50/200 zero

Zeroing your rifle is crucial to ensure accuracy and effectiveness for hunting, defending your property, and even tactical operations in urban environments.

The 50/200 zero is popular among shooters for its versatility and practicality. It allows for accurate shots at short and medium distances without needing constant adjustments.

However, many shooters lack access to a 200-yard range, making it challenging to achieve this zero. Fortunately, you can achieve a 50/200 zero without needing a 200-yard range with the right techniques and understanding.

This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can confidently zero your rifle regardless of range limitations.

Understanding the 50/200 Zero

Before discussing the steps to achieving a 50/200 zero without a 200-yard range, it’s important to understand what the 50/200 zero is and why it’s beneficial.

The 50/200 zero allows a shooter to have two points where the bullet crosses the line of sight: at 50 yards and again at 200 yards.

This zero is favored because it minimizes the bullet’s deviation from the line of sight over a wide range of distances, making it versatile for various shooting scenarios.

Benefits of the 50/200 Zero

Versatility: Effective for both close-quarters and mid-range engagements.
Simplicity: Reduces the need for frequent adjustments.
Consistency: Provides reliable point-of-impact across a broad spectrum of distances.

With this understanding, let’s move forward to the practical steps to achieve this zero at a shorter range.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to get a 50/200 Zero Without a 200 Yard Range

Achieving a 50/200 yard zero is manageable, even if you cannot access a 200-yard range. Here’s how you can do it step-by-step:

Indoor Preparation: Start by placing your target at a distance of 10 yards (approximately 30 feet). This distance can easily be accommodated indoors, such as in a basement or a large room. Use the printable target below for this process.

How to zero an AR indoors — U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Boever, 48th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, demonstrates how to use a Direct View Optic during a Security Forces Basic Qualification Course at RAF Feltwell, England, June 22, 2023. The DVO was introduced to two participants in the class providing a clearer picture view for precision. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Renee Nicole F. Gamez)

Point of Aim: Use the black dot on the target as your point of aim. Align your red dot sight with this black dot.
Adjustments: The easiest way I’ve found to do this is to position my rifle in a rest so that the boresight laser is on the gray dot. I then adjust the windage and elevation of my red dot sight to align with the black dot. Once that is done, it’s time to head to the range and verify!
Range Verification: After completing the indoor adjustments, head to your local range and set up your target at 50 yards. Fire a group of shots to confirm and fine-tune your zero.

50/200 yard zero target — (courtesy of Jerking The Trigger)

Verifying Your Zero at 50 Yards

After completing the initial setup and adjustments indoors, verifying your zero at 50 yards is crucial. This step ensures that your adjustments hold at a greater distance and that your rifle is accurately zeroed for 50 and 200 yards.

verifying your zero at distance — A platoon sergeant with Bush Master Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), helps his Soldiers zero in on their weapons on March 30, 2021, at Fort Drum, N.Y., during M249 familiarization training. Zeroing is the process of aligning the sights on the weapon with the rifle so you can accurately aim at your target from a set distance. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Charlotte Carulli)

Set Up Your Target: Set up your target at 50 yards at your local range. Ensure the target is visible and has distinct aim points for accurate measurement.
Fire a Three-Shot Group: From a stable shooting position, fire a three-shot group at the target. This will give you an accurate representation of your rifle’s point of impact.
Measure and Adjust: Measure the distance between the center of your shot group and your point of aim. If the shots are not hitting the desired point, adjust your sight for windage and elevation. Repeat the process until your shots consistently hit the point of aim at 50 yards.
Confirm Consistency: Fire additional groups to confirm the consistency of your zero. Your shots should be grouped tightly around the point of aim, indicating a reliable zero.
Record Your Settings: Once you are satisfied with your zero, record your sight settings. This will help you quickly return to this zero if adjustments are needed in the future.

Using Ballistic Calculators and Ballistic Charts

To further refine your zero, incorporating ballistic calculators and charts can be highly beneficial. These tools help predict the trajectory and behavior of your bullets, allowing for more precise adjustments.

Input Data: Use a ballistic calculator to enter specific details about your rifle, ammunition, and environmental conditions. This includes bullet weight, muzzle velocity, barrel length, and altitude.
Analyze Trajectory: When examining the ballistic charts, you will notice that different ammunition types exhibit varying degrees of deviation. For example, the 55-grain M193 and 62-grain M855 rounds typically show deviations ranging from approximately 1.6 to 2.1 inches. On the other hand, the 77-grain BTHP tends to have a larger deviation of about 3.7 inches. Despite this greater variation, aiming for the upper torso should still yield combat-effective hits.

Make Adjustments: Based on the data, fine-tune your zero. For example, if the calculator indicates a slight drop at 50 yards, you can make minor adjustments to your sight to compensate.
Practical Testing: Use the refined data to conduct practical tests at the range. Fire at targets set at various distances to verify the accuracy of the ballistic calculator’s predictions.
Validate with Specific Ammunition: It’s crucial to validate your external ballistics with the specific ammunition you use during range practice, as individual results may differ. This ensures that your zero is accurate for the exact type of ammo you will be using in real scenarios.
Continuous Learning: Regularly update the data in your ballistic calculator to account for changes in ammunition, weather conditions, or any modifications to your rifle.

Practical Drills to Confirm Your 50/200 Zero

After completing all adjustments and verifications, it’s essential to conduct practical drills to ensure your zero is reliable under different conditions and scenarios.

Engage Multiple Targets: Practice shooting at targets set at various distances, from close-range (10 yards) to mid-range (100 yards). This will help you confirm that your zero holds across different ranges.
Different Shooting Positions: Test your zero from various shooting positions, including standing, kneeling, and prone. This ensures that your zero is consistent regardless of your stance.
Real-World Scenarios: Incorporate drills that mimic real-world scenarios, such as moving between cover or shooting on the move. This helps confirm the practical applicability of your zero.
Environmental Conditions: Practice in different environmental conditions, such as varying light levels, wind, and weather. This will help you understand how your zero performs in diverse situations.
Attend a Reputable Training Course: One of the best ways to confirm and refine your zero is to attend a reputable training course. These courses provide expert guidance and structured scenarios that you might not encounter when practicing alone. You’ll gain insights into how the 50/200 zero performs under various conditions and training drills, learning tips and techniques that can significantly enhance your shooting accuracy and tactical readiness.
Regular Practice: Consistently practice these drills to maintain proficiency and confidence in your zero. Regular practice ensures that your skills remain sharp and that your zero stays accurate.

Conclusion

With the right approach and tools, achieving a 50/200 zero without access to a 200-yard range is entirely feasible. You can ensure your rifle is accurately zeroed by using indoor setups, verifying at 50 yards, and utilizing ballistic calculators and charts for further refinement.

I live in Northeastern Ohio, so the longest shot I would realistically take would be roughly 200 yards. Because of that, I zero all my 5.56 AR rifles for the 50/200 yard zero.

Practical drills, combined with attending a reputable training course, further confirm the reliability of your zero, preparing you for a wide range of shooting scenarios. With this zero, you’ll enhance your tactical readiness and shooting precision.