The best distance to zero an ar 15 for civilian home defense is to zero your ar 15 at a distance in which you can get an accurate zero. This will vary due to skill level of the shooter. I believe we can all agree on an accurate zero.
However, in todays video we will go beyond this fundamental concept. I will walk you through the zero distance ballistics of the most common combat zeros to show you that there is really no appreciable difference between the trajectories at the vast majority of reasonable self defense distances.
The combat zeroes most instructors talk about were developed with an offensive capability in mind and not necessarily practical to the civilian world. The 100 yard zero is mostly advocated by experienced shooters or hunters to provide flatter shooting of bullets from 0 to approximately 200 yards. This zero, however, fails to take into account the shooters skill in obtaining an accurate zero.
I have no disagreement with these trained instructors on what the are advocating for an effective combat zero. I also believe that if you are using an ar 15 for home defense, you should get training from a qualified instructor. The most important part of your defense is the quality of your training and not the particular zero you choose.
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Check out my Ar-15 RIFLE TWIST video in which I debunk the internet myths about Ar-15 rifle accuracy. https://youtu.be/kZC4KNJ1eoc
I have 2 lpvo 50/200 red dot 36/300
I just found your channel and I'm absolutely amazed with your knowledge. No other channel is putting this information out
Great explanation. Thanks
Great video series on the AR-15 Andy! BTW, I noticed your hat says # “61”…Did you play football & maybe an Offensive/ Defensive Tackle?? That was my #61 throughout my HS Defensive Tackle days!
I’m new to the sporting rifle world, I bought my 16” and figured that I needed to zero the sights for the purpose of self defense. I imagine that it’ll be used for distances under 35 yards. This video was helpful for simple perspective and zeroing at 25 yards would probably be easier. Thank you.
50/200 is best for a simple red dot in cqb/urban and where ever else you can expect to not be fighting long range. impact will be within 2 inches of aiming point out to about 250 so no need to to hold over or under unless they're really far off.
100 is best for magnified optics in areas where long ranges are likely. scopes also often have ranging, wind, and other marks that are calibrated for a 100 yd zero so anything else would throw those off.
i think 25 and 36 are completely useless for an AR. all they do is add an area in between near and far zero where your shots will rise so much that you need to aim low, which is just tedious.
🌹🌷👍
Really like this channel
Que signifie le mot cour, est-ce un mètre ou un matériau ?
Je tire sur le cochon avec un fusil de calibre 12 à chaque fois qu'il sort à une distance différente une fois près et une fois loin Quelle est la distance appropriée pour ajuster le point de la tige pour frapper de près et de loin
@Practical Accuracy, thank you so much for the breakdown. You did an amazing job explaining and it was very helpful.. After watching this, I think a 50yd zero is the "goldilocks" zone, because you'd still have ~2in holdover within home defense distances and it works well for far greater distances (50-200yds) as well.
As you rightly point out, it just ain't that big a deal, so don't suffer analysis paralysis trying to figure out which to use. But pick something and practice with it.
Honestly, I use a 50/200 zero so the rifle is still capable of taking those longer range shots when I want to use the same rifle for recreation. So I use a consistent zero that I have practiced using across its range band.
As for the offset, I've been allowing for the offset of an M16/AR15 at close range since 1987, so I don't have to think about it (it's really only going to be critical for a head shot anyway, as a 2" POA/POI drop isn't going to mean much on a "center rib cage" hold when you're freaked and probably not taking one shot anyway. 🙂 )
And, heck, I did fine on the pro mask quals, using the rifle like a shotgun and just looking across the sights (I never did like the 45° tilt technique the Army taught for close range shots – it took longer than just applying the same "Quick Kill" technique they taught us for CQB, i.e., treat it like a shotgun, and fire a controlled pair COM just looking across the carrying handle and front sight wings).
Now, if not using a proper sight picture at all worked at 25m against F-type silhouettes (just the head and shoulders) through scratched up gas mask lenses without my glasses on, I'm reasonably comfortable saying the tiny delta between the general purpose zero i use on all my AR rifles (even the ones not devoted to home defense) and an "indoor specific" zero is not going make a lick of difference in the length of my hallway… and since all of my AR rifles then use exactly the same offset for a given range, if I need to make that 1 in 10,000 chance more precise shot (like, all I have for a target is half his face), so I don't have to remember, "Is this the rifle zeroed for "hairline = nose", or "eyebrow = nose" under stress. I just use exactly the same offset I've used to, say, clear a row of saltine crackers at close range for fun.
Been using the 36 yard zero for a few years now and I am very satisfied with it. Thank you for the vid, I am always looking for more education on zeros.
Putting practical in the name. This video is great. Still going to get shots on target essentially no matter which zero you choose. Sure if you're a sniper, it all counts. But for home defense and range days, it's not really a big deal. This helped me not stress so much over which "zero" Im going to choose. Thanks.
For the what if “300 yard” that’s a bolt gun in SHTF/WROL
Most of our police officers in our area and county, zero their rifles at 75 yards.
This was best description of “home defense” accuracy I have ever see. Thank You.
Nice video 👍
Intresting data.
But i ead laughing my but of when i understod that he did not have some strange animal "ears" om his cap but a picture frame behind😲😆😆
Look at about 4 min into the video..😆
Rifle zeroing is new to me so please bare with me. the application for my rifle is home defense and deer up to 150 yrds. where I live, a deer shot will be 50- 150 yrds, never going over that 150 mark. Im trying to figure out what the best zero point would be for this. I was thinking 25 then you mentioned 36 and I realized This is above my pay grade lol
Thank you for any suggestions ✌❤🙏
One of the BEST videos about zeroing an AR15. Extremely well explained, concise, and to the point. THANK YOU!
I disagree, combat zeros still have home defense applications. For example a 36 yard zero (which I personally use)using an eotech will give you point of aim/point of impact @7 yards using the low verticals hash on the outside ring. using that 36 yard zero I have 5” spread from zero to 300 yards, and an 18” put to 400. meaning I can put a dot in the middle of a chest out to 400 yards and have a combat effective hit. understanding every aspect of your zero is far more important than the distance chosen.
At the video suggestions at the end, a white background lacks contrast for the text overlay. Good video.
The 25 yard zero only equates to a 300 yard zero if you have an elevation adjustable rear sight with the "Z" setting. You set it to Z, adjust your groups and then set the rear sight elevation drum to 3. If you do not have the ability to adjust for elevation on your rear sight and still use a 25 yard zero you will not have point of aim/point of impact again until 375 yards. In other words, it shouldn't be used for backup iron sights or optics without a thorough understanding of the trajectory of the round and the distance that you are likely to encounter.
I’ve watched dozens of videos on this topic. Yours really put everything into perspective. Awesome e job!!!!
Couple things to keep in mind. If you're using carry handle/FSB irons, the large aperture is 2.5 (I think) MOA lower than the small aperture. Also, the elevation wheel is designed for use with either rifle length or carbine length FSB's. If you have a mid length, you'll need to do some math to figure out how many clicks equal how much height at a given distance. Probably won't matter inside your house lol.
Great video Andy. Thanks.
This was a great video. Thanks!
just know 7 yards you will have to more than likely aim at the hairline in order to hit between the eyes. know your hold off