Elevation Adjustment

Hey guys and gals, I have a question that may seem elementary to some. After shooting my 7MM WSM for years I decided it was time to purchase a new rifle. My Winchester did me well, but it never was a shooter. I bought it as my first hunting rifle, used, at a gun show, and I had very little knowledge. I got the chance to shoot by buddy's new Tikka 30.06 and fell in love. So, what's a guy to do but go buy his own. I've left it stock (I was going to put a B&C stock on it but once I shot it I decided to leave it alone for now) and topped it with my Leupold VX3. I've been able to extend my comfort range since I'm consistently putting 300 yard shots into about a 3" group shooting plain ole' cheap Winchester power max 150 GR.

My question is: With a 200 yard zero, the 7.9" holdover at 300 is easy. However, going out to 400 it is a 23.7" drop and 500 is a 49.3" drop. These are per Winchester and I know I have to field verify, but for arguments sake lets just use these numbers. So, at 400, if I wanted to use my elevation adjustment on my scope, would this mean that I would need to adjust about 5.9 MOA (1 MOA at 400 yds being 4" in adjustment) or about 24 clicks on my scope. I think I'm doing that math correctly but wanted to make sure.

Thanks in advance for any responses. It feels good and is fun at the range pushing my own limits, even though I know the gun can shoot much better than I can.

TM

Toolman, actually 1 MOA is 1.047 inches at 100 yards, doesn't make much difference in the yardages you're talking about but it does make a difference when you shoot really long range. Yes your math is correct if your scope has 1/4 minute clicks, some scopes have 1/4 Inch per 100 yard clicks you might want to verify. If you have a smart phone just buy a ballistic app and all the math will be done for you.
Here's an explanation of MOA;

[http://nssf.org/video/facts/MOA.cfm]

Here's the Shooter APP, it's what I use.

http://www.shooterapp.net/

Thanks Apexmtnman. I verified to just be sure and I do have 1/4 MOA adjustment. I'll keep the 1.047 in mind and I'll check out the links you provided. I appreciate the feedback. Shooting further and further is addicting.

TM

......concentrate on getting closer.....not farther.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photo
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Zigger...Concentrating on getting closer and learning to shoot further with confidence are both good qualities for being a hunter. Unfortunately, getting super close to antelope on public land after the first opening morning shots have rang can be quite difficult. Being able to take a long shot when needed, at least in my book, is essential. I'm not trying to get so I can hit an animal at 1,000 yards. That is a risky shot even for great shooters IMHO. But if I can get to where I can ring the iron at 800 and feel comfortable taking a 500 yard shot at game when warranted, I think I'm doing pretty well.

TM

TM,

I've taken an elk at 500 yrds and it is an aweful-long-distance! I can't imagine anywhere here in eastern CO where I can't use natural terrain to get closer to antelope than 500yrds. That said, I'm not discounting the skill & discipline necessary to shoot at ranges longer than that. I marvel at those who can and do, but I consider it sniping not hunting.

Good luck hunting.

2f350s: Spend the money on additional licenses and HUNT more!

It was a good first hunt of the season. Saw a lot of goats, Hiked a lot of miles, and filled my tag at the end of day 2. 200 yard shot. I was maybe 30 yards from my truck when I shot. It's funny how it all comes together sometimes after you spend a ton of time trying to put on a sneak. They pretty much came to us at the end. Great time with a buddy who harvested his first animal ever on the same hunt.

TM

Go to jam trajectory and type in your info. It sets everything up for you. Congrats on the hunt

Strelok is another popular shooting app the paid version has a cool feature that shows you where to hold on your reticle.

schoolhousegrizz.....your post above with the "jam trajectory" does not appear, tried different ways and still nothing. What website you using exactly??

Brian
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Go to longrangehunting.com if you want to get a start learning how to extend your range. Search the forum, there is allot of useful info on there. They also have a ballistics calculator you can toy with. But most important this is everthing you learn, go out and shoot. Shoot allot and verify and the reverrify and then verify again. Too much is not possible. Good luck