[mt232]

I wanted to ask what would be the best way to sight in my AR using the iron sights. As in what would be an all around good distance, I plan on using it for home defense. Just not sure if I should sight it in at 100 yards or shorter. Any help would be great.

[Snakedriver]

I like a 50/200 zero myself. Some folks use a 25/300, but it depends on what ranges you want to shoot at. 100 yard zero........not so much.

[Quentin]

Snake nailed it. Of course zero for the distance you'll use the most but otherwise you can't beat 50/200.

[mt232]

Thanks guys, and thanks for the chart snake. Gave me a good idea of what to do

[NickySantoro]

Google improved battlesight zero for complete instructions and a full description. IMO, it's the best for your application.

[Fixer]

Actually the 100 yard zero is best for an AR15 used in Home Defense where the threat will most likely be under 100 Yards and mainly at 25yards (100 feet) or less. The problem is in the 75 yard shots with a 50 yard zero. While all close up under 25 feet will have the same error. You do not want to zero at a closer range than 25 yards in any case. Of course if you feel that 99% of your use will be 50 and under the 25 yard zero is best.

The logic is in the height over bore issue and upward trajectory issue. When you go to pop a threat vary close with a 50 yards zero your shots trajectory will be 2" or more off. If you only have a head to shoot at or someone using cover against you that little 2" may matter. If you own Magpuls Art of the Tactical carbine, they go over this issue after they zero at 50yards. All zeros have this issue to some degree. You have to aim under or over [just slightly] when under stress your not going to do that. Many people recommend a 50 yard zero if / when engagments past 50 and out to 250 will be possible. For a strick HD AR15 you need to tighten up that trajectory as much as possible which means using the 100yard zero for the 100 yard threats. The 25 yard zero is the worst for close up work. Here is another view of that chart showing the whole trajectory of the 55gr bullet shot from a 1/7 twist. If you feel common threats will be past 250 yards the 25 yard zero is again better due to the cross trajectory zero of about 375 yards. In any case up close and person shooting is stress full and your aim is going to be very far off, every little inch matters.


EDIT- After reading this several times I feel I didnt make myself clear. there is nothing wrong with any zero as long as you know what the trajectory is and under stress you will account for that error. The 100 yard zero is a better close up zero only because you only have to "adjust" your shots one way. The 50 yard zero will have both over and under trajectories depending on threat distance. So under stress your training of only adjusting one way will be quicker.

[Snakedriver]

Fixer, there's nothing wrong with what you said, but if you look at the chart you posted you'll see that all the lines start at -2.5" and then again at 25 yards they are all pretty much the same at approx. -1.5" except the 25 yard zero. I would consider a HD range to be something inside 10 yards or 30 feet. No matter what range you use to zero your rifle at, it's going to result in the shot being somewhere in between 1.5" to 2" low unless you adjust your point of aim at such a close range.

Now with that understanding all you need to do is decide what other range is going to be right for your purposes other than at point-blank range so you can zero your rifle for that.

[MikeJK]

I agree w/ Snake

Are we talking about bench rest bullseye shooting? If not what's an inch or two when you're target is a man. Just put the dot on the target and pull the trigger.

[Quentin]

Good points by all and we all have to choose the zero that works best, for me I like the 50 yard because POI tends to be within 2.5" of POA from 0-220 yards, roughly. As Mike says at self defense distance two inches isn't going to make much difference. Unless you're going for zombie head shots.

[AgentTikki]

Headshot ain't gonna cut it!

Need to hit the T!!!!!!