What Zero For Your Fighting Rifle?

The Zero

The zero or cold zero as called by some, is where the first projectile strikes on the target from a cold clean barrel. Cold zeros may print different than a string of five rapid shots but it’s not always necessarily so and may vary from rifle to rifle.

Many students here at school are either law enforcement officers or rifle-armed civilians who want to assure a surgical placement of projectiles on target. So in that vein the zero or the quality or type of zero they have effects their ability to deliver that surgical hit on target. Many law enforcement officers working in cities or built up areas seem to elect a POA/POI zero at 25 yards. The next most popular range seems to be 100 yards for the denizens of the city. Rural residents often go with a military type battle zero.

The actual zero may not be as important as the ability to know if your rifle is zeroed and where your zero places projectiles on targets at different ranges.

Using an AR15 type rifle with a nominal 2 1⁄2-inch sight to muzzle offset, we established the impact point above or below the POA with varying initial zeros. The chart tells the tale, and may help you to better choose which zero is appropriate for the environment you work in.

Remember the offset in application — just because the sight is clear does not mean the muzzle is clear of obstructions in front of the barrel. Clear sights do not mean a clear path for your projectile.

Also of interest is the fact that inside 15 yards no matter what zero you have, the offset will prevail and the shooter will have to hold the POA off to have the POI strike where they wish.

Since in fact hitting the target is the desired result, it would then make sense to zero our rifle and to know where the projectiles will strike on the target. By knowing what a zero is, having one and knowing how to use it we will go a long way towards solving any marksmanship problems we may encounter.

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