How do you zero your hunting scope?

[Quintoona]

Do you go for max point blank range? I find zeroing in the neighborhood of 25-28yds gives a nice balance of point blank range and a good point blank range with high angle shots. As a squirrel hunter, shots up in the trees are not rare. Plus a 28yd zero has me ready for 25m bench rest shooting. Many of my air rifles are zeroed at the all purpose 28yds.

 

[crittahitta]

I have my springers zeroed for about 25 yards because that is my average squirrel range. My Condor ss is zeroed at 40 yards due to the height of the scope over the barrel. I think your logic is spot on for your needs. 

 

[Bullfrog]

I used to zero in between 20-30 but now I zero all my PCPs in at 50 yards. 

 

[likkitysplyt]

I zero all my hunting guns at 40 yards because that's how far it is to the other side of the creek .. I don't shoot on this side.

 

[addertooth]

My springers are zeroed at 25 yards, My PCPs which are 25 cal or larger are zeroed at 50 meters. I also know how much hold-under is needed for closer targets.

 

[jp003]

I set up a 10-100 yard range tape on my MTC Viper Pro. Use a laser range finder to find the distance, then just dial in that distance on the scope. It is a no-brainer set up.

 

[NutterBane]

Hawkes Chairgun program is definitely an asset when it comes to this. If you know your scope height simply test out the ballistic curves for different angles and try to find one that doesn't require much hold under. I've found this translates to roughly 25 yards as well, however really high scopes may find a different sweet spot. Keep your scopes low squirrel hunters. 

 

[crittahitta]

You can say that again NutterBane! I love my 25 cal condor SS. It is light, accurate and packs a punch...... but if i get a shot at 15 yards or less and God forbid at an angle up a tree, by the time I check my range card and decide where to shoot due to the angle ,the squirrel is back in his den wearing a smoking jacket relaxing. That gun was really made for longer range shots. I will never get rid of it but wish I thought of scope height before purchase.

 

[ebigham1]

My first zero on the way up is at 27 yards and the next coming down is at 50. This way from around 20 to 55 it is either plus or minus around a half inch. The kill zone on most things I hunt is about an inch so this provides me with good distances and if I am off it should still be in the kill zone. 

Critta, I have an Escape SS so I feel your pain with the shots up to 15 yards. I keep forgetting to hold over for them so most squirrels that close get away. 

 

[scottblair]

"addertooth"My springers are zeroed at 25 yards, My PCPs which are 25 cal or larger are zeroed at 50 meters. I also know how much hold-under is needed for closer targets.

You will need hold OVER at closer than zero, not under