Shooting Skills: The Logistics of a Long-Range Zero

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Optics with ballistic turrets or dials are amazing tools but they have their limitations. Some folks think they can get a 100-yard zero, set the turret and “be good to 1,000”. It’s not that simple. Unless the shooter has a solid zero and real data, all of that high tech capability is worthless.

Obtaining a useful zero is a process that has been grossly oversimplified over the years. At the core of this problem is the small sample sizes that many use to achieve what they believe is a zero. Firing a shot, making an adjustment and then firing a confirmation shot or three may be fine for shooting game or targets at traditional distances, but don’t fool yourself into thinking that “zero” is useful further out. Forget the theory, I’m simply going to walk you through the process that I recommend.

Once we’ve achieved a rough impact point as described above, it is time to get practical. We need to use the same ammunition that we will be hunting with. Simulate actual field conditions as best you can. If you hunt with a bipod, use your bipod.

Instead of getting a 100-yard zero and dialing from there in hopes of being on-target, we are going to work backwards. Let’s say based on the terrain and experience, we think we will see elk at 350 yards. Using the data you have available, set your scope’s dial or turret where you would for a 350-yard shot. Set the parallax accordingly, fire a group and fine-tune as needed, even if that means adjusting and re-centering the dial.

Larger Sample Size

Now, use a larger sample size to ensure that our zero is valid. Shoot a three-shot group, let the barrel fully cool and repeat the process. Ideally, we will shoot enough groups to have a 20-shot sample. The mean of those shots is our true zero. If you can do this over the course of several days, even better. We are after repeatability. Twenty rounds may seem like a lot but, in the grand scheme of things, the cost of a box of ammo is worth it to make sure that your system is set up correctly.

But what if you only have access to a 100-yard range? My advice is to create the largest sample size that you can to achieve the most accurate zero possible at that distance. Here’s where it gets interesting: if you dial back down to your 100-yard setting and fire a shot or two, you may think that your rifle is “off”. It’s likely not but, even if it were, it doesn’t matter. If your zero is true at 300, 400 or 500 yards, your 100-yard point of impact will be close enough for a clean kill. Whatever you do, don’t starting fiddling with your turret in an attempt to center things—you will have wasted that $50 box of ammo.

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