Two zeros or one?

Personally I have never had a problem with the "two zero" method. The elevation difference between the zeros and the Apex is usually always the flattest overall distance in your ballistic curve, which makes it the most predictable. I suppose if you know exactly what your Apex is, you could zero to that but then you will just have more holdover for EVERYTHING but that. Different strokes for different folks, but I personally wouldn't prefer that unless I was shooting long-range where everything at or beyond the target was dropping anyway.

As a FT shooter we do a SINGLE zero ...... needing to do some "Hold Under" at mid distance where every place else is Hold Under along with two point of zero hold WILL SCREW YOU UP !!



Far better IMO too have hold over to the Zero range and then hold over again beyond it. Keeps it simple, faster and less prone to a brain fart.

For hunting/pesting purposes, I would choose my zero so it would shoot the flattest trajectory within the range I shoot the most in (with two zeros), and then use the reticle to hold over for longer ranges or dial the turret.

I use Strelok Pro, and just plugged in 755 FPS (with mymscope height though) so your app may be a little bit different, but at say a 45 yard crosshair zero would give you about a 3/4" up and down trajectory change between 10 and 51 yards. With two zeros being at 16 and 45 yards. That's a pretty flat area to work within.

Using your numbers, having .55" over and under deviations from zero, puts the zeros at 15.5 and 40 yards, and pretty flat 1/2" from 10 yards to 45 yards. 

Look at it this way .... say your hunting where we are shooting at a Rabbits head or a Squirrel

Your POA is only 1/2" or less from the top of there head and if a shot go's high you may miss all together !

By having a distance that your pellets trajectory is ABOVE your zero creates an OVER SHOOT situation & in the Field or FT you really don't want that.

Having a single zero the worst case situation is you hit a tad low but still connect !!



* in larger game that +/- 1" of zero range variance may very well stay inside what one would determine as a kill zone .... small game small target not so much.

I'll be the antagonist...I use 2 zeros for FT and Hunting (just occasional pesting).I can't address other variables but here's my world... with my 2x 18-18.5fpe ;177's with Aztec scopes set on 16x my zero's are 25 and 40y, Less than a dot over zero at the apex, and less that a dot under from 20-25. So.... that's nearly 20 yards within a dot over/ under and with target sizes in that range in FT it isn't the aim that causes a miss (at least with my reticle). Scopes/zeros/power levels/shooting styles... so many variables. I'm guessing your springs are between 11 and 14 FPE. That will def change things.

Nothing better to convince YOU of what YOU like, than sitting out a bunch or targets every 1 or 2 yards. I'm looking at 15 in my driveway right now.

I grew up using the two-zeroes method, and old habits die hard. Especially when you don't try to kill them; rather, choose to perfect them.

Mo mentions that FT shooters use the single-zero method, but not all FT shooters do. I've been very successful in Hunter Class (rifle and pistol) field target by sighting-in so the apex POI is never more than some (acceptable) fraction of an inch above point-of-aim, thereby enjoying less hold-over on (both) the short and long targets; same as in hunting scenarios.

But you must consider the source of this opinion, a self-described Throw-Back, Neanderthal, Techno-Grouch whose FT 'pistol' was converted from a 1960s-vintage Crosman C02 rifle (with many titles to its credit, BTW).

All these (8) State and (6) National Champion FT titles were captured with the two-zeroes method.



BTW, I freely admit to being an exception to the rule(s); but believe success has more to do skill, preparation, and intimate familiarization with One's chosen equipment and techniques than it does any particular equipment or technique. MANY competition shooters spend fortunes in $$$ and precious trigger-time (wasted) exploring endless equipment options when they would be better off building skills and intimate familiarization with their rig(s). 

Ron,

Was trying to avoid the sharing of valid information with "because I've done this" as support for validating ones opinion.

Lets leave at knowing the 2018 & reigning AAFTA "Hunter Pcp" Gran Prix champion & 2017 AAFTA Nationals High point champion shot with a single zero range.



So both work ... IF YOUR HEADS IN THE GAME !

Agreed SS, I'm not trying to one-up anyone in this thread; simply present a dissenting opinion. That's why I felt compelled to include the qualifier, "BTW, I freely admit to being an exception to the rule(s)". Hope you don't and didn't take it wrong.

Don't recall if I made it clear when I met and congratulated you at Nats in Phoenix, but I consider your performance one of the most impressive I've witnessed.

Agreed SS, I'm not trying to one-up anyone in this thread; simply present a dissenting opinion. That's why I felt compelled to include the qualifier, "BTW, I freely admit to being an exception to the rule(s)". Hope you don't and didn't take it wrong.

Don't recall if I made it clear when I met and congratulated you at Nats in Phoenix, but I consider your performance one of the most impressive I've witnessed.

Click to expand...

Ron, we're all good .... big kids with BB guns all in a common sand box.

Thank you ...



Scott S