Dead air zero

[Sleepyhollow]

How important is a dead air zero for short range benchrest ? I've heard of guys getting a dead air zero then bedding and shimming their scope back to the exact spot. Like to opinions

 

[LHSmith]

Never heard of that term in my 20 years in the game. Beading is another term that is lost to me. Unless you meant "beating"-----then yes I have seen this a few times after a cease fire is called.

 

[Schippergreg]

I believe he’s referring to adjusting the scope to the center of its internal adjustment and shimming or bedding the scope in the rings to get it close to zero at 100 yds.

 

[Sleepyhollow]

I believe he’s referring to adjusting the scope to the center of its internal adjustment and shimming or bedding the scope in the rings to get it close to zero at 100 yds.

Yes Greg that's what I'm referring too. Going to a in door range and zeroing the scope in control condition. Giving you the precise hold in wind. Is it worth the time ?

 

[Schippergreg]

Sounds like we’re taking about 2 different things but in a calm condition I prefer to hit my aim point. Having windage dialed into the scope can cause confusion when you get a reversal.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Sounds like we’re taking about 2 different things but in a calm condition I prefer to hit my aim point. Having windage dialed into the scope can cause confusion when you get a reversal.

True staement but I think first you must know what type of matches are you refering too. Group or score. Also, is you scope repeatable or not. I think sll the current fuss about optical center is overblown with a good scope. Just more fluff/excuses. They just keep coming but I love when folks get lost in the weeds for NO real reason.

 

[Schippergreg]

True staement but I think first you must know what type of matches are you refering too. Group or score. Also, is you scope repeatable or not. I think sll the current fuss about optical center is overblown with a good scope. Just more fluff/excuses. They just keep coming but I love when folks get lost in the weeds for NO real reason.

Personally I prefer my point of aim and point of impact as close as possible for group and score. Having windage dialed in the scope has bit me in the ass before

 

[Jeff Porter]

Use Burris Signature rings with the inserts if you are concerned about having the erector tube centered in the body tube when at no wind zero.

 

[Jeff Porter]

In case you are not clear what I meant… this broken scope shows the erector tube with the reticle inside the body tube. The leaf spring on the 4:00 position pushes the erector tube against the windage and elevation screws.
As a tube within a tube- you will get the maximum travel in the middle of the circles. If you have to crank the elevation up to the end of travel to get zeroed , you will not have the full stated adjustment range for windage.

Same applies if your mounts or rings are angled off the centerline of the bore, you will use a bunch of windage adjustment getting centered up which can limit your elevation adjustment.

In a perfect world - the dove tail or drilled and tapped holes are aligned with the bore, the bases attach squarely to the receiver centered over the bore axis, the rings mount to the bases centered up and the scope is built with perfect alignment. You work the knobs and find the middle of travel and set the knobs to the middle and shoot to point of aim. I have had those stars align but not very often.
The use of the Burris rings and inserts allows you to adjust those misalignments to give you maximum travel on your scope knobs. Or if you need 30 MOA to crank the knobs they can shim the rear to allow a near zero at a lower point of travel with more “up” available as needed.