Set Your Rifle Zero for Max Point Blank Range

Point Blank Range is the range you can shoot line-of-site and hit a target of a given size. This video discusses what point blank range is and how to find a zero for your rifle to get the maximum point blank range.

Point Blank Range Explained 0:53
How to find the zero 2:35

Also check out my video on how to calculate drop in MOA:

[GunsHarleysUSA]

Finally someone who knows what point blank range think its inches from your muzzle ( TV News, Movies, ). You gave a great explanation on the how to.

[tomn]

I had a 270 custom bolt that liked Federal Premium 150 gr. SP (quarter size group 3/4 inch @ 100 yds) I was point blank out to 235 yards. The rifle never missed. What this gentleman is describing is spot on.

[dr.froghopper]

Consider the 36 yard zero for the 55 gr round. Keeps you inside the 6” pipe to 300 with a 16” barrel.

[rik]

Excellent demostration an presentation!

[Corysfortunes]

site close range for long range, i have used this method for decades a lot for pump air rifles since i like to switch pumps and distances, i simply zero in and my point of impact at distance, then at 10 feet i fire a shot aiming at a 1/4 inch dot, then i keep the paper or measure how far down shot went down from my 1/4 inch dot, then if i switch site in i can quicky go back to previous dot and copy hole that was below my 1/4 inch dot.  i got a clever little trajectory set up for my browning buckmark .177 pistol, i got a video showing how to site in to hit a fly at 5 feet and still have it sited in for its maximum flatest trajectory to hit 1 1/2 inch orange dots as far as it will let me with out sites becoming loose from over adjustment. people forget to chose a target size because target size is important and also what maximum range you are willing to settle for to hit the same size targets every time at multiple intervals.

[bgdesignandsolutions]

Raising the scope off the bore increase's the Point Blank Range. 1.5" is the norm established a long time ago because scopes and rings were not made for much more. But not today. Here's a simple formula on where to shoot at 100 yards for a 200 yards zero. Example: scope is 1.80 inches high. Formula: 1.80 - 1.50 = .30. Divide the difference, which is .30 by 2. You get .15.

If manual says to shoot 1.5 inches at 100 to be on at 200, then to adjust for scope height and subtract the .15. It now becomes 1.35 inches high at 100 to be on at 200, which also extends the drop beyond the 200. This adds about 20 yards or more to your point blank. The higher the scope, the longer the point blank.

I run across people all the time who insist the lower the scope, the better it is for accuracy (mostly old timers). Nonsense, you can only go so high before you can't even see through a scope. Too low makes you cramp your neck and head. Too high makes you stretching your neck and head. Adjust the scope for where it suits you best for eye relief, angle of you head, and visibility. Don't pay attention to the height until you're ready to zero. Then do the calculations using a ballistics calculator, and zero it accordingly.


You can determine your own point blank. For example I use 6 inches most of the time for deer, where the path goes no higher than 3 inches, and no lower than 3 inches to determine my best performance range without having to compensate for distance. On smaller game, I use a 4 inch point blank, or less.

[MeLancer]

Thank you! This is why I like my 22-250, 6.5x55mm and 25-06 rifles and ammo, all flat shooters.

[johnbalogna]

Thanks, good info!! so assuming a 10 inch target (average size deer kill zone) you could reasonably stretch the M>P>B>R to 350 to 400 on most common deer calibers with a 200 to 225 yard zero!! so that your never more than 5 inch's above or below line of sight and aim mid point shoulder to brisket.

[jamesvenditte]

sir, I will say i have looked all over the internet for some form of explanation that I could understand thank you thank a lot

[andyprairiedog]

Excellent explanation of what PBR actually is. A previous commenter also mentioned how it's mis-portrayed in hollywood and the sadly the news. Good stuff.

[sawdust]

you just explained in 3min what others failed to do in 30 min;-)

[wilcoxtactical]

I've always used the term point of aim, point of impact to describe the term you use as Point Blank Range and point blank range meaning within about 7 yards. I stand corrected.

[doghousedon]

If one doesn't like being 3 inches high at midrange, use a smaller diameter pipe. The beauty of PBR is you don't need a fancy scope, and it separates the wheat from the chaff when comparing cartridges. PBR is so simple, one doesn't need any fancy gadgets nor does he have to calculate much.

[mybuck]

Good info. Even for us old hands Good refresher course. Explains exactly 👌🏼

[JamesJones-cxpk]

I sight mine in at 33 yards. Shoot once, adjust windage and elevation X 3. That puts me really close at 100. You can fine tune after that.

[devildog]

for anyone interested
m855 62gr from 14.5/16 inch barrel
40 yard near 250 yard far zero
MV 2907-2980
HOB 2.6 inches
highest point 3 inches 175 yards
Max PB on 8inch target is 4 inches low at 300

use the Hornady ballistic calculator with G7 drag coefficient and .151

I hope that helps anyone looking

[beestoe]

The problem with this is that the shooting down a pipe idea is based on horizontal shots ONLY with the earths full gravitational force in play. But what happens when shooting uphill or downhill? The gravitational pull has a lower effect on trajectory and the projectile will LEAVE the pipe boundary at shorter distances.

[bruceinnawoods]

I was thinking about this exact concept recently. I'm glad to find out it actually has a name.

[keltingr]

two and a half inches high at 100 is the old saying, looks like the old timers knew their shit

[jamiesloan]

I always zero my rifles at 1" high at 100 yards, which puts me about 1" low at 200 yards. All of my hunting shots are within this range, so it works perfectly for me.