Rifle sight in before going to the mountains?

[TexanHunter]

I Purchased a new Christensen ridgeline 300wsm and will be hunting with it in the mountains of Idaho this year for mule deer. I live in Texas where the elevation is about 700' where i will be sighting in. My question is, will my rifle still be sighted in at 7000'...? I will be using a Leupold Vx6hd CDS with a dial set to the elevation i will be hunting.

 

[EdP]

It will be off a bit due to thinner air but not much. Run your data (MV and BC) through a ballistics program and see the difference.

 

[SDHNTR]

If you are using a proper 100 yd zero, you probably won’t notice any zero change. But if your CDS is cut at 700’ and you hunt at 10x that and have to take a long shot, yes it will be off. But hey, chasing zero is good sport and you might want to practice it.

 

[JD Jones]

I’m in Texas and do the same as you as far as chase game in Idaho. I zero at 100 (700’ ish) and true in the mountains when I get there. Never had an issue before being able to dial for my elevation using a solver app.

 

[TxLite]

I’m in Texas and do the same as you as far as chase game in Idaho. I zero at 100 (700’ ish) and true in the mountains when I get there. Never had an issue before being able to dial for my elevation using a solver app.

How much are you having to adjust from your 700’ to 7000’+ zeros?

 

[SDHNTR]

How much are you having to adjust from your 700’ to 7000’+ zeros?

Your zero probably won’t change much, assuming a proper 100 yd zero. It’s further beyond where the changes show up, exponentially with greater range. Read what Tk-421 wrote, then read it again.

 

[TxLite]

Your zero probably won’t change much, assuming a proper 100 yd zero. It’s further beyond where the changes show up, exponentially with greater range. Read what Tk-421 wrote, then read it again.

I read it. I was looking if to see what measurable change was witnessed out of curiosity because my zero is applied at 400’ asl. Obviously the best practice is to confirm zero when you get to the altitude you intend to hunt at.

 

[awildswanger]

If you are using a proper 100 yd zero, you probably won’t notice any zero change. But if your CDS is cut at 700’ and you hunt at 10x that and have to take a long shot, yes it will be off. But hey, chasing zero is good sport and you might want to practice it.

Would you do a deeper dive on a "proper 100yd zero"?

 

[SDHNTR]

Would you do a deeper dive on a "proper 100yd zero"?

It’s been beaten to death around here. Im no expert so probably not qualified enough to answer, but I understand the concept. Basically zero at 100 because any further induces the effects of environmental conditions and human error into your system. Then if you want to hunt with a farther PBR due to terrain conditions, just twist up as needed. And shoot 10-20 shots on zero to confirm. Anything less is not statistically significant enough to confirm zero with enough confidence. That’s the Readers Digest version.

 

[SDHNTR]

I read it. I was looking if to see what measurable change was witnessed out of curiosity because my zero is applied at 400’ asl. Obviously the best practice is to confirm zero when you get to the altitude you intend to hunt at.

For a lot of reasons yes, but in all reality a 100 yd zero will barely change. Maybe not even noticeable. But what WILL change is your dope across further ranges, so you need to solve accordingly.

 

[zrodwyo]

I would be more concerned about that scope losing zero after 20 hours in a backseat.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Not with that VX6HD. You’ll want to check zero prior to hunting. I had a 4-24x52 for a while and everytime I traveled zero shifted high and to the left

 

[SDHNTR]

Not with that VX6HD. You’ll want to check zero prior to hunting. I had a 4-24x52 for a while and everytime I traveled zero shifted high and to the left

It’s good sport guys! Adds to the fun! Makes for a more challenging hunt and you get to do a lot more shooting!

 

[Slugz]

Just a recommendation. Look at using a 200/250 yard zero. Lot less having to dial or even touch anything at normal hunting ranges. ( say 375 yards and under roughly)

 

[ScreamingPotato]

These guys love to just dump on people's equipment instead of answering the question. If you're zero'd and your CDS dial was sent in with correct info for the conditions where you'll be hunting then you'll be close enough for Elk and deer vitals. If you want more confidence then take a few shots to check zero when you get there, it's always a good plan no matter what equipment you have if for nothing else than to boost your confidence. It's also always a good plan to shoot longer ranges to verify your data and trajectory so if you can then do so obviously.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

You could learn a lot listening to some podcasts, messing around with a ballistics program, and doing some reading around here.

Starting points:
For learning about proper zeroing:

For learning about zero angle and hoe to set a zero that provides a valid firing solution in any conditions:

To see how environmentals affect firing solutions, open 2 or more tabs, set one for home range, and the other for ID, compare the differences: https://jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmmpm-5.1.cgi

For why PNWgator was hating or your scope, in addition to what predatorslayer said about zero retention, look at:

LEUPOLD VX6HD FRUSTRATION!!!!

Really frustrated with my Leupold glass!! Got my custom 300RUM delivered this summer. I had a Leupold 4-24x52 VX6HD with the TMOA reticle waiting for it. Broke the barrel in and developed a great 0.5" MOA load for it. Early on I performed a vertical target test at 100 yards shooting 0...

www.longrangehunting.com

Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

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For why Remington 700 based actions/triggers are not recommended:

Ice/snow comparison between rifles

I have been asked by multiple people to do an ice and snow reliability eval between rifles/actions/triggers. Tthis is not a “test”, it is just a view at what generally happens. Doing a legitimate test requires more rifles and consistent conditions than I have. So… The rifles: 1). Tikka T3...

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For why Christansen arms is on my never buy list, there are many threads and posts about some of there guns needing multiple trips to the factory to safely sit factory ammo:

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Hello! I recently purchased the Ridgeline in 300 PRC. I started the break-in process last week. I started with the Hornady ELDM 225 gr. It was difficult to get the bullet into the chamber, but after shooting, I could not open the bolt without significant force - using the palm of my hand to...

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[Lawnboi]

Past 3-400 yards, a custom cut dial is a gimmick.

 

[bmart2622]

If you set a good zero angle when you sight it in and then use an app like the Revic app and enter all the appropriate data of where you are hunting the app will give you the right solution for your custom turret according to the atmospheric conditions you are hunting at

 

[StuckoYota99]

I recommend using Hornady 4dof to get a ball park.
You'll need a chronograph too.
However you should "find your own truth" and actually go shoot at that elevation and distance prior to your hunt.
Your 100 or 200yd zero should stay the same. but when you start reaching out to distance you will see a shift. Your 600yd hold at 700' will be different than your 600yd hold at 7000'. However the amount of difference will be determined by your ballistics.

 

[BjornF16]

Just a recommendation. Look at using a 200/250 yard zero. Lot less having to dial or even touch anything at normal hunting ranges. ( say 375 yards and under roughly)

I wouldn’t recommend this; but rather have a proper 100 yard zero (confirmed with 10-20 shot group) then set your elevation reticle to PBR for your specific cartridge/density altitude.