed with a suppressor. Not very sophisticated, but it works for me.

erwos · May 24, 2020

Surprised more people don't have this issue. I used to use a spreadsheet, but I generally use Strelok Pro now, now that I am a little more fastidious about collecting chrono data.

Pinecone · May 25, 2020

Precision rifles are zeroed at 100 yards.

Practical rifles are zeroed for maximum point blank range.

Done.

85MikeTPI · May 25, 2020

Pinecone said:
Precision rifles are zeroed at 100 yards.

Practical rifles are zeroed for maximum point blank range.

Done.

So when I’m shooting 1mile and need 70moa holdover, it’s really spinning the turret around 7 times and back again when finished ?

Just seems like extra effort but I’ll give it a try a few times and see if it sticks

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone

MacGuns · May 25, 2020

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B013DG2FNW

I'm in the dial up camp, but you can just label your scopes.

Doco Overboard · May 25, 2020

For most of the rifles I own with open /iron sights anything 2600 fps or over gets zeroed @200
Slower rifles say 22oo to 2400 @100 22 rimfire at 50 yds. I make notes in small binders and plot shots for rifles Im enjoying at the time or before I put them away.

All my long action hunting rifles that have scopes on them I zero at 300. Lever guns with slow cartridges or that use blunt or flat bullets at 100 whether they have a scope on them or not.

Pinecone · May 25, 2020

85MikeTPI said:
So when I’m shooting 1mile and need 70moa holdover, it’s really spinning the turret around 7 times and back again when finished ?

Just seems like extra effort but I’ll give it a try a few times and see if it sticks

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone

Well how many turns less does zeroing at 200 do?

Also, if you always shoot a long ranges, you can reset to your 1000 yard setting instead of going all the way back to zero. And at least some scopes indicate how many turns you are.

engineerbrian · May 25, 2020

dist1646 said:
I make up a label with zero's on it. Attach to either the side of the stock or on top of the front bell of the scope. If they need to be protected from the elements, cover with scotch tape. Easy and cheap.

MacMoov said:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B013DG2FNW

I'm in the dial up camp, but you can just label your scopes.

I’ve always used a spread sheet, but I really like the idea of labeling the scope :thumbsup:

sgt23preston · May 25, 2020

Here is what I would do...

#1. There are only a few ranges in Merry Land that ranges that are over 100 YARDS, so that limits things a LOT...

#2. Buy a small note book & make a separate page for each rifle. For each rifle, write the Ammo Manufacturer, Bullet Weight, Muzzle Velocity & Distance Zeroed for each rifle. Put the note book with the stuff you always take to the range regardless of which rifle you are shooting...

OLM-Medic · May 27, 2020

I just zero them and use my drop chart accordingly. If I'm shooting at 1,000 yards, I dial up to 1,000 yards. If I'm shooting at 800 yards, I dial to 800 yards. It shouldn't really matter what your zero is, since you'll need to use your drop chart that is specific to each gun anyway.

alucard0822 · May 27, 2020

I zero a couple different ways, but am pretty consistent in what type of firearm is zeroed in which way. ARs and most everything with 1x or non BDC reticles are zeroed to 50yds, BDC reticles are zeroed to whatever they are calibrated for, usually 50 or 100. For longer range stuff without BDCs, i'll set the 0 stop at either 100yd zero or 100+20MOA either one will be listed on the dope card with the rifle,, but easy enough to just leave it at whatever range I dialed it in for with a zero stop.

Pinecone · May 27, 2020

alucard0822 said:
I zero a couple different ways, but am pretty consistent in what type of firearm is zeroed in which way. ARs and most everything with 1x or non BDC reticles are zeroed to 50yds, BDC reticles are zeroed to whatever they are calibrated for, usually 50 or 100. For longer range stuff without BDCs, i'll set the 0 stop at either 100yd zero or 100+20MOA either one will be listed on the dope card with the rifle,, but easy enough to just leave it at whatever range I dialed it in for with a zero stop.

Why 50 yards?

Zero range indicators

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