Zero for hunting rifles

[fj40mojo]

So, I use a modified version of the MPR method. Using Sierra Infinity software to determine MPR I round to the nearest zero range, ie for a given rifle and a 10" vitals zone MPR Zero=301yds and MPR=355yds. I then change to the regular trajectory mode and set my zero at 300yds, close enough and easier to verify zero when I go to the range. This lets me not have to consider any holdover until my range is beyond 355yds (beyond where most of my shots have ever come) and I can print out a range card that gives me bullet path clear to 1000yds (I think 600 is sufficient) in increments of 50yds. Using my range card I sight the rifle in 3.9 inches high at 100yds then verify at 300 and go hunting knowing I don't have to worry about hold over at any normal ranges but armed with the knowledge to shoot a little further if needed.

[NoviceHunter]

I'm lazy (and cheap), and just do 3" high at 100 yards, then a few at 300.  No holdover until >350, and then it's low shoulders at 350, roughly a foot at 400 yards (shoulders), 2 feet at 500 yards (top of animal, above shoulders), and I don't take the shot if I can't stick to the maxim "always hold on fur", as height holdover guessing without the animal as a reference is darn near impossible at that range, for me.

Anything else is just range-time masturbation, for me.  I'm not exactly setup on a bench or even prone when I'm out there and see something.

[MarkinIdaho]

I need you to take me to the range!

[fj40mojo]

I need you to take me to the range!

If you know your muzzle velocity, BC of the bullet your hunting with or bullet type and weight I can calculate the MPR for you and that will tell you where to sight in at 100 to get to MPR. PM me the info and I'll run it through Infinity for you. Finding a day when we can go shooting together might be difficult as I'm usually off during the week and not on weekends.

[ballardw]

I'd start by looking at what I'm hunting and likely ranges, or at least ranges I'm willing to take a shot.

If the vital area is small then you'd want to be a tad more precise and more so at smaller game.  Think squirrels at 400 yards.

But considering the deer I've taken have all been within 75 yards that's been a bit of a moot point.

[NoviceHunter]

Good point about the size of the target.  I only hunt big game, and never have a rest, hence why I don't stress micro-tolerances.

[fastfire]

I have used my 22-250 for the last 5 deer and a cow elk,
all shot in the neck using a Nosler 55gr Ballistic tip @ 3650fps .
One was hit in the jugular the rest in the spine.
Dropped every one in there tracks.One was 85 yds all others were 130-180yds.
I now have a ACKLY 22-250 but will keep the speeds at 3800fps.
AIM SMALL   HIT SMALL 

[NoviceHunter]

I have used my 22-250 for the last 5 deer and a cow elk,
all shot in the neck

I hope your luck holds, or that's gonna be one heck of a tracking job.  What do you use on bull elk?

[fastfire]

 Bull Elk the same, all this hunting is on private ground.

[loaded]

Fastfire when are you going to buy a real Elk rig that you can use public land? You know a 30 cal, something that kicks, roars loudly, and does not have a threaded barrel

[fastfire]

Why?
 
 The deer eat hay and corn and are so fat ya could nearly rope'em. There is no sagebrush or wild taste.
 When we get envaded by elephants I'll pull out the big bore......Barrett.   

[loaded]

Fastfire, hunting elk farms and pastures are no fun, get up in the mountains and rub elbows with other hunters.

[fastfire]

The deer are in the corn fields less than a mile from my house, I just lay there and wait for the bucks to show up.
 The elk are in some steep hills and deep draws next to public lands.
Last year it took 8 hunts to get the deer and 6 for the elk and I'm hunting with 3 other friends that all filled there tags.

Aim Small..... Hit Small

[fj40mojo]

fastfire and loaded, this is what is commonly know as a thread highjack. The topic/poll is "Zero for hunting rifles". Please take your personal conversation to PM.

[egress81]

on my coyote AR I zero for 100 and use a mil dot scope.

on my deer/elk rifle have a 100 zero for now and use a the hold over technique. This will change in the future though as i am using a borrowed scope, but i will eventually use a mil dot scope with zero at 200 yards.

[Nomad]

 Zero at 200-225 keeps me in the kill zone a little past 350. After that its time to use the camera
with a ZOOM lens........

[loaded]

 Fj40mojo, sorry about that, I got carried away

[TylerC]

I wont shoot at anything past 150yrds unless I'm desperate. So I sight in for that range on the only scoped rifle I own (7600 in .300SAV) the rest of my rifles get set up to where they can hit a paper plate at 100yrds and I'm satisfied.

[Longshot]

Use MPR.  25.06 120gr HPBT with .35bc 2900fps I zero for 275 yards 3" high at 100 and shoot out to 500.  Almost a 40" drop at 500 but still calculates out to traveling almost 2000 fps. and rings the steel nicely.  Never shot an animal at over 300 but if given the right shot I'd sure go for it.