.308 Winchester: 100-Yard vs 200-Yard Zero
Hunting rifle: zero at 200 yards, 1.8" high at 100. Dialing: zero at 100.
Zero a hunting .308 at 200 yards and a target or precision .308 at 100. With a 150gr load at 2,820 fps and a scope 1.5" over the bore, the 200-yard zero is 1.8" high at 100, peaks 1.9" at 117 yards, is 8" low at 300, and keeps the bullet inside an 8" vital zone from the muzzle to 260 yards with one hold. The 100-yard zero never rises above the line of sight and is 13.5" low at 300, which is clean for dialing and a lot of holdover for a hunter.
If you want the longest single hold on deer, neither is the answer: the maximum point blank range zero for this load is 262 yards, about 3.4" high at 100, and it holds inside 8" out to 307 yards. The .308 MPBR page covers it.
Figures on this page: Federal American Eagle .308 Win 150gr FMJ-BT, 150gr G1 .408 at 2,820 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
150gr G1 .408 at 2,820 fps, 1.5" over bore (bolt action, standard scope rings).
| 100-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 63 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) | +1.8" (+1.8 MOA) |
| Drop at 300 yd | -13.5" | -8.0" |
| Drop at 400 yd | -30.6" | -23.2" |
| Energy at 300 yd | 1,588 ft-lb | 1,588 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 .308 Winchester 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 American Eagle .308 Win 150gr FMJ-BT zeroed at 100 yards with 1.5" of sight height crosses the line of sight at 63 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 -13.5". At 400 yards it is -30.6".
| 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 | 2,820 | 2,649 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.7" | -2.59 | -0.75 | 2,763 | 2,543 | 0.1 |
| 50 | -0.2" | -0.30 | -0.09 | 2,707 | 2,441 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +0.1" | +0.09 | +0.03 | 2,652 | 2,343 | 0.5 |
| 100 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,597 | 2,247 | 0.8 |
| 125 | -0.4" | -0.31 | -0.09 | 2,543 | 2,155 | 1.3 |
| 150 | -1.1" | -0.73 | -0.21 | 2,490 | 2,066 | 1.8 |
| 175 | -2.2" | -1.22 | -0.35 | 2,438 | 1,979 | 2.5 |
| 200 | -3.7" | -1.76 | -0.51 | 2,385 | 1,896 | 3.3 |
| 225 | -5.5" | -2.34 | -0.68 | 2,334 | 1,815 | 4.2 |
| 250 | -7.8" | -2.96 | -0.86 | 2,283 | 1,737 | 5.3 |
| 275 | -10.4" | -3.61 | -1.05 | 2,233 | 1,661 | 6.4 |
| 300 | -13.5" | -4.29 | -1.25 | 2,184 | 1,588 | 7.7 |
| 325 | -17.0" | -5.00 | -1.45 | 2,135 | 1,518 | 9.2 |
| 350 | -21.0" | -5.74 | -1.67 | 2,086 | 1,450 | 10.7 |
| 375 | -25.6" | -6.51 | -1.89 | 2,039 | 1,384 | 12.5 |
| 400 | -30.6" | -7.30 | -2.12 | 1,992 | 1,321 | 14.3 |
| 425 | -36.2" | -8.13 | -2.36 | 1,945 | 1,261 | 16.4 |
| 450 | -42.3" | -8.98 | -2.61 | 1,899 | 1,202 | 18.5 |
| 475 | -49.1" | -9.87 | -2.87 | 1,854 | 1,146 | 20.9 |
| 500 | -56.5" | -10.79 | -3.14 | 1,810 | 1,092 | 23.4 |
150gr G1 .408 at 2,820 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 shooter who dials. With the scope 1.5" over the bore a 150gr .308 zeroed at 100 yards rises less than a tenth of an inch above the line of sight, so there is nothing to remember inside 100 and the drops beyond are clean turret values: 3.7" at 200, 13.5" at 300, 30.6" at 400. It also keeps the bullet inside an 8" vital zone to 204 yards without any holdover.
It is the zero for a rifle that sees paper and steel at known distances more often than it sees deer, and for the hunter who ranges every shot and has a reticle or turret to use the number.
The 200-Yard Zero
How it performs
Federal American Eagle .308 Win 150gr FMJ-BT 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 -8.0". At 400 yards it is -23.2".
| 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 | 2,820 | 2,649 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.2" | -0.83 | -0.24 | 2,763 | 2,543 | 0.1 |
| 50 | +0.8" | +1.46 | +0.42 | 2,707 | 2,441 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +1.5" | +1.85 | +0.54 | 2,652 | 2,343 | 0.5 |
| 100 | +1.8" | +1.75 | +0.51 | 2,597 | 2,247 | 0.8 |
| 125 | +1.9" | +1.45 | +0.42 | 2,543 | 2,155 | 1.3 |
| 150 | +1.6" | +1.03 | +0.30 | 2,490 | 2,066 | 1.8 |
| 175 | +1.0" | +0.54 | +0.16 | 2,438 | 1,979 | 2.5 |
| 200 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,385 | 1,896 | 3.3 |
| 225 | -1.4" | -0.58 | -0.17 | 2,334 | 1,815 | 4.2 |
| 250 | -3.2" | -1.20 | -0.35 | 2,283 | 1,737 | 5.3 |
| 275 | -5.3" | -1.85 | -0.54 | 2,233 | 1,661 | 6.4 |
| 300 | -8.0" | -2.53 | -0.74 | 2,184 | 1,588 | 7.7 |
| 325 | -11.0" | -3.24 | -0.94 | 2,135 | 1,518 | 9.2 |
| 350 | -14.6" | -3.98 | -1.16 | 2,086 | 1,450 | 10.7 |
| 375 | -18.7" | -4.75 | -1.38 | 2,039 | 1,384 | 12.5 |
| 400 | -23.2" | -5.55 | -1.61 | 1,991 | 1,321 | 14.3 |
| 425 | -28.4" | -6.37 | -1.85 | 1,945 | 1,260 | 16.4 |
| 450 | -34.1" | -7.23 | -2.10 | 1,899 | 1,202 | 18.5 |
| 475 | -40.4" | -8.11 | -2.36 | 1,854 | 1,146 | 20.9 |
| 500 | -47.3" | -9.03 | -2.63 | 1,810 | 1,092 | 23.4 |
150gr G1 .408 at 2,820 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 hunter who holds rather than dials. Zeroed at 200 the same load is 1.8" high at 100, peaks 1.9" at 117 yards, and is 8" low at 300, so a hold on the top third of the chest covers a deer anywhere from the muzzle to 260 yards without thinking. That 260-yard window is 56 yards longer than the 100-yard zero gives.
The cost is that 1.9" of peak. On a deer it is nothing; on a coyote or a small target at 100 to 150 yards it is enough to shoot over if you forget where the bullet is.
Why Sight Height Changes the Answer
The 1.5" figure describes a bolt action with the scope in standard rings. Put the same 150gr load in an AR-10 with the optic 2.6" over the bore and the two zeros move in opposite directions. The 100-yard zero becomes a tangent zero, with the bullet barely touching the line of sight at 104 yards and never above it, and its hold-dead-on window stretches from 204 to 223 yards. The 200-yard zero loses a little peak, 1.5" instead of 1.9", because the taller sight line means a shallower climb through 100 yards, and its window grows to 264.
Neither change is large, which is the honest lesson for a .308: on a bolt gun or an AR-10, the choice between 100 and 200 is about whether you dial, not about the mount. That is different from the 5.56 pages, where 2.6" versus 1.5" turns a 50-yard zero from a 245-yard far zero into a 150-yard one. The .308's slower, heavier bullet simply does not swing as far for a given launch angle.
| 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 | 63 yd | 100 yd | +0.1" at 81 | 204 yd | -13.5" | -30.6" |
| 100 yd | 2.6" — AR-15 / AR-10, standard-height optic | 104 yd | 104 yd | 0.0" at 103 | 223 yd | -11.3" | -27.3" |
| 200 yd | 1.5" — Bolt action, standard scope rings | 30 yd | 200 yd | +1.9" at 117 | 260 yd | -8.0" | -23.2" |
| 200 yd | 2.6" — AR-15 / AR-10, standard-height optic | 52 yd | 200 yd | +1.5" at 127 | 264 yd | -7.4" | -22.1" |
How Barrel Length Changes This
Federal's 2,820 fps is a 24" test-barrel figure. A 20" hunting barrel gives up about 100 fps and a 16" AR-10 or scout rifle closer to 200, which moves the 200-yard zero's drop at 300 from 8" to roughly 9" and the far zero of a given sight setting by a handful of yards. It does not change which zero you should pick. Enter your chronographed velocity below if you have one.
Which Zero Is Wrong for You
The 200-yard zero is wrong on a rifle with a turret you actually use. The 1.9" peak means your 100-yard confirmation group sits high, your dope card starts with a plus, and every published drop table you compare against assumes a 100-yard zero. It is also wrong for varmints at 100 to 150 yards, where the bullet is 1.6" to 1.9" above the crosshair.
The 100-yard zero is wrong for a hunter who holds. It gives up 56 yards of dead-on window and puts the bullet 13.5" low at 300, which is a miss under the chest if you hold centre and forget to compensate. If the rifle is a deer rifle without a turret, zero at 200 or at the 262-yard MPBR distance and leave it there.
Both are wrong as a substitute for ranging past 300 yards. With either zero the 150gr bullet drifts 14" in a 10 mph crosswind at 400 and drops another 10 to 17 inches between 300 and 400; that is rangefinder and turret territory.
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 American Eagle .308 Win 150gr Ammo — 150gr, 2820 fps advertised, G1 BC 0.408
- Fiocchi .308 Win 150gr FMJBT Ammo — 150gr, 2890 fps advertised, G1 BC 0.398
- Federal .308 Win 165gr Trophy Copper Polymer Tip Ammo — 165gr, 2700 fps advertised, G1 BC 0.503
- Hornady Superformance CX .308 Winchester 165gr Ammo — 165gr, 2750 fps advertised, G1 BC 0.44
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is a 200-yard zero at 100 yards with a .308?
About 1.8" high at 100 with a 150gr load at 2,820 fps and a 1.5" scope height; the peak is 1.9" near 117 yards. Heavier 165 to 180gr loads at lower velocity peak a little higher, around 2".
How much does a .308 drop at 300 yards with a 100-yard zero?
About 13.5" with a 150gr load at 2,820 fps and a 1.5" scope. With a 200-yard zero the same load is 8" low at 300.
Is a 200-yard zero good for deer hunting with a .308?
Yes. It keeps a 150gr bullet inside an 8" vital zone from the muzzle to about 260 yards with a single centre-chest hold, at the cost of a 1.9" peak around 117 yards.
Should I zero my .308 at 100 or 200 if I have an AR-10?
Same answer as a bolt gun: 100 if you dial, 200 if you hold. At the AR-10's 2.6" optic height the 100-yard zero becomes a tangent zero and the 200-yard zero's peak drops to 1.5", but neither changes enough to move the decision.