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4/1/2013 3:12:55 PM EDT
Wasnt sure if this was more ammo or optics, so lets try optics first :). I have a shiny new RDS and a Nikon scope I want to at least get reasonably zeroed in.  Here's the ammo I have available:

Remington UMC 223
PMC X-TAC 5.56
PMC Bronze 223
American Eagle 223


All in 55gr.  Should I just work with my cheaper, more plentiful ammo or just spend the time with better quality?
4/1/2013 3:19:26 PM EDT
[#1]
I always zero with my defense ammo. If your red dot has audible clicks, I've never been that far off counting them and remembering the amount of clicks to move it back after a day of plinking with the cheaper stuff.
4/1/2013 4:35:42 PM EDT
[#2]
I would just zero with 55 grain and confirm with the other ammo, since POI will not shift very much in home defense situation between cheap and match ammo.
4/1/2013 6:53:34 PM EDT
[#3]
If your not shooting competition, I would just zero with the plinking ammo if thats what you are going to be shooting the most.
4/2/2013 6:27:06 AM EDT
[#4]
agree with above what range is self defense I don't think you will be shooting at 100 yrds in self defense unless it is a WORL situation so maybe 10 yards aim for center mass and shoot the difference will be minimal use your practice ammo to  zero
4/2/2013 10:36:27 AM EDT
[#5]
Topic Moved
4/2/2013 12:23:12 PM EDT
[#6]
I vote for defense or hunting ammo, where your shots will actually matter.  The zeros are close enough at 100 yards that your plinking ammo will still be right in the middle of the paper.  It doesn't matter if your group is on the X or 3 inches to the right when your plinking, its all about group size anyways.
4/2/2013 1:06:29 PM EDT
[#7]
I'd shoot 5 rounds of each, then zero whichever one has the tightest group.  There's no sense sighting in with ammo that will only do 2-3MOA.  If I had to guess, I'd guess AE223, but the XTAC might be good too.  PMC is crap for consistency.
4/3/2013 11:09:59 PM EDT
[#8]
I completely agree with JayC.  I wouldn't use PMC Bronze to zero.  AE223 and XTAC will get you within torso sized targets at 300 yards without you having to compensate via adjusting your hold / sight.  Can't comment about the UMC.

A couple of anecdotes from my experience with the PMC Bronze (all guns were zeroed with XM193 and had XTAC / XM855 / AE223 / PMC Bronze / MFS / Black Hill to compare with, all shots were from 300 yards via iron sights):

Colt 6920 - KAC had to be adjusted to 400 yards mark (four clicks up) for the Bronze and to the "Z" (two clicks up) for the Black Hill.

Colt 6520 - 3 clicks up rear sight adjustment for the Bronze and two for the Black Hill.

Another Colt 6520 - all ammo had similar POI - no sight adjustment needed.

I also had similar experience with PMC Bronze having wider difference in POI than other .223 / 5.56 ammo.

At 200 yards, though, I trully believe that one can score hits against Minute of Bad Guy regardless what ammo was used to zero the rifle with.
4/4/2013 7:13:04 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Wasnt sure if this was more ammo or optics, so lets try optics first :). I have a shiny new RDS and a Nikon scope I want to at least get reasonably zeroed in.  Here's the ammo I have available:

Remington UMC 223
PMC X-TAC 5.56
PMC Bronze 223
American Eagle 223


All in 55gr.  Should I just work with my cheaper, more plentiful ammo or just spend the time with better quality?



I would do the rough sighting in with the UMC. the fine tune to the X-tac and use the X-tac as your main defense ammo.  for fun & practice I would use the UMC up first, the AE223 probably 2nd.
4/4/2013 8:02:14 AM EDT
[#10]
Whatever your carry/SD ammo is. That's why I got 100 rounds of Mk262. I figure some will be needed for zero.
4/4/2013 7:40:31 PM EDT
[#11]
Zero with the amo you plan to shoot the most.
4/5/2013 5:42:26 PM EDT
[#12]
If you are using a red dot, the dot size will cause more variability than the ammo.  I would shoot a little of all of the and zero on the brand providing the best group.
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