The Zero Check Thread

[gimp]

How good is your zero, and does your rifle/scope system hold zero?

I am posting this thread for 2 reasons:
1. There is, on another forum, a lot of commentary on particular scopes purported inability to hold zero. This is largely based on the postings of 1 particularly influential individual, with some doubt as to the independence and validity of their opinions. I am interested to crowd-source some other data outside that echo-chamber to sense-check the claims.

2. It's an observation of mine that many people zero their rifles poorly, and don't have a true understanding of what their zero actually is - this is visible at the range with people chasing "wandering zeros" every time they go, firing small numbers of shots.



So -

Post your zero check targets, with the following data:
- Date
- Range
- Rifle
- Optic
- Mounts
- Ammunition
- Context - when did you last zero - what has happened to the rifle since then ?


INCLUDE DATA FROM 10 OR MORE SHOTS. These do not have to be fired as a single 'string' or even as a single group - however you must be able to measure the relative position of 10+ shots from a fixed point of reference. If you wish to overlay multiple groups, see the thread in the shooting section on my excel template for this.

Post clear and organised targets. A CM or inch grid is preferable. Bonus points if you use a group analysis app and post that as well.

IF YOUR RIFLE HAS SHIFTED ZERO SINCE YOU LAST CHECKED - PLEASE POST THIS AS WELL AS "GOOD" RESULTS. The point is to obtain an unbiased picture. If my system loses zero, I will post this.

[gimp]

Date: 25/1/2025
Range: 100m (laser verified)
Rifle: Remington Model 7 .223
Optic: March F 3-24x42
Mounts: Talley Ultralight 30mm Low - ring caps torqued to 20in/lb; base screws torqued "farmer tight and forgotten about"
Ammunition: Hornady Match 73gr ELDM Factory
Context: Last zero checked 15th December. Since then has driven from Hokitika to Central Otago twice, been 4wding, lain on the back floor of a Hughes 500 flying around for a few hours, shot 3 deer, 9 pigs, and about 20 odd goats. Last cleaned maybe 150-300 rounds ago - I don't remember.

Zero is within 0.1MRAD of centre. I will re-check and see if it has shifted after my next trip (next week).

I have not experienced issues with this system and zero shift in the past in real use.

Note I fired 2x 10 round groups - overlaid both make around a 0.9MOA 20-shot aggregate with a mean radius of about 0.06MRAD. Note even with a reasonably precise system with no recoil, and 10 shot groups to establish zero, there is about a 2mm different in both axes for the MPOI of each group.

Mean POI of all 20 shots overlaid is 0.07; -0.018 MRAD. I can compare a future zero check MPOI to this.

[TeRei]

Probably slighlty off but had problems with my VX3 scope. Micky Duck made the suggestion to electrical tape the turrets. They sport lovely red trim and back to head and neck shooting. Used to lose*my rag when I missed a deer and I knew why. Once I had it spot on took the IPhone out and foto'ed the settings for both turrets.

[John Duxbury]

Rifle: .303 SMLE sporterised
Range: 100m (ish. Paced out with long strides.)
Optic: Not really an optic. A round hole in a bit of metal soldered onto the receiver. Probably from a washer of some kind.
Context: Sighted in last time probably between 2006 and 2007. Since then it's shot 17 deer, missed a stag that was lying on the ground, shot a tree by mistake once, shot a rabbit, a fish (long story) got dragged through Fiordland for endless unmemorable miles, backpacked everywhere, rained on, used as a walking stick in a swamp and rivers, thrown down bluffs, because then I have to go down no matter how scary, thrown up bluffs, because then I have to climb up no matter how difficult, geniunely dropped by accident as well, usualy right on the sights. And I thought I should check the zero last month.
Ammo: Some ancient cases reloaded with old 2209 powder left over from the last century, and 180 round nose Speers.

REsult: No zero shift noted, as far as I can remember. (It was 2006 or so when I sighted it in though.)

[trooper90]

Great info and lovely penmanship!

[techno retard]

Rifle: .303 SMLE sporterised
Range: 100m (ish. Paced out with long strides.)
Optic: Not really an optic. A round hole in a bit of metal soldered onto the receiver. Probably from a washer of some kind.
Context: Sighted in last time probably between 2006 and 2007. Since then it's shot 17 deer, missed a stag that was lying on the ground, shot a tree by mistake once, shot a rabbit, a fish (long story) got dragged through Fiordland for endless unmemorable miles, backpacked everywhere, rained on, used as a walking stick in a swamp and rivers, thrown down bluffs, because then I have to go down no matter how scary, thrown up bluffs, because then I have to climb up no matter how difficult, geniunely dropped by accident as well, usualy right on the sights. And I thought I should check the zero last month.
Ammo: Some ancient cases reloaded with old 2209 powder left over from the last century, and 180 round nose Speers.

REsult: No zero shift noted, as far as I can remember. (It was 2006 or so when I sighted it in though.)

That's more like it

[chainsaw]

Rifle: .303 SMLE sporterised
Range: 100m (ish. Paced out with long strides.)
Optic: Not really an optic. A round hole in a bit of metal soldered onto the receiver. Probably from a washer of some kind.
Context: Sighted in last time probably between 2006 and 2007. Since then it's shot 17 deer, missed a stag that was lying on the ground, shot a tree by mistake once, shot a rabbit, a fish (long story) got dragged through Fiordland for endless unmemorable miles, backpacked everywhere, rained on, used as a walking stick in a swamp and rivers, thrown down bluffs, because then I have to go down no matter how scary, thrown up bluffs, because then I have to climb up no matter how difficult, geniunely dropped by accident as well, usualy right on the sights. And I thought I should check the zero last month.
Ammo: Some ancient cases reloaded with old 2209 powder left over from the last century, and 180 round nose Speers.

REsult: No zero shift noted, as far as I can remember. (It was 2006 or so when I sighted it in though.)

That’s an impressive back story & 10 hole grp.

[gimp]

Probably slighlty off but had problems with my VX3 scope. Micky Duck made the suggestion to electrical tape the turrets. They sport lovely red trim and back to head and neck shooting. Used to lose*my rag when I missed a deer and I knew why. Once I had it spot on took the IPhone out and foto'ed the settings for both turrets.

Anything leupold is widely vilified as unable to hold zero at all on Rokslide. It would be really interesting to see some data.

[Happy Jack]

Dropped my rifle yesterday and it went for a swim, will need to go to the range and check it before the next outing. Will be checking my other rifle at same time as both got bounced around in our caravan incident

[RUMPY]

Anything leupold is widely vilified as unable to hold zero at all on Rokslide. It would be really interesting to see some data.

I don't shoot paper very often but my vx1 3-9 has been sitting on my rifle for about 20 years. Can't remember when I last actually adjusted it. Anything I've missed has been shooter error because I try and blame the scope but when I check it on the range it's bang on the same spot it was set to.

[Micky Duck]

Wow.intetesting comment re Leupold.my 3x9x50mm vx111 that recently got birthday back at factory had held zero with very very limited changing for over ten years.all three of the older m8 scopes I own just don't move.

[Kiwi Greg]

Anything leupold is widely vilified as unable to hold zero at all on Rokslide. It would be really interesting to see some data.

There is ALWAYS a story behind the story.......who are their sponsors etc, etc

Having had personal experience over the years with Ryan Avery & a couple of his mates/cohorts, I can tell you they aren't among the straightest dies in the shop

[gimp]

Wow.intetesting comment re Leupold.my 3x9x50mm vx111 that recently got birthday back at factory had held zero with very very limited changing for over ten years.all three of the older m8 scopes I own just don't move.

Look forward to seeing the 10+ shot zero check targets to see that they don't move.

[gimp]

There is "hasn't shifted enough to notice when testing with 3 shot groups, and for ordinary hunting purposes" and then there is "has not shifted". They might be different if tested.
@Tentman - anyone managed to make the 5 shots into a 1MOA target yet? Can't be that many well-zeroed rifles that can hold a zero around, last I heard that hadn't happened yet

[Barry the hunter]

what am I missing here to me the rifle from the first pictures is not zeroed its shooting out to the right is there a reason why one would zero a rifle like that - mine I zero group dead on bulls eye ????? or was the scope adjusted afterwoods