09-26-2017, 01:11 AM
My two cents here.
For hunting with my 6.5G, I'm actually looking for a good low power, fixed magnification optic. Because:
As mentioned above, almost all realistic hunting shooting solutions are within 200 yards. I think it was upwards of 95%? Certainly within 300 its an even higher percentage.
If you zero 2.5-2.75 inches high at 100, the Grendel has a ~275-300 yard point blank range with a 10" vital zone. (10" is whitetail; larger with mulies/elk, smaller for pigs etc...) This means messing with your turrets at all inside 300 is completely unnecessary anyway. I draw a 10 inch clock-face circle centered around the top of the heart, aim toward 6 when under 100, aim at 12 at 300. (with ELD-M BLACK). As far as a shot within 100, hold under. You're gonna hit in the vitals. I have found that anything under 200 is child's play and becomes rather boring anyway. Hold down 2 inches and kill it. Or don't adjust at all and kill it. Or take the scope off and use the irons and kill it.
The clock face helps with wind too, as here in KS it's not uncommon to have 20-30 MPH steady and 40 gusty winds on fall days in the open plains. If you're into the wind at less than 45degrees, aim at the 1 or the 11; Away from the wind - aim at the 5 or the 7, and at 90degrees - the nine and three. For me, as I am visual, placing the clock face over the vitals and trusting in physics makes wind calls and range estimation much easier. I like knowing that if I can see it clearly I can kill it easily.
I.E. I have a 200 lb 14 pt buck in the scope at somewhere over 200, not beyond 300. Wind is from the right, in my face, and kinda stiff. OK easy - 10 inch-ish clock face on the heart, aim toward the one and fire. Watch the tuft of fur fly, observe his last dance through the slightly magnified, lightweight optic. There will be a nice hole if not in the heart, in both lungs causing massive lethal trauma. This guys not long for this world. Now, let the adrenaline come down, call dad to brag, and take a nap... then go collect my tag.
I've never heard anyone else talking about a clock face overlay for hunting, but for me it always made sense. My son uses it rather well because it's easy to understand. It's not super-sniper mil-dot or moa calculated, but I've never been disappointed. The Grendel is so sweet on the shoulder, that if you're a practiced shooter at all, you'll likely be able to take any necessary followups within the second your quarry begins to move anyway. Stay down, follow through.
If you practice like you should, you should be ready to go whatever your zero. It is always worth the time and the minimal expense to develop the kind of skill and confidence in your gear you're imagining yourself to have when you sit typing about it on message boards... HA! (This is a self-jab)
Now, go have fun collecting dinner.
For hunting with my 6.5G, I'm actually looking for a good low power, fixed magnification optic. Because:
As mentioned above, almost all realistic hunting shooting solutions are within 200 yards. I think it was upwards of 95%? Certainly within 300 its an even higher percentage.
If you zero 2.5-2.75 inches high at 100, the Grendel has a ~275-300 yard point blank range with a 10" vital zone. (10" is whitetail; larger with mulies/elk, smaller for pigs etc...) This means messing with your turrets at all inside 300 is completely unnecessary anyway. I draw a 10 inch clock-face circle centered around the top of the heart, aim toward 6 when under 100, aim at 12 at 300. (with ELD-M BLACK). As far as a shot within 100, hold under. You're gonna hit in the vitals. I have found that anything under 200 is child's play and becomes rather boring anyway. Hold down 2 inches and kill it. Or don't adjust at all and kill it. Or take the scope off and use the irons and kill it.
The clock face helps with wind too, as here in KS it's not uncommon to have 20-30 MPH steady and 40 gusty winds on fall days in the open plains. If you're into the wind at less than 45degrees, aim at the 1 or the 11; Away from the wind - aim at the 5 or the 7, and at 90degrees - the nine and three. For me, as I am visual, placing the clock face over the vitals and trusting in physics makes wind calls and range estimation much easier. I like knowing that if I can see it clearly I can kill it easily.
I.E. I have a 200 lb 14 pt buck in the scope at somewhere over 200, not beyond 300. Wind is from the right, in my face, and kinda stiff. OK easy - 10 inch-ish clock face on the heart, aim toward the one and fire. Watch the tuft of fur fly, observe his last dance through the slightly magnified, lightweight optic. There will be a nice hole if not in the heart, in both lungs causing massive lethal trauma. This guys not long for this world. Now, let the adrenaline come down, call dad to brag, and take a nap... then go collect my tag.
I've never heard anyone else talking about a clock face overlay for hunting, but for me it always made sense. My son uses it rather well because it's easy to understand. It's not super-sniper mil-dot or moa calculated, but I've never been disappointed. The Grendel is so sweet on the shoulder, that if you're a practiced shooter at all, you'll likely be able to take any necessary followups within the second your quarry begins to move anyway. Stay down, follow through.
If you practice like you should, you should be ready to go whatever your zero. It is always worth the time and the minimal expense to develop the kind of skill and confidence in your gear you're imagining yourself to have when you sit typing about it on message boards... HA! (This is a self-jab)
Now, go have fun collecting dinner.