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UPDATED: Zero Targets Optimized for Red Dot Style Optics (Aimpoint, EOTech, etc...) AR-15 & AK-47 (Page 1 of 6)
Posted: 3/8/2011 5:23:20 PM EDT
[Last Edit: thecolter383][Edited]
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I wanted to share some targets I created to assist in zeroing my red dot optics. I was always unsatisfied with using other targets to zero my red dot as I felt as if I was guessing whether or not to dot was correctly centered over the target. I created these to address my concerns and they have worked quite well and definitely speed up the zeroing process. I also have shot tighter groups using these targets. These targets are designed to take advantage of the human eye's natural tendency to center an object within a circle. Using these targets will save time and ammunition while at the same time providing tighter groups for a better zero. The target is ‘calibrated’ for use at 50 yards to obtain the 50y/200m improved zero for the AR-15 rifle/carbine or a 50 yard zero for AK-47 variants. The target consists of:
When the target is correctly placed at 50 yards, the optics dot will completely cover the colored portion of the corresponding target. The black ring will assist in correctly centering the optic over the target for a near perfect hold (depending on if you do your part). Just shoot your groups and use the adjustment references to quickly move your point of impact. This should speed up the zeroing process and provide an extremely accurate zero at the same time. Example:  Download the target in .pdf format HERE Just make sure your printer scaling is set to NONE / ACTUAL SIZE and you should be good to go. I hope this can be useful to others. Adjusted 25 yard targets for a 50 yard zero  Here are 25 yard targets that will give you a 50/200 yard zero when used properly when you only have access to a shorter range. These were made to work with standard AR sight height (2.6" - 2.8" over the bore) using averaged M193 / M855 velocities from a 16" barrel. These should also help those using different rifle setups (barrel length) and/or heavier grain bullets get close. Place the target at 25 yards. Your point of aim should be at the colored / bold outlined portion of the target. Fire your group. Adjust the point of impact to the GRAY DOT in the middle of the target. If you follow the adjustment grid it will get you there. The math works out to give you a 50/200 yard zero. Be careful to keep the optic's dot centered within the optic itself as much as possible when zeroing at this range as it is not entirely parallax free at 25 yards. Also, be sure to verify this at 50 yards when you can as there may be slight differences in each weapon that may alter the zero (sight over bore height, co-witness, barrel length, ammunition used, etc.). 25 Yard Target Example:  The Aimpoint 25 yard - 50/200 yard zero target in .pdf can be downloaded HERE Adjusted 25 yard targets for a 100 yard zero Same instructions as the adjusted 25 yard targets for a 50 yard zero, only these are calibrated to give a 100 yard zero. Again, be sure to confirm your zero at 100 yards given the chance. Example:  The 25 yard - 100 yard zero target in .pdf can be downloaded HERE Adjusted 25 yard targets for a 300 yard zero Same instructions as the adjusted 25 yard targets for a 50 yard zero, only these are calibrated to give a 300 yard zero. Again, be sure to confirm your zero at 300 yards given the chance. Example:  The 25 yard - 300 yard zero target in .pdf can be downloaded HERE  Adjusted 25 yard targets for a 50 yard zero Here are 25 yard targets that will give you a 50 yard zero when used properly when you only have access to a shorter range. These were made to work with low mount AK optics that allow co-witness (2.25" over the bore) using averaged 123gr 7.62x39mm velocities from a 16" barrel. Place the target at 25 yards. Your point of aim should be at the colored / bold outlined portion of the target. Fire your group. Adjust the point of impact to the GRAY DOT in the middle of the target. If you follow the adjustment grid it will get you there. The math works out to give you a 50 yard zero. Be careful to keep the optic's dot centered within the optic itself as much as possible when zeroing at this range as it is not entirely parallax free at 25 yards. Also, be sure to verify this at 50 yards when you can as there may be slight differences in each weapon that may alter the zero (sight over bore height, co-witness, barrel length, ammunition used, etc.). 25 Yard Target Example:  The AK red dot 25 yard - 50 yard zero target in .pdf can be downloaded HERE Adjusted 25 yard targets for a 100 yard zero Same instructions as the adjusted 25 yard targets for a 50 yard zero, only these are calibrated to give a 100 yard zero. Again, be sure to confirm your zero at 100 yards given the chance. Example:  The AK 25 yard - 100 yard zero target in .pdf can be downloaded HERE Adjusted 25 yard targets for a 300 yard zero Same instructions as the adjusted 25 yard targets for a 50 yard zero, only these are calibrated to give a 300 yard zero. Again, be sure to confirm your zero at 300 yards given the chance. Example:  The AK 25 yard - 300 yard zero target in .pdf can be downloaded HERE I encourage anyone who uses these to leave feedback in this thread for future improvements or suggestions. If there are any other targets you'd like to see (different calibers / loads) let me know and I'll will work something up. Also check out these targets 25M improved zero targets I created based of the common US Military Zero target. They have adjusted zeros for 50/200M, 100M, and the standard 300M zero:  http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_18/556355_Improved_25M_AR15A2___A3___A4_and_AR15_Carbine_Zero_Targets____Calibrated_for_50_200M__100M__300M.html |
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Originally Posted By AK_Steve:
Awesome, thank you! Would it be possible for you to make a 3 MOA version for the micros?  I can definitely still use these though.Please use one of the targets in the original post as the now cover multiple different MOA dots. |
| Range report: I printed out the 4 MOA versions and went to the range this afternoon. At 50 yards the dot makes the target tough to see with no magnification, I think these "old fart" eyes were seeing the black ring more than anything else in the indoor range I was in, I'd dialed the dot on my Comp M2 down to the lowest setting I could see and having mounted my rifle in a rest proceeded to dial in the mount and fire for grouping. In less than 10 rounds I was perfectly zeroed for a 50/200 zero. I fired a few more rounds just to make sure as it truly is difficult to see the targets but am convinced that if I do my part that I'll have good hits. Thanks again OP. |
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Originally Posted By thecolter383:
Originally Posted By bcsoeod:
very cool, thank you serious question, are you in the target industry? not in the slightest... military / mechanical engineering student. I just had an idea that worked out pretty well. LOL... chalk it up to the engineering students to come up with cheap ways to make cool/cheap gun stuff! I'm a Sr. Mech Engineering student, and I've been making my own version of this for a while. I just draw them up on graph paper before I go shoot, then photocopy a few copies. |
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Originally Posted By MrBear80229:
Range report: I printed out the 4 MOA versions and went to the range this afternoon. At 50 yards the dot makes the target tough to see with no magnification, I think these "old fart" eyes were seeing the black ring more than anything else in the indoor range I was in, I'd dialed the dot on my Comp M2 down to the lowest setting I could see and having mounted my rifle in a rest proceeded to dial in the mount and fire for grouping. In less than 10 rounds I was perfectly zeroed for a 50/200 zero. I fired a few more rounds just to make sure as it truly is difficult to see the targets but am convinced that if I do my part that I'll have good hits. Thanks again OP. Thanks for the feedback. I addressed this again and made the black ring larger and thicker. This should help out a bit more. I also have worked up some 25 yard adjusted zero targets to give you a 50/200 yard zero. I posted it to the original post. |
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| I say, great work ole chap. If my son feels like it this week he can use these to confirm the zero on his AR. I have an Eotech on mine though. Is there any way you could do something for the 1 moa dots like the Eotech. 25yds is all I have right here at the house. I don't need the zero type with the extra sighting circle, since I handload and would need to adjust it to my load. Just the fact that is would be more precise for use with the dot is more than enough. If you could make one that would be good for use at 300 that would be awesome as well. I can give you an AAR in a week or two. Again, great work. Thanks |
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Originally Posted By pavlovwolf:
I say, great work ole chap. If my son feels like it this week he can use these to confirm the zero on his AR. I have an Eotech on mine though. Is there any way you could do something for the 1 moa dots like the Eotech. 25yds is all I have right here at the house. I don't need the zero type with the extra sighting circle, since I handload and would need to adjust it to my load. Just the fact that is would be more precise for use with the dot is more than enough. If you could make one that would be good for use at 300 that would be awesome as well. I can give you an AAR in a week or two. Again, great work. Thanks Thanks alot. I worked up some 'generic' targets that should be better suited to other optics such as the EOtech sights. I made these without any real first hand experience with an EOtech outside of shooting my buddies rifle a few times (who unfortunately is 600+ miles away, so I couldn't borrow his sight). They have been added to the original post. Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions. |
History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
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Originally Posted By evenflow:
This is great! Which would be the correct for an AIMPOINT PRO? The 2 MOA 50 yard target SHOULD work best for you. The 25 yard target should work well for either the 2 or 4 MOA dot size. |
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UPDATED: Zero Targets Optimized for Red Dot Style Optics (Aimpoint, EOTech, etc...) AR-15 & AK-47 (Page 1 of 6)
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