Baldrick's Blunder
Baldrick assumes he can shoot 0.0" groups at 200 yards.
How Maximum Point Blank Range (MPBR) misses the target.
 | Baldrick is actually a decent shot in the field, and can easily shoot 6-inch groups at 100 yards, about 12-inch groups at 200 yards. Here he is is at work, randomly killing or wounding deer at 200 yards, well within the 227 yard Maximum Point Blank Range: The light circle shows his 12-inch group Ignore the iron sights at the bottom. The center of the group is on target, but the edges of the group are not. |
 | At 200 yards he could hold high and have a general ribcage shot, but he would need to know the range and exact drop. It doesn't inspire confidence. |
So the Maximum Point Blank Range concept isn't something you can use in the field responsibly.
You have to take your group size and the target anatomy in consideration.
"I have a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel:"
"Baldrick, zero at 160 yards. Imagine your group circle is twice the size of your red dot:"
- At 160 yards, the red dot is at the middle of your group circle.
- At 100 yards, the red dot bottom is the bottom of your group circle.
- At 40 yards, the red dot is at the middle of your group circle.
 | At 160 yards, the 3MOA red dot is at the middle of the 6MOA group. This is your maximum range for this kind of thing. |
 | At 100 yards, the 3MOA red dot is the bottom of the 6MOA group. This is the the peak of your trajectory, so you shoot high. |
 | At 40 yards, the 3MOA red dot is at the middle of the 6MOA group again. |
 | At 20 yards, you are 1.1" low. Not to worry. |
"Now you can visualise your group size and bullet drop as you look through your sights. Now clean the ghastly mess off the bayonet."
"But there isn't a ghastly mess on my bayonet, M'Lord"
"Give it here Baldrick."
This example works with Baldrick's ammo (123gr, 2340 fps, BC=0.256) and red dot sight (2.5" above bore), yours may give different results. The size of the red dot may vary depending on brightness, for one thing. At 200 yards the red dot is at the top of the group circle, but Baldrick will stick to his 160 yard limit with his SKS.
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Free Ballistic Simulator Software updated Sunday August 01 2010 at 11:43am. Email Frank Clarke About Frank Clarke