distance shooting: scope settings

koorbloh · 02-07-2010, 06:56 AM

ok, so 100 yards isn't all that much for some, and I know my rifles are good out way past 100 yards...but I put ~175 rounds down range at 100 yards yesterday, mostly .22lr, all at just paper.

I shot most of it at my lowest scope setting, and was trying to get good groupings. Then, just before we were done, I zoomed in and found it was easier to get much tighter groupings.

One thing I noticed is that the bullseye was hidden by my scope reticle when I was zoomed out, and zooming in allowed me to see the bullseye.

What I like about shooting zoomed out is being able to see things happening better, which for hunting means I can follow critters if they are moving, or see the movement of surrounding critters.

Zoomed in, however, I can place bullets more accurately.

When shooting at longer distances, do you zoom in or out?

Thoughts? Discussion? Tips on shooting like this?

KillermondoDude · 02-07-2010, 09:03 AM

zoom out to aquire the target (if its a long shot in a brushy area (like forest slash) and zoom in for the shot

WarriorDriver · 02-07-2010, 10:00 AM

why do you think a zoom is on there? 100yds for a rifle isnt far at all, thats where I zero my lower power rifles, 200yd zero for bigger ones.

Shooting a coyote on the run at 100yds with full zoom may be hard, but a target at full zoom is easy, so it depends on the situation.

When hunting, I have the scope on low setting, when I see my target I crank it up to what I feel I need.

reppinthe509 · 02-07-2010, 10:36 AM

what size of scope are you using?

koorbloh · 02-07-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppinthe509

what size of scope are you using?

the zoom is 3x-9x

koorbloh · 02-07-2010, 08:36 PM

so, I played around again today, on a supposed 200 yard range...not sure about 200, but it had more drop than I've ever dealt with, and I actually was having to compensate for it.

again, zoomed in was producing better results, but I was getting some pointers from a much better shooter than me.

between yesterday and today, I think my shooting improved quite a bit with my rifles...whoo hoo!

Metonymy · 02-08-2010, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koorbloh

so, I played around again today, on a supposed 200 yard range...not sure about 200, but it had more drop than I've ever dealt with, and I actually was having to compensate for it.

Shooting the .22 I'm assuming? Yeah, the amount of drop at that distance is crazy.

Check out these charts:

Federal Premium - Rimfire Details

koorbloh · 02-08-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metonymy

Shooting the .22 I'm assuming? Yeah, the amount of drop at that distance is crazy.

Check out these charts:

Federal Premium - Rimfire Details

yeah, mostly on my .22. I've got a reticle that goes from fat to skinny, it's designed to let you field judge a deer's size, lol, what a joke...anyway....at one point I was aiming the distance from center to where it went from fat to skinny...then we walked back....that distance again and I heard a nice satisfying "DING". 4 of 5 on an 18" square, off-hand, ~200-225 yards...honestly, best shooting of my life (GTK gave me some pointers)

Cody1877 · 02-08-2010, 06:53 PM

When target shooting zoom in as target aquistion isnt as critical. But if you ever shoot when it counts I suggest you step to a mildot reticle and learn to shoot with a single lower power once you get the first shot off as aftet that everyone wants to greet you and say hello.

Typicall if Im doing 400yds or less ill keep mine on 4.5 and passed 700 yds I will bump to 12 to 14 if Im goin out to 1000 to 1200 yeards Ill bump to 32, thats for paper punching.

If I were to be making them count first id never be so close as 400yds thats suicide. but if say 700 to 1200 yds id put if on 12 power. Something you need to consider the perfect shot is great for bragging rights later but calculating drop on a person isnt as essential with higher caliber rounds since if you aim for the upper chest and your low you still blow their guts out if your high you take the neck or head, so its more important to engage multple targets quickly or your ass is gonna get drug through the streets after your body is burned, and dude your moms soooo not gonna like that.

koorbloh · 02-08-2010, 07:16 PM

I'm not practicing to shoot at man shaped targets, just critters and paper...I feel bullet drop knowledge is good knowledge to have at 3-400 yards, since my .30-06 is going to drop between the legs of a deer or coyote if I were aiming at the vitals, but I do appreciate the insights from other shooting philosophies, thanks.

I have, however, been thinking about upgrading scopes, and thinking about one with a mil-dot reticle

Metonymy · 02-08-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koorbloh

I have, however, been thinking about upgrading scopes, and thinking about one with a mil-dot reticle

Let's go play with my 10/22.

I think you'll like the 6.5-20x50 I have on there...

koorbloh · 02-08-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metonymy

Let's go play with my 10/22.

I think you'll like the 6.5-20x50 I have on there...

I still like the 3x for up close while hunting though...

02-07-2010, 06:56 AM	#1
koorbloh Marksman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 461	distance shooting: scope settings ok, so 100 yards isn't all that much for some, and I know my rifles are good out way past 100 yards...but I put ~175 rounds down range at 100 yards yesterday, mostly .22lr, all at just paper. I shot most of it at my lowest scope setting, and was trying to get good groupings. Then, just before we were done, I zoomed in and found it was easier to get much tighter groupings. One thing I noticed is that the bullseye was hidden by my scope reticle when I was zoomed out, and zooming in allowed me to see the bullseye. What I like about shooting zoomed out is being able to see things happening better, which for hunting means I can follow critters if they are moving, or see the movement of surrounding critters. Zoomed in, however, I can place bullets more accurately. When shooting at longer distances, do you zoom in or out? Thoughts? Discussion? Tips on shooting like this?

02-07-2010, 09:03 AM	#2
KillermondoDude Marksman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Washington on the wet side Posts: 318	zoom out to aquire the target (if its a long shot in a brushy area (like forest slash) and zoom in for the shot __________________ LIBERALS FOR GUNS: After all the Zombie Apocalypse has no political affiliation

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02-07-2010, 10:00 AM	#3
WarriorDriver Rifleman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ltown, WA Posts: 213	why do you think a zoom is on there? 100yds for a rifle isnt far at all, thats where I zero my lower power rifles, 200yd zero for bigger ones. Shooting a coyote on the run at 100yds with full zoom may be hard, but a target at full zoom is easy, so it depends on the situation. When hunting, I have the scope on low setting, when I see my target I crank it up to what I feel I need.

02-07-2010, 10:36 AM	#4
reppinthe509 Rifleman Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane Posts: 236	what size of scope are you using?

02-07-2010, 08:36 PM	#6
koorbloh Marksman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 461	so, I played around again today, on a supposed 200 yard range...not sure about 200, but it had more drop than I've ever dealt with, and I actually was having to compensate for it. again, zoomed in was producing better results, but I was getting some pointers from a much better shooter than me. between yesterday and today, I think my shooting improved quite a bit with my rifles...whoo hoo!

02-08-2010, 06:53 PM	#9
Cody1877 Gunslinger Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Yakima Posts: 18	When target shooting zoom in as target aquistion isnt as critical. But if you ever shoot when it counts I suggest you step to a mildot reticle and learn to shoot with a single lower power once you get the first shot off as aftet that everyone wants to greet you and say hello. Typicall if Im doing 400yds or less ill keep mine on 4.5 and passed 700 yds I will bump to 12 to 14 if Im goin out to 1000 to 1200 yeards Ill bump to 32, thats for paper punching. If I were to be making them count first id never be so close as 400yds thats suicide. but if say 700 to 1200 yds id put if on 12 power. Something you need to consider the perfect shot is great for bragging rights later but calculating drop on a person isnt as essential with higher caliber rounds since if you aim for the upper chest and your low you still blow their guts out if your high you take the neck or head, so its more important to engage multple targets quickly or your ass is gonna get drug through the streets after your body is burned, and dude your moms soooo not gonna like that.

02-08-2010, 07:16 PM	#10
koorbloh Marksman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 461	I'm not practicing to shoot at man shaped targets, just critters and paper...I feel bullet drop knowledge is good knowledge to have at 3-400 yards, since my .30-06 is going to drop between the legs of a deer or coyote if I were aiming at the vitals, but I do appreciate the insights from other shooting philosophies, thanks. I have, however, been thinking about upgrading scopes, and thinking about one with a mil-dot reticle