Using the elevation turret properly

[GW Hunter]

I finally swapped out my 35 year old 3-9x40 Leupold for a Vortex Viper HS in 4-16x44. Now I'm trying to understand the correct use of the elevation turret. So for example.... (using Barnes manual #4 with a B.C. of .390) My muzzle velocity is 3300'/sec. If my zero is at 100 yds, then at 400 yds my P.O.I. is 21.20" low, basically 21"... To have my P.O.I. dead on at 400 do I raised the elevation 84 clicks (1/4" per click)? I'm confused because if my zero is 300 yds then I would be 3" high at 100 and 9" low at 400 yds. Do I then raise the elevation 36 clicks from there? The numbers don't make sense to me when you compare the different zero points. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[mr.big]

at 400 yards 1/4 clix will move your poi 1 inch per click,,you will need 21 clix or 5 and 1/4 moa

 

[GW Hunter]

Thanks for the reply...Yup, I realized the disconnect in my brain literally 5 minutes after I sent the post...

 

[FearNoWind]

That's a very nice hunting scope. I especially like the capped reset turrets All you have to do is rotate the turrets to line the reticle up with your strikes on target and then lift up lightly on the turret caps to reset the zero. Pretty nice design IMO. Just select the distance you want for your zero, set the reticle and zero the turret. From there on out every four clicks is 1 MOA so if your ballistics data tells you to come up 21 MOA you'll need one rotation from zero plus 9 MOA to validate the ballistics data. Once you've worked out a preliminary ballistics chart (dope sheet) always validate the data at the range. You'll always need to fine tune your preliminary data using actual range performance.
Remember though. Once you've set your zero do not lift up on the turrets when making range adjustments. If you screw up the zero you'll have to go back and start from scratch.

 

[ShtrRdy]

If you get one of the ballistic programs for your smart phone it will tell you how many mils or moa to adjust. Then you can just dial the elevation turret to that number and shoot. Well, after you consider the wind and hold off accordingly.

 

[WildRose]

I finally swapped out my 35 year old 3-9x40 Leupold for a Vortex Viper HS in 4-16x44. Now I'm trying to understand the correct use of the elevation turret. So for example.... (using Barnes manual #4 with a B.C. of .390) My muzzle velocity is 3300'/sec. If my zero is at 100 yds, then at 400 yds my P.O.I. is 21.20" low, basically 21"... To have my P.O.I. dead on at 400 do I raised the elevation 84 clicks (1/4" per click)? I'm confused because if my zero is 300 yds then I would be 3" high at 100 and 9" low at 400 yds. Do I then raise the elevation 36 clicks from there? The numbers don't make sense to me when you compare the different zero points. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

Sight it in at either 100 or 200yds, then set turret to match.

Don't count clicks you'll screw it up, use the MOA adjustments. If you can't get drop data in MOA with what you have, use something else like Len's ballistic calculator or the one Hornady Has online.

Then verify your data at a couple of longer distances to see how close it is and make yourself a card and laminate it to the stock or keep it in your pocket.

 

[dfanonymous]

These should help illustrate what people are explaining and help get you up and running.

 

[Joefrazell]

I finally swapped out my 35 year old 3-9x40 Leupold for a Vortex Viper HS in 4-16x44. Now I'm trying to understand the correct use of the elevation turret. So for example.... (using Barnes manual #4 with a B.C. of .390) My muzzle velocity is 3300'/sec. If my zero is at 100 yds, then at 400 yds my P.O.I. is 21.20" low, basically 21"... To have my P.O.I. dead on at 400 do I raised the elevation 84 clicks (1/4" per click)? I'm confused because if my zero is 300 yds then I would be 3" high at 100 and 9" low at 400 yds. Do I then raise the elevation 36 clicks from there? The numbers don't make sense to me when you compare the different zero points. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

It sounds to me like you need to look into understanding moa. Each click of your scope changes your poi 1/4" at 100, 1/2" at 200, 3/4" at 300, 1" at 400, so on and so on. Remember moa is an angle so it increases with distance

 

[GW Hunter]

It sounds to me like you need to look into understanding moa. Each click of your scope changes your poi 1/4" at 100, 1/2" at 200, 3/4" at 300, 1" at 400, so on and so on. Remember moa is an angle so it increases with distance

I understand MOA is linear. I just had a brain cramp while looking at the ballistic data charts at different zero ranges and seeing how they compared. Without taking windage and shooting angle into account, it's just math... Thanks for the reply, though. Much appreciated.

 

[dfanonymous]

Neither moa or mrad is linear. They are angular and have been no bearing on metric or imperial data.

 

[toddcox35]

6.5 creedmoor 140 Sierra GK SBT 2795 FPS
1.5 sight height
.495 BC
4-16x44 vortex viper pst FFP adjustable elevation/windage turrets

I'm having trouble dialing in at longer ranges. I have multiple charts that show MOA adjustments and they seem quite high when shooting out to 500yds plus? Could it be that my the charts are incorrect or are my turret adjustments not accurate? I'm zero'd at 100yds and at 500yds and according to my load data charts this should be what to expect, I should be 9.6 Moa or 51" of bullet drop @500 yards?.... hmmmm

 

[dfanonymous]

21321

 

[dfanonymous]

6.5 creedmoor 140 Sierra GK SBT 2795 FPS
1.5 sight height
.495 BC
4-16x44 vortex viper pst FFP adjustable elevation/windage turrets

I'm having trouble dialing in at longer ranges. I have multiple charts that show MOA adjustments and they seem quite high when shooting out to 500yds plus? Could it be that my the charts are incorrect or are my turret adjustments not accurate? I'm zero'd at 100yds and at 500yds and according to my load data charts this should be what to expect, I should be 9.6 Moa or 51" of bullet drop @500 yards?.... hmmmm

What's your turrets in? Moa or mil? Also are you positive of the sight height? Barrel length?
How are you getting your data and how are you building your charts?
Just PM me, as to not hijacking someone elses thread.

 

[Crews]

Quit messing around with trying to figure it all out on the internet. Go shoot. Anything you figure out won't be accurate anyhow, unless you know your actual muzzle velocity. It's probably going to be different from what a book tells you.

Set your adjustments on your scope to hit dead center at 100 yards. Set the zero stop. Set up a target at 300 yards. Leave your turret on the zero stop. Aim for dead center, and shoot a 3-5 shot group. Measure how many inches low you are from center. Divide that number by 3, and that will tell you how many MOA you need to dial up to hit the center of the target at 300 yards. For example, if your group is 8" low: 8/3=2.66, round up to the nearest 1/4"=2 3/4 MOA. Go back to the rifle, dial your turret up 2 3/4 moa, and shoot again. If your group is in the center, write that number down. That's your dope for that distance. Remember, 1 moa = 2" @ 200 yards, 3" @ 300 yards, 4" @ 400 yards, etc...

Do that same thing at varying distances and get some real world data first. it'll help you understand the process and start thinking with the right mindset. You can worry about ballistic calculators later.