Posted: 11/22/2014 11:23:07 PM EDT
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So I attempted to zero my new aimpoint today. I started at 50 yds
and shot 5 round groups until I was pretty close to the bullseye. There was room for improvement and I need to work on fundamentals to tighten up my groups. I eventually realized that this wasn't working and moved up to 25 yds. Then every group shot low from where the dot was aimed. I think this means that I'm zeroed for 50 yards since its low at 25 but 99.9% of my shots are going to be 50yds and under. I mean, 50 is far for me with a little red dot! So its frustrating that my shots under 50 yds don't hit where I aim. Do I need to zero at 25 yds? What do I need to do to ensure that my shots hit where I aim at 50 yds and under? |
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The range at which you zero (shoot), and the range to which you are zero'ed are two different things.
You can zero to any range (shooting) at any range. By that I mean if you want to zero to 50m but do so while shooting at 25m you just take into account the difference in point of aim (POA) and point of impact (POI) and adjust accordingly: your POI should be about 1" below your POA. |
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Quoted:
I did thats the target i used. So I assume I'm zeroed for 50. But that means that I have to accept hitting low when closer than 50 yds? It is impossible to have a zero at both 25 yards and 50 yards. You need to account for that in your mind and aim about an inch high at 25 yards. Edited: because of bourbon. |
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OP needs to make a study of ballistics.
the bullet is much more akin to a thrown baseball than a laser beam. It's falling from the minute it leaves the barrel. It never rises above the centerline of the bore, so you pick a zero point and learn the projected impact points along the way. Long rang shooters make Range Cards with the date written down, often taped to the stock of the rifle for quick reference. Google " Point Blank Range" for your caliber. |
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Read this,has charts etc for different distances and the effects of different zero's
http://www.thebangswitch.com/the-50-yard-zero-for-5-56mm/ |
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Quoted:
It is impossible to have a zero at both 25 yards and 50 yards. You need to account for that in your mind and aim about an inch high at 25 yards. Quoted:
Quoted:
I did thats the target i used. So I assume I'm zeroed for 50. But that means that I have to accept hitting low when closer than 50 yds? It is impossible to have a zero at both 25 yards and 50 yards. You need to account for that in your mind and aim about an inch high at 25 yards. Fixed that for you. If he's zeroed at 50 yards and is shooting at 25 the bullet will impact 1 inch'ish below his point of aim so he needs to aim about 1 inch above the desired point of impact. |
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Quoted:
OP needs to make a study of ballistics. the bullet is much more akin to a thrown baseball than a laser beam. It's falling from the minute it leaves the barrel. It never rises above the centerline of the bore, so you pick a zero point and learn the projected impact points along the way. Long rang shooters make Range Cards with the date written down, often taped to the stock of the rifle for quick reference. Google " Point Blank Range" for your caliber. That's a confusing as hell way to put it that is technically correct but  when trying to explain to a newbie.
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ha yes it is--but I think I grasp the concept.
And I used the other target that was for the 50yd zero. I think its zeroed at 50 just the groupings were not the tightest. And when I moved to 25yds the bullets were hitting below where I was aiming. So that's consistent with what should happen. Under 50 yards I just need to hold a little high correct? |
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Quoted:
ha yes it is--but I think I grasp the concept. And I used the other target that was for the 50yd zero. I think its zeroed at 50 just the groupings were not the tightest. And when I moved to 25yds the bullets were hitting below where I was aiming. So that's consistent with what should happen. Under 50 yards I just need to hold a little high correct? 2.6" high at muzzle. About 1" at 25. Zero at 50 (I zero at 200 but I do not recommend that for you at this time). 25 yard zeros suck. |
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Since your not going to be precise with a red dot, if it's possible try to zero best you can at 100yards. That way everything you shoot from 25-200yards will be within a pie plate size area from center. Everyone has there own way to do it though.
Eta: OP think of the bullet path as to what happens when you hold your thumb over the end of a garden hose. If you tilt the nozzle at the 2o'clock position the water travels further but the arch that it makes is large. If you shoot the stream at 3 o'clock the stream falls a lot shorter but everything in its path until the point where it just drops off is in the same general area. |