I have a Zeiss HD5 5-25x50 with Rapid Z 800 reticle on my 300 win mag. I've tried to use Zeiss's ballistic calculator for the optimum power setting. Problem is that when I zero my scope at 200 yards (as recommended), then with the recommended power the first hash mark for 300 yards results in the bullet being 3 inches low. I have to move the power level down 2 magnification levels to get the correct elevation for 300 yards. This has happened on 2 different scopes. Zeiss has been absolutely NO HELP. At this point I don't feel I can trust the reticle/calculator combination and don't want to shoot 100 or more rounds to experiment at different yardages out to 800 yards. Reason I don't want to shoot another 100 rounds: I had a good load developed. Very consistent 3/4" at 100. Guy at Nosler told me to stop. But I had to try another seating depth and got groups of .6, .4 and .2 inches. Yes, .2 inches.
Here are my details:
Nosler 180 gr Accubond, 73 gr of IMR4831 powder, Norma brass (trimmed, weighed/sorted, neck turned, flash hole reamed, primer pocket uniformed, annealed every 3 firings), WLRM primer, 26" Hart #5 barrel, muzzle velocity of 3050 fps, altitude 1000 feet, temp 50 degrees, Magnetospeed V2 chronograph.
Magnetospeed said that if the chrono was bad, it would be very inconsistent. I'm getting ES of 28 and std dev of 9, so the velocity should be close. They said readings should be within .5%.
The calculator says I should be using 22 power. Even if I lower the muzzle vel down to 3035 (.5% reduction) AND lower the BC down to .482, I still get a power of 21 with the calculator. I have to lower the power down to 20 to get the correct elevation for 300 yards and the first hash mark.
Has anyone else successfully used the Zeiss ballistic calculator with the Rapid Z reticle?
Anyone have any ideas why the calculator isn't very close to real world?
Here are my details:
Nosler 180 gr Accubond, 73 gr of IMR4831 powder, Norma brass (trimmed, weighed/sorted, neck turned, flash hole reamed, primer pocket uniformed, annealed every 3 firings), WLRM primer, 26" Hart #5 barrel, muzzle velocity of 3050 fps, altitude 1000 feet, temp 50 degrees, Magnetospeed V2 chronograph.
Magnetospeed said that if the chrono was bad, it would be very inconsistent. I'm getting ES of 28 and std dev of 9, so the velocity should be close. They said readings should be within .5%.
The calculator says I should be using 22 power. Even if I lower the muzzle vel down to 3035 (.5% reduction) AND lower the BC down to .482, I still get a power of 21 with the calculator. I have to lower the power down to 20 to get the correct elevation for 300 yards and the first hash mark.
Has anyone else successfully used the Zeiss ballistic calculator with the Rapid Z reticle?
Anyone have any ideas why the calculator isn't very close to real world?