.223 ballistic mystery...

[bellavite1]

Please guys help me understand because this is driving me nuts:
It is common knowledge that a .223 chambered ar, zeroed at 50 will somewhat, depending upon load, have a second zero at about 200/220 yds.
Because of said trajectory it will hit approximately 1.5" high at 100 yds.
This also matches my ballistic calculator figures (1.4", but close enough).
So why do my rounds hit consistently 2.5" high at 100 yds?
Now, the lack of accuracy of my rifle is becoming legendary, but I doubt that is the problem here...

Scope height is 2.6"
Hornady 62gr
Velocity should be around 2940 fps

[henpecked]

The length of your barrel may be the issue.

[bellavite1]

The length of your barrel may be the issue.

it is a 16" ...

[ray1970]

Velocity should be around 2940 fps

Should be or is?

You can?t make assumptions about unknown variables and then act surprised if you don?t get the results you expect.

I do a 25/300 zero with 55gr and it performs as expected.

[bellavite1]

Should be or is?

You can?t make assumptions about unknown variables and then act surprised if you don?t get the results you expect.

I do a 25/300 zero with 55gr and it performs as expected.

According to my velocity calibration feature on my ballistic app it is.
Regardless, to justify a 2.5" climb in 50yds, my velocity, again according to my shooting app, my velocity should be beyond 5000 fts (that would give a climb of 2.1 moa at 100 yds, with a 50 yds zero).
I can promise you that is not the case.

[ChickNorris]

Im seeing some good sized groups in those images. Might not be as far off as you think. Maybe try sand bagging to bring those groups down, eliminating at least one contributing variable & work from there?

[bellavite1]

Im seeing some good sized groups in those images. Might not be as far off as you think. Maybe try sand bagging to bring those groups down, eliminating at least one contributing variable & work from there?

Thanks for the kind words... sadly I WAS on sand bags already...
I just ordered some 69gr smk, will see if it helps.
Yet the trajectory part is weird, i just don't get it...

[Duman]

Do you have a chronograph?

I always thought the 50/200 zero was based on the A2 upper and standard barrel length (i.e.-sight radius), etc..

[bellavite1]

I don't have a chronograph, yet.
But I should be able to chrono my loads as soon as I get my new bullets.
The 50/200 zero worked out just fine, the weird part is only at 100 yards.

[mpatch]

What is the optic you’re using?