Best zero distance for mixed-distance shooting

[Krane]

I keep coming back to a 50/200 zero. It’s simple, predictable,and works without mental gymnastics. I’m not doing ballistic math under stress and this zero keeps hits where I expect them.

 

[Hobbit]

I keep my zero simple. I'd rather hit where I expect to than be perfect on paper when things are changing fast.

 

[flash60601]

I keep coming back to a 50/200 zero. It’s simple, predictable,and works without mental gymnastics. I’m not doing ballistic math under stress and this zero keeps hits where I expect them.

"Close enough for . . . " Well, you know. Are you ever going to be attempting a shot over 200yd here in the Keystone? It'll hit where you aim or in a place close enough to do exactly what you wanted anyway.

 

[Mad Irish Jack]

After a few years and having the neighbors brother reload .357mags for me, with my components I got the bug Joe A. told me he wasn't going to be able to keep the press running. It was early oct. He said his wife had him select his Christmas gift; he chose an RCBS Rockchucker reloading unit. He said he'd sell me the old C/H single stage loader to me for with an old scale and a set of 30.06 dies he didn't use. Plus, he'd come over and give me a couple lessons. Bought new components and took 5 loads in 27 sets of 5 to settle on my Lorraines' food. It was 47.2gr DuPont 3031 powder, CCI primers, Sierra 165gr hpbt. Most days I could 3 shot a 3/8" to 1/2" group. I now have a Dillon 550B progressive loader. I only load for myself. Back in the 1980's my father in law forgot????? to buy ammo and mentioned it on the way to then woods. He asked me for 3 bullets; I gave and told the may not be right on; they weren't. I tried to tell the in-law boys and DAD that this ammo was made to my rifles specific barrel needs. Three clean misses at 130yds+ proved it and that next Sunday we shot to verify. He'd purchase Remington 150 gr '.06 ammo. 1"+/- @100 yds. If you're going to reload, be patient and meticulous.
I center my scope at 3/8" low at 50 yads, that's dead ctr @ 100yds and out @300yds I'm 5-6" low. That's a hold- on in the power house on targets out to there. But out there the wind may need considered in the mix.

 

[Alan]

After a few years and having the neighbors brother reload .357mags for me, with my components I got the bug Joe A. told me he wasn't going to be able to keep the press running. It was early oct. He said his wife had him select his Christmas gift; he chose an RCBS Rockchucker reloading unit. He said he'd sell me the old C/H single stage loader to me for with an old scale and a set of 30.06 dies he didn't use. Plus, he'd come over and give me a couple lessons. Bought new components and took 5 loads in 27 sets of 5 to settle on my Lorraines' food. It was 47.2gr DuPont 3031 powder, CCI primers, Sierra 165gr hpbt. Most days I could 3 shot a 3/8" to 1/2" group. I now have a Dillon 550B progressive loader. I only load for myself. Back in the 1980's my father in law forgot????? to buy ammo and mentioned it on the way to then woods. He asked me for 3 bullets; I gave and told the may not be right on; they weren't. I tried to tell the in-law boys and DAD that this ammo was made to my rifles specific barrel needs. Three clean misses at 130yds+ proved it and that next Sunday we shot to verify. He'd purchase Remington 150 gr '.06 ammo. 1"+/- @100 yds. If you're going to reload, be patient and meticulous.
I center my scope at 3/8" low at 50 yads, that's dead ctr @ 100yds and out @300yds I'm 5-6" low. That's a hold- on in the power house on targets out to there. But out there the wind may need considered in the mix.

Yeah reloading rewards patience and consistency more than speed and your story about the borrowed ammo is a perfect example of why handloads are tuned to one rifle, not every rifle chambered in the same caliber.

 

[Theodore]

I landed on 50/200 too, and I’ve never felt like I was missing anything. Sometimes simple just works.