Best rifle zero for Antelope

[Altiman94]

Hi-

I've drawn a WY tag this year and plan on taking a .243 and a .30-06. What's the best zero?

I have a ballistics program on my phone and regularly shoot to 350y. I'm thinking a 200y zero makes sense, but also read about a lot of short shots on antelope.

 

[Nimrod]

If you are going to dial I would zero at 100, if you are using some type of holdover reticle zero to take best advantage of it. For example, the rifle I'm taking this year has a BDC reticle, it is zeroed at 300 yards and the holdover points match exactly to 500 yards at 20X, if I want to shoot farther than that I will have to dial.

I will add that I'm a novice so take it for what it's worth, I'm sure you'll get some more experienced responders. This system is working for me at my current skill level.

Bob

 

[Greyfox]

A 200 yard zero will be fine. Given that you have already worked out your ballistics using a 200 yard zero, you will be at most, a couple of inches high if you take a 100 yard shot with the calibers you are intending to use. Depending on what part of Wyoming you will be hunting, of more concern will be a long shot in a 10-20 mph wind condition should that occur.

 

[kraigwy]

250 yards. With a 250 yard zero you'll never be too high or too low if you aim for the heart lung area to 300 yards.

The vital size of antelope is 8.5 - 9 inches. You'll be good to go with either rifle,

With a good bullet in your 243, (90-100 gr) you can extend that and use a 300 yard zero.

But there is not reason to shoot antelope beyond 300 yards.

Careful with wind, a 15 mph full value wind will move your '06 bullet about 6 inches at 300 yards. Somewhat less with the 243.