Thread: What's changed- more advice for the newbie

Originally Posted by charliehorse

@grandpamac you'd be spot on with the calibre, and sometimes yes theres not much left....legs and wings seem to fall off. @Micky Duck 'hug yourself' for both but you're quite right with the loading when standing. I'll need to be mindful when finalising my load. The 2" high would be easier because of point and shoot? Or something else I'm missing? Because my ranges vary from 80m to 400m I just assumed a 100m zero and dial up to whatever would be easier. It's all new to me

Greetings Charliehorse,
The neat little chart and data the Micky has furnished are based on a maximum trajectory above line of sight that will not be a miss over on deer and give a maximum point blank sighting range. Your targets are a lot smaller so you need to work out how much above line of sight you can tolerate. This is likely to be somewhere between 1 and 2 inches (25 to 50 mm). You can then use one of the free on line ballistic program's, such as the Hornady one to sort out your Zero range. Once you have put in your ballistic coefficient, velocity and sight height above bore (this last is important as it effects trajectory) select the closest spacing and say 125 metres zero range and look at the trajectory. You can fiddle with the zero range until the projectile does not go above your selected maximum trajectory above line of sight. You don't have to zero the rifle at the zero range just zero it above or below at a convenient range in line with the trajectory. This sounds a little complex bit it is easy once you have worked it through.
Regards Grandpamac.

@grandpamac you're right that does sound complicated. I'm currently using the Hornady app and it has been successful out to 350m so far. I will have a play around with it and see. I am reluctant though given my current system is working

Originally Posted by charliehorse

@grandpamac you're right that does sound complicated. I'm currently using the Hornady app and it has been successful out to 350m so far. I will have a play around with it and see. I am reluctant though given my current system is working

Greetings Charliehorse,
The good thing about playing with new ideas is that you don't have to change what you are already doing unless you can see an advantage. After all you don't need to change anything unless it works for you.
Grandpamac.

I am a convert to the point blank zero theory and mil or bdc reticles, make pb zero as long as you can then use the drop marks. I don't like twiddling dials. When using your ballistic app have a play with scope height as well the results will possibly interest you.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings Charliehorse,
The neat little chart and data the Micky has furnished are based on a maximum trajectory above line of sight that will not be a miss over on deer and give a maximum point blank sighting range. Your targets are a lot smaller so you need to work out how much above line of sight you can tolerate. This is likely to be somewhere between 1 and 2 inches (25 to 50 mm). You can then use one of the free on line ballistic program's, such as the Hornady one to sort out your Zero range. Once you have put in your ballistic coefficient, velocity and sight height above bore (this last is important as it effects trajectory) select the closest spacing and say 125 metres zero range and look at the trajectory. You can fiddle with the zero range until the projectile does not go above your selected maximum trajectory above line of sight. You don't have to zero the rifle at the zero range just zero it above or below at a convenient range in line with the trajectory. This sounds a little complex bit it is easy once you have worked it through.
Regards Grandpamac.

have ANOTHER look at the 2nd chart....assuming magpie is somewhere around 4" of verticle vital area........projectile stays within the theoreticle 4" tube out to 275 yards....
I took into consideration what you saying thus went no more than 2" high instead of usual 3" at hundy....