Trajectory, or bullet flight path, is probably one of the most misunderstood topics in firearms by firearms owners.
Bullets do not fly straight. Even when fired out of a barrel that is 100% leveled to the earth the bullet flies in a parabolic and predictable arc. We can predict this and often use optics to assist us in predicting this arc but in many cases shooters do not appreciate just how much that round travels up and down.
Sage Dynamics video here does an excellent job illustrating the real world differences in the arc of flight and the point of aim/point of impact related to various zeros.
I prefer the 50/200 and the TA44 ACSS ACOG I use on my home defense rifle is built for a 50/200. I feel confident in using that zero and using the necessary holds high close in because its the style I have the majority of my experience with. I’ve used a TA31 more than any other optic by a long stretch. Up close we held high or came up with several other tricks to get good point of impact results. Many worked, some were BS or overly confident without basis but rounds landed where we wanted to send them.
The key is knowing your equipment. No zero is superior to the others but one may make more sense in your mind and for your applications.
The shooter who knows what their equipment is going to do when they ask it too will out perform the shooter who doesn’t every time.
I’m off to the range.
Where are you headed?
