David Mayeur
Regular Member
Following along with the posts I've made in the P&S Facebook Group and on Instagram, Oak City Tactics asked if I could post these here.
The first chart is a reference for zeroing pistols at three different distances: 10 yards, 25 yards, and 50 yards. A 10 yard and 25 yard zero seem to be the most common, but this chart shows why the 25 yard zero is highly regarded as the best zero distance. To understand the chart, assume that POI is a bullseye for each target distance. At 10, 25, and 50 yards, the red ring indicating POI will be covered by the corresponding zero at that distance. Example: A 10 yard zero will be POA/POI at 10 yards, therefore the magenta ring will be covering the bullseye. At ten yards, you will be POA/POI with a ten yard zero, but you will find that at other distances, your hold over and hold under will change drastically. At 25 yards, a 10 yard zero yields a 1 1/2" hold under. A 25 yard zero yields roughly a 1/2" hold over at 10 yards, but will be POA/POI at 25. At 15 and 20 yards, you will still be within the X ring (1.695" diameter). At 50 yards, the hold under is minimal and will not be noticeable to most shooters. Shooting out to 50 yards is going to start opening up groups for the majority of carry guns out there. Something that should also be noted is that those who are using a "ten yard zero" are typically confirming windage at 25 yards.
The second diagram shows what a 100 point (3X) score would translate to at closer distances. This diagram goes hand in hand with the pistol zero chart, because it exemplifies the reason why zeroing only at 10 yards is a poor idea. The group size at 10 yards is abysmal compared to what it would be at 25 yards. Trying to decipher which rounds are where when you blow out the center of the B8 black is difficult to do. That's why we confirm zero at 25 whether you choose a 10 yard or 25 zero elevation. 10 yards is just too close to determine if windage is properly zeroed.
To prove this, I took my Glock 34 to the range with my training and carry ammo to check and confirm zeroes. The first photo shows the initial zero at ten yards, followed by the same zero (untouched) at 25. I then used that 25 yard target to make adjustments as needed. Ammo used was CCI Blazer Brass 115 gr FMJ.
10 yard initial zero.
25 yard target with 10 yard zero. As you can tell in the photo, the group is high and to the left.
Rather than blabbering on and showing my poor shooting, I figured we could discuss this at length if needed.
The first chart is a reference for zeroing pistols at three different distances: 10 yards, 25 yards, and 50 yards. A 10 yard and 25 yard zero seem to be the most common, but this chart shows why the 25 yard zero is highly regarded as the best zero distance. To understand the chart, assume that POI is a bullseye for each target distance. At 10, 25, and 50 yards, the red ring indicating POI will be covered by the corresponding zero at that distance. Example: A 10 yard zero will be POA/POI at 10 yards, therefore the magenta ring will be covering the bullseye. At ten yards, you will be POA/POI with a ten yard zero, but you will find that at other distances, your hold over and hold under will change drastically. At 25 yards, a 10 yard zero yields a 1 1/2" hold under. A 25 yard zero yields roughly a 1/2" hold over at 10 yards, but will be POA/POI at 25. At 15 and 20 yards, you will still be within the X ring (1.695" diameter). At 50 yards, the hold under is minimal and will not be noticeable to most shooters. Shooting out to 50 yards is going to start opening up groups for the majority of carry guns out there. Something that should also be noted is that those who are using a "ten yard zero" are typically confirming windage at 25 yards.
The second diagram shows what a 100 point (3X) score would translate to at closer distances. This diagram goes hand in hand with the pistol zero chart, because it exemplifies the reason why zeroing only at 10 yards is a poor idea. The group size at 10 yards is abysmal compared to what it would be at 25 yards. Trying to decipher which rounds are where when you blow out the center of the B8 black is difficult to do. That's why we confirm zero at 25 whether you choose a 10 yard or 25 zero elevation. 10 yards is just too close to determine if windage is properly zeroed.
To prove this, I took my Glock 34 to the range with my training and carry ammo to check and confirm zeroes. The first photo shows the initial zero at ten yards, followed by the same zero (untouched) at 25. I then used that 25 yard target to make adjustments as needed. Ammo used was CCI Blazer Brass 115 gr FMJ.
10 yard initial zero.
25 yard target with 10 yard zero. As you can tell in the photo, the group is high and to the left.
Rather than blabbering on and showing my poor shooting, I figured we could discuss this at length if needed.