Funny Range Time

If you've ever been to a public range - especially one with paid range safety officers - then you can relate to this story.

A couple of years ago, I was at just such a range, zeroing my AR-15 Carbine for an Appleseed shoot. Since most Appleseed shooting is done at 25 meters, I decided to zero at 25 yards - a very similar distance, and one that this range actually provided.

Part of the way through, a Range Safety Officer came up to me and asked if I was zeroing low (as is common at short range when one is later going to zero at a farther distance). I told him exactly what I was doing and why.

His response: "You won't be on paper at 100 yards."

WTF???

I had no intention of shooting at 100 yards. I would be shooting at a little over 27 yards (which is 25 meters). Not only that, but military doctrine on the M4 platform (of which my AR-15 is a clone) is to zero at 25 yards, as this provides a 300-yard zero (or pretty close) as well.

I thanked him and went on my way, and established a good zero soon thereafter.

As I was packing up to leave, this conversation happenend:

RSO: "Did you get it zeroed?"

Usagi: "Yes, sir! Thank you."

RSO: "At what distance?"

WTF does it matter? Who cares?

Usagi: "25 yards."

RSO: "You won't be on paper at 100 yards."

"Usagi: "I know. Thank you."

RSO: "Just wanted to make sure you knew."

Usagi: "I know. Thank you. Have a great afternoon."

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Now, beyond the idiocy, let's also analyze the little white lie I told him by "agreeing" that I would not be on paper at 100 yards.

To prove my point, here is a ballistic calculator, plug in the data, and see for yourself. I was using Silver bear 55 grain ammo. Link to some velocity tables.

Also, one could determine the facts by actually shooting at the real distance (which I have) and measuring how high the groups land (here's a hint: about 3 inches high).

Also, one could sight in per the RIBZ method at 100 yards, then click up to the 6/3 setting: 6 clicks, which is a 3 MOA adjustment. This means your bullet will strike approximately 3 inches high at 100 yards. The same 6/3 setting is used when shooting at 25 yards on an M4 variant (an M16 uses the 6/3, plus two clicks).

No matter which way you research it, the numbers come out the same: about 3 inches high at 100 yards.

It is clear this RSO did not know what he was talking about. Keep that in mind, and do your own research.


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