20 MOA bases

One day my 260, without a 20 MOA base, had just enough "come-ups" to reach 967 yards, with about 15 clicks left. It has a scope with 1/8th clicks. Recently, same conditions, same rifle, etc., I ran out of come ups and was still below target! Strange things can happen at 1000.
So, I am putting a 20 MOA rail/base on it. I am new to LR shooting, BTW. My question is this: by putting on the new base, should I lower my scopes 100 yard zero 20 clicks? I imagine it may not be exact, but theoretically that should be very close. Right?

woodnut said:

One day my 260, without a 20 MOA base, had just enough "come-ups" to reach 967 yards, with about 15 clicks left. It has a scope with 1/8th clicks. Recently, same conditions, same rifle, etc., I ran out of come ups and was still below target! Strange things can happen at 1000.
So, I am putting a 20 MOA rail/base on it. I am new to LR shooting, BTW. My question is this: by putting on the new base, should I lower my scopes 100 yard zero 20 clicks? I imagine it may not be exact, but theoretically that should be very close. Right?

Click to expand...

going from a zero base to a 20 moa should require 20 minutes, not 20 clicks. After the new base is installed theoretically, you should be 20 moa high, so with a 1/8 moa scope, 160 clicks down.

[QUTE] ... should I lower my scopes 100 yard zero 20 clicks? I imagine it may not be exact, but theoretically that should be very close. Right?[/QUOTE]

Well, yes, theoretically you'll need to adjust the new zero about 20 moa lower than your original zero. But it isn't likely to be that simple. 160 clicks is a very long way so you may find your new zero isn't precisely where you expect it to be.
When your trying to find where your rifle is shooting it's OK to first try on paper but, if you don't find the shot on paper, go to the dirt. If your rifle's recoil makes it impossible for you to see where the shot went have someone use a spotting scope to help you. The two of you agree on a target in the dirt (small rock, small twig, etc.) at about 100 yards and you take your shot while he monitors the target. Any spotter with a reasonably good eye can estimate how far you are from the "ground target" and if you adjust accordingly you should be able to at the least get the next shot on paper where you can be more precise in determining how much to adjust the reticle.

Wow. Thanks, guys. Getting old. Of course, Duh! 20 MOA ain't clicks! And yes, I may not have 160 clicks down so great advise to shoot outside and have a dirt backstop. I will, however, dial my scope to see just how many clicks I do have before shooting. Then I'll have a better idea of what I can do. again, many thanks !

You can also shoot a target at 25 yards, get close and move back. 25 makes it easy to see where you are off, and if you get close, the adjustment at 100 will be slight.