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Post by mvintx on Dec 19, 2016 16:42:19 GMT -8
I've had trouble getting a zero at 100 yards. My last attempt resulted in 3" right and that was the best after three or four attempts. There just isn't enough of the target discernable at that distance. I tried a nail heated with a propane torch and even at 25 yards, I couldn't see the darn thing. Someone suggested a hand warmer taped to the target...has anyone had success with that? I keep forgetting to buy some at Home Depot when I'm there!!!
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Post by omegaman on Dec 20, 2016 10:32:16 GMT -8
I just got mine a few days ago, and I'm planning on using the Toe Warmers that are made by the same folks that make the Hand Warmers. For the far distances you are thinking of, the Hand Warmers will likely work better.
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Post by mvintx on Dec 21, 2016 6:17:24 GMT -8
I guess a 25 yard zero might work OK if you could tell the scope, "hey, I'm shooting at 100 yards now" and it would adjust the reticle accordingly. I know the smart shooting solution will do that but I think you have to manually input a target height, range it, and then the scope makes the adjustment based on the profile you created.
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Post by mvintx on Dec 22, 2016 16:25:06 GMT -8
I was able to try and get another zero at 100 yds today....took an IPDA cardboard target and used the white side - figured that would be best for a 'cool' signature. Then I put an SR21C target in the middle of that (6" diameter black aiming dot) - figured that would be a decent 'hot' signature. Sure enough, at 25 yards the black was clearly discernable from the white background...shot a few rounds and got a good 25 yard zero. Now move the target out to 100 yards. The Hornady ballistics calculator says my round should be about 6" high at 100 yds. OK, let's see what happens.
A 6" hot spot at 100 yards is plainly visible through my 384, but it sure is tiny. Increasing magnification makes the hot spot larger but it is very grainy (in other words, you may be aiming at the center of the grainy image, but it really may not be the center at all). At minimum magnification, the reticle crosshair covers that hotspot completely, so I started to bang away to see what I could do. I got lucky a couple of times and managed to get two rounds that hit 6" high, so I made a few corrections and started paying attention to the X/Y numbers at the top of the screen. It would be nice if each time you pressed the button, you would get a correction of 1, but when I pressed the button in the zero reticle function, the numbers would change by 4 or 5...better make some notes here...my 25 yard zero was X47 Y111. At Y106 I was still about 2" high but at Y102, I was 3" low.
I know, too much information and too many numbers. Bottom line, I kinda have a 100 yard zero and it ought to be good enough to hit a hog at 100 yds. I'll report back when I get a chance to shoot at some.
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tomvb
Super Contributor
DPMS LR308, Ruger Mini 14, XS 3-14x
Posts: 493
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics
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Post by tomvb on Dec 22, 2016 17:37:59 GMT -8
MV, if you want a correction of 1 when zeroing, zoom in to 10x+ magnification, and each time you tap the plus or minus of the X or Y axis, it should change by 1s.
Hope that helps.
Tom
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Post by mvintx on Dec 23, 2016 5:53:57 GMT -8
Thanks, Tom. I was wondering if there was a way to increment the X and Y by 1 and maybe that's it. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
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tomvb
Super Contributor
DPMS LR308, Ruger Mini 14, XS 3-14x
Posts: 493
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics
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Post by tomvb on Dec 23, 2016 8:57:06 GMT -8
Merry Christmas to you as well!
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S.N.A.F.U.
Member
I like to monkey around with things that go kaBoom!
Posts: 24
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics
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Post by S.N.A.F.U. on Dec 30, 2016 17:52:36 GMT -8
The easiest & best way I found to Zero your thermal Is to start by turning the balistic calculator OFF!
Then set up a 4'x 8' sheet of plywood and drill a hole in the middle big enough to install a small incandescent x-mas light or light of choice then place your paper target over it and make a small hole in the paper so the light will show through
Always fire 3 rounds and draw a line connecting each hole to trianglate them then mark the center of the triangle
You can measure then calculate how and where to move your reticule!
Or take a short cut by firmly holding the rifle steady "you might find it easier to use a lead sled or other resting device"
Use the exact same sight picture you used the previously.
Then rezero your reticule to the center of the triangle. You can drill a hole & insert a hot soldering iron or use a light or even ice.
"I just visualize the place on the target & adjust accordingly". Repeat 2 more times
Always remove extra heat indicators & patch all the holes with tape before firing the next 3 rds so you don't get confused
The 4 x 8 foot sheet will give you a clear idea of exactly where your rounds are impacting[br I like to start out with a 30 meter "27.3 yds" target this is the preferred method of zeroing in the M-16 & various weapons for the U.S. Military.
Make sure to save your profile after obtaining zero, I like to copy the profile
And then I use the copied profile to start the 100 yd zero process & you will be within 4 to 6 inches high @ 100 yds and then you can make changes to the copied profile
Just remember to rename it before you start that way you can always go back to your original if the need should ever present itself
Just repeat the zero process to obtain a 200 yd profile and so on
Always make copies of your profiles & save them on your computer better yet on a USB memory stick just in case you have to do a factory reset it will save you time and keep you from going nuts & make life a whole lot easier! You can use hot water bottles for targets I prefer 16oz size @ 100 & 200 yds makes a good honest challenge & makes a really cool Zombie blood splatter with it glowing every where it lands
Please don't cheat by using the ballistics calculator.
Or even place toe warmers on 1 # tannerite 3 x 3 inch shot indicators @ 100 & 200 yds I practice with this using A3 open sights on my AR's just to keep sharp
I've even placed toe warmers on watermelons with a hot water bottle placed inside @ 200 yds
It's pretty awesome looking on video just like you just blowed some Zombies brains out . . .
You will find this works even in day light on a shady day
You will also find that the .223 .308 & 50 bmg all have very similar trajectorys.
I'll try to post some cool pic soon
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Dr. Detector
Top Contributor
Posts: 136
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics
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Post by Dr. Detector on Jan 3, 2017 7:36:42 GMT -8
To Zero here's what I do.... 1) Ballistic Calculator Off 2) Place a wood cant at 50 yds 3) Place a large nail in the center and hit with Micro Torch for 10-15 seconds 4) Take 3-Shots (Any magnification you wish to do so at) 5) Adjust X & Y to taste ;o) 6) Save and exit when satisfied 7) Measure Scope Height, BC, Speed & Enter Data into Saved profiles and exit 8) Take wood cant to 100 yards repeat heating of nail for 15 seconds 9) Toggle over and enter distance manually as well as wind. (Wind coming from the south at 5 mph enter that and save and exit) 10) Once those are set take your next 3 shots and fine tune if needed with the X & Y Axis
The Doctor
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Post by mvintx on Jan 4, 2017 20:07:07 GMT -8
Hey, the incandescent bulb is a good idea...but I'd have to haul a generator down to my range. I like the idea of a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood...that would give me a larger target area around the heat source. I don't think my zero is that far off to worry about it - yet. I went hunting last week for a couple of hours but no hogs, went again a couple of days later and my ATN powerpack died a few minutes after I got to my blind. If I get some time to fiddle with it, I'll try the 4 x 8 plywood with a hand warmer.
Doc, when you say enter the distance manually, where are you doing that?
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Dr. Detector
Top Contributor
Posts: 136
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics
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Post by Dr. Detector on Jan 5, 2017 5:51:21 GMT -8
mvintx - To enter the distance manually say from your 50 yard zero here's what to do. Enter main menu and toggle right about three icon's to the tape measure. Click on that and from there you'll see the ability to toggle to any distance you wish. The scope with the ballistic calculator must be turned on for your scope to automatically adjust to your new selected zero. I sighted in my .30 cal air rifle shooting 45gr pellets @ 900 fps at 50 yds. I then went out in the creek bottom and placed pop cans of hot water at a laser range found 80 yards and one at 112. I went back to the bench and also entered the wind a 5 mph from the NE in my scope. Once your new range has been selected and wind direction (Found in additional icon next to tape measure) if needed and save & exit. I hit the 80 yard first time then shot it on the ground then 1 shot the 112 ;o)
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Post by malcombx on Jan 16, 2017 11:09:42 GMT -8
Best way i found to do it is take a piece of metal siding. and stick in the ground. and light a fire behind it and put a hole in the metal i had about 3/4 in holes in mine. i was able to have bullet holes touching at 100 yards. i was suprised. also used the top of the reticle and side to put on top and side of the metal. that way i knew i was holding damn near same spot and bullet holes touched!
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odin
Expert Contributor
Laxing out in the land of Rugby, Hunting and Fishing.
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ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics
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Post by odin on Jan 16, 2017 12:31:16 GMT -8
What caliber are you shooting? For say .308 if you zero 1 1/2" high at 25m, that will get you a kill out to @ 300, should be smack on at 200. Way less ammo cost and much easier to setup.
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Dr. Detector
Top Contributor
Posts: 136
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics
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Post by Dr. Detector on Jan 17, 2017 7:30:04 GMT -8
Enter your ballistics & other data into your scope and zero at (50) yards. Simply shoot a tree look for the hot spot aim and send another. Based on its impact adjust save and exit. Then range say 200 yards to confirm distance turn on ballistic calculator arrow up to 200 and take a shot. Adjust if needed to fine tune ;o)
The Doctor
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S.N.A.F.U.
Member
I like to monkey around with things that go kaBoom!
Posts: 24
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics
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Post by S.N.A.F.U. on Mar 24, 2017 16:30:36 GMT -8
I use a 12v car battery with a $20 power inverter bought a HarborFreight.com to power up the 110v light bulbs when ever I have to Zero in my Thor HD
If you like skip the inverter & just use 12v car marker lights with a 12v battery. I just prefer using old Xmas lights instead
never place any battery on the bare ground or concrete it will drain it and eventually ruin it
Also when you zero in any AR irreguardless of caliber or hard sights or scopes. Always start at 27.3 yds "82 ft" then save your profile after obtaining zero & make a copy then rename copy _ _ _ rifle @ 100yds then load your new profile & shoot 3 rds on your 100yd range then trianglate holes to find center then in your 100yd profile move your reticule to the center of the triangle then repeat till your satisfied then copy file and repeat the process @ 200yds & so on ! This is what I was taught in basic training & again in sniper school I was taught to apply this process to any rifle.
This has never failed me even in battle. When I qualify my rifle I'm always 40 out of 40 with open sights on multiple pop-up targets from 50 to 475 meters which is a Hawkeye in marksmanship!
For fun I shoot bumblebees in flight with a BB gun last summer I had 174 kills LMFNAO!
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Post by trophyhusband on Mar 25, 2017 19:39:32 GMT -8
White paper, black sticker, sunny day. As long as it's not too cold or windy then the sun heats up the black sticker plenty. With less magnification you can use a larger black diamond shape. Line up your crosshairs with the points of the diamond and you will be aiming directly at the center of the diamond no matter how big the diamond is.
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Post by rangerdan on Apr 22, 2017 16:34:28 GMT -8
The below was from today at 1700 hours in a light rain with the 640x480 - works just fine @100yds 5 power zoom
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geoffthefarmer
Member
Posts: 4
ATN Products Owned: Smart HD Optics, Thermal Optics
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Post by geoffthefarmer on May 22, 2017 6:50:53 GMT -8
Sorry for the stupid question, but how do you turn off the ballistic calculator?
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