Maximum point-blank range calculator

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What is maximum point-blank range?

A bullet doesn't travel in a straight line. It leaves the barrel below your line of sight, climbs through it, peaks, then falls back through it and keeps dropping. Maximum point-blank range is the furthest distance at which that curved path stays inside a target zone of a given size — say a 6-inch circle over a deer's heart and lungs — when you aim at the centre.

The trick is the zero. Zero too close and the bullet falls out of the bottom of the zone early; zero too far and it rises out of the top in between. The MPBR zero is the one where the top of the arc just touches the top of the zone, which stretches the bottom crossing as far out as it will go.

Choosing a vital-zone size

• 2–3 in — rabbits, squirrels, prairie dogs and other small vermin.
• 4–5 in — fox, coyote and small deer such as muntjac.
• 6–8 in — deer, hogs and similar-sized game.
• 8–10 in — elk, red deer stags and larger game.

A smaller zone is less forgiving but more precise. Hunters often use a slightly smaller zone than the animal's actual vitals to leave room for a less-than-perfect shot. Past your MPBR, use a range card and dial or hold for the distance instead.

Maximum point-blank range by cartridge

MPBR for each cartridge's representative factory load with a 1.5-inch sight height in standard conditions. Your rifle's velocity and your scope height will change these — use the calculator above with your own numbers.