The Zero Check Thread

[gimp]

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

It is actually zeroed for my 80gr ELDM load. The 73gr I am using shoot slightly to the right. The offset is less than 0.1MRAD, 17 of 20 shots were within 0.5MOA of point of aim.

[Tentman]

Nope. We shot it last week, my effort was judged closest but I didn't take the money. My group was well under moa but was one click left (10mm) and that put 3 holes over the edge of the black.

I like your thinking on this but I fear there are still too many uncontrolled variables that will make a reliable and repeatable result difficult. For example, environmental factors, wind, temperature (effects air density and powder, therefore velocity) and mirage. That's not to mention human factors, eg a cold day so extra jacket effects position etc etc.

I'd think a mechanical test of the scopes in question would be more reliable. But I doubt the protagonists would accept it anyway, this smacks of some sort of "belief" which as issues like node theory prove, people don't want the scientific explanation.

[Kiwi Greg]

I like your thinking on this but I fear there are still too many uncontrolled variables that will make a reliable and repeatable result difficult. For example, environmental factors, wind, temperature (effects air density and powder, therefore velocity) and mirage. That's not to mention human factors, eg a cold day so extra jacket effects position etc etc.

Yep for sure
When you basically have the formula 1 of rifles, cartridge, rest, flags etc that is capable of a genuine 1/16-1/8-1/4 multiple 5 shot groups if conditions/shooter allow, you start to appreciate the things you can't control & wonder how we shoot the odd tiny group with hunting rifles/Ladas

[gimp]

I like your thinking on this but I fear there are still too many uncontrolled variables that will make a reliable and repeatable result difficult. For example, environmental factors, wind, temperature (effects air density and powder, therefore velocity) and mirage. That's not to mention human factors, eg a cold day so extra jacket effects position etc etc.

I'd think a mechanical test of the scopes in question would be more reliable. But I doubt the protagonists would accept it anyway, this smacks of some sort of "belief" which as issues like node theory prove, people don't want the scientific explanation.

If anyone else is interested in genuinely testing, we'll see I suppose

[Tentman]

If anyone else is interested in genuinely testing, we'll see I suppose

I do intend to try it, I have a new 223 going (but not sorted) and if the rifle is accurate enough it will be an interesting project to try it with.

[flock]

Havn't figured how to get the Hornady Group Analysis pictures off the phone.

[whanahuia]

Nope. We shot it last week, my effort was judged closest but I didn't take the money. My group was well under moa but was one click left (10mm) and that put 3 holes over the edge of the black.

I like your thinking on this but I fear there are still too many uncontrolled variables that will make a reliable and repeatable result difficult. For example, environmental factors, wind, temperature (effects air density and powder, therefore velocity) and mirage. That's not to mention human factors, eg a cold day so extra jacket effects position etc etc.

I'd think a mechanical test of the scopes in question would be more reliable. But I doubt the protagonists would accept it anyway, this smacks of some sort of "belief" which as issues like node theory prove, people don't want the scientific explanation.

@Tentman. Im interested in trying the 5 shot challenge. However I don't have a dial repeatable scope and Im not going to do it at the cost of my current Zero. Ill try it at 100 and 400 if its acceptable to centre the Moa at the verified trajectory points at those ranges?

[Nick-D]

Never had an issue with any of my loopys, I'll drag my kimber out and shoot a string or 2 for data. Done a lot of miles without needing any adjusting.

[gimp]

Havn't figured how to get the Hornady Group Analysis pictures off the phone.

I just screenshot them using the screenshot function on my phone

[Tentman]

@Tentman. Im interested in trying the 5 shot challenge. However I don't have a dial repeatable scope and Im not going to do it at the cost of my current Zero. Ill try it at 100 and 400 if its acceptable to centre the Moa at the verified trajectory points at those ranges?

Just put an aiming point on your target at what ever you are offset at at 100M (then it's a 29.1mm dot) or at 100Y where it's a 26.5mm dot. Keep everything plumb, I struggle with this challenge because the slightest cant will kill ya.

[gimp]

Despite my slight zero offset - 1 entire 10rd group from yesterday (with factory ammo) beats the challenge, and the 2nd 7/10 did. It shouldn't be that hard for someone to do it ! It certainly hints that the average precision and accuracy out there is worse than people understand.

However the primary purpose of the thread was to try get some good data on whether common scopes actually hold zero or not

[Fat ninja]

I don’t have the data and pics you do but, will try give a similar run down to you.

Range-100m laser verified
Rifle- 16inch P.o.f .223
Optic- Nightforce shv 3-10
Mounts- A.R.M.S return to zero mount
Ammo- 73gr Hornady ELDM factory

This is my main work gun, since switching to the ELDM 18ish months ago I’ve only had to re-zero once and it was a good knock. I’ve done a couple of check zeros after some knocks but havnt had to re-zero. Given how rough I am on my work gear, I’m very impressed with the scopes ability to handle knocks. I don’t have a pic of when I last zeroed but it’s about 1MOA, I could chase rounds and try get smaller but I’m happy with good enough for a deers eye ball at 100m. Once zeroed this set up will stay zeroed unless it gets a very hard whack, this is my first Nightforce and I’m very impressed with how it handles the knocks.

[SPEARONZ]

My leupold holds zero. The one problem I had were talley rings coming loose on a hunt.

I now run:
Dpt pic rail *blue loctite
Vortex pro rings

I didn't get a photo of the initial zero but went to the range in November and zeroed. Temp mid teens.

Public land hunt. 320m


Re check zero early Jan.
5mph wind
110m
Temp- high teens
No adjustments made


Reshot with different load
Same Temp
No wind
No adjustments gives same poi


I'll post a part 2 with both loads after the next shoot.