Steve F.in MD

I hunt in central Maryland in mixed terrain. I can find myself in dense hardwoods or on the edge of a crop field. I am shooting a .50 cal Black Diamond using Powerbelt 245 gr. bullets and 80 grs of 777. My gun club has target berms at 50-100-200-300 yards. What distance do you suggest that I sight in for (zero) in order to have the most opportunities in the field?

In the past I have sighted in at 50 yards but I do not like having to estimate hold over at longer ranges. When I sight in at 100 yds I worry about shooting over a deer that appears at 30 yards. Your advice-experience is welcome and appreciated.

SteveF

Paul L Mohr

Well for starters what is your maximum distance you want to hunt? That plays a big part in it. You also need to find out what your gun is capable of at different distances for grouping. Just because you think your load will shoot 200 yards does not mean your gun and that load will group well at that distance. I would really be leary of it with a 245 grn power belt. That is most likely one short, fat bullet. I don't think you will have to worry about shooting over a deer at 30 yards though with a farther sight in range.

I will run a few thru a calculater so you can get an idea of what you would be looking at. I don't have a clue what the BC of a 245 grn powerbelt is, and couldn't find it on the net. I am going to go with .200 which I think should be close. It shouldn't change figures that much any way at these distances and speeds.

With that bullet and powder charge you should be getting around 1600-1700 fps, I will use 1650. If you actually know how fast it is shooting that would help. I am also assuming you are using a scope and it is around 1.5-2 inches above your bore. This makes a big difference on trajectory. If you don't have a scope or it is lower or higher let me know. I still don't think it will change enough to make that big of difference though.

I personally have my inline sighted in at 130 yards because I have a max distance of 150 yards. With my bullet and powder combination that lets me be point blank out to 150 yards. ( 3 inches high at the highest, and 3 inches low at 150). I shoot 350 grn PR QT bullets though. I will run number for you at 50, 75, 100 and 150 sight in points. And let you know the impact points at 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 yards.

It will take me a few minute to run all the numbers and type it all up, maybe half an hour.

Paul

Paul L Mohr

50 yard site in:

25 yards -0.3"
50............0.0
100.........-2.4
150.........-9.6
200.........-22.6

75 yard site in:

25 yards -0.1"
50............0.4
(75).........0.0
100.........-1.5
150.........-8.3
200.........-20.8

100 yard site in:

25 yards 0.3"
50............1.2
100..........0.0
150.........-6.0
200.........-17.8
With the highest point being 1.3 inches at 65 yards.

150 yard site in:

25 yards 1.3"
50............3.2
100..........4.0
150..........0.0
200.........-9.8
With the highest point being 4.2 inches at 85 yards.

The calculator I used (Big Game Info ) list the point blank range being 157 yards when sighted in for 134 yards. So just for the heck of it this is what it look like with a 130 yard sight in like mine is.

130 yard site in:

25 yards 0.9"
50.............2.3
75.............2.8
100...........2.3
(130).........0.0
150..........-2.6
200..........-13.2
With the highest point being 2.8 inches at 75 yards.

This is just a tad bit flatter than what mine shoots. However I shoot 350 grn bullets at close to 1600 fps.

The first thing I would do is try and decide on a max distance you want to shoot your rifle. Then try to work up a load that will be accurate at that distance. Or just shoot your rifle at 100, 150 and 200 yards to see if it will group well at those distances. If it won't shoot well at 150 just sight it in at 100 yards. If you get decent groups out to 200 you might consider sighting in at 130-150 yards if you think you might get a shot that far away. That is a fairly light load for 200 yards on deer though. You better put it in the right spot or you may be tracking it a ways.

Don't worry about sighting it in when doing this, Just shoot for groups to see what the limits of your load are for accuracy (or you). When you pick a sight in distance then worry about sighting it in.

I would also suggest setting your windage at 50-75 yards unless it is very calm out. The wind can play heck on these fat slow bullets. A 10 mile an hour cross wind will blow that bullet off course about 3 or 4 inches at 100 yards.

I hope that helped some.

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

Paul

cayugad

Your own information kind of answers the question for you. Since you do not like to estimate the hold over or under, then sight in for 100 yards. You did not mention if this is with a scope or open sights. At 100 yards sighted in, you should be able to shoot out to 150 yards with practice and confidence. After that your load is starting to loose a lot of energy and speed and critical shot placement is the most important, especially at the long distances where the shocking power of the bullet is diminished.

vangunsmith

If you would like a good web-site with a lot of taable and info go to www.prbullet.com they have a lot of info. vangunsmith

Steve F.in MD

Thanks to everyone for their input. I appreciate it.

SteveF