|
|
|
Discussion Forums
Forum Index
> Rifles general discussion
> Sighting in at 50 yards
Sighting in at 50 yards
@ 12:34 pm (GMT) |
Scott StruifIn a recent YouTube video, Vortex recommend sighting in a hunting in rifle at 50 yards. The main reason the guy gave was that he could shoot better at 50 yards because he could see better. That struck me as odd. Presumably, he uses Vortex’s top-of-the-line scope. However, if you’re using a second focal plane scope designed for low light hunting, the reticle is going to be thick enough to see against a dark background, not precision crosshairs the width of human hair. So, assuming you’re using the same target at 50 or 100 yards, the reticle subtension will obscure more of the point of aim, creating a margin for error. I usually take videos created by major manufacturers with a grain of salt, but they didn’t say their expensive US made line of optics would make sighting in at 100 yards easier. |
Replies
@ 11:08 pm (GMT) |
Ed SybertRe: Sighting in at 50 yardsThe scope's parallax can introduce significant sighting-in errors. Most hunting scopes are factory adjusted to be parallax free at something like 125 - 150 yards. So, parallax at 100 yards in relatively small, compared to parallax at 50 yards. You can try to keep your eye well centered and reduce the error, but I prefer to sight-in where parallax is small, or use an "adjustable objective" scope in which parallax can be adjusted out. |
|
@ 06:41 am (GMT) |
Scott StruifRe: Sighting in at 50 yardsThanks Ed. That’s something they should have discussed. Their customer service people, who make the videos, should be optics experts. I called them once for advice on choosing a hunting scope. The guy didn’t understand that if the exit pupil of the scope is larger than the shooter’s eye pupil, any “extra” light captured by a larger objective lens is wasted. Most of the discussion in the sighting in video was about how the bullet crosses the line of sight twice. The video might have been interesting to someone who didn’t already understand that. The only thing that interested me was the idea that a coarser reticle, like a standard duplex, might be more precisely sighted in at 50 than 100 yards. |
@ 08:48 pm (GMT) |
VinceRe: Sighting in at 50 yardsHi ScottBear in mind your sighting in distance doesn't have to match your zero range, you can still zero for another distance and sight in at 50 if it is easier for you as long as you check your drops to verify Cheers Vince |
@ 07:25 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Sighting in at 50 yardsWhat they could have perhaps done, was advise the use of a reasonable sized target.If this was their advice for scoped rifles, what would they have recommended for open sights? Why does this new generation constantly try to lower standards? Targets that may be of use to readers: https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/Target+Downloads+free.html |
|
@ 08:59 am (GMT) |
Scott StruifRe: Sighting in at 50 yardsI assume Nathan’s target is optimized for a minimum 9X magnification at 100 yards, because 3x9 is the most common magnification range available. If that’s the case, the it would make sense to blow up the image to at least twice its size if using it to sight in a fixed 4X scope or open sights at 100 yards. |
|
@ 07:14 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Sighting in at 50 yardsHi Scott, yes basically thats the way to approach it - use a decent sized target and (with most bottle neck centerfire) try to stick to 100 yards or meters because it helps to show up fliers / issues with the rifle, loads and or human error.Another simple way to set up, is to purchase a small ream of black cartridge paper, then cut out and glue white squares to it. For a 4x scope, a 2" square is ample - for those who have trouble honing in on a small target (eyesight issues). With open sights, a younger shooter with good eyesight can use a 3" white square bull while those over 40 might prefer a 4" bull etc. The common red on white target is a sub optimal design, does not take eyesight difficulties into account. There are of course situations where 50 yards might be more useful (e.g. low powered lever carbine), especially during an initial sight in. That aside, I try to encourage my readers to work at building skills and confidence at 100 yards. |
Please wait
ABOUT USWe are a small, family run business, based out of Taranaki, New Zealand, who specialize in cartridge research and testing, and rifle accurizing.
|
KNOWLEDGEBASE |
KNOWLEDGEBASE |