.223 sight in.
- Thread starter kyhowler
- Start date
timb
New member
Kyhowler:
IMO what you need to do is find a buddy with a chronograph and find out exactly how fast your load is in your rifle.
Don't want to get too technical, but then try to find a good ballistics program and plug in the Ballistic Coefficient, and get a trajectory chart for your load.
My .223 40 gr. Nosler Handloads for example, are running 3450 fps,(I average 5 shots). My ballistics program shows I need to sight this load in at 2.4" high at 100 yards. I use the theory of a 6" kill zone, (about the size of a coyote's vitals). With this sight in, my bullet is 3" high at 150 yards, and 3" low at 308 yards. I have a piece of tape on my stock that reminds me the trajectory for that load. I only shoot one load at a time, and if I change loads, I go through the whole process again.
I am also the world's worst at distance judgement, so I convinced my wife I needed a Laser Range Finder for Christmas. I then take readings at various landmarks, fenceposts, cedar trees, etc., and record them in a book. I then refer to them before I hunt the place. This only works if you set up in the same place every time, but the range finder is light, so I sometimes carry it with me if I don't set up in the same place as the last time.
Long answer for a simple question, but I don't feel you know anything until you chrono your loads, then get out and shoot enough to know what that load does at 100 or 200 yards. Sometimes factory velocities are very optimistic, as I have had actually velocities be as much as 150-200 fps less than stated.
Hope this helps!
Tim
IMO what you need to do is find a buddy with a chronograph and find out exactly how fast your load is in your rifle.
Don't want to get too technical, but then try to find a good ballistics program and plug in the Ballistic Coefficient, and get a trajectory chart for your load.
My .223 40 gr. Nosler Handloads for example, are running 3450 fps,(I average 5 shots). My ballistics program shows I need to sight this load in at 2.4" high at 100 yards. I use the theory of a 6" kill zone, (about the size of a coyote's vitals). With this sight in, my bullet is 3" high at 150 yards, and 3" low at 308 yards. I have a piece of tape on my stock that reminds me the trajectory for that load. I only shoot one load at a time, and if I change loads, I go through the whole process again.
I am also the world's worst at distance judgement, so I convinced my wife I needed a Laser Range Finder for Christmas. I then take readings at various landmarks, fenceposts, cedar trees, etc., and record them in a book. I then refer to them before I hunt the place. This only works if you set up in the same place every time, but the range finder is light, so I sometimes carry it with me if I don't set up in the same place as the last time.
Long answer for a simple question, but I don't feel you know anything until you chrono your loads, then get out and shoot enough to know what that load does at 100 or 200 yards. Sometimes factory velocities are very optimistic, as I have had actually velocities be as much as 150-200 fps less than stated.
Hope this helps!
Tim
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coffee437
New member
I just sight all my rifles in dead on at 25 yrds.
Timb's got some good points if you want to get that technical about it, and a pretty good rule is dead on @ 25 will be 2-3" high @ 100, and dead on again around 250. That will all change slightly with different loads, and especially with some of the flatter shooting calibers that are out today, but I figure that if it is good enough for any shooting I'm gonna do!
Timb's got some good points if you want to get that technical about it, and a pretty good rule is dead on @ 25 will be 2-3" high @ 100, and dead on again around 250. That will all change slightly with different loads, and especially with some of the flatter shooting calibers that are out today, but I figure that if it is good enough for any shooting I'm gonna do!
stiff neck
New member
I zero my 40gr Vmax pills at 150 yards. They shoot almost laser flat from 50 to 175 yards (plus or minus 0.3" either way) I like knowing exactly where the bullet is going to hit for ground squirrels. After that I have ballistic charts to compensate for drop via target turrets or holdover for quick shots. But for typical ranges I don't even have to think about it.
Personally, I'd rather have my rifle dead on for "typical" coyote distances (50-175 yards) instead of having it be off by a few inches at EVERY distance. I hate not knowing where the bullet is going to go.
Personally, I'd rather have my rifle dead on for "typical" coyote distances (50-175 yards) instead of having it be off by a few inches at EVERY distance. I hate not knowing where the bullet is going to go.
stiff neck
New member
Coffee, with that zero, kyhowler's rifle will shoot kinda funky at intermediate ranges. Look:
25 yards = 0" ( your recommended zero)
50 yards = +1.3"
100 yards = +3.3"
150 yards = +4.3"
200 yards = +4.2"
250 yards = +2.8"
300 yards = -0.2"
How many predator hunters with a 223 want it to shoot +4.3" at 150 yards? I suspect not many. Might want to re-check your theory.
25 yards = 0" ( your recommended zero)
50 yards = +1.3"
100 yards = +3.3"
150 yards = +4.3"
200 yards = +4.2"
250 yards = +2.8"
300 yards = -0.2"
How many predator hunters with a 223 want it to shoot +4.3" at 150 yards? I suspect not many. Might want to re-check your theory.
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I do pretty much the same with my rifles that Tim does, out of 223's right now. In my 243 I use a 75gr V-Max and run ten shots thru the cronograph then run that thru my trajectory program with a 5" target. Bullet never rises more than 2 1/2" above line of sight.
I'm only running 3120fps so my zero range is 236 yds, point blank range is 270yds. at 300yds I'm 4.5" low. Checked them with actual shooting and it's close enough not to fool with it. What you could do is sight in at say 300yds 3" low then drop back and shoot at various ranges noting where the impact is. You'll create the same thing, you just won't know how fast your doing it!
I'm only running 3120fps so my zero range is 236 yds, point blank range is 270yds. at 300yds I'm 4.5" low. Checked them with actual shooting and it's close enough not to fool with it. What you could do is sight in at say 300yds 3" low then drop back and shoot at various ranges noting where the impact is. You'll create the same thing, you just won't know how fast your doing it!
DLTinOKLA
New member
I don't do the 25 yard sight in anymore (just to get close before moving back to 100 yards after a new scope is installed). I did the 25 yard sight in on a .243 a few years ago and almost missed the biggest buck I've shot so far because of it. My gun was shooting about 4 inches high at 150 yards and I aimed for the vitals and hit it high in the back. Luckily I found him! So no quick sight in for me anymore. My scope sits pretty high on my ar15. I sighted it in at 2.5 inches high at a 100 but I'm still experimenting with bullets so I might make some adjustments.
coffee437
New member
I think your right,,,maybe time to re-think my formula /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
That came from years of grandfatherly advise and I never really thought about doing it any other way /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
So going by your calculations,,where would I need set my zero dead-on to be within the 2.5 - 3" zone? I got some more sighting in to do /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I know you want it around 2.5" @ 100, but it's got to pass the line of sight somewhere between here and there.
That came from years of grandfatherly advise and I never really thought about doing it any other way /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
So going by your calculations,,where would I need set my zero dead-on to be within the 2.5 - 3" zone? I got some more sighting in to do /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I know you want it around 2.5" @ 100, but it's got to pass the line of sight somewhere between here and there.
tt35
New member
I haven't done anything with a .223 but my .22-250 loads are even faster (flatter) and I quit the "maximum point blank range" (MPBR) that timb is talking about for my calling rifles. I used MPBR for years but found that it just caused too many midrange misses for us. Even a small bobble on the high side at your peak trajectory will cause a miss. We started sighting in 1" high at 100 yards and quit missing 175 yd coyotes. Rarely under calling conditions do you ever have to worry about trajectory with this sight-in. If it is far enough to worry about, you probably need the laser rangefinder and the trajectory tables. Just MHO and experiences.
jephs422
Member
I set mine 1" high at 100 with a 40g pill. 90% of my shots are around that distance. When I get shots out to 200 or 300, I obviously have a bit more time to take a sec and think about the drop. At 100 or so yards it's going to be a much faster paced shot and I would rather point and shoot, then shoot too high on something like a fox. Of course most of my hunting is at night which offers bit closer shots. Most of the guys I know who dedicate their time to night hunting sight in at zero at 100 yards. I know Randy Watson does, for example.
coffee437
New member
Sighting in 1" high @ 100 would be fine,,,if I had a 100 yrd range to work with,,,,the maximum "safe" distance I can get at my range is 75 yrds.
Could someone tell me where the first zero is in the flight path between 0 yrds and 100 yrds to get it 1" or so high at 100 yrds??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
Maybe someone that can figure out those ballistic programs better than I can /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Could someone tell me where the first zero is in the flight path between 0 yrds and 100 yrds to get it 1" or so high at 100 yrds??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
Maybe someone that can figure out those ballistic programs better than I can /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
cjdavis618
New member
In my bushy, I use Nosler CT 55 grain, pushed by 25Grains of H335.
Velocity is around 3140 +/- 20 and it matches within .5 inches at every distance on my varmint reticle on my leupold vxIII.
My zero is 200 Yards.
1.7 high at 100
0 at 200
7.1 low at 300
20.95 low at 400
45.25 low at 500
Velocity is around 3140 +/- 20 and it matches within .5 inches at every distance on my varmint reticle on my leupold vxIII.
My zero is 200 Yards.
1.7 high at 100
0 at 200
7.1 low at 300
20.95 low at 400
45.25 low at 500
Okiedigger
New member
Quote:
Could someone tell me where the first zero is in the flight path between 0 yrds and 100 yrds to get it 1" or so high at 100 yrds???
With a 40 grain BT @ 3200fps from a .223, a 45yd zero should put you about 1" high @ 100yds, and dead-on again @ about 165yds. Thats using the JBM ballistics calculator.
Could someone tell me where the first zero is in the flight path between 0 yrds and 100 yrds to get it 1" or so high at 100 yrds???
With a 40 grain BT @ 3200fps from a .223, a 45yd zero should put you about 1" high @ 100yds, and dead-on again @ about 165yds. Thats using the JBM ballistics calculator.
Bearcat 74
New member
I zero all my stuff .5" high at 50yds. I have made shots with my .260 from 75yds to 286yds, laser ranged on 'yotes and out to 191yds on crows. I use a ballistic calculator, the .5" high with a .223 and the 120gr NBT from my 260 @ 2889fps all have right around a 200yds zero. I have a .243 shooting 55gr NBT's @ 3968fps and .5" high gives it basically a 300yd zero going around 3" high @ 175yds.
I have heard the 25 yard sight in thing a zillion times, I "think" it may be from old days and iron sights but for me most guns need to be an inch or so low at 25. I use that for a "rough"start.
I like 223/22-250/270 and 300 mag. to shoot groups between the 1 inch and 2 inch high and dead center at 100 yards.
Lots of calibers will be "on" between 200- 250 yards with that. When I say lots I dont mean the rifles with big fat slow bullets or the ultra whiz-bang rocket bullets, 222 thru 338 are pretty much in this range with average loads.
Carl
I like 223/22-250/270 and 300 mag. to shoot groups between the 1 inch and 2 inch high and dead center at 100 yards.
Lots of calibers will be "on" between 200- 250 yards with that. When I say lots I dont mean the rifles with big fat slow bullets or the ultra whiz-bang rocket bullets, 222 thru 338 are pretty much in this range with average loads.
Carl
IAyoteHNTR
New member
I have my .223 shooting 40 gr v-max pills @ 3750-3800 fps @ muzzle and I have it sighted in @ 1 1/4" high @ 100 yards so I can aim at the vitals from 50 - 300 yds w/o compensating for any kind of drop, just aim at the vitals and shoot. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Hey fellows, thanks for the replys! I got to shoot 8 rounds this afternoon before it got dark. I'm shooting a Savage m10 Bull Barrel with 6-18x40 Nikon. For now I'll be shooting factory loads. Shot 4 rds of Win. (white box) 45gr jhp and 4 rds Ultramax 50gr nbt. I was shooting off sand bag on hood of truck. At 100yds three of the four win touched dead on 3/4" high 1/2" group. Then the 4 Ultras shot 1 1/2" high and 1/2" right roughly same group.
Hopefully next weekend I'll get to shoot it off a bench out to 300 yds. That will be the max range I plan to shoot. Saying that really sounds funny to me considering I had to qualify with a M-16 out to 500 meters each year when I was in the Corps! And here I'm saying 300yds with an 18x scope vs 500 meters with open sights!!! What factory loads are good. This is for yotes and few bobcats and Quite a bit of plinking. Thanks, kyhowler.
Hopefully next weekend I'll get to shoot it off a bench out to 300 yds. That will be the max range I plan to shoot. Saying that really sounds funny to me considering I had to qualify with a M-16 out to 500 meters each year when I was in the Corps! And here I'm saying 300yds with an 18x scope vs 500 meters with open sights!!! What factory loads are good. This is for yotes and few bobcats and Quite a bit of plinking. Thanks, kyhowler.
