This is topic time to check our zero in forum Firearms forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://www.huntmastersbbs.com/cgi-bin/cgi-ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000171
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 23, 2005, 09:37 PM:
As an old die hard coyote hunter, I started out with decent advice; sight in an inch high at 100 yards. Never saw a reason to change.
Yeah, deer hunting out west is different, you need to know your midrange trajectory, but for predator hunting, every rifle I ever used has been dialed in for an inch high at a hundred.
So, what do you do?
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on July 23, 2005, 09:58 PM:
Went to the range this morning...
1" high at one hundred yards.
Posted by TheHuntedOne (Member # 623) on July 23, 2005, 10:03 PM:
Well sir, I sight in for dead on at 100 yards. If I ever get the chance to shoot farther than that here in New Hampshire, they are going to take away my guns because I will shooting on the highway ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
My .243 is dead on at 100 and close enough at 50 to get the job done.
I pattern the shotgun at 40 but most shots are a lot closer than that.
Don't know what I would do if I ever landed someplace that I would be able to take a 200 to 300 yard shot.
Miss I suppose
Posted by Dogleg (Member # 662) on July 23, 2005, 10:14 PM:
I've settled on a 200 yard zero with a 22/250, based on the first shot out of a cold dirty barrel. Every time I try to stretch that out, over shooting results. There are so many chances with just ears and eyeballs to shoot at, pinching down the trajectory really helps for me. The Leupold B&C reticle that I stared using this spring is showing promise, and works without giving up my favored 200 zero.
Mike
Posted by Melvin (Member # 634) on July 23, 2005, 10:43 PM:
I've been doing the same!one inch high at hundred yards.
Posted by Jack Roberts (Member # 13) on July 23, 2005, 11:15 PM:
All my short range rifles I sight in centered at 200 yards.
Makes the zeros easy to remember.
Jack
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on July 24, 2005, 06:45 AM:
Every rifle I own is sighted dead on at 100 yards. I never could see the point of sighting it in an inch high. If I want the bullet to hit an inch high, I just aim and inch high.
Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on July 24, 2005, 10:03 AM:
Dead on at 100.
I've played with the idea of upping it for longer ranges, but I've shot over the top too many times on high angle shots even without a higher zero.
Brad
[ July 24, 2005, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: brad h ]
Posted by Doggitter (Member # 489) on July 24, 2005, 10:18 AM:
When I got the .17 Rem I put it at a 2" point blank. The highest it'll reach is 2" but I don't remember what the 100 is. Need to get some shooting done with it and relearn since I basically bought it and just went hunting last winter. Need to tape a print out on the stock till I have it burned in my brain. Loren
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on July 24, 2005, 01:33 PM:
I have been shooting the Burris ballistic plex for several years now. Every since it came out. So my main crosshair is dead nuts at 100yds and I have a hash mark for every hundred out to 700. It takes some playing with the power ring and loads to get everything to work, but once you do you are pretty well on at every range. With my .243 that is. I have had a tougher time getting the whole deal to work on my AR in .223. Since it is slower I have to sight the main crosshair a touch low at 100 to get the 2 and 3 hundred yard hash marks to hit at the correct range. And a rangefinder is a must.
Posted by 2dogs (Member # 649) on July 25, 2005, 06:14 AM:
1" high @ 100yrds. Past 200yrds, it's mortar rd time. I prefer movers, more of a challenge.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on July 25, 2005, 07:53 AM:
All of my calling rifles are zeroed for PBR on a 4" target. Puts them all pretty close to 1.5" high at 100, dead on at anywhere from about 225 to 300.
- DAA
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on August 03, 2005, 11:40 AM:
I have always sighted my Predator calling rifles in 1" high at 100 yards.I to use the Ballistic plex(Burris).Sight it in as the Magnum cart.
1 inch high 100 yrds
zero at 200 yards (cross hair)
first mark is very close to 300 yards
second mark is close to 400 yards
Then it opens up alittle,but most of my shots are between 0-300 yards so the 1 inch high at 100 yards has always worked well for me.GOOD HUNTING C.O
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on August 03, 2005, 02:50 PM:
I zero for about 1.5" high at 100.
Hey Cal Taylor, what the heck is a bareass burleskic flesh?
Posted by Melvin (Member # 634) on August 03, 2005, 03:09 PM:
LOL LOL LOL, OH BOY!! Whew!
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on August 03, 2005, 05:58 PM:
Rich, The meds must be working well! LOL!
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on August 03, 2005, 07:09 PM:
Cal,
Murphy Love tells me that you can hit a coyote part of the time if it is close enough and stands real still. I know Murphy wouldn't lie, so I guess that bareass burleksic thingy must be alright.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on August 03, 2005, 08:43 PM:
Gee....all I have on my rifle is a scope (zero @ 100). Can I still be a pampass know it all without one of those bareass burleksic thingys?? My self-esteem is at stake here.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on August 04, 2005, 01:33 AM:
Ok....we're zeroing in at between 100 & 200 yards. I kill most of my rifle coyotes at between 75 & 125 yards, so the 100 yard zero works well for me. What I'm wondering is, How far are you guy's average shots and do you zero for that distance or sight in to cover the widest window of opportunity??
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on August 04, 2005, 05:19 AM:
Kokopelli,
I try to zero for maximum point blank range, even though most of my coyotes are killed at less than 100 yards. With my .257 Ackley I can hold dead on a coyotes chest out to 275 yards or so. I do fairly well out to 200 yards if the coyote is standing real still and I have my back up against something solid like a tree or a rock. Any coyote much past two hundred yards becomes pretty iffy with me.
Posted by Barndog (Member # 255) on August 04, 2005, 05:33 PM:
Cal
I use the same scope, true the .223 is a problem to zero out at each cross hair under the main hairs out to each hundred yards. I do believe the scope was set up using .243 rounds. You say a range finder is a must, I would asume this to be true for proper bullet placement using the correct cross hair at that yardage. However, if your quessing the yardage as I do I still find the ballistic plex scope very useful, even zeroed at 100 yards. As long as I can hit withing a small paper plate range out to 400 yards by guessing I consider that a dead coyote. One of these days I'll spring for a range finder then I'll adjust my scope.
[ August 04, 2005, 05:37 PM: Message edited by: Barndog ]
Posted by Doggitter (Member # 489) on August 04, 2005, 07:09 PM:
Max point blank. If you zero at a close range that makes you guess at a farther distance then you've just lost some free advantage. You make a bad shot and the Coyote runs. He happens to stop at 314 yards and you aren't fussing around so he's temporarily lost your position. That zero you set for up close may ruin your chance for a positive followup. A max point blank will fill all posibilities starting at the muzzle, out to your point blank.
Posted by Jack Roberts (Member # 13) on August 04, 2005, 09:48 PM:
The maximum point blank range thing only works when you are making perfect shots on a specific sized critter. If you can't always make perfect shots, or shoot at different sized critters, you need to put your group to the center of target. That means always adjusting for range, even at 50 or 200 yards.
Adjusting for range is sure a lot easier than wind doping.
Jack
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on August 04, 2005, 10:09 PM:
Please, no left hooks at my chin for voicing my opinon, but I just can't get on board with the MPBR. I know lots of guys swear by it, but, it's badly flawed to my mind, so feel free to jump in and correct me if Im all screwed up in my understanding of the concept.
You have a rifle, sighted to theoretically place its bullet somewhere in a four inch circle, from the muzzle, to somewhere out there, be it 300 or 400 yards.If you add the shooters error factor for holding at any given range, for instance an average shooter, off hand is probably able to hold 3-5 MOA, sitting and steadied on knees, maybe 2-3 MOA? Now of course Im talking average shooter, Im sure some of you guys are a cut above that, but lets just talk averages for arguement sake.
A shot is made at a 200 yard coyote, the shooter was in the sitting position, and his rifle is now a 4-6 minute rifle at that range. Now, add the MPBR factor; if the bullet is flying to the outer two o'clock point on that imaginary 4 inch MPBR circle, and with the shooters 4 minute error thrown in,the bullet could fly 6-8 inches from the outside of that 4 inch circle, which on an Arizona coyote, is damned sure a miss.
Now, before anyone goes off on me, and says anyone should be able to hold better than 3-5 minutes offhand at 100 yards, let me suggest this. Go to your range, make a short ten yard sprint to the 100 yard line, and standing on your hind legs, give me three aimed shots at an 8 inch paper plate, fairly rapidly as if taking a hunting shot, then come back and tell me what a dink I am:)
No doubt some of you can shoot an acceptable group, but it takes a rifleman to do it,and remember, Im not talking deliberate slow fire, with eclectic holds and positions,but fairly rapid,best you can hold.
Im all ears now, convince me of MPBR merit, maybe Im misunderstood about the theory?
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 04, 2005, 10:19 PM:
Well, I'll tell ya. I was going to say something along the same lines, about mid point trajectory and maximum point blank range....but decided not to. (could happen, ya know)
As far as dialing in my elevation, Jack has a lot more time to line up on a coyote than I do! I need to instinctively know where to hold, and that's one reason why I like a flat shooting cartridge because it takes a little guess work out of it.
Good hunting. LB
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on August 04, 2005, 10:28 PM:
Nothing but a pat on the back from me. I can't understand why anyone would not want to know exactly where their rifle was sighted in for.
My rifle starts out 1.5" low at the muzzle and moves up to the line of sight at 100. I only need to hold an estimated inch high at two hundred, and the bottom duplex will put me on at 300. Further than that is too far for my offhand shooting.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on August 05, 2005, 05:47 AM:
Well... All I'll say about max PBR, is that has been working extremely well for me, for a long time. I'll put my hit/miss ratio on coyotes up against almost anyone.
Vic, the fly in the ointment for your theory, is that all that shooter error is still there if you're zeroed for short range. But you've now got ranging estimation error to throw into the mix on anything much past 150 yards. To my mind, using MPBR will have more chance of centering my wobbly offhand group on more coyotes, more often, than a short range zero. Using your own estimations, which would you consider more of a liability at 200 yards, having a POI several inches low (assuming perfect hold), or having a POI two inches high (assuming perfect hold)? The only real difference I see, is that I don't have to think about my POI on a 200 yard, or even 250 yard shot. We are both wobbling. But my zero should be closer to the center of where I'm wobbling. I just hold for the same spot I always do, on every called coyote I shoot at.
That's just my take though.
- DAA
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 05, 2005, 10:07 AM:
Dave, what makes you think Vic has a miss ratio?
Hey, whatever it takes. I like the concept for big game, western conditions. I just never saw a reason to apply it to predators?
Good hunting. LB
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on August 05, 2005, 12:01 PM:
Same thinking here, except going the other way. I like the concept for big game, and can't think of any reason not to apply it to predators? All of the exact same factors are in play. Using MPBR is all positive, with no negative, in my experience.
Yes, I understand that this is all theoretical, in terms of the mythical perfect hold that doesn't exist. But, that same lack of perfect hold applies the same to a shorter range zero, with possibly greater negative effect, in my experience.
I mean, the worst thing you can say about using MPBR, is that the bullet is going to climb 2" above line of sight at mid range. Yes, again, I do understand Vic's point, and it's valid. But if my wobble can cause my bullet to be 4" high, why couldn't my same wobble cause it to be 4" low, using a shorter range zero? Especially since I never bother trying to estimate range on called coyotes (even the "long shots"). I aim at the lower third of a broadside coyotes chest. A shot that lands 4" high for me, is "usually" a hard hit coyote. One that lands 4" low is "often" a clean miss. If I'm going to have any error induced by my zero, I would prefer it to be a bit high. With a 150 yard or so zero, you can always aim at the same spot too, but at distances beyond your zero, the error is all on the low side, and your range estimation and sight picture adjustment actually start to matter, at ranges where I'm still blissfully ignoring range completely. Personal choice, and preferences on shot placement will no doubt play a large role, but for me, as already mentioned, I'd much prefer my error on the high side. Especially considering how poorly I estimate range on coyotes under field conditions and the sight picture I like to see.
I never even think about how far a called coyote is when setting up my shot. The sight picture I want to see, the ones that automatically cause my trigger to break on it's own, is always the same sight picture. Never any thoughts of range, or adjusting my sight picture for range. When I see a "good shot" in my scope, the shot is gone, often without conscious thought or effort. If the coyote is far enough away to cause me to start thinking in terms of holdover, he's not a "called" coyote, by my definition. But, even then, assuming decent range estimation (not...), I'll have less holdover to try and estimate, with a corresponding smaller error potential. Again, just my way of looking at it I guess, but to me this is another advantage for MPBR. Certainly not a negative.
In realistic, actual field use terms though, the above scenario is exceedingly rare for me. For practical purposes, I NEVER hold over on a coyote. Reason: I've shot over probably 75% of all the coyotes I've ever held over. Decided long ago, that my range estimation skills are sorely lacking, and that I'd be ahead of the game (talking percentages), by simply not holding over, and trusting my MPBR zero to get the bullet into yonder coyote. Amazing, how often I've connected on coyotes at 250 or 300 yards or so that way. Amazing in that I'd have guessed those coyotes to be more like 350 or 400 and shot over them, had I not adopted the "no hold over" policy I've been employing for years now.
Not to say I don't occasionally break my own policy and use some holdover. But it's really uncommon, and pretty much never happens on a stand, with a called coyote.
Lastly, and this really isn't trivial, to me, is the performance issue. It's a big deal to me. I know it means nothing to many others, and that's fine. But, I'm a hot-rodder. I spend a lot of money, and time, setting up equipment that pushes the envelope on flat trajectory. Part of the reason I do it is "just because I can". I like playing with fast toys. But part of it is also removing that whole range estimation error thing from my shooting equation. Again, maybe just my way of thinking, but to me, putting a 150 yard zero on a rig capable of a 325 yard MPBR, is like building up a wicked fast street rod and putting a rev limiter on it to keep it from breaking the speed limit. The rifle I'll be using on every stand this year (a .17 Predator), has a MPBR of about 325 yars. I can just "point and shoot", all the way out to the limits of my comfort and more. Why would I instead, intentionally setup a situation where I have to start computing range and holdover and such and guessing wrong by 75 yards will cause a complete miss. I just don't get it?
I've got a rig on the drawing board for next year, that will have a MPBR on a 4" target of a bit over 350 yards. No holding off fur, clear out to 400. Can you imagine, hobbling a rig like that with a short range zero? But the exact same priniciples apply to more garden variety numbers.
- DAA
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 05, 2005, 12:52 PM:
Good response, Dave.
One thing I consider is the difference between brushy Arizona and wide open Utah. A zero of one inch high @ 100 will suffice on almost all AZ situations.
But, you know about getting with a program and sticking to it, I started with a certain practice and it has served me well.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on August 05, 2005, 04:40 PM:
Dave,
Tell me more about this 17 Predator?
What's it based on and what bullet are you shooting?
Posted by Rob (Member # 75) on August 05, 2005, 06:03 PM:
So Dave you sight your rifle dead on at 35 yards?
Posted by Jack Roberts (Member # 13) on August 05, 2005, 07:23 PM:
Leonard,
By "adjusting for range" I meant adjusting where you hold not changing the scope. I guess I should have made that clearer?
Jack
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on August 05, 2005, 07:51 PM:
I have done a lot of flips and flops on sighting in a rifle - at one time I was convinced that I did really good sighting in my 223 to 22-250 "coyote" stuff to be dead on at 100 and sighting in things like a 243. 270, or 308 "deer rifle" somewhere around 1.8" high at 100, those two classes used for two entirely different purposes.
I'm now a proponent of sigting everything in for something close to that +1.8" at 100 figure and living with it, besides, it allows one to fit in to a lot of ballistic tables to give you a starting point for shots "way out there", where I rarely shoot. This is probably close to a 200 yd. "zero" for most calibers.
Most of the coyotes I've killed are within an inch or two of that sight-in, the last deer I killed fell against the ladder stand I was in and scared the hell out of me. Works for me.
As far as fitting in to the ballistic tables goes, what is a target at a responsible range; for me, can be hit pretty well with that sight in without a lot of worry about a few fps or BC; or whatever, one way or the other.
Posted by Doggitter (Member # 489) on August 05, 2005, 08:02 PM:
Dang Dave, you done good with that answer. The MPBR takes all that holdover/under stuff out of it. Don't hold over or under inside the MPBR, just dead center where you want to hit. If you wobble, you're going to wobble. MPBR or not. The MPBR eliminates a possible source of errors. If you're beyond the MPBR then of course you can't rely on using it anymore.
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on August 05, 2005, 10:40 PM:
Im by no stretch of the imagination a real guide, but Ive taken a hell of a lot of guys out whitetail hunting and predator hunting. Theone thing Ive seen happen many times when my hunter is shooting at game, is that if an error occurs, they invariably shoot over the animal, very seldom shoot low. Ive always attributed this to the MPBR syndrom, and figured the guy had his rifle sighted for three inches or so high at a 100. Add to that error in range estimation, mosy hunters will over estimate the range than under estimate it, and shoot over. Ive always held to a one hundred yard zero for my rifles, but then again, I don't do a hell of a lot of long range stuff,and if I do, Im very lucky at my estimations and hold over.
Amazing how civil this board is huh, no wonder I can't quit coming here:) Good bunch of guys, thanks Dave for your reasoned arguement, although Im to stuck in my ways to change to the MPBR method.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on August 06, 2005, 07:32 AM:
Rob, I'm not sure where my bullets first cross line of sight. Could be 35 yards, but I really don't know.
Tim, the .17P is one that Dan Clements created a couple of years ago. It's a blown out necked down .223. Capacity is more than a .17 Rem., almost as much as a .17 PPC. But Dan left enough body taper, and left the shoulder mild enough, that it feeds slicker 'n snot through an unmodified 700 action. Mine is built on a stainless Model Seven. Had Greg Tannel put it together, giving it his "full treatment". I'm using the Kindler 30 gr. Golds in it, at over 4000 fps. Makes for a really flat shooter that bucks the wind well. You have to get a .224 caliber 55 B-tip going over 4000 fps to match it for trajectory and drift. But I still get to see everything through the scope. Good energy for a .17 too, puts down 400 ft/lb's at 500 yards (further than I intend to use it!). Have not shot a coyote with it yet though. Waiting for fall. Did take it out chuck hunting a few weeks ago and went 26 for 27 on rock chucks with it. The very few groups I've shot with it have all been very small too (biggest, has been a .350), best shooting small caliber I've owned. I don't want to gush, especially since I have not even killed a single coyote with it yet, but, so far this rifle has impressed me tremendously. I think it's the neatest one I've had built to date.
Vic, I surely was not expecting to change any minds, or convert anyone. Especially not any old hands that have been getting it done differently for a long time. And, in fact, after typing and posting all that, I felt slightly embarrassed, because I think it comes across as me thinking I know more than I really know. Really, the older I get, the more I see and experience, the less I really think I "actually" know. Which makes me want to just shut up and listen, most of the time. Sometimes I open my pie hole anyway though.
- DAA
Posted by Rob (Member # 75) on August 06, 2005, 09:08 AM:
Dave the reason I asked was Bill Austin sighted his coyote rifles in at 35 yards then they would be dead on again down range at 250-300..he did say to make sure midrange trajectory was not over 2" high to avoid shooting over the coyote...
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on August 06, 2005, 01:42 PM:
I though the 35 yd thing was a joke... the max range of a .17.
I sure am glad I can't change my zero, all this stuff is really confusing. 
Krusty 
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 06, 2005, 03:27 PM:
Krusty, did you know that you bullet crosses your line of sight twice? Because it is mounted 1½" above the bore, the bullet should be rising and intersecting the line of sight about 25 yards from the muzzle. That's an estimated number; every rifle, scope and bullet combination will be slightly different.
Then, it continues it's upward trajectory, until it starts to curve back downward, and again crosses the line of sight at your zeroed in yardage, wherever that may be. Past that point, it's all downhill, and that's what this discussion is all about; where that second crossing of the line of sight should be, commonly known as your zero. But, all rifles will have two zeros. Think about it. Think about the rising bullet at 25 feet, where is it? Think of 100 feet, where is it now?
It really gets to be a dilemma when you consider an AR, with the scope mounted on the handle. You really need some extensive range time to know where your bullets are printing at ALL possible distances to your target.
Ther are several ways to simplify the problem, higher muzzle velocity being one, (and bullet selection) but the other thing being discussed here is determining an optimum zero that covers all possibilities, without a lot of guesswork.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on August 06, 2005, 04:03 PM:
"It really gets to be a dilemma when you consider an AR, with the scope mounted on the handle."
------------
Hoooooo Boyyy! you said a mouth full there Leonard. I know a lot of guys don't realize that holding dead on a coyote's ribs at ten feet with such a setup could easily cause a complete miss, because bullet just flew UNDER the coyote.
Posted by Melvin (Member # 634) on August 06, 2005, 08:06 PM:
Rob,you stated that,Bill sighted his gun in at 35 yards..I don't know if he did or didn't,but to me thats not a good way to sight a rifle in..now maybe some uses a vice or something,i don't know..I learned a long time ago that if you're off a smidgen at close range,you will have a lot of space between where you aim and where you hit at long range..I would rather set my gun in at 100 or 200 yards and then see where it crosses the line of sight at close range..A friend of mine,a few years ago,came up to me and said he missed a nice standing buck..I ask him if his gun was shooting ok,he told me yes,that he sighted it in at 25 yards..I told him that was his trouble and then told him,try it at 100 yards..You know what he told me when he got back?...He missed the whole target!
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 06, 2005, 08:53 PM:
Yeah, I go along with that. The twenty-five yard stuff is just for reference. Depending on how your scope is mounted, you could be left or right or high or low. The reason is due to several factors but the main thing is that it's not a hard and fast rule, every rifle and every cartridge and every load you work up with change that spot to 23.5' or 26.7' or who knows where? Maybe 35 yards, if you have a DAA hotrod? Besides that there is a slight rotational drift because of the rifling, that you might only notice at extended range.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Rob (Member # 75) on August 06, 2005, 09:34 PM:
I spose it will vary a little..Vern Howey sights his swift dead on at 40 yards...I'am no expert but it seems like Dave's and Austin's way is the same theory just two different ways of gettin there.
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on August 06, 2005, 10:02 PM:
Leonard,
Yes I knew that the bullet crosses the line of sight, or at least it's supposed to.
And that you actually get two zeroed yardages.
The confusing part is what lead you guys to the place each of you ended up.
Thinking about it just let's me overthink it, misjudge the yardage, and talk myself out of aiming for the center of mass, and blow the shot, at least that's been my experience.
Krusty
Posted by Doggitter (Member # 489) on August 06, 2005, 10:56 PM:
Possibly an easy way to understand the pitfalls of sighting in at the "first zero" is to also understand the rifle and shooter's accuarcy also. For an example a rifle and shooter combo is capable of 1" groups at 100 yards. Lets suppose that the same combo will group .25" at 25 yards then. Lets also say that that shooters' ability to graph the center of a group is good to within .25". That so far is half an inch at 25 yards of possible error and we haven't contemplated the wind between us and the Coyotes, mirage, and huffing up that last hill before we started calling. Now, this shooter takes a good solid rested shot at a Coyote at 215 yards, and wonders why the 4.3" of built in error isn't helping him out. That .5" at 25 yards multiplies 8.6 times by the time you get to 215. Sight in at 100 yards and the 1 inch group and .25" plotting error have only increased the problem to a 2.68" group situation. Always better for accuracy to sight in at longer yards.
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on August 07, 2005, 07:06 AM:
Krusty ain't the only feller that is confused concerning bullet flight. Almost everything you see written on this subject makes it seem as though a bullet always flys in an arc like a rainbow. The fact is that if you hold the bore perfectly horizontal, or "level" if you will, then the bullet begins to fall just as soon as it leaves the end of the barrel. It is the law of gravity. In plain old common sense language, it is the scope being mounted a couple of inches or so above the bore line that creates a lot of confusion. The higher said scope is mounted above bore line, the lower the bullet will strike at close range. This makes it necessary to tip the barrel of rifle slightly upward in order to get point of aim and point of impact to intersect. When you zero at 25 or 35 yards, you are not going to know how much higher the bullet is going to climb before it reaches 100 or 200 yards unless you check it at those ranges.
Ok, now regarding the point blank range theory my take on it is this. My main target animal is the coyote. If kill area of a coyote is 4" high and I zero for point of impact of 1.5" or so high at 100, about dead on at 200, and maybe a couple of inches or so low at 250. I can hold dead on a coyote from 20 yards or so, all the way out to 250-275 yards. If a coyote is much closer than 20 yards, I know that I will have to hold closer to top of the coyote's back because of that scope being above bore line.
UBB.classicTM
6.3.0