Elevation turrets and tape?

[bajaaa]

Anyone on this forum use white electrical tape and "Sharpie" in the hash marks for confirmed yardage?

I'm thinking about it after I saw someone do it awhile back on a forum...pretty cool...and would simplify life for me on the CHEAP gun)lightbulblightbulb

I'm thinking out to 625 yds should be COOL for me on a reliable turret!!!

 

[angus-5024]

yep. works pretty good. I have my rifle zeroed for a long range, single loading bullet. then I have a second zero with the electrical tape with a fast and flat load that I only us to 500 Yards.

 

[cowboy]

I do something similar but with a couple different ingredients.

I use the sticky labels that are intended to be used for addressing envelopes printed on a computer. Went to the local office depot store and bought a water proof felt fine tip pen.

You can cut the label very easily with a scissors to fit the diameter and height of your turret. Put the blank white label on your turret, as it has a slight sticky backing. I then mark my zero and put a 2 over it as my rifle is zeroed for 200 yds, then mark the 300 yd and put a 3 over it etc. I use long vert. marks for 2,3,4,5oo yd etc. , and shorter vert lines for 25 yd increments.

After my label is marked and ready to go I use clear packing tape cut to the size of the label with a scissors to go over the marked label which will make it about 90% water proof depending on how well you did it.

Very easy to peel off and redo if you change elevation, loads, bullets or whatever.

I use the above turret marking system mainly on my practice guns. One being a 22LR rifle that I practice to 300 yds with, a 8" 22LR pistol that has turret to 200 yds, and a 243 Win that goes out to 700 yds.. I practice at same elev., so after that I may need to make some minor adjustments for temp, press etc. but it is pretty straight forward. By the way - I'm on 3 revolutions of turret to get out beyond 300 yds with the 22LR with my scope.

 

[bajaaa]

I do something similar but with a couple different ingredients.

I use the sticky labels that are intended to be used for addressing envelopes printed on a computer. Went to the local office depot store and bought a water proof felt fine tip pen.

You can cut the label very easily with a scissors to fit the diameter and height of your turret. I then mark my zero and put a 2 over it as my rifle is zeroed for 200 yds, then mark the 300 yd and put a 3 over it etc. I use long vert. marks for 2,3,4,5oo yd etc. , and shorter vert lines for 25 yd increments.

After my label is marked and ready to go I use clear packing tape cut to the size of the label with a scissors to go over the marked label which will make it about 90% water proof depending on how well you did it.

Very easy to peel off and redo if you change elevation, loads, bullets or whatever.

Right-on!

That's exactly what I intend to do...but I didn't consider using the sticky address labels...great idea!

Do you find it "quick" to use on game?
The deer around here don't stick around very long...gun)

 

[cowboy]

No such thing as quick in my opinion when you're using a turret - especially if you are shooting at extended range.

How long does it take to get in position, range, check wind, make turret adjustments, relax, take proper aim and squeeze the trigger.

If I was to take a "quick shot" - I wouldn't need a turret, just use my zero setting and let her go.

 

[bajaaa]

No such thing as quick in my opinion when you're using a turret - especially if you are shooting at extended range.

How long does it take to get in position, range, check wind, make turret adjustments, relax, take proper aim and squeeze the trigger.

If I was to take a "quick shot" - I wouldn't need a turret, just use my zero setting and let her go.

I understand...I was just HOPING it would be a bit quicker than looking at my come-ups and counting clicks....by just dialing in the exact yardage as seen on the turrets that's all...

But good point and well-taken...I appreciate itgun)lightbulblightbulb

 

[WildRose]

No such thing as quick in my opinion when you're using a turret - especially if you are shooting at extended range.

How long does it take to get in position, range, check wind, make turret adjustments, relax, take proper aim and squeeze the trigger.

If I was to take a "quick shot" - I wouldn't need a turret, just use my zero setting and let her go.

That's why I keep all my regular carry rifles zeroed at 450 and shoot mil dot scopes.

Of course I shoot on an almost daily basis and know my drops and hold unders from rote and just adjust as needed.

Trying to spini turrets in a hurry is just a recipie for mistakes.

 

[cowboy]

I understand...I was just HOPING it would be a bit quicker than looking at my come-ups and counting clicks....by just dialing in the exact yardage as seen on the turrets that's all...

But good point and well-taken...I appreciate itgun)lightbulblightbulb

Sorry - I now understand what you were asking. Didn't mean to sound the way it came out.

For me personally - I don't like looking at a chart (be it taped to my stock, an ipod, ballistic printout ) or whatever it is and then counting come ups. I've got an engineering degree and 2 out of ten times I'll screw it up in the heat of the battle. When I'm in shooting position I want everything to be simple and easy so that I don't have to take my eyes away from target more than a couple seconds. I may need to make a click or 2 up or down on slow moving target or shooting angle adjustment but the initial setting is quick and a no brainer.

So to answer your question now that you got me lined out - YES - it is much quicker than the come up method with a chart (For me anyway)

With any change in the way a person has done it in the past, there is a brain training learning curve. Put your turret yardage system together and spend a day in the field on them softball to basketball size rocks and it won't take long to tell you if the system will work for you. If you don't like it, peel it off, go back to your old method and you shouldn't be out more than a couple bucks.

Good luck - if you run into any further questions feel free to PM me as I've pretty much made most of the mistakes you are about to encounter.

 

[cowboy]

That's why I keep all my regular carry rifles zeroed at 450 and shoot mil dot scopes.

Of course I shoot on an almost daily basis and know my drops and hold unders from rote and just adjust as needed.

Trying to spini turrets in a hurry is just a recipie for mistakes.

I envy you guys that are proficient with mil dots. I've tried and tried to get used to mil dots but for me, I'm much more proficient with a clean scope that has nothing but a cross hair in it.

Only thing I've ever screwed up with spinning turrets is when I first started - I can't count how many times shooting rocks I found myself not resetting my turret back to it's original zero. Now it's nothing but second nature - if I'm in prone or sitting position, as I get up I'm spinning turret back to it's zero, ready for the next setting.

 

[bajaaa]

Sorry - I now understand what you were asking. Didn't mean to sound the way it came out.

For me personally - I don't like looking at a chart (be it taped to my stock, an ipod, ballistic printout ) or whatever it is and then counting come ups. I've got an engineering degree and 2 out of ten times I'll screw it up in the heat of the battle. When I'm in shooting position I want everything to be simple and easy so that I don't have to take my eyes away from target more than a couple seconds. I may need to make a click or 2 up or down on slow moving target or shooting angle adjustment but the initial setting is quick and a no brainer.

So to answer your question now that you got me lined out - YES - it is much quicker than the come up method with a chart (For me anyway)

With any change in the way a person has done it in the past, there is a brain training learning curve. Put your turret yardage system together and spend a day in the field on them softball to basketball size rocks and it won't take long to tell you if the system will work for you. If you don't like it, peel it off, go back to your old method and you shouldn't be out more than a couple bucks.

Good luck - if you run into any further questions feel free to PM me as I've pretty much made most of the mistakes you are about to encounter.

Hey there""COWBOY""...seriously, NO offense taken!

But, you did well in putting everything in perspective for me while I'm in dreamland all excited and typing my plans out that spill out of my head...

So I thank you buddy for the real world experience!!!

Once I get out there and try this stuff out you can be sure there will be some PM's coming your way!!!

Thank you I appreciate that kind of help very much!

For me this is un-chartered waters and I'm resolute to have FUN with it no matter how frustrated it may be at times in the process but I'll get there one day!....hehehehe

 

[WildRose]

I envy you guys that are proficient with mil dots. I've tried and tried to get used to mil dots but for me, I'm much more proficient with a clean scope that has nothing but a cross hair in it.

Only thing I've ever screwed up with spinning turrets is when I first started - I can't count how many times shooting rocks I found myself not resetting my turret back to it's original zero. Now it's nothing but second nature - if I'm in prone or sitting position, as I get up I'm spinning turret back to it's zero, ready for the next setting.

Most of my shooting is done from the truck on varmints and predators.

Usually I've got less than ten seconds to get a shot off from the time the truck stops, and that includes grabbing a rifle and getting the scope covers off.

Coyotes and bobcats around here just don't give you any longer unless you happen to catch a stupid one crossing a wheat field.

No time to dial, and usually you just have to guestimate on range.

Mil dots are easy. Just know your hundred yard zero is on a given dot, then do some shooting at actual ranges seeing where your strikes are, then adjust and either write them down or make a mental note if you can remember it. Or you can do as I do now and just put my 450 zero dead on the cross hair's and adjust from there using the previous method.

Easy to do with just two or three rifles but it does get mentally taxing with more than that.

Shooting for me is like waking up in the morning and taking a pee since I've been doing it as long as I can remember.

 

[RDM416]

I understand...I was just HOPING it would be a bit quicker than looking at my come-ups and counting clicks....by just dialing in the exact yardage as seen on the turrets that's all...

But good point and well-taken...I appreciate itgun)lightbulblightbulb

You need to learn to "think" in moa's and forget "clicks" It takes a long time to count 46 clicks, but no time at all simply dial 11 1/2 moa. Don't think "8 clicks" think "2 moa"

When you are shooting don't use "inches" that then have to be translated into "how much correction do I need to dial?" If you are 10" low at 500 yards you should instantly know that is 2 moa, go to your scope dial in 2 and you are done.

This is much easier to learn that you think. When you are practicing, call all your shots and corrections in moa and have your buddy who is spotting do the same. It may take you a second to think at first that a 2" correction at 400 is 1/2 moa and call it that way, but soon it will become second nature. Then those numbers that are already on your turret will mean something and you will realize you already have all you need.

I understand at first it is strange and I used to be the same way. I counted clicks for years, then as my shooting began to extend out to 1000 yards and beyond, trying to dial up 82 clicks just became too complicated. It is much easier to just think 20 - 1/2 moa. I can reach up there and dial that in 2 seconds rather counting for what seems like forever!

If you hunt in different locations, elevations, temperatures.........etc. Your dial up will change, then the information taped on your turret is wrong. Just learn to use moa's, build a dial up chart to tape on your stock or have handy for quick reference, but realize in changing conditions you will need to refer to your ballistic calculator for significant changes in conditions.

In addition, depending on what you are shooting you can set your turret for a PBR (point blank range). When hunting I usually have my elevation turret set for 300 yards. With that setting and my rifle, anything from 0 to 400 yards simply "gets shot" without worrying about dialing anything. If I have all the time in the world I may go ahead and dial for around 400 yards, but it is not necessary.

 

[bajaaa]

Mil dots are easy. Just know your hundred yard zero is on a given dot, then do some shooting at actual ranges seeing where your strikes are, then adjust and either write them down or make a mental note if you can remember it. Or you can do as I do now and just put my 450 zero dead on the cross hair's and adjust from there using the previous method.

Interesting...I'd like to take the time to understand the way different folks use the mil-dots!

 

[bajaaa]

You need to learn to "think" in moa's and forget "clicks" It takes a long time to count 46 clicks, but no time at all simply dial 11 1/2 moa. Don't think "8 clicks" think "2 moa"

When you are shooting don't use "inches" that then have to be translated into "how much correction do I need to dial?" If you are 10" low at 500 yards you should instantly know that is 2 moa, go to your scope dial in 2 and you are done.

This is much easier to learn that you think. When you are practicing, call all your shots and corrections in moa and have your buddy who is spotting do the same. It may take you a second to think at first that a 2" correction at 400 is 1/2 moa and call it that way, but soon it will become second nature. Then those numbers that are already on your turret will mean something and you will realize you already have all you need.

I understand at first it is strange and I used to be the same way. I counted clicks for years, then as my shooting began to extend out to 1000 yards and beyond, trying to dial up 82 clicks just became too complicated. It is much easier to just think 20 - 1/2 moa. I can reach up there and dial that in 2 seconds rather counting for what seems like forever!

If you hunt in different locations, elevations, temperatures.........etc. Your dial up will change, then the information taped on your turret is wrong. Just learn to use moa's, build a dial up chart to tape on your stock or have handy for quick reference, but realize in changing conditions you will need to refer to your ballistic calculator for significant changes in conditions.

In addition, depending on what you are shooting you can set your turret for a PBR (point blank range). When hunting I usually have my elevation turret set for 300 yards. With that setting and my rifle, anything from 0 to 400 yards simply "gets shot" without worrying about dialing anything. If I have all the time in the world I may go ahead and dial for around 400 yards, but it is not necessary.

You have enlightened me a great deal here and I thank you for taking the time to do it!!!

I especially found it interesting about using PBR instead for anything <400 yds...

I need to take the time to learn this stuffs before I decide which system I will use...hope more folks will chime in and share about their choices and why for them personally!

That way I won't go into this thing blind as I am now...

Thanks again it's starting to make a bit more sense!