Zeroing AR

Kevin_d77 · February 17, 2014, 08:23 PM

What distance do you recommend for zeroing an AR. Only has an Aimpoint on it so I don't see myself shooting much distance. I have heard camps saying 25 yards and other saying 50 yards.

Which do you recommend and why?

NCummins · February 17, 2014, 08:42 PM

What ever distance you are going to shoot. If you will mainly be shooting 50 yards, but sometimes 150, and sometimes at 25, zero for 50 and just hold over or under accordingly.

Kevin_d77 · February 17, 2014, 08:44 PM

No hunting. Only range, future comp and HD if things got deep.

Mobuck · February 17, 2014, 08:45 PM

Considering the height of the sight above the bore, sighting @ 25 yards will make hitting targets at 100-150 yards tricky. Even an Aimpoint is sufficient for 150 yards at 8-12" targets. By sighting @75 yards, you will have the bullet strike "on the dot" out to 150(generally speaking since there are several size dots).

Kevin_d77 · February 17, 2014, 08:46 PM

So would you zero the iron sights and the Aimpoint at different distances? I'm a noob with rifles

Nathan · February 17, 2014, 08:56 PM

I would 0 the Aimpoint at 50 yds 1" high, I think. What load?

The irons, I would likely do the same.

You would be on target 0-300 yards....well, 11" low at 300, which ain't bad.

Maybe on 0-250yds.

BillM · February 17, 2014, 09:28 PM

Go here: http://coloradoshooting.org/zeroing1.htm

Read and pick a method.

I have my truck gun AR sighted 1" high at 50 yds.

My coyote gun is zeroed at 200 yds.

Ridgerunner665 · February 17, 2014, 09:45 PM

Don't sell the Aimpoint short...good groups at 100 yards are no problem at all.

I bought mine last year and thought of it the same as you, then I shot it at 100, 200, 300 yards... 1.5" groups at 100 are as easy as any scope....and hitting basketball sized targets at 300 is just as easy with good ammo...I was using Hornady 75 grain Match ammo.

I ended up zeroing mine for 200 yards.

Kevin_d77 · February 17, 2014, 09:47 PM

In all honesty, I've been having a hard time seeing the target at 100. Probably need to get a more vibrant color and try a range with better lighting!

Ridgerunner665 · February 17, 2014, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_d77

In all honesty, I've been having a hard time seeing the target at 100. Probably need to get a more vibrant color and try a range with better lighting!

Large backer (24x24)...small target (4" circle for 2 moa dot....6" circle for 4 moa dot)

Kevin_d77 · February 17, 2014, 09:50 PM

I was using a silhouette with a 6" shoot and see target stuck COM.

Ridgerunner665 · February 17, 2014, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_d77

I was using a silhouette with a 6" shoot and see target stuck COM.

Black on black?

Kevin_d77 · February 17, 2014, 09:52 PM

Yes. Brilliant right?

Ridgerunner665 · February 17, 2014, 09:52 PM

Lol

SVTCobra306 · February 17, 2014, 11:00 PM

I always do an initial zero at 25 meters, then move out to the desired max range to verify the windage. Zero at about 1.5" low at 25 meters if you want a 100 meter zero.. it will be fairly close on elevation. You will find that when you shoot at 100 meters you might have to dial more windage in, what is centered at 25 meters might still be off by the time you reach 100.

marine6680 · February 18, 2014, 12:37 AM

I like 50yd zero myself. An inch low at 25yds, on at 50, an inch high at 100yds and 2 inches low at 200yds... if my memory serves.

Basically point and shoot out to 200yds with that zero. The shot will hit within 2 inches if you do your part.

It lets me be able to have fun and shoot at targets of random distances without much worry about hold overs. And if the S really did HTF, then out to 200yds seems like a reasonable engagement distance if it came to such. (choose how likely you think this will be and then keep your mouth shut about it... LOL)

Others like different zeros for different reasons.

kraigwy · February 18, 2014, 09:33 AM

My ARs are zeroed for 200 yards but I use irons w/ 1/2 Min Clicks. With the rear sight bottomed out, its set for my 200 yard zero.

This is based on the High Power ranges, 200, 300, 600 and 1000 yards. It works quite well for shorter ranges also.

Because the sight set so high above the bore, you would normally be low at shorter distances. For example if I'm shooting 3-gun, at 25 yards I'd come up 14 clicks, at 50 2 clicks up, at 100 I shoot the 200 zero, its 1 min low, but I can live with that. Then zeroed at 200 yards, and I come up for what ever further range is called for.

I don't recall shooting between 600 and 1000 but I so shoot 600 and 1000 yard matches. Normal come ups to get to 600, but when I shoot 1000, I use my 600 zero and turn the front sight down 4 full revolutions.

I just never seen any need for using scopes on my AR's. I first started shooting ARs (M16s) in 1967 when I was introduced to them when I got orders for Vietnam. After 47 years I've pretty much know what they'll do and what I can do with them using irons.

220lover · February 18, 2014, 09:40 AM

The answer is it depends on the optic you are using and your intended use.

With an eotech/aimpoint type of sight my experience has been the 50 yard zero allows me to not think about any shot between 0-250 yards.

At 300 I would have to account for 6-8 inch drop. I don't shoot at 300 often, but I have done it so I know what to expect.

So for 50 yd zero this is what I expect (not always what I get though) :
25yd : -1.25
50 : 0
100 : +2.0
150 : +1.25
200 : +.5
250 : -2.0
300 : -6.0

As a counterpoint to the 50 yard zero...I have a burris MTAC that I love and I have it zeroed for 100 yards per its instructions. It has BDC aiming points on the scope so at 300,400,500,600 it is simply a matter of moving the reticle aiming points. Like I said I don't shoot over 200 that much, but you should do it at least once just to know what to expect.

If you have irons or a red dot, I would do the 50yard zero. That is what I have done to my AR with an eotech on it.

Good luck and let us know how she shoots at distance with the zero you choose.

February 17, 2014, 08:23 PM	#1
Kevin_d77 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: SW FL Posts: 953	Zeroing AR What distance do you recommend for zeroing an AR. Only has an Aimpoint on it so I don't see myself shooting much distance. I have heard camps saying 25 yards and other saying 50 yards. Which do you recommend and why?

February 17, 2014, 11:00 PM	#15
SVTCobra306 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Posts: 434	I always do an initial zero at 25 meters, then move out to the desired max range to verify the windage. Zero at about 1.5" low at 25 meters if you want a 100 meter zero.. it will be fairly close on elevation. You will find that when you shoot at 100 meters you might have to dial more windage in, what is centered at 25 meters might still be off by the time you reach 100. __________________ Former US Army Paratrooper (1/509th PIR and 2nd BCT 82nd ABN DIV) 2 time OIF Veteran NRA Certified RSO/CRSO NRA Certified Pistol Instructor

February 18, 2014, 09:33 AM	#17
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	My ARs are zeroed for 200 yards but I use irons w/ 1/2 Min Clicks. With the rear sight bottomed out, its set for my 200 yard zero. This is based on the High Power ranges, 200, 300, 600 and 1000 yards. It works quite well for shorter ranges also. Because the sight set so high above the bore, you would normally be low at shorter distances. For example if I'm shooting 3-gun, at 25 yards I'd come up 14 clicks, at 50 2 clicks up, at 100 I shoot the 200 zero, its 1 min low, but I can live with that. Then zeroed at 200 yards, and I come up for what ever further range is called for. I don't recall shooting between 600 and 1000 but I so shoot 600 and 1000 yard matches. Normal come ups to get to 600, but when I shoot 1000, I use my 600 zero and turn the front sight down 4 full revolutions. I just never seen any need for using scopes on my AR's. I first started shooting ARs (M16s) in 1967 when I was introduced to them when I got orders for Vietnam. After 47 years I've pretty much know what they'll do and what I can do with them using irons. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

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February 17, 2014, 08:42 PM	#2
NCummins Member Join Date: February 9, 2014 Posts: 92	What ever distance you are going to shoot. If you will mainly be shooting 50 yards, but sometimes 150, and sometimes at 25, zero for 50 and just hold over or under accordingly.

February 17, 2014, 08:44 PM	#3
Kevin_d77 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: SW FL Posts: 953	No hunting. Only range, future comp and HD if things got deep.

February 17, 2014, 08:45 PM	#4
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Considering the height of the sight above the bore, sighting @ 25 yards will make hitting targets at 100-150 yards tricky. Even an Aimpoint is sufficient for 150 yards at 8-12" targets. By sighting @75 yards, you will have the bullet strike "on the dot" out to 150(generally speaking since there are several size dots).

February 17, 2014, 08:46 PM	#5
Kevin_d77 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: SW FL Posts: 953	So would you zero the iron sights and the Aimpoint at different distances? I'm a noob with rifles

February 17, 2014, 08:56 PM	#6
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,322	I would 0 the Aimpoint at 50 yds 1" high, I think. What load? The irons, I would likely do the same. You would be on target 0-300 yards....well, 11" low at 300, which ain't bad. Maybe on 0-250yds.

February 17, 2014, 09:28 PM	#7
BillM Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Amity Oregon Posts: 791	Go here: http://coloradoshooting.org/zeroing1.htm Read and pick a method. I have my truck gun AR sighted 1" high at 50 yds. My coyote gun is zeroed at 200 yds.

February 17, 2014, 09:45 PM	#8
Ridgerunner665 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2007 Location: Upper East Tennessee Posts: 477	Don't sell the Aimpoint short...good groups at 100 yards are no problem at all. I bought mine last year and thought of it the same as you, then I shot it at 100, 200, 300 yards... 1.5" groups at 100 are as easy as any scope....and hitting basketball sized targets at 300 is just as easy with good ammo...I was using Hornady 75 grain Match ammo. I ended up zeroing mine for 200 yards.

February 17, 2014, 09:47 PM	#9
Kevin_d77 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: SW FL Posts: 953	In all honesty, I've been having a hard time seeing the target at 100. Probably need to get a more vibrant color and try a range with better lighting!

February 17, 2014, 09:50 PM	#11
Kevin_d77 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: SW FL Posts: 953	I was using a silhouette with a 6" shoot and see target stuck COM.

February 17, 2014, 09:52 PM	#13
Kevin_d77 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: SW FL Posts: 953	Yes. Brilliant right?

February 18, 2014, 12:37 AM	#16
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	I like 50yd zero myself. An inch low at 25yds, on at 50, an inch high at 100yds and 2 inches low at 200yds... if my memory serves. Basically point and shoot out to 200yds with that zero. The shot will hit within 2 inches if you do your part. It lets me be able to have fun and shoot at targets of random distances without much worry about hold overs. And if the S really did HTF, then out to 200yds seems like a reasonable engagement distance if it came to such. (choose how likely you think this will be and then keep your mouth shut about it... LOL) Others like different zeros for different reasons.

February 18, 2014, 09:40 AM	#18
220lover Member Join Date: November 26, 2001 Posts: 19	The answer is it depends on the optic you are using and your intended use. With an eotech/aimpoint type of sight my experience has been the 50 yard zero allows me to not think about any shot between 0-250 yards. At 300 I would have to account for 6-8 inch drop. I don't shoot at 300 often, but I have done it so I know what to expect. So for 50 yd zero this is what I expect (not always what I get though) : 25yd : -1.25 50 : 0 100 : +2.0 150 : +1.25 200 : +.5 250 : -2.0 300 : -6.0 As a counterpoint to the 50 yard zero...I have a burris MTAC that I love and I have it zeroed for 100 yards per its instructions. It has BDC aiming points on the scope so at 300,400,500,600 it is simply a matter of moving the reticle aiming points. Like I said I don't shoot over 200 that much, but you should do it at least once just to know what to expect. If you have irons or a red dot, I would do the 50yard zero. That is what I have done to my AR with an eotech on it. Good luck and let us know how she shoots at distance with the zero you choose.