.30-06 Springfield: 100-Yard vs 200-Yard Zero
Zero at 200 yards: sight in 1.8" high at 100. Zero at 100 only if you dial.
Zero a .30-06 deer rifle at 200 yards, which with a 165gr load and a 1.5" scope means sighting it in 1.8" high at 100. Set that way the bullet peaks 1.9" at 117 yards, is 7.9" low at 300 and stays inside an 8" vital zone from the muzzle to 260 yards with a single hold. Zero at 100 instead if you dial or use a holdover reticle: the bullet never rises above the crosshair and is 13.4" low at 300. The .30-06 does not need the sight-height argument the AR pages make; between standard and high rings the two zeros barely move, and the tables below show it.
Figures on this page: Federal Fusion .30-06 Springfield 165gr, 165gr G1 .454 at 2,790 fps, Bolt action, standard scope rings, 1.5" over bore, standard conditions. Source: Federal published velocity (24" test barrel) and G1 ballistic coefficient, verified 2026-09-13.
Side-by-Side Comparison
165gr G1 .454 at 2,790 fps, 1.5" over bore (bolt action, standard scope rings).
| 100-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 62 yd | 30 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 200 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.1" | +1.9" |
| Max ordinate distance | 81 yd | 117 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (8" vital zone, ±4") | 0–204 yd | 0–260 yd |
| Sight in at 100 yd | 0.0" (0.0 MOA) | +1.9" (+1.8 MOA) |
| Drop at 300 yd | -13.4" | -7.9" |
| Drop at 400 yd | -30.3" | -22.9" |
| Energy at 300 yd | 1,802 ft-lb | 1,802 ft-lb |
How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 8" vital zone, ±4" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 500 yards.
Want the longest single hold rather than a round number? Maximum Point Blank Range for the .30-06 Springfield solves the zero that keeps this cartridge inside a vital zone the furthest.
Key terms
- Near zero
- Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
- Far zero
- Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
- Max ordinate
- The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
- Point blank range (MPBR)
- The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.
The 100-Yard Zero
How it performs
Federal Fusion .30-06 Springfield 165gr zeroed at 100 yards with 1.5" of sight height crosses the line of sight at 62 and 100 yards, peaks +0.1" at 81 yards, and stays inside a 8" vital zone (±4") from 0 to 204 yards. At 300 yards it is -13.4". At 400 yards it is -30.3".
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,790 | 2,853 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.7" | -2.56 | -0.75 | 2,739 | 2,749 | 0.1 |
| 50 | -0.2" | -0.28 | -0.08 | 2,689 | 2,650 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +0.1" | +0.10 | +0.03 | 2,640 | 2,553 | 0.4 |
| 100 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,591 | 2,460 | 0.8 |
| 125 | -0.4" | -0.31 | -0.09 | 2,542 | 2,369 | 1.2 |
| 150 | -1.2" | -0.73 | -0.21 | 2,494 | 2,280 | 1.7 |
| 175 | -2.2" | -1.22 | -0.36 | 2,447 | 2,194 | 2.3 |
| 200 | -3.7" | -1.76 | -0.51 | 2,400 | 2,111 | 3.0 |
| 225 | -5.5" | -2.35 | -0.68 | 2,354 | 2,030 | 3.8 |
| 250 | -7.8" | -2.96 | -0.86 | 2,308 | 1,952 | 4.8 |
| 275 | -10.4" | -3.60 | -1.05 | 2,263 | 1,876 | 5.8 |
| 300 | -13.4" | -4.28 | -1.24 | 2,218 | 1,802 | 7.0 |
| 325 | -16.9" | -4.97 | -1.45 | 2,173 | 1,731 | 8.3 |
| 350 | -20.9" | -5.70 | -1.66 | 2,129 | 1,662 | 9.7 |
| 375 | -25.3" | -6.45 | -1.88 | 2,086 | 1,594 | 11.2 |
| 400 | -30.3" | -7.22 | -2.10 | 2,043 | 1,530 | 12.9 |
| 425 | -35.7" | -8.02 | -2.33 | 2,001 | 1,467 | 14.7 |
| 450 | -41.7" | -8.85 | -2.57 | 1,959 | 1,406 | 16.6 |
| 475 | -48.3" | -9.71 | -2.82 | 1,918 | 1,348 | 18.7 |
| 500 | -55.4" | -10.59 | -3.08 | 1,877 | 1,291 | 20.9 |
165gr G1 .454 at 2,790 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. Source: Federal published velocity (24" test barrel) and G1 ballistic coefficient, verified 2026-09-13.
Who it's for
The .30-06 that gets shot at the range more than in the field, or the hunter with a reticle he trusts. A 165gr load at 2,790 fps zeroed at 100 with a 1.5" scope peaks a tenth of an inch high at 81 yards and then drops 3.7" at 200, 13.4" at 300 and 30" at 400, numbers that fall straight onto a duplex reticle or a turret. The 8" vital-zone window with a centre hold runs to 204 yards.
It is also the sensible zero for a rifle that carries several loads. A 100-yard zero moves less between a 150 and a 180gr bullet than a 200-yard zero does, because the bullets are still close together at 100.
The 200-Yard Zero
How it performs
Federal Fusion .30-06 Springfield 165gr zeroed at 200 yards with 1.5" of sight height crosses the line of sight at 30 and 200 yards, peaks +1.9" at 117 yards, and stays inside a 8" vital zone (±4") from 0 to 260 yards. At 300 yards it is -7.9". At 400 yards it is -22.9".
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,790 | 2,853 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.2" | -0.79 | -0.23 | 2,739 | 2,749 | 0.1 |
| 50 | +0.8" | +1.49 | +0.43 | 2,689 | 2,650 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +1.5" | +1.87 | +0.54 | 2,640 | 2,553 | 0.4 |
| 100 | +1.9" | +1.77 | +0.51 | 2,591 | 2,460 | 0.8 |
| 125 | +1.9" | +1.46 | +0.42 | 2,542 | 2,369 | 1.2 |
| 150 | +1.6" | +1.04 | +0.30 | 2,494 | 2,280 | 1.7 |
| 175 | +1.0" | +0.55 | +0.16 | 2,447 | 2,194 | 2.3 |
| 200 | +0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,400 | 2,111 | 3.0 |
| 225 | -1.4" | -0.58 | -0.17 | 2,354 | 2,030 | 3.8 |
| 250 | -3.1" | -1.19 | -0.35 | 2,308 | 1,952 | 4.8 |
| 275 | -5.3" | -1.84 | -0.53 | 2,262 | 1,876 | 5.8 |
| 300 | -7.9" | -2.51 | -0.73 | 2,218 | 1,802 | 7.0 |
| 325 | -10.9" | -3.21 | -0.93 | 2,173 | 1,731 | 8.3 |
| 350 | -14.4" | -3.93 | -1.14 | 2,129 | 1,661 | 9.7 |
| 375 | -18.4" | -4.68 | -1.36 | 2,086 | 1,594 | 11.2 |
| 400 | -22.9" | -5.45 | -1.59 | 2,043 | 1,530 | 12.9 |
| 425 | -27.9" | -6.26 | -1.82 | 2,001 | 1,467 | 14.7 |
| 450 | -33.4" | -7.08 | -2.06 | 1,959 | 1,406 | 16.6 |
| 475 | -39.5" | -7.94 | -2.31 | 1,918 | 1,347 | 18.7 |
| 500 | -46.2" | -8.82 | -2.56 | 1,877 | 1,291 | 20.9 |
165gr G1 .454 at 2,790 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. Source: Federal published velocity (24" test barrel) and G1 ballistic coefficient, verified 2026-09-13.
Who it's for
The classic deer-woods .30-06. Zeroed at 200 it is 1.8" high at 100, peaks 1.9" at 117 yards, is 7.9" low at 300, and the 8" window runs from the muzzle to 260 yards. Sight in at 100 so the group sits 1.8" high and the rifle is set for 200 without a 200-yard range; that is the two-inches-high-at-100 rule your father used, and with this load it is correct.
At 300 the bullet is still carrying about 2,220 fps and 1,800 ft-lb, so the cartridge is not the limit; the 7.9" of drop is, and a 200-yard zero keeps it inside a hold on the back line of a deer.
Why Sight Height Changes the Answer
Most .30-06 rifles carry a scope somewhere between 1.5" over the bore in standard rings and 1.75" in high rings under a large objective. The difference is small and the table below shows how small: at 1.75" the 200-yard zero's peak falls from 1.9" to 1.8", its near zero moves from 30 yards to 35, and its 8" window grows by one yard. The 100-yard zero's window moves from 204 to 208 yards. If you have argued about ring height for a .30-06, this is the number you were arguing about.
It matters far more on the other end of the shelf. The 5.56 pages on this site show a 50-yard zero moving its far zero by 90 yards between a 1.5" and a 2.6" sight; a .30-06 with a 165gr bullet launched at a 200-yard zero is a slow, heavy, gentle arc by comparison, and a quarter inch of ring height cannot bend it much. Pick the rings for the scope, not the trajectory.
| Zero | Sight height | Near zero | Far zero | Max ordinate | Inside the 8" zone (±4") to | Drop at 300 | Drop at 400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 yd | 1.5" — Bolt action, standard scope rings | 62 yd | 100 yd | +0.1" at 81 | 204 yd | -13.4" | -30.3" |
| 100 yd | 1.75" — Bolt action, high rings or large objective | 72 yd | 100 yd | +0.1" at 86 | 208 yd | -12.9" | -29.5" |
| 200 yd | 1.5" — Bolt action, standard scope rings | 30 yd | 200 yd | +1.9" at 117 | 260 yd | -7.9" | -22.9" |
| 200 yd | 1.75" — Bolt action, high rings or large objective | 35 yd | 200 yd | +1.8" at 119 | 261 yd | -7.8" | -22.6" |
How Barrel Length Changes This
Federal's 2,790 fps is a 24" test-barrel figure and most .30-06 sporters wear 22", so expect about 2,740 fps in the field; a 20" carbine gives up another 60 to 80. The 200-yard zero's drop at 300 goes from 7.9" to roughly 8.5" across that spread. The advice does not change. Put your own velocity in the calculator below to see your table.
Which Zero Is Wrong for You
The 200-yard zero is wrong if you shoot the rifle mostly at paper or steel at 100 yards, where the 1.8" high group is annoying and every drop chart you own assumes a 100-yard zero. It is also wrong for a rifle that sees a lot of shots inside 50 yards on small targets: the near zero is 30 yards and the bullet is an inch low at 20.
The 100-yard zero is wrong for the hunter who holds and shoots to 300. Being 13.4" low at 300 means a centre hold lands under the chest, and the dead-on window is 56 yards shorter than the 200-yard zero's. If you will not dial, do not zero at 100.
Both are the wrong tool past 350 yards. The bullet drifts 13" in a 10 mph wind at 400 and falls 22 to 30 inches between 300 and 400 depending on the zero; that is a rangefinder-and-dial problem, and no zero solves it.
Try It With Your Load
Prefilled with the load above. Change anything and the full calculator solves your trajectory; pick your own sight height from the list.
Loads Used on This Page
- Federal .30-06 Springfield 165gr Fusion SP Ammo — 165gr, 2790 fps advertised, G1 BC 0.454
- Federal .30-06 Springfield 165gr Swift Scirocco II Ammo — 165gr, 2800 fps advertised, G1 BC 0.45
- Federal 30-06 Power-Shok 150gr JSP Ammo — 150gr, 2910 fps advertised, G1 BC 0.314
- Federal .30-06 Springfield 150gr Fusion SP Ammo — 150gr, 2900 fps advertised, G1 BC 0.41
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should a .30-06 be at 100 yards for a 200-yard zero?
About 1.8" high with a 165gr load at 2,790 fps and a 1.5" scope. A 150gr load at 2,900 fps sits about 1.6" high, a 180gr at 2,700 about 2".
How much does a .30-06 drop at 300 yards?
With a 165gr load: 13.4" with a 100-yard zero, 7.9" with a 200-yard zero, at a 1.5" scope height.
Is 100 or 200 yards the better zero for deer hunting with a .30-06?
200, unless you dial. It keeps the bullet inside an 8" vital zone to 260 yards with a centre hold. The maximum point blank range zero of about 263 yards extends that to 308 yards if you accept a 3.4"-high group at 100.
Does scope ring height change my .30-06 zero?
Barely. Between 1.5" and 1.75" over the bore, the 200-yard zero's peak changes by a tenth of an inch and the dead-on window by a yard. Ring height matters on an AR-15, not a .30-06.