50 is Fine
Your humble author turns 50 this weekend. In honor of that, here is a post on something gun related that has the number 50 in it. 50 Is Fine, But Not a Default – Why the 50-Yard Zero Isn’t Always “Good Enough” for Every Practical Rifle Use Abstract When it comes to zeroing a rifle, the 50-yard zero is often tossed around like it’s the gold standard. And truthfully, it is a solid choice—if you’re running a red dot or holographic optic. But too many shooters treat it like the universal solution. In reality, the 50-yard zero is context-specific. It performs well in many use cases but falls short when applied blindly across platforms and sighting systems. As always, tools work best when they’re used correctly. And that includes your zero. When 50 Works Let’s start with the good news. For red dots or holographic optics mounted on an AR-15 (barrels between 14.5" and 20") firing 55- or 62-grain military clone ammo, the 50-yard zero offers a remarkably flat trajectory. From contact...