zero for a 30.06
- Thread starter ek127
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Depending on the load you plan to use, figure sighting in at about 1.5-2 inches high at 100 yards, this will make you zeroed at 200, and about 7-9 inches low at 300.
Federal's website has a lot of ballistics info.. but as a sgeneral rule you should be very close at 1.5 at 100 yards.
http://www.federalcartridge.com/andex2.html
Federal's website has a lot of ballistics info.. but as a sgeneral rule you should be very close at 1.5 at 100 yards.
http://www.federalcartridge.com/andex2.html
Sierra reloading manual
The Sierra reloading manual has great data on Maximum Point Blank Range for varmint shooting & for big & small game, plus trajectory with a few other zeroes for good measure ( I think 100, 200 and 300).
Max point blank zero depends on bullet weight, muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient, etc.
I've got my .30-06 sighted in 3" hi at 100.
Semper fi
The Sierra reloading manual has great data on Maximum Point Blank Range for varmint shooting & for big & small game, plus trajectory with a few other zeroes for good measure ( I think 100, 200 and 300).
Max point blank zero depends on bullet weight, muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient, etc.
I've got my .30-06 sighted in 3" hi at 100.
Semper fi
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
For 150-, 165-, and 180-grain spitzer-type bullets and boat-tail bullets, a reasonable rule of thumb for the '06 is 2" high at 100 yards gives a 200-yard zero. Six or seven inches low at 300; 21-24 inches low at 400, and call it four feet low at 500 yards.
Since most hunting shots are within 300 yards, I've always zeroed at 200...Just point it and pull, the freezer ain't half-full.
Art
Since most hunting shots are within 300 yards, I've always zeroed at 200...Just point it and pull, the freezer ain't half-full.
Art
I agree.
I just went hunting with my dad this Sunday. Last I checked (always check you zero, do as I say and not as I do) I was 2-4 inches high at 100 yards. Well my dad shoots at this nice 3x2 muley and hits him. I thought he went down so I stand up and he says, "shoot him!" The deer gets up and starts hobling away at a 90 degree angle. So I start to lay down some suppressive fire to keep his head down. I hold on his back and shoot, the bullet hits just high. My dad shoots again and misses. I shoot again trying to get proper leading and miss just high again. My dad shoots again and misses. I shoot again and it just misses his back. Finally my dad hits him and he is down for good. Distance, 200 yards. Turns out my dads first shot nicked him as close as you can nick a deer and have it not miss. The force of a 140 grain 7mm Mag projectile is enough to just nick the top of a deer's back and crack the spine and make the deer really struggle to move I found out. Note that I say I was laying down suppressive fire. This is what it is called when you miss high on three shots. Had I hit him I would have been aiming for him.
So had I been thinking straight and held dead on to a little low, I would have hit. I really hate missing. I just had to vent and say know where you bullets are hitting and practice. Good thing is that particular buck is drying in the dehydrator right now!
I just went hunting with my dad this Sunday. Last I checked (always check you zero, do as I say and not as I do) I was 2-4 inches high at 100 yards. Well my dad shoots at this nice 3x2 muley and hits him. I thought he went down so I stand up and he says, "shoot him!" The deer gets up and starts hobling away at a 90 degree angle. So I start to lay down some suppressive fire to keep his head down. I hold on his back and shoot, the bullet hits just high. My dad shoots again and misses. I shoot again trying to get proper leading and miss just high again. My dad shoots again and misses. I shoot again and it just misses his back. Finally my dad hits him and he is down for good. Distance, 200 yards. Turns out my dads first shot nicked him as close as you can nick a deer and have it not miss. The force of a 140 grain 7mm Mag projectile is enough to just nick the top of a deer's back and crack the spine and make the deer really struggle to move I found out. Note that I say I was laying down suppressive fire. This is what it is called when you miss high on three shots. Had I hit him I would have been aiming for him.
So had I been thinking straight and held dead on to a little low, I would have hit. I really hate missing. I just had to vent and say know where you bullets are hitting and practice. Good thing is that particular buck is drying in the dehydrator right now!
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
My personal problem with the 3" high at 100 yards is that it's too easy to shoot high. Sort of a People-factor thing, if you get a bit excited. (I do that less, now, in older age. )
If a deer is beyond 100 yards, the odds are good that he doesn't know you're around. He's either just standing around or ambling along. So, you have plenty of time to assess the distance and hold-over or whatever.
That's why I keep hollering about "usual" or "common" hunting distances. There is little point in having the bullet's path any farther from the line of sight than is absolutely necessary.
There is nothing "wrong" with the 3" high at 100 yards sight-in, except that it adds one more factor to the equation of killing Bambi. To a certain extent, then, that violates the KISS principle.
Just some points to ponder. If you're hunting thick timber or swamps, it's a whole 'nother ball game...
, Art
)If a deer is beyond 100 yards, the odds are good that he doesn't know you're around. He's either just standing around or ambling along. So, you have plenty of time to assess the distance and hold-over or whatever.
That's why I keep hollering about "usual" or "common" hunting distances. There is little point in having the bullet's path any farther from the line of sight than is absolutely necessary.
There is nothing "wrong" with the 3" high at 100 yards sight-in, except that it adds one more factor to the equation of killing Bambi. To a certain extent, then, that violates the KISS principle.
Just some points to ponder. If you're hunting thick timber or swamps, it's a whole 'nother ball game...
, ArtI use the 3" high at 100 yards as well. Having used it for over 40 years, it works for me. It did take a while for me to discipline myself to hold for the center of the chest for the forst shot. I only use 180 gr. bullets in the 06 anymore, but zero is about 225 yards. Holding for the center, if the deer is within that 225 yards, he's dead, hot liver in the pan. If I see the bullet hit under him, usually a top of the back hold will drop it in farther out than I like to shoot.
Now if I'm hunting in an area where I know all shots will be short range deals, then I sight in from dead on to one inch high at 100 yards.
FWIW, with ther exception of two deer, all my game has been killed at 200 yards or less, mostly less. My last two deer were both taken under 35 yards, both Mule Deer in the open.
Works for me.
Paul B.
Now if I'm hunting in an area where I know all shots will be short range deals, then I sight in from dead on to one inch high at 100 yards.
FWIW, with ther exception of two deer, all my game has been killed at 200 yards or less, mostly less. My last two deer were both taken under 35 yards, both Mule Deer in the open.
Works for me.
Paul B.