http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm

This is an excellent article on sighting in your rifle to obtain the "Maximum Point Blank Range" (MPBR). Tells you exactly how high it should shoot at 100 yrds, and what your maximum range is before you have to adjust for bullet drop. Every hunter should know this about thier rifle before going into the field IMO.

Thank you. Just checked out my two calibres.

i like the one on Hornadys website. you will need to know the velocity and b.c. i usually plug in several temperature and pressure figures. this has been very reliable so far.

I usually throttle my MPBR back a bit so it shoots flatter out to about 175yards. I find about +2" at 100 more acceptable than 3".

Based on that chart the effective range of my 308 is only 259/275 yards!? That can't be right.

Its not about effective range, it the maximum range a bullet is above or below the line of sight to a specified measurement, typically 3" for basically a hold on shot.

Did y'all know gravity makes a bullet drop?

The effective "point blank range" is 259/275 yards. Any farther and you have to factor in a hold over.

No the combat efective range of the .308 is over 800 meters although I know people whom have pushed it past 1100 meters.


This is my problem with hold over, you can over or under shoot and badly wound and cause an animal to suffer because your ill trained at long range shooting. I'm not trying to pick on you, just this article.

The proper way to maximise your rifle is to know exactly what it is dropping at what range and dial up the proper corection, and hold dead on.

Well the idea is that it's a lot better system than most use (none). Sure, training and practice help, but not everyone has that kind of time, money or logistics. In theory, say with a 308, you should be able to fire your rifle from 0 to 259 yards and hit the same 6 inch tall target whereever it is without concern for range/drop. Beyond that, you'd need correction.

Or you could shoot down a 6 inch pipe and not hit the edges for 259 yards.

Yeah I understand the theory, but it fails to take into acount the shooter, and conditions which can lead to alot of bad shots.

Where as if you set your zero for 150yds then dial up your adjustment to where you point of aim and impact will match you have alot more play to go up and down because of shooter error or left to right for windage and conditions which is the point im making.

Most of my rifles, I used a bal;listics calculator (free on internet) to get what it should be doing and in one afternooon and 40-50rds can varify my ballistic chart for that round form my rifle and have accurate data to use for dailing in corrections out to 400yds. Granted the furthest I will shoot on a deer is 300yds but its still alot more forgiving than the system posted you just have to put in some time and effort with your gun which you should be doing anyways.

Pretty helpful chart I think. Of course nothing can replace field time.

This is a good chart and a good starting point for comparison and can be helpful in understanding your calibers capabilities. But we have to remember it is only a chart of ballistic data that we can use as a STARTING POINT and REMINDER. Keeping this data in mind while at the range and in the field will be helpful
but it is only part of the equation. See you at the range!