Zero 100 - Deer at 35

[Dunwaters]

POINT OF ORDER.
Not a valid survey, your point of aim is always your point of aim, whether its higher or lower than zero is immaterial and not covered by the survey content.
I request that this thread be closed until the OP frames the survey question options properly.

 

[Tim.243]

I thought everyone zeroed 1" high at 100 yards.

I thought all blokes could make up their own mind on what socks to buy without asking other men

 

[Cyres]

My advice is to go onto the Berger website site and use the ballistic calculator for the appropriate bullet weight and MV. Will give you a very good idea as to the drop of the bullet for your set up.
D

 

[Stalker62]

OK.

Good morning everyone.

Some interesting responses there.

For the 'data rats' amongst' you.

RIfle was a Sako 75 in .243.
Scope is a Swarovski Z5 3.5 -18 x 44P (Ballistic turret) with a 1.5" height above bore.
Ammunition is 95gr Spitzer sitting atop 40gr SO70.

As near as damn it, the survey results were:-

29% POA
58% Low
11% High
0% Admitted to not having a clue...

I went for a low (frontal) neck shot.

The bullet (according to the PM) went...

LOW.

Only by about half an inch, but sufficiently low for me to see 'crease' damage on four of the ribs on the internal sides.

The shot (whilst not rushed) was 'real life' and I was responding to real life events.
I should have 'aimed off' by about an inch.
I should have aimed for a mid-neck.
I could have aimed for front chest, and we would not even be having this conversation - a frontal chest shot will cause significant damage to the carcass.

FWIW

I do know the POI for the ranges on the current scope settings (100-200-300 yards).
I have 'killed the box' at 25 yards on the 100 yard setting - just to confirm in my mind what that looks like - it is always a wee bit low.

The shot was not perfect - that's because it's stalking.
The shot was not perfect because neither am I.

Thank you for taking part in the 'post match' analysis - I hope you enjoyed the discussion it initiated.

 

[Hunter300]

Lower but only MARGINALLY

 

[Mungo]

Just a bit of fun.

It happened to me this morning.

No cheating.

My woodland rifle is zeroed at 100.

I aim dead on at all ranges out to about 150, and have never had a problem.

The closest I’ve shot has been 8 paces. Head shot. Plenty shot between 25 and 45, mainly head shots. I think at those ranges, the damage is so severe that small elevation errors don’t matter.

It does become an issue at extreme close range. I’ve had to do humane despatch on a couple stuck in fences, and made the mistake of trying to do it right up close. Then you notice the bullet going low enough to miss.

 

[Mungo]

I also have a feeling that if you’re shooting off sticks, something about the angle and sight picture at very close range can throw you off. You tend to be pointing downward quite strongly, and may have quite a blurred sight picture, where the anatomical features you use as points of aim are indistinct. So at 100m, something like the crease behind the front leg is a neat, distinct line, while at 25 your sight picture is really just all brown.

 

[Selous]

OK.

Good morning everyone.

Some interesting responses there.

For the 'data rats' amongst' you.

RIfle was a Sako 75 in .243.
Scope is a Swarovski Z5 3.5 -18 x 44P (Ballistic turret) with a 1.5" height above bore.
Ammunition is 95gr Spitzer sitting atop 40gr SO70.

As near as damn it, the survey results were:-

29% POA
58% Low
11% High
0% Admitted to not having a clue...

I went for a low (frontal) neck shot.

The bullet (according to the PM) went...

LOW.

Only by about half an inch, but sufficiently low for me to see 'crease' damage on four of the ribs on the internal sides.

The shot (whilst not rushed) was 'real life' and I was responding to real life events.
I should have 'aimed off' by about an inch.
I should have aimed for a mid-neck.
I could have aimed for front chest, and we would not even be having this conversation - a frontal chest shot will cause significant damage to the carcass.

FWIW

I do know the POI for the ranges on the current scope settings (100-200-300 yards).
I have 'killed the box' at 25 yards on the 100 yard setting - just to confirm in my mind what that looks like - it is always a wee bit low.

The shot was not perfect - that's because it's stalking.
The shot was not perfect because neither am I.

Thank you for taking part in the 'post match' analysis - I hope you enjoyed the discussion it initiated.

Without intending to seem dictatorial and as a further point for consideration, the low neck shot is perhaps the least humane of the neck/CNS shots as it does not guarantee death, merely incapaciatation as the nerve supply for cardio respiratory function leaves the spinal cord high up between C1 and C3 so potentially remains intact with a hit behind this. It also has the disadvantage of having more difficult landmarks, especially from side on. It is slightly better from a frontal angle but runs the risk of the bullet damaging the saddle or penetrating through the chest and spreading green everywhere. It is preferable in my mind to use the high neck shot just under the chin when shooting from the front or at the base of the ear when shooting from the side as you get a true killing shot with more definite aiming points. If a low neck shot is chosen it is important that the animal is bled as soon as possible afterwards to ensure death. I appreciate that this shot is traditionally used by many and is effective at preventing deer running but there is a lot to go wrong with this shot placement that is not often discussed. Apologies for the slight hijack of the thread!

 

[Stalker62]

Apologies for the slight hijack of the thread!

@Selous


Absolutely no need to apologise - especially when you bring a 'decent' bottle to the party.

The points you make are entirely valid.

FWIW - I have 'neck shot' less than 3% of my deer, and the vast majority of those have been 'PA' or lateral.

This (I think), was just one, of perhaps two or three, that I have taken 'AP'.

It is (obviously) not the ideal shot, but I have (I hope) honestly described, the circumstances which lead up to it.
The deer was dead to the shot - although I fully appreciate why this may not have been the case.

Thank you for taking the time to add 'value' to the thread.

 

[Dunwaters]

You should always aim to put the bullet into the upper section of the neck and in the centre regardless of the angle.
A side shot or an off centre hit into the lower neck will often drop the animal but not kill it, the spine swoops down as it goes between the shoulders and into the chest area.


This is about right.

 

[VSS]

OK.

Good morning everyone.

Some interesting responses there.

For the 'data rats' amongst' you.

RIfle was a Sako 75 in .243.
Scope is a Swarovski Z5 3.5 -18 x 44P (Ballistic turret) with a 1.5" height above bore.
Ammunition is 95gr Spitzer sitting atop 40gr SO70.

As near as damn it, the survey results were:-

29% POA
58% Low
11% High
0% Admitted to not having a clue...

I went for a low (frontal) neck shot.

The bullet (according to the PM) went...

LOW.

Only by about half an inch, but sufficiently low for me to see 'crease' damage on four of the ribs on the internal sides.

The shot (whilst not rushed) was 'real life' and I was responding to real life events.
I should have 'aimed off' by about an inch.
I should have aimed for a mid-neck.
I could have aimed for front chest, and we would not even be having this conversation - a frontal chest shot will cause significant damage to the carcass.

FWIW

I do know the POI for the ranges on the current scope settings (100-200-300 yards).
I have 'killed the box' at 25 yards on the 100 yard setting - just to confirm in my mind what that looks like - it is always a wee bit low.

The shot was not perfect - that's because it's stalking.
The shot was not perfect because neither am I.

Thank you for taking part in the 'post match' analysis - I hope you enjoyed the discussion it initiated.

It would be interesting to repeat the shot on paper. Exactly the same distance, same ammo etc, but from a good stable position, to see if the result is the same.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Just to add to the thread, those nice chaps at Sako have provided this very info for most calibres - zeroed at 150m:-

 

[Selous]

@Selous


Absolutely no need to apologise - especially when you bring a 'decent' bottle to the party.

The points you make are entirely valid.

FWIW - I have 'neck shot' less than 3% of my deer, and the vast majority of those have been 'PA' or lateral.

This (I think), was just one, of perhaps two or three, that I have taken 'AP'.

It is (obviously) not the ideal shot, but I have (I hope) honestly described, the circumstances which lead up to it.
The deer was dead to the shot - although I fully appreciate why this may not have been the case.

Thank you for taking the time to add 'value' to the thread.

It’s like everything (or most things) in life that there are times and places for things. The low neck shot falls into that box in my opinion. No criticism for using the shot if that’s what you had available. Just wanted to add a little detail for others to consider.

 

[Tim.243]

A lot of this will depend on the distance from C/L (center line) height of the rifle bore to C/L or cross hairs dot circle

Using a smartie tube type scope and low mounts will be far less of a distance compared to a 56mm front end on high mounts, a good 1" + at least, factor in most high seat rails are from my experience and others 4" low then your cheek weld mount will cause a difference compared to how you have set the rifle up and what height the scope is set.

With low rails people will have a far different view down a scope to when they zeroed from bench/bi-pod as you have to slump in the seat or roll your head over if you rest on the rail.

Facts which seem to be missed with the maths involved of centre line height.

@Stalker1962

 

[Tim.243]

Just to add to the thread, those nice chaps at Sako have provided this very info for most calibres - zeroed at 150m:-

View attachment 323640

Most kind of that man with the correct term "Head" showing up quite a lot
@Miki

 

[Miki]

The descriptive text below the list (you may have missed this in your excitement @Tim.243 ) describes the 'bullets' as :
Twinhead - soft point bullet ...
Powerhead - one of the finest hunting bullets
Gamehead - The all-purpose hunting bullet
Speedhead - Our full metal jacket bullet

The late @Alantoo said ... (of the term 'bullet-head')
//
It is just such an inelegant and unnecessary use of words in my view.
.. why start adding things back on to it, especially when it adds to confusion.
Adding the word "head" to "bullet" ... is pointless. ( )
\\
And @Rider commented that ""Wrong doesn‘t become right because a majority is making the same mistake"..

Although I do think your penchant to alert us all to your point of view @Tim.243 is as admirable as those who, at the drop of a hat, will expound upon the life of Jehova.

 

[Tim.243]

The descriptive text below the list (you may have missed this in your excitement @Tim.243 ) describes the 'bullets' as :
Twinhead - soft point bullet ...
Powerhead - one of the finest hunting bullets
Gamehead - The all-purpose hunting bullet
Speedhead - Our full metal jacket bullet

The late @Alantoo said ... (of the term 'bullet-head')
//
It is just such an inelegant and unnecessary use of words in my view.
.. why start adding things back on to it, especially when it adds to confusion.
Adding the word "head" to "bullet" ... is pointless. ( )
\\
And @Rider commented that ""Wrong doesn‘t become right because a majority is making the same mistake"..

Although I do think your penchant to alert us all to your point of view @Tim.243 is as admirable as those who, at the drop of a hat, will expound upon the life of Jehova.

If you are going to make a point > Oh by the way Jehova has an " h " at the end
Fixed it for you Jehovah

 

[cjm1066]

A deer doesn't have an aiming mark so you wil never know if you bullets was 1" high or low, but the deer wil be dead.

 

[Stalker62]

...you wil never know if you bullets was 1" high or low, but the deer wil be dead.

I think a careful examination of the carcass, will give the shooter a good indication of whether their shot was 'on point' or not.

 

[zambezi]

Typical ballistic path for 100yd zero'd hunting rifle:



Use online resources to insert the specific parameters of your rifle:

ShootersCalculator.com | Ballistic Trajectory Calculator

Calculates the ballistic trajectory of a bullet fired from a rifle, handgun or other firearm. Produces a ballistic trajectory chart and table that shows the drop, velocity, kinetic energy, windage, and trajectory of a bullet.

shooterscalculator.com