better way to zero an ak-74?

This is for a battle sight zero:
http://www.ak-47.net/ak47/sightingin.html

Hmm. Got me. Only other way I know of is the official Soviet sighting in procedure.

<<"battle zero" where all rounds will land in a 16 inch circle">>

Gheese, no wonder they missed me in Vietnam. That wouldn't even get you a Marksman Badge at Parris Island.

Be glad the Charlies didn't have the AK-74 in the Nam. It shoots groups about half the size of the average 7.62x39 AK., which is probably closer to 4-6 inches at 100 meters (for the AK-47). My AK-74's scare me they are so accurate for such crude sights. Haven't scoped one yet.....

You have it right.
Sight in at 25 meters with the rear sight set on the "1" which is 100 meters.
Sight so the bullets are hitting exactly where the sights are pointing.

Then check and fine tune at 100 meters with the sight still on the "1" setting.
If you want to shoot at 200 meters, move the rear to the "2" setting and so on.
That's how the rifle was designed to work.

The battle sight setting is the lowest setting on the sight. With the sight set on it, by aiming at center of mass you can hit a man in the chest at any range from 0 to 300 meters.
At close ranges you'll hit high in the chest, at longer ranges you'll hit lower, but you'll still hit.
If you have time to adjust the sight, simply estimate the range and slide the sight to that setting.