Well I put some more trigger time on this scope today. I must have put about 350-400 total rounds downrange with it by now. I have been trying to validate the holdover points for various ranges. The longest range I have access to is 300 yrds. so I can't say anything about ranges past that. I'm shooting 125gr SMK at about 2210 FPS. Richard told me the reticule was designed around the 115gr Remington cartridge which lists 2281 FPS muzzle velocity. So the further you get away from that ballistic profile the more error you introduce at longer ranges. I couldn't find a ballistic coefficient for the Remington cartridge but its probably about .290. Actually the closest hunting round to that is the Barnes 110gr Black Tip, but I'm not gonna use that for range work.
Based on the frustration and mistakes I have made this is how I recommend you zero this scope: First go to the 50 yd line and get a good a good zero. I used three five shot groups. Skip the 100 yrd line right now. Move to the 200 yd line. Shoot four five shot groups here. This is were some tuning is required. My shots were hitting about an inch and a half or so low at 200 yards. from my 50 yd. zero. I went 3 clicks up at 200 yards and it was pretty close vertically. The wind was blowing left to right about 8-10 mph so I know it was pushing my shots right some. I didn't bother to correct for that. Go back to 100 yards and shoot at least three five shot groups. That was pretty close there. Generally I think my heavier bullet and slower velocity is causing some of the impact variations. I would expect it to be more pronounced at 300+ yards. I haven't been able to get on the 300 yd line yet, but that will be next.
200 yards, wind left to right:
100 yards, not much wind:
This scope sort of grows on you after you figure the reticule out, I still wish it went out to 6x for my tired eyes..
Thanks for the update. I finally made it out and shot mine...with a freshly built and untested AR and never before used ammo from R2BA.... My report it here:
I'm still a bit short on both time and ammo, but was very happy with the new rifle and the scope. I would also prefer a little more magnification, but I believe it will be more than adequate for my purposes (hog hunting). I had some pressure signs with the 150 grain JSP ammo from R2BA, so I'm not sure that will be my hog load. I need to try some other supers in the rifle and see how they perform.
Again, thanks for the update and I'll try your method next time I go out.
How much H110 are you using? Little hard to read your writing. Perhaps 18.3 which is the max Sierra thinks you should use. What type brass and primer and any pressure signs? Thanks, I have worked up to 18.0 and it seems very accurate.
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twp5253 wrote:How much H110 are you using? Little hard to read your writing. Perhaps 18.3 which is the max Sierra thinks you should use. What type brass and primer and any pressure signs? Thanks, I have worked up to 18.0 and it seems very accurate.
18.3 gr H110. Cut down LC brass, came with primers in it don't know what brand. I'm not seeing any pressure signs. Honestly, I think my groups were a little smaller at 18.0 gr. I just went up trying to get my velocity to more closely approximate the ballistic profile of the cartridge used for the reticule development. I wish Sierra made a 110 gr Match King.
I was nervous to go all the way to 18.3 and stopped at 18. I have loaded some additional 17.8 to figure out which ones were better. Someone posted that 90-95% of max load is probably where H110 will be best. I agree, a Sierra 115 MK HPBT would be really nice. As it is, I just ordered up 1000 of the 125s as I figure that will be close enough for government work...seems my son loves the 300.
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” (Winston Churchill)
I just heard from my LGS who spoke with their Trijicon rep and they are being told the VCOGs won't be available for another 12+ months! What is up with that? I have $$ burning a hole in my pocket and now the legislature in Sacramento is about ready to come try and grab my arsenal.
Edit to add,
I just ordered up the US Optics SR8 (1x8 with Red Dot) from LaRue Tactical. That supposedly puts me number 7 in their list of orders for that $2500 scope. I still want one of these PFI scopes but nobody has a clue when they will become available. I called PFI just a moment ago and I must be in a big boat as their recording specifically says not to bother asking when this scope is coming in....Ouch.
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” (Winston Churchill)
Finally got some trigger time at the 300 yd line with this scope. I don't know why but it seems a little easier at 300 yards vs. 200 yards. I didn't adjust the scope at all switching from the 200 yard line. I can't really tell were they were grouping in this 20 shot series but the zombie pig is dead. I can't see the POI with my spotting scope very good at 300 yards so basically I was aiming at center mass with the "3" line in the scope. I also changed ammo from 125gr SMK to 110 gr VMAX. I don't get quite as tight a group with the VMAX but I thought it would more closely approximate the ballistic profile Richard mentioned using for reticule development. This is the longest range I have access to unless someone invites me to a range that has 400 yard lines and beyond. Maybe Richard will invite me to CA to beta test the new 1-6X PFI scope by US Optics.
Decided I needed something now and also wanted a FFP scope. Snagged a Leupold Mark 4 MR/T 1.5-5x20mm (30mm) M2 300 Blackout for $1200.00 One left at that price http://tradingplacepawn.com/leupold-mar ... ckout.html Fingers crossed I will like it. I have the Aero Precision scope mount for it....will post pics when its all together....Installed a Hogan trigger in the Noveske lower that my Faxon Firearms 300 is mounted on. This sure is an addictive and expensive hobby
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” (Winston Churchill)
twp5253 wrote:Decided I needed something now and also wanted a FFP scope. Snagged a Leupold Mark 4 MR/T 1.5-5x20mm (30mm) M2 300 Blackout for $1200.00 One left at that price http://tradingplacepawn.com/leupold-mar ... ckout.html Fingers crossed I will like it. I have the Aero Precision scope mount for it....will post pics when its all together....Installed a Hogan trigger in the Noveske lower that my Faxon Firearms 300 is mounted on. This sure is an addictive and expensive hobby
I looked at that scope too. The guy that reviewed it said the index markings did not match any know ammo type past 250 yrds. It's defiantly not worth 3+ times the cost of the PFI scope with the shortcomings it has. At least I know the PFI scope is good out to as far as I can shoot it. (300 yrds.) Leupold makes great glass, but for the Blk Out the reticule makes or breaks the thing.
twp5253 wrote:Decided I needed something now and also wanted a FFP scope. Snagged a Leupold Mark 4 MR/T 1.5-5x20mm (30mm) M2 300 Blackout for $1200.00 One left at that price http://tradingplacepawn.com/leupold-mar ... ckout.html Fingers crossed I will like it. I have the Aero Precision scope mount for it....will post pics when its all together....Installed a Hogan trigger in the Noveske lower that my Faxon Firearms 300 is mounted on. This sure is an addictive and expensive hobby
I looked at that scope too. The guy that reviewed it said the index markings did not match any know ammo type past 250 yrds. It's defiantly not worth 3+ times the cost of the PFI scope with the shortcomings it has. At least I know the PFI scope is good out to as far as I can shoot it. (300 yrds.) Leupold makes great glass, but for the Blk Out the reticule makes or breaks the thing.
I had read that review as well and I wanted a lighted reticle. As the reviewer noted, "Out to 250 yards, life is grand". I do my own reloads so maybe I can figure out what round they used to come up with the BDC. For what I think I want, 250 yds is plenty. Also, I have one of the U.S. Optics SR8c on order via LaRue so I should have that in a month or two as well. I also had tried to purchase a VCOG but that seems to be vaporware per my LGS.
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