5.56 NATO 36 Yard Zero Target

The 36 yard zero trades a flat mid-range for reach. It brings the far zero out to between 274 and 309 yd depending on load and barrel — but the bullet rides 4.2 to 5.0 inches high around 160–180 yd on the way, which is the part the folklore leaves out and the sheet prints.

Full preview of the Zeroing Target — 5.56 NATO @ 36 yd sheet
Download PDF · A4
Caliber · 5.56x45mm NATO
Load · M855 62 gr FMJ (green tip)
Ballistic coefficient (G1) · 0.304
Muzzle velocity · 2900 fps (16 in carbine)
Sight height · 2.6 in
Sheet · A4 portrait, 210 × 297 mm

How to use it

  1. Print at 100% and check the 4 in bar.
  2. Set the target at 36 yd — 108 feet — and fire five rounds supported.
  3. One grid square is one MOA at 36 yd, which is 0.38 in.
  4. Read the maximum rise before you use this zero on anything small at mid range.

Ballistic data on this sheet

DistanceDrop (mm)MOAVelocity (m/s)Energy (J)
M85525 yd-0.7+2.728221095
M85536 yd0.00.027851069
M855100 yd+3.2-3.02592926
M855200 yd+3.7-1.82306732
M855300 yd-2.3+0.72037571
M19325 yd-0.7+2.829951095
M19336 yd0.00.029531064
M193100 yd+3.3-3.12700891
M193200 yd+4.3-2.12336667
M193300 yd-1.1+0.32001489

Computed by the BallisticEngine G1 point-mass model at 15 °C, sea level, 1013 hPa, no wind. Negative drop means the bullet lands below the point of aim. A different bullet weight or barrel length moves every number in this table — run your own load.

Other targets

Customize for your setup. Barrel length, altitude and temperature all move the drop. The calculator takes any load in the database and recomputes this table for your conditions.