Reburn
Mayhem Contributor
Your right I have assumed that you understand basic ballistics.
I have assumed that you travel or hunt in conditions other than when you sighted in your gun.
I'm not a new shooter nor is my math wrong.
I was simply typing to a new subject faster than you let go of the old subject which is how does Density altitude affect zero. Especially 200- or 300-yard zeros and how DA will make them now longer a 200 yard zero. Also how does DA affect drop. So, where we will start is by showing with facts that your 200 yard zero isn’t a 200 yard zero except where your gun was shot in at on the day or with the same environmental factors that it was shot in with.
You will have to agree that environmental inputs have a direct and substantial impact on bullet flight and drop and windage. Let’s just simplify these values to use the term density altitude as that is the most effective way of using a ballistics calculator.
Fact 1 is that a 100 yard zero on many guns doesn't change a full click value of elevation within 10k of DA change. There is no way to adjust a HALF click.
My 6.5 creedmoor at 200 yards has 0.1 Mil click less drop from 1800 DA to 8000 DA. This is an undeniable fact. So, fact 1 is unless you find somewhere with no wind and adjust your 200 yard zero at location your zero is one click wrong. Your zero must be exact at 200 yards. Not 190 not 210.
Fact 2. Since you know this you say well, I'll just adjust up one click and be good. Well no. Now sir you are using Kentucky windage as you haven't shot in your zero so now it’s not a zero and it 1 click adjustment at 200 yards. Which is no different than just being 1" high at 100 yards or whatever number. This is Kentucky windage and worked ok for me for over 2 decades. Using a ballistic calculator and dialing your Kentucky windage up doesn’t make it any more then dialing with a known variable error.
Fact 3. Tell me that introducing known errors into a complex mathematical formula such as ballistics is a good idea. No one in their right mind will say it’s a good idea. It’s an even worse idea when the solution is so simple. Right in front of your face and easier. The solution is zero at a range that most environmental factors get nullified out by being reduced beyond mechanical limits of the weapons system.
Fact 4. Shooting in a 100 yard zero is easier then shooting a 200 yard zero. Again, we are going back to math and statistics. Let’s assume you’re a stud and you’re a legit 1 moa on demand shooter. With a legit 1 moa on demand gun and any day any time can drop down and shoot a 1 moa group. Form will be by shortly to destroy this probably but let’s just say you are sir. No frown faces over flies you don’t like or "calling" a pulled shot when you see the target. Your telling me that it’s easier to get a 2.094" group and 200 yards to exactly center over lay an exact point to be zeroed is easier than getting a 1.047" circle at 100 yards to overlay a point exactly within the available clicks for the scope. It’s almost like you’re thinking that the 1/4 moa clicks are a 1/4" click at 100 yards. Fact it’s not. It’s so close at 100 yards it’s within the mechanical limits of the system but it’s not a 1/4” A moa like a mil is just and angle of measurement. But despite what many guys think a moa isn’t 1" and 100 yards or 6" at 600 yards its 6.282” at 600 so a 1/4 moa click is 1.5705" movement at 600 yards.
Fact 5. Let’s talk about wind. We will use my 6.5 creedmoor since it has a high BC and it’s in my strelok and easy for me to give you math. Any bullet with a lower BC then 0.600 and you will see MORE wind movement. We are at 100 yards at 1800 da the drift on my 6.5 in a 4mph full value crosswind at 90 degrees is what we will argue. Again, this is math and ballistics and fact. But let’s be damn precise. Its 0.2" drift. But at 200 yards its 0.8" of drift. At 300 yards its 1.8” As you can see it’s an exponential gain not a linear gain. Please explain to me how you can get a 2.094" circle centered on a point with a 0.8" wind drift possible but not guaranteed. Please tell me where in the outside world you will ever see a constant wind value over the full 200 yards. Please explain to me how 4mph is anything more than a light breeze that most shooters would dismiss and a non-issue. There are your facts and math.
You want to shoot a 300-yard zero bud do it. I don't care. But let’s not say it’s great and good and there are no problems with doing so. Let’s call a spade a spade.
We aren't even going to touch on ED, SD of your rounds and actual Muzzle velocity or published vs observed BC and how that changes with twists and speeds and the fact that bullets have ED and SD on their BC too. With all these known variables that we can’t really do anything about let’s not introduce more into our ballistics.
Furthermore, form has said this multiple times and I'll say it again. big game animals are big. They have a large kill zone and to be quite honest a forgiving kill zone because you don't need to thread the needle on a lung shot and hit it perfectly center you just need to hit the lungs anywhere that you damage them to kill the animal. Hit too high and you will probably shock the spine. Hit too low and you will pierce the heart which is great. Drift into the shoulders and you will probably clip something vital and or break the shoulders and anchor the animal. There is a wide range of what will kill an animal or incapacitate them. But don't try to pass off shoddy ballistic work with the statement its always worked in the past.
