Maximum point blank range and sighting in at particular distances...

[Don Fischer]

I recall hearing somewhere is hardly fact. On the other hand in basic training close to 30% of new recruits needed assistance to qualify with an M-16.

I worked at the firing range at Sembach AFB, Germany for awhile, back in the 1960's. Tell ya what, a lot more military people suck shooting than you can imagine, it ain't just basic trainees! Not only can they not shoot but they are an accident waiting to happen. I have no idea how the Army and Marine core handle shooting, hopefully not like the Air Force!

Have to tell a story that happened in my home unit. I was the NCOIC of small arms there and when I tool it over I had everyone in the unit assigned to a weapon, we had M1 carbines. Once a month they had to come and check out their gun and clean it, even if not fired. Had one guy bring his gun back first time out completely wrapped in plastic sheeting and all the seam's taped shut! He was really upset when I took it all off and he got a memo to visit the site commander about it. Now, I just wonder how many people on gun sites have any idea what wrong with wrapping up metal like that?

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I recall hearing somewhere is hardly fact. On the other hand in basic training close to 30% of new recruits needed assistance to qualify with an M-16.

Yeah, lots of soldiers just like lots of hunters really suck at shooting. What is the requirement to sight in current AR platform service rifles, something like 8 out of 10 shots in a 6 MOA group to be adequate precision to zero? I'd hardly use that as a good basis for how things should be.

 

[3006Sprng]

Not sure if this helps you, but I also shoot an 06. Hand loaded 180’s around box 165 velocity. I always zero at 100 and either run it, or dial to the expected zero distances (let’s say 200, I would be 3ish” low, so it’s about 7 clicks). Then I’ll let a couple fly at the 200 zero range and a call it good.

I always zero for wind at 100 though, elevation depends as others have stated. If I’m expecting to shoot to 300, the 200 zero is fine, it’s 8 low at 3. Past that I’ll dial up as required.

For the terrain I hunt I’m more comfortable with a 100 yard zero as I would have a higher chance shot at under 100 than over 200.

I would still rather dial up than hold over anyways.

 

[Don Fischer]

Any MPBR setup has two zero yardages. Decide the target zone size you want and put in your info. Bam. It'll give you the close and far zero yardages. Sight in at the close one.

ShootersCalculator.com | Point Blank Range Calculator

Calculates the maximum point blank range of a firearm cartridge fired from a rifle or handgun.

shooterscalculator.com

MPBR has three yardages. ZeroMid Range. it is how far above line of sight you'll be. And max range which will be low same distance that Mid Range is high. MPBE is based on the size of target you aim at and every where within that range will be within one half the target size. MPBR allows you to hold on the center point of your target and every where along the sight line hit the target within one half the dia of the target. I zero all my hunting rifles at an 8" target. Then run the data through my chronograph to see where the line of sight is at all the points along the line of sight. Then shoot at the ranges I get just to double check. The chart I get will tell me where to sight in at 100yds, where I'm at at all points in between, where I'll be 1/2 target dia low which is max range. All my rifles come out close to 275 yds max at an 8" target and can shoot to 300yds with 9" hold over. 243 has a max point blank range at a 4" target. Set it up that way for shooting at coyote's in high grass fields; only have to hold on the head.

Thinking the MPBR system was developed long ago. Remember back in the early 70's writter's wrote about high to zreo a rifle at 100yds and pretty much every one said 3" high at 100yds. Of course back then this 400yd plus shooting at game wasn't the big deal it is today. And you know what the cartridge's used to hunt aren't all that much more powerful. I've read of guys claiming that with their super magnum they can hold dead on at 400yds. Yea, if the target size your after is big enough. But then at mid range you will likely be out of the target and have to hold low to make the hit! Remenber MPBR is a range where every range along the sight path will put the bullet within 1/2 the distance of the target size. 8" target is high at 100yds, 4" high at mid range and 4" low at MPBR. Every shot within the sight line is hit at + or - 4"

 

[3006Sprng]

MPBR has three yardages. ZeroMid Range. it is how far above line of sight you'll be. And max range which will be low same distance that Mid Range is high. MPBE is based on the size of target you aim at and every where within that range will be within one half the target size. MPBR allows you to hold on the center point of your target and every where along the sight line hit the target within one half the dia of the target. I zero all my hunting rifles at an 8" target. Then run the data through my chronograph to see where the line of sight is at all the points along the line of sight. Then shoot at the ranges I get just to double check. The chart I get will tell me where to sight in at 100yds, where I'm at at all points in between, where I'll be 1/2 target dia low which is max range. All my rifles come out close to 275 yds max at an 8" target and can shoot to 300yds with 9" hold over. 243 has a max point blank range at a 4" target. Set it up that way for shooting at coyote's in high grass fields; only have to hold on the head.

Thinking the MPBR system was developed long ago. Remember back in the early 70's writter's wrote about high to zreo a rifle at 100yds and pretty much every one said 3" high at 100yds. Of course back then this 400yd plus shooting at game wasn't the big deal it is today. And you know what the cartridge's used to hunt aren't all that much more powerful. I've read of guys claiming that with their super magnum they can hold dead on at 400yds. Yea, if the target size your after is big enough. But then at mid range you will likely be out of the target and have to hold low to make the hit! Remenber MPBR is a range where every range along the sight path will put the bullet within 1/2 the distance of the target size. 8" target is high at 100yds, 4" high at mid range and 4" low at MPBR. Every shot within the sight line is hit at + or - 4"

Best advice I have seen for anyone using dedicated zero distances, so important to check trajectory at reasonable intervals. I know a few fellas (including myself) with higher than desired impacts on game in the field due to lack of understanding of trajectory past their zero distance. Lessons learned, but this is good advice.

 

[RckyMtn]

I have always went with a 250yd zero in my 7RM and 300WM

 

[3006Sprng]

I have always went with a 250yd zero in my 7RM and 300WM

How high at 100?

 

[RckyMtn]

How high at 100?

Right around 2 1/4". I have lots of wide open spaces to shoot around me so I can set up a target at 100, get reasonably close and then go out to 250 to get it perfect.

 

[Dan-06]

I zero my 30-06 at 250 yards. I’m lucky to have a small shooting range out my back door. I like to zero it in about 45 degree weather. My house is at 5220 feet. This way when I’m at 7500 hunting and it’s 30 degrees outside it’s all about the same. We live to practice from 100 to 550 yards on prairie dogs. That really helps because the yardage is never an incremental number. Only takes about 200 rounds per year per person to be an effective shooter. Never going to win a match but will always put meat in the freezer.