What you're missing (in my opinion) is that you're relying on the published ballistic tables. They can make for interesting reading and comparisons, but for the real world, they're almost meaningless.pierrecham wrote:Hi, Remington experts.
I’m having problems figuring out ballistics. I have a Remington 700, 22-250 and I’m using Remington Premier Accutip Boat Tail 50 gr ammo. I have a Bushnell 4200 (6 x 24 x 40) tactical scope. The whole thing is zeroed at 100 yrd. And of course I want to play with the top turret to be able to zero at 200, 300, 400 and 500 yrd . But here’s where I’m having problems. If I use the Remington ballistic chart, (which starts at 150 yrd), it says that my bullet will drop the following inches:
-1.2 inch at 200 yrd
-3.5 inch at 250 yrd
-7.0 inch at 300 yrd
But if I use Remington Shoot computer application, it gives me the following:
-.91 inch at 200 yrd
-2.1 inch at 250 yrd
-3.5 inch at 300 yrd
If I’m shooting gophers at 300 yrd, it could give me a no-hit.I’m I missing something here? Which of the two charts should I rely on?
By the way, where can I find a ballistic chart that will start zero at 100 yrd, instead of 150 like the Remington ballistic chart?
Thank You
Why would you sight in a rifle for 100 yds. if you're going to be shooting at 200, 300 or longer ranges? Are you actually putting the shots in the center of the bullseye at 100 yds.?
The only way you're going to KNOW is to take it out and shoot it at various distances. The vast majority of shooters can't judge distances beyond about 100 yds, anyway (if even that). They think 200 yds. is about 400 or 600 and it can get ridiculous. Most of them can't even hold a rifle that steady to hit something the size of a gopher out at 300 or 400 yds. I once read a hunting story by the famous blowhard Elmer Keith where he actually admitted to shooting an antelope at what he guestimated was about 400 yds and it turned out to be a much, much shorter distance.
My rule of thumb with most of my centerfire rifles is to sight them in between 1" and 1 1/2" high (depending on which caliber) at 100 yds.......get a good, tight group and then take it out and see where it shoots at longer distances. For that sighting-in, most of them would be good out to around 200 yds. Depending on the terrain, shooting up and down hills can alter the bullet drop and the shooter's perception of distances. The best way to figure it out is to practice, practice, practice.
Den
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