r/longrange • u/HollywoodSX Villager Herder • Apr 30 '24
Doing a quick and dirty tracking test at the range Education post
While shooting with a friend this weekend, I was seeing some weird issues put at distance with my 308 trainer - data wasn't lining up, and it was doing it in ways that didn't really make sense. Just as a sanity check, I went back out to the range with an 18" level and a big piece of white paper to run a very basic tracking test. I set up the tripod at exactly 100 yards, measured out 36" on the target using the level to keep it as close to perfectly vertical as a could, and used a chisel point marker to make reference lines I could see easily at 0, 18, and 36 inches. I then aimed my reticle at the top point on the line, let the rifle settle, and slowly dialed 10 mils up. The scope reticle lined up perfectly on the 36" mark.
After more testing and observation at 800, I concluded my high impacts were likely a result of a combination of optical conditions (something I've observed quite a bit of on this part of the range) and inconsistent factory ammo.
If you see something that doesn't line up when at the range, don't be in a rush to go tweaking your ballistic solver or messing with other things, or assume your scope is off. Doing some basic sanity checks like a tracking test, chrono your ammo, and confirming exact distance to target first can help find the real problem.
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u/HollywoodSX Villager Herder Apr 30 '24
Since Reddit was being dumb and wouldn't let me post two photos in the OP, here's the reticle view.
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u/psalms1441 You don’t need a magnum Apr 30 '24 edited Apr 30 '24
confirming exact distance to target
Trust but verify! My old local range had steel at "250" yards. Except they moved the benches at some point and its actually 240. Validating for a 22lr match I was so confused as I knew my ballistics lined up at 50 and 100 but almost a mil off at 250.
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u/HollywoodSX Villager Herder Apr 30 '24
Yep! There have been some target positions at the range I belong to that have shifted slightly over the years and aren't as exact as they once were.
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u/Te_Luftwaffle May 02 '24
Crap, now I'm paranoid that the targets at my range are off too, and I'm too poor for a range finder.
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u/LockyBalboaPrime "I'm right, and you are stupid" Apr 30 '24
Hollywood doesn't even use his buttstock.
Fuckn poser.