HFT Zero?

[oldsparky]

I wanted to ask some experienced guys their opinion. I mounted my Athlon Ares on my Wolverine. To mount the scope to clear the magazine I had to mount it higher than what I have used in the past. I shot all day using different zero's. I was never satisfied on any yardage zero I used as the trajectory seems odd with the scope this high above the bore. A dust storm came up so I came in the house. I left with the zero at 20 yards. But wonder if being .3 high at 30 yards will be the wrong thing to do. I will attach a photo of showing trajectory. Any opinion is appreciated. 

 

[Sqwirl57]

I have an Ares BTR and an ETR as well and they are both excellent optics but are you sure you want to use it for HFT? The 25yd minimum paralax is going to limit you quite a bit.

As far as your zero, try something between 25-30yds. I have my WFTF .177 (HOB 3+ inches) and HFT .22 both zeroed at 27yds and find it works pretty well. Far zero on the 27yd WFTF gun is 35 yards and has a pretty minimal hold under between 27-35. I'd also recommend using a ballistic app for reference purposes only as its probably not as right as you think it is. From there setup targets in 5 yard increments from 10-55 yards and figure out your hold over/under for those distances and jot them down in a notepad. Next go yard to yard and jot them down as well. I like to use these targets setup on my range for practice but a standard target with 1" squares taped to a box or something works better for actually figuring out dope.

 

[Therealld]

I wanted to ask some experienced guys their opinion. I mounted my Athlon Ares on my Wolverine. To mount the scope to clear the magazine I had to mount it higher than what I have used in the past. I shot all day using different zero's. I was never satisfied on any yardage zero I used as the trajectory seems odd with the scope this high above the bore. A dust storm came up so I came in the house. I left with the zero at 20 yards. But wonder if being .3 high at 30 yards will be the wrong thing to do. I will attach a photo of showing trajectory. Any opinion is appreciated. 

I suggest 30yd zero would be better.

 

[oldsparky]

Here is what I ended up with. At first I didnt like how the close range targets were so spread apart. But maybe it will be ok. Also the 3-18 ETR does focus down just below 10 yards. Now I need to find a side wheel for it. 

 

[Sqwirl57]

Here is what I ended up with. At first I didnt like how the close range targets were so spread apart. But maybe it will be ok. Also the 3-18 ETR does focus down just below 10 yards. Now I need to find a side wheel for it. 

Oops didn't realize the 3-18x was different than the 4.5-30. My bad.

Scope Werks makes Athlon wheels.

 

[Therealld]

Here is what I ended up with. At first I didnt like how the close range targets were so spread apart. But maybe it will be ok. Also the 3-18 ETR does focus down just below 10 yards. Now I need to find a side wheel for it. 

So 30yds WAS ok, right? Also, Hunter Class Field Target only requires ranging to 55 yards. The GAME “HFT” played in UK as max range targets even closer I think (45yds) but its a moot point, since ranging, or ANY scope adjustments are disallowed during a HFT match.

 

[oldsparky]

I have shot HFT but have not ever had a scope mounted this high. I was playing around sighting at various ranges because I didnt like the Moa distance between 10-20 with my normal zero distance. I have heard some talk about having a hard time hitting close targets. It seems that the higher the scope set up the harder the close shots will be to hit because ranging has to be perfect. My picture I posted has the range out past a 100 because its a screen shot from Sterlock notice the closer range numbers are different writing. I only confirmed 10-55 yards. I was hoping some that have set up rifles with high vs low mounts would chim in and let me know if I want to continue down this road. I am in unfamiliar ground.

 

[davecole]

I just checked a couple of rifle/scope combos I'm using or have used and the one with the closest height to yours I have (according to ChairGun) is:

Near Zero Range of 25 yards

Zenith of 26 yards (this is what I use as a zero on my card)

Far Zero Range of 25 yards

I select my KZ diameter to be a .0001" this will give me the flattest trajectory for my particular gun. I looked at data from another gun with a scope bore to center slightly higher and it moved the zero out to 27 yards. 

What I have learned from using a ballistic app to assist in determining POA to POI is they are very good but not exact. So I still have to go out and shoot every yard from 10 to my zero then every two yards past that out to 55. 

The two match deal breakers IMO are the near targets (out to zero) because they will typically have a small KZ (3/8" -1/2") and the forced positions. Targets 1 1/2"> beyond 35 yards I have a bit more fudge room on holdover.

Also know you have more holdover points on the reticle than I do on my Hawke Sidewinder so you can really discern your ranges. 

I think you're fine. Just shoot the holdovers and confirm what your ballistic calculator is or isn't telling you. 

As for the wheel, I've tried six or seven different makers and a twice that many models. I've found the Nautilus 9" offset from JDS Custom Design gave me a broader range of markings on the wheel. Plus, I like the fact I can easily remove it for easy transportation without having to recalibrate it to the scope.

Best of Luck! 

 

[Franklink]

I find it fun to shoot various rigs in FT, whether I own them or they're on loan for reviews. 

By rough count I've shot matches with 9 different guns and 5 different scope models in the last couple years. Scope height isn't a deal breaker, some guns designs just require higher mounts. If the gun requires high mounts, I just account for it and move forward.

The two rigs that I own and consider to be my most accurate both require pretty high scope mounts, just by design. One needs 2.6 inches as the input in scope height for actual dope data to match Strelok modeled predictions, the other is 2.3 inches. 

You did mention having a holdunder in your first post. I'd suggest staying away from that. With all the gun/scope combos that I've tried, a 30 yard zero has not left me with any impact points higher than the crosshairs. 

Will you be up at the Mormon Lake AZ State match this weekend?

 

[oldsparky]

I find it fun to shoot various rigs in FT, whether I own them or they're on loan for reviews. 

By rough count I've shot matches with 9 different guns and 5 different scope models in the last couple years. Scope height isn't a deal breaker, some guns designs just require higher mounts. If the gun requires high mounts, I just account for it and move forward.

The two rigs that I own and consider to be my most accurate both require pretty high scope mounts, just by design. One needs 2.6 inches as the input in scope height for actual dope data to match Strelok modeled predictions, the other is 2.3 inches. 

You did mention having a holdunder in your first post. I'd suggest staying away from that. With all the gun/scope combos that I've tried, a 30 yard zero has not left me with any impact points higher than the crosshairs. 

Will you be up at the Mormon Lake AZ State match this weekend?

Well I had hoped there would be a way I had my stuff ready by this weekend but I can't be there both days. So I guess I will have to pass it up. I hope to be able to meet you at a future shoot. I hope you knock em all down, have fun