Zen of the 100 Yard Zero

[xcravx]

Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make this thread F2S. In-depth explanations like this are truly appreciated.

[exiledtoIA]

Will do. Printed, laminated and in the "Big Black Book of Guns and Stuff".

You are more than welcome to use it, just throw M4Carbine.net and F2S a kind word while you do .

[MrSmitty]

Recently converted from the 50/200m zero to the 100m zero after reading this article. The images using a red dot on a torso sized target are excellent.

I've been able to reach out a little further with my 10.5"/T-1 combo more intuitively now.

Jack, thanks again for doing this write up and answering my questions in the other thread a few months back!

[gun71530]

Great information. I have been using the 50/200m zero, but i will be switching after reading this.

[StrikerFired]

I have been using the 50/200 as well. After reading this I believe that I am going to give the 100 meter zero a try.

[Wiggity]

Someone please sticky this thread

[SMC527]

Great info!

Just as a compare and contrast, could you post the same pictures and diagrams with the 50/200 zero also. It would help me visualize the difference

If it's not too much trouble

[Moltke]

Great info!

Just as a compare and contrast, could you post the same pictures and diagrams with the 50/200 zero also. It would help me visualize the difference

If it's not too much trouble

Seems like that might get confusing. There is another thread on the 50/200 zero.

[Gunzilla]

Jack, awesome write-up, thanks for taking the time to compile and post this data.

A couple of questions about zeroing: What do you think of zeroing 1 round at a time with a 1 minute pause between rounds fired?

The last few times out to zero my ARs I've loaded only 1 round into the magazine, fired and left the bolt open, loaded another round into the mag and fired again after about a 1 minute pause. I repeated this until I have shot 3-5 rounds before making adjustments. Do you see any negatives to zeroing in this manner? (I shoot a free floated hand guard on both my ARs, if that helps you to answer the questions)

It does seem that when I do this my groups are tighter because the barrel does not heat up too much between rounds as it would by loading 5 at a time and firing them at a faster pace....thus I think it helps with shooting a more consistent group. Or am I just imagining things?

I usually end my zeroing session by loading 5 rounds at a time and shooting three 5 round groups to check my results....and so far I've been pleased with the overall results.

Your input, or input from others, would be appreciated.

[a0cake]

A couple of questions about zeroing: What do you think of zeroing 1 round at a time with a 1 minute pause between rounds fired?

The last few times out to zero my ARs I've loaded only 1 round into the magazine, fired and left the bolt open, loaded another round into the mag and fired again after about a 1 minute pause. I repeated this until I have shot 3-5 rounds before making adjustments. Do you see any negatives to zeroing in this manner? (I shoot a free floated hand guard on both my ARs, if that helps you to answer the questions)
.

Zero procedure is REALLY shooter dependent. Some guys who aren't so consistent do need to put 3-5 rounds on target so that a center-point can be established and adjusted from. If there's 4-5 MOA between shots and you try to adjust off of 1 or 2 rounds you're going to end up chasing ghosts on paper and getting nowhere fast.

Others are able to do "one round adjust," because they're consistent shooters who are able to call their shots and make adjustments off of single rounds - saving time and ammunition. So it really varies based on experience. Of course final zero confirmation should be multiple rounds.

As for your other question of loading one round and waiting a minute between shots - whatever works for you, but this is generally inadvisable.

You're likely changing position, taking your cheek off the stock, and in general doing a lot to interfere with grip, cheek-weld, body position, pretty much everything that breeds consistency and translates to tight groups. IMO you're far better off loading up a 28 round magazine so that the gun balances as it would during normal carry (don't underestimate the effects of balance and pivot point on POI). Instead of waiting a long time between shots, fire rounds at a moderate and comfortable cadence, focusing on consistent body position, sight alignment, and point of aim between rounds (and don't forget to breathe!). I think you'll learn to see better results this way, and your zero process will look a whole lot more like regular shooting - which is always a good thing.