Re zero after traveling

[J.flanagan]

I have zeroed at 100' elevation but will be hunting at 9500'. I know that will affect my point of impact and I see lots of people recommend re zeroing after any travel. What's the etiquette for doing that on public land Co? I'm assuming you don't want to do it near where you or other people planned to hunt anytime in the near future but that's just a guess. Other than knowing your target and what lies behind it along with all the other safety stuff what do I need to consider?

 

[PNWGATOR]

I don’t.

Calculate your dope daily based on the environmentals and go forth with confidence.

 

[nobody]

I don’t.

Calculate your dope daily based on the environmentals and go forth with confidence.

This.

As long as your optic is known to hold zero and your mounting system and bedding job isn't compromised, hunt with confidence.

 

[SDHNTR]

Old school thinking from before we had ballistics solving tools and good scopes. You probably have some old timers in your group with 3-9x Leupolds and no turret. And yes then, they may want to take their own advice.

But for anyone paying attention the last 10+ years who owns a good scope…. Zero at 100 yards at home and then solve according to conditions where you’ll hunt.

 

[Macintosh]

Even with a good scope its worth checking drops if you arent super-dialed in your solver regarding atmospherics and you might shoot more than a couple hundred yards. If you are…^^^.
I’ve always been able to find a range, either formal or informal. Either online or inquire about checking zero at a fish and wildlife office, they deal with enough non-res. hunters that ime they are fairly used to the question.

 

[XLR]

I guess I will go against the grain here because its always a confidence booster when you rezero and you are good to go... I always just stop on some BLM and throw a box out at 100 yds with a good backstop and you will be good to go! CO does have a lot of recreators so look for the good backstop and watch for dirt bikers in the adobes. I have seen a .2 shift traveling from Grand Junction to Vernal Utah so I wouldnt be surprised if you see one. And if you don't see a shift then you can call it a loss of 20 minutes and a couple of rounds for a little confidence booster... I have never seen a downfall to checking zero.

 

[JFK]

I always confirm. Yes, the solvers work and I’ve never had any surprises, but I’d pose the question; why wouldn’t you check? The amount of time, money and energy that goes into an out of state hunt, and you aren’t going to pull over on some BLM and do a little target shooting? I’d hate to miss an animal only to find out something was wrong that could have been addressed by shooting. And lastly, shooting is fun. It’s a good way to break up the drive and stretch your legs. I can’t understand why you wouldn’t shoot your rifle.

 

[LongWayAround]

Where will you be hunting?

There are a number of public ranges if you prefer that.

 

[journeyman713]

Chances are, that you'll drive by a range on the way, nearby to your destination.
I always stop in and verify. Just google-map it when you get close.

 

[Bowhuntone]

when ever possible confirm

 

[RussDXT]

100 yd zero won’t change due to elevation.

 

[f16jack]

Good idea to verify your zero after travelling.
But, there is no need to change your zero.

Sea level: if you were zero'd at 250 yards the 100 yard POI would be roughly 3.05"
9000': zero'd at 250 yards the 100 yard POI is roughly 2.85"
This 0.2" change is probably much smaller than your group size. Not worth the trouble to change your zero.

Your ballistics, however, will be different. Make sure you know the drop for a 500 yard shot at the different elevations. It could be a 39" drop at seal level vs. a 34" drop at 9000'. Even here the animal would probably still be dead.
(These ballistics were for a random 30.06)

 

[SDHNTR]

Queue another 100 vs ### debate…

 

[RocketRob16]

As someone else noted just check your rifle as a confidence booster. I drove 15 hours on my last mule deer hunt. Found a good backstop on some public ground when we got there and shot a couple rounds. My gun shot exactly as I expected it to out to 500. Made me feel a whole lot better. Another gentleman I was with realized his was way out of whack from not resetting the zero stop the last time he shot. Much better to find that out before day 1 than while on your hunt.

 

[Lytro]

I understand maybe checking if you traveled by plane and didn't have your rifle in your possession the entire time, but checking a zero after traveling by vehicle seems pointless to me if you have a decent optic that's been competently mounted. If your optic can handle recoil, it can certainly handle a ride in your vehicle.

The elevation change isn't going to make a difference for the average shooter at reasonable ranges either.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I guess I will go against the grain here because its always a confidence booster when you rezero and you are good to go... I always just stop on some BLM and throw a box out at 100 yds with a good backstop and you will be good to go! CO does have a lot of recreators so look for the good backstop and watch for dirt bikers in the adobes. I have seen a .2 shift traveling from Grand Junction to Vernal Utah so I wouldnt be surprised if you see one. And if you don't see a shift then you can call it a loss of 20 minutes and a couple of rounds for a little confidence booster... I have never seen a downfall to checking zero.

You must be using Leupolds…my dang 4-24x52 VX6hd would wander on me anytime I took it anywhere.

 

[f16jack]

Queue another 100 vs ### debate…

It makes no difference to me where the zero is. It's important that he knows where the rifle shoots. If he verifies that it hasn't shifted then he's good to go. Like other folks said, a good confidence booster.
We often do it at the range or the trailhead out to 600 yards just for verification.

 

[wind gypsy]

CO has the nicest public ranges i've seen. I'd look to see if there is one nearby and stop by for a quick validation before the hunt starts.

Queue another 100 vs ### debate…

No debate. There's people who zero at 100 yards and there's people who are likely to induce more error in their zero.

 

[WCB]

If I am driving out west I do not "check" my zero when I go hunting at different elevations...unless the gun takes a fall or gets handled rough for some reason.

You will want to confirm your DOPE or ballistics if you are shooting out to range or dialing. Just going off of computer generated numbers in not good enough. Build a chart for the elevation closest to wear you are hunting and when you get there confirm the data.

 

[SDHNTR]

CO has the nicest public ranges i've seen. I'd look to see if there is one nearby and stop by for a quick validation before the hunt starts.



No debate. There's people who zero at 100 yards and there's people who are likely to induce more error in their zero.

People who are likely to induce more error, or people who like to induce more error? As vehemently as people attempt to support the case for a longer zero, me thinks it must be the latter!