AR Rifle Zeroing Tool
How This Tool Works
This tool calculates your optimal rifle zero based on your specific setup. It automatically selects the best zeroing method for your optic type:
- Red Dot / Simple Reticle Optics: Uses MPBR (Maximum Point Blank Range) optimization. This finds the zero distance that maximizes your effective range while keeping point of impact within a 6-inch vital zone (+/- 3 inches from point of aim).
- BDC Reticle Optics: Uses the factory-specified zero distance (typically 50/200 yards or 100 yards). This ensures your BDC stadia lines align correctly with their intended holdover distances.
Select your barrel length, optic, and ammunition below to get your personalized zeroing recommendation.
Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Terms
- Zero / Zeroing
- The process of adjusting your optic so that your point of aim matches your point of impact at a specific distance.
- MPBR (Maximum Point Blank Range)
- The farthest distance at which you can aim at the center of a target and remain within a predefined acceptable deviation (based on target size), without adjusting for bullet drop. Optimizing for MPBR means finding the zero distance that maximizes this effective range.
- BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator)
- A reticle design with additional aiming points (dots, lines, or hashmarks) calibrated for specific distances. These help you aim at targets beyond your zero distance without manually calculating holdover.
- Red Dot / Simple Dot
- An optic with a single aiming point and no BDC markings. These are best used with MPBR-optimized zeros since holdover must be estimated by the shooter.
- Holdover
- Aiming higher than your target to compensate for bullet drop at distances beyond your zero. The amount of holdover increases as distance increases.
- Height Over Bore
- The vertical distance between your optic's line of sight and the rifle's bore. At close ranges (under 25 yards), your bullet will impact significantly lower than your point of aim due to this offset.
- Point of Aim (POA) / Point of Impact (POI)
- POA is where your reticle or dot is positioned on the target. POI is where the bullet actually strikes. A properly zeroed rifle has POA and POI aligned at the zero distance.