I'm using Hawke Chairgun to generate pictures of my FFP reticles to use for holdover when hunting. It has an Optimum Zero function. What does that mean and why should I use it?
Optimum Zero
- Thread starter skohl
- Start date
Thats where your doing the least amount of adj from ctr. With my gun i 0 at 40. Run like a half inch high at 25&30 and like 2” low at55
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Condensed version: The optimum zero function calculates for you at what range you should zero your gun in order to have the longest point blank range (PBR) — for a given kill zone (that you tell ChairGun).
Does that make sense?
Matthias
Does that make sense?
Matthias
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That's a great question!
I think there might be two types of airgunners:
Those that shoot by the numbers, and:
Those that shoot by the seat of their pants.Both types usually hit their intended target pretty well, most of the time.
The former measure velocities and calculate everything, they trust ballistic calculators, often consider the effect of BC, and are more likely to dial their scopes.... These shooters often are attempting long and extreme long range shots.The latter make their dope charts manually by shooting at different ranges and noting drop, they mistrust ballistic calculators, more likely use hold-off rather then dialing their scope, and they rely on their vast experience.Of course, those are just stereotypes!
Matthias
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If you are looking for a ballistic calculator I recommend the Strelok Ballistic calculator app. You can get it for Apple Store or Google Play. There a free and paid version of it.
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I've mentioned this before but at the house where I was living when I got my first PCP I could shoot indoors at 27 yards.
Didn't have a chronograph or any ballistic app downloaded.
Turns out 27 yards was the predicted Optimum Zero for the pellet, speed & scope height I was using. Turns out my first 1/4" low distance was the distance to my bird feeder. Both of these were just lucky accidents but once I figured it all out I stuck with it.
At my new house I deal with pests at much closer ranges & that's when I really started to try to understand Chairgun. I only have the desktop version of Chairgun currently. Need to get a more detailed app on my phone.
So the Chairgun mobile app is no longer supported?
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Typed the above while in the parking lot at my son's school. Something sounded wrong and I went back to Chairgun when I got home.
My near zero was the exact distance to the bird feeder with my first PCP. Again, just a lucky accident that my near zero matched my bird feeder and my (unknown to me at the time) Optimal Zero was the distance I shot indoors.
The distance to my bird feeder being 1/4" low was when I got the 177 barrel for my Leshiy, which was my second PCP. And that was only when I figured out the Optimal Zero for the Leshiy was further out. When sighted in at my regular 27 yards I was substantially lower than 1/4" to the bird feeder.
That was actually what got me to download Chairgun, as I recall.
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Cool, sometimes Artemis, Diana, and all the other hunting gods and goddesses smile upon you and make it happen...!
About ballistic calculators:
Most do not offer the GA drag model, which is the most appropriate for diabolo pellets. Many do not allow to enter atmospheric conditions. Many are not really setup to be used with airguns. The following are:
ChairGun's support has been discontinued by Hawke. Too bad. I'd be happy to pay money for that program (the PC version). The program is very powerful, and calculates almost all that you could ever ask for. Even a custom drag model. But, not really portable.
The mobile app (Android and IOS) is rather limited and unpractical, especially if you want to switch from one pellet to another with the same gun.
Strelok, Strelok+, and especially Strelok Pro are incredibly practical, allowing you to program a multitude of custom guns, each gun with dozens of pellets and slugs and power setttings. Strelok Pro offers the GA drag model, custom drag models, and variable BC entry. Largest data base of reticles.
ackuric (AGN user) has been working on a very elaborate ballistic calculator, that also does internal ballistics, PCP pressure calculations and all that is involved there, it's deep, amazing. It's mobile, as it can run on a cell phone, using Google Sheets.
Here is the thread of the first edition:
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/official-release-simple-pcp-calculator-mobile
ShootAssist is a promising mobile ballistic calculator. But so far it only comes with instructions in Russian.
Have fun with the numbers! I know I do!! 
Matthias
About ballistic calculators:
Most do not offer the GA drag model, which is the most appropriate for diabolo pellets. Many do not allow to enter atmospheric conditions. Many are not really setup to be used with airguns. The following are:
ChairGun's support has been discontinued by Hawke. Too bad. I'd be happy to pay money for that program (the PC version). The program is very powerful, and calculates almost all that you could ever ask for. Even a custom drag model. But, not really portable.The mobile app (Android and IOS) is rather limited and unpractical, especially if you want to switch from one pellet to another with the same gun.
Strelok, Strelok+, and especially Strelok Pro are incredibly practical, allowing you to program a multitude of custom guns, each gun with dozens of pellets and slugs and power setttings. Strelok Pro offers the GA drag model, custom drag models, and variable BC entry. Largest data base of reticles.ackuric (AGN user) has been working on a very elaborate ballistic calculator, that also does internal ballistics, PCP pressure calculations and all that is involved there, it's deep, amazing. It's mobile, as it can run on a cell phone, using Google Sheets.Here is the thread of the first edition:
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/official-release-simple-pcp-calculator-mobile
ShootAssist is a promising mobile ballistic calculator. But so far it only comes with instructions in Russian.Have fun with the numbers!
I know I do!! Matthias
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