As many of you know, I'm running a somewhat unique optic setup on my carbine - the
Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20mm in a
Daniel Defense mount;
My main attraction to this set up is light weight (12 ounces total), generous eye relief and a very streamlined, snag-free profile. My eyes also appreciate the excellent clarity of this scope, enabling me to see the target far more clearly than I could with a RDS or irons. The long eye relief and generous eye box works very well with both eyes open, and makes acquiring the target almost RDS quick. The petite size of the scope occludes only a very small part of the view compared to larger scopes (especially those with with large turrets and shorter eye relief).
Since the (sharply-focused) duplex recticle has no stadia lines, ranging is out of the question. For that reason, I am treating it like a RDS and using the
maximum-point-blank-range zero technique.
For my go-to load of choice, the Speer LE .223 75-grain Gold Dot, I ended up with a 230-yard MPB range with a trajectory that does not exceed 2-inches from the line of sight. Though this sounds a bit too precise, I also decided to factor in the inherent precision of this load in my rifle, which is typically slightly better than 1.5 MOA. With that factored in, the trajectory opens up to a potential 3.5" deviation from the line of sight out to 230 yards, or aiming dead center out to that range and staying within a 7-inch circle (assuming I do my part).
Since my carbine is intended for defensive purposes, I believe 230 yards is more than adequate. In my neck of the woods shots longer than that are the exception, not the rule due to the landscape. That said, if a longer engagement is called for the following easy-to-remember hold-overs can be applied based on the size of the target;
- 300 yards - 10-inches
- 350 yards - 15-inches
- 400 yards - 30-inches
When it comes to a defensive long gun, I greatly prefer simplicity. The MPBR zero technique certainly contributes to that goal. This rifle is truly point-and-shoot out to 230 yards, which fits my
simple-is-better preference nicely.