100 yards zero scope use at less than 25 yards

[gemini1]

However, would be possible to have some kind of focus distortion at distances below 25 yards, maybe, parallax or anything like that?

Yes. Which is why it might be a good idea to get one of those scope mounts that retains zero if the scope is removed. Take your scope off when at home and use the irons, or as others suggested get an RDS

[Norsemen308]

using a scope under stress on a threat 25 yards away (or less) is useless and will get you killed. get a side mounted RDS

these guys were lucky the cat was hit atleast twice and there was more then one hunter. fast forward to 25 seconds

if you watch the video.. you will notice those idiots where at a greater risk of shooting each other then the damn lion... talk about cross fire EVERYWHERE...


knowing where your bullet is at 25 yards is a good thing.. HEll this past hunting season I shot a buck at 35 yards with a 100 yard zero... it was GOOD to know where my shot was gonna be!

[30Cal]

Thanks for the answers, what I can understand from your information is, the bullet trajectory for a .308 rifle zeroed at 100 yards is not going to change dramatically at 25 yards just a question of 1 inch or less, the other part of the question would be that the image of the scope be reliable at the point of impact and having the scope set at the lowest magnification (such a way the the objective diameter divided by the scope power give you good eye sight to focus) will solve that problem.

What I was talking about there is vignetting. The patch of light coming out of the scope (objective over magnification) must be bigger than your pupil with some room to spare. Otherwise, the image will go black the instant your eye starts to look off-center because your pupil is moving out of that patch of light.

Having so much magnification that you can't tell what you're aiming at is another matter.

[PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE]

Gee, another fantasy home defense scenario. A 25 yard self defense intruder situation isn't close to reality, at which point your scope would be completely useless should said intruder actually fire at you. You'll never be able to get a sight picture on anyone while bullets are flying towards your way in this unlikely scenario.

If you truly don't have the coin for a revolver or a shotgun for hd, then point and shoot should resolve things pretty quickly. An intruder isn't going to shoot it out with you for your tv or iPad.

[jeffrice6]

Gee, another fantasy home defense scenario. If you truly don't have the coin for a revolver or a shotgun for hd, then point and shoot should resolve things pretty quickly.

Where did the OP state home defense? I believe he said self defense! If gutting a deer and a bear rolls up, self defense! Everything here has gone to AR armchair commando.... Don't know what "self defense" ment to the OP, but hunting is how I read it.

[PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE]

Where did the OP state home defense? I believe he said self defense! If gutting a deer and a bear rolls up, self defense! Everything here has gone to AR armchair commando.... Don't know what "self defense" ment to the OP, but hunting is how I read it.

True, after reading the other replies I had hd on the mind, the op didn't clarify one way or the other. Nor what type of rifle he had, either way his scope would still be useless (now that he has time to prepare for it). Whether he's engaged in some sort of fire fight less than 25 yards or as you put it, a bear/mountain lion closing the distance from less than 25 yards. Red dot or irons would be the best option, but let's have the op clarify the situation.

[jeffrice6]

Sorry PRE-EM, that wasn't directed exclusively at you.... It was the majority of posts, vids & 556 graphs that got me posting! This is the rifle forum, not the AR forum. Guess I'm getting a bit tired of AR's as well (love the rifle, just sick of the monotony)

Don't know what the OP had in mind.... But as I read it: Out hunting with my .308 100yd zeroed rifle & something endangers me close in (like 25yds) can I kill it/save myself.... Again, could be way off base in my interpretation, but asking about a hunting rifle seems to fit. There was, is & will be other rifles here in Ca besides the AR platform (rant over)

[Merc1138]

Sorry PRE-EM, that wasn't directed exclusively at you.... It was the majority of posts, vids & 556 graphs that got me posting! This is the rifle forum, not the AR forum. Guess I'm getting a bit tired of AR's as well (love the rifle, just sick of the monotony)

Don't know what the OP had in mind.... But as I read it: Out hunting with my .308 100yd zeroed rifle & something endangers me close in (like 25yds) can I kill it/save myself.... Again, could be way off base in my interpretation, but asking about a hunting rifle seems to fit. There was, is & will be other rifles here in Ca besides the AR platform (rant over)

Vids and 556 charts...

The only video in this thread was some guys on a safari who certainly couldn't have been so stupid to be using 5.56 against a lion.

The only chart in this thread was indeed for 5.56, however it was only used as an example to indicate the lower point of impact at 25 yards when zero'd at 100 yards, which still applies to .308 considering the OP hadn't indicated a caliber yet.

Additionally, the idea of carrying a sidearm while hunting is not a foreign concept, and for the purpose I mentioned a .44 magnum revolver wouldn't be a bad idea if the OP got caught by an animal while he was busy, and could still even be used for home defense. I'd rather have

As I said, the OP didn't specify if he had a semi auto or bolt action, but I certainly would not want to have to manipulate a bolt action hunting rifle in that scenario, nor would I want to worry about my optic not being usable unless I absolutely had no other choice. The OP has other choices available with no need for anyone to get their panties in a wad because a bullet drop chart for 5.56 was posted.

[coyotebait]

I would hit the range and test it. Not going to go off of theories and whatnot. You may also want to try sighting over the barrel or scope and see how you do.

[smalltime]

A 308 zero'd at 100yds will only be 0.6" low at 25yds according to the trajectory calculator I'm looking at.

[negolien]

Get a differant sight set for Home.

Where did the OP state home defense? I believe he said self defense! If gutting a deer and a bear rolls up, self defense! Everything here has gone to AR armchair commando.... Don't know what "self defense" ment to the OP, but hunting is how I read it.

He very clearly states "would I be able to use it in a self defense situation "... I also concur with the differant sights.

I have an AR with both an Eotech and Buckmaster scope set-up with a reflex on it. I use teh Eotech when she's at home and even though my Scope has a reflex on it for emergancies I wouldn't recomend this type of set up for HD even with a 45 degree mounting. That's strictly as a Back up or for competition imho.

[PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE]

Kinda waiting for the op to chime in any day now to clarify with specifics (rifle type, home defense, animal attack, ect) of what type of situation he's referring to, and not to prove anybody right or wrong but instead to get better informed regarding this scenario he's clearly concerned with.

Alvgalb, are you there?