Are you going to hunt with your competition rifle this season? Or maybe your favorite dial-for-distance target rig?
A lot of hunters are, and it's growing in popularity. Most of us use a 100-yard zero for long-range rifles and dial or use the reticle for each target at a given distance. But is that best for hunting?
Should we adjust our zero if we use these setups in the field? In short, yes. Here's why…
Suppose you're using a precision rifle for hunting. In that case, it's safe to assume you're already anticipating some long shots and often will have time to get the range and dial the scope for the point of impact.
But what if there's no time and the shot has to be quick before the animal disappears? At the outer limit of what most consider normal hunting ranges where dialing isn't necessary, a 100-yard zero won't cut it.
Zeroing a Rifle for Hunting
Let's take the now ubiquitous 6.5 Creedmoor for instance. Using some real-world data from one of our Ruger Precision Rifles and Hornady ammunition and their 4DOF app, with a 100-yard zero we are 2.6" low at 200 yards.
With an 8" vital zone radius, we have a 267-yard point-blank range before adjusting our point of aim. At 325 yards, we're 14.5" low.
For a deer, that means dialing the scope or holding over its back, which can be tough to gauge. Particularly if there are any steep angles involved in the shot. That all takes time which the animal may not give you.
Now let's look at the same rifle and ammo combo with a traditional zero of 2" high at 100 yards. The bullet's path will never be greater than 2.5" above the line of sight, so surprise shots at close ranges are covered - Just point and aim.
At 200 yards, we're 1.2" high compared to the point of aim - Which is still perfect. But more importantly, our point-blank range now jumps out to almost 325 yards because we're only 8.4" low.
Previously we would have had to correct or dial somehow to make an ethical shot, now we can basically point and shoot, which is a lot quicker.
This also illustrates that zeroing for a greater distance than 100 yards will be much more forgiving for range estimation if there's no time to get the exact distance.
Can our competition rifles be used for hunting? Of course, competition rifles can be a great tool.
But are they dialed in perfectly for hunting? Probably not.
Take the time to get a good hunting oriented zero. For one, it's generally considered a best practice to re-zero your rifle with a hunting bullet rather than a match bullet.
Lastly, zeroing your rifle is always a great excuse to get out, sharpen your skills, and put some rounds down range.
Good luck this season!
More about the 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle
The 6.5 Creedmoor is designed for long-range shooting, and it is popular among competitive shooters and hunters for its accuracy and low recoil.
To zero a rifle, you need to adjust the rifle's sights, scope, or optics so that the point of impact (where the bullet hits the target) is the same as the point of aim (where the sights or scope are pointed).
This process is called zeroing a rifle. The process is essential because it allows the shooter to accurately predict where the bullet will hit the target at different distances.
There are several different methods for zeroing a rifle, but the most common method is to shoot a group of shots at a target at a known distance and then adjust the sights or scope until the point of impact is in the group's center.
This process is usually repeated at several different distances to ensure that the rifle is accurately zeroed at the intended range.