22 Magnum Ballistics

shepherddogs · March 12, 2009, 03:28 PM

What is the best distance to sight in a 22 Magnum rifle so that the trajectory is never more than 1 1/2 inches high or low? And what would this make the maximum range without having to hold over. I don't have much experience with 22 Mag rifles. Thanks for any info.

ryalred · March 12, 2009, 04:24 PM

Zero it at 107 yards and it will be +1.5" at 65 yards and -1.5" at 123 yards. Of course there are lots of variables, but this is on average.

See this article comparing the .22 mag with the .17 HMR http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_17HMR_22WMR.htm

Scorch · March 12, 2009, 05:47 PM

My ballistics software spits out 119 yds zero, 137 yds MPBR. A lot depends on which bullet you choose, what your muzzle velocity is, etc. I sight mine 1.5" high at 100, hold dead on out to 140-ish yds.

L_Killkenny · March 12, 2009, 06:20 PM

Mine spit out a 108 yard zero. That is using the 40 gr. CCI. I'm assuming ryalred used the same info. Looks like Scorch used the 30 gr. CCI +V. Those look all great out of the muzzle but by the time you get out past 100 yards the smaller bullets have a major energy deficit.

I'll stick with the 40 and 50 grainers. If I want flatter shooting than that it's time to get the .17HMR.

shepherddogs · March 12, 2009, 06:46 PM

Awesome! Thanks for the info. What ammo do you guys recommend for use as a light coyote round? Light as in not my 223.

FrankenMauser · March 12, 2009, 06:56 PM

Your MPBR really depends on what load you are shooting in it.

My .22 WMR is sighted in, dead on, at 100 yards. It's good enough for prarie dog head popping out to about 135 yards, with some hold-over at 150. (Fiocchi / Armscor 45 Grain SP and HPs)

L_Killkenny · March 12, 2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

What ammo do you guys recommend for use as a light coyote round?

Not a rimfire!!!

shepherddogs · March 12, 2009, 07:24 PM

I would think that a 40 grain HP @ around 1900 fps would be fairly detrimental to a coyote. I realize he might not explode into fur, but with a solid hit I don't think he'd go far.

FrankenMauser · March 13, 2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

I would think that a 40 grain HP @ around 1900 fps would be fairly detrimental to a coyote. I realize he might not explode into fur, but with a solid hit I don't think he'd go far.

He'll go much farther than you might think. It's not a humane kill.

I have not shot my .22 WMR as much as some hunters on these boards, but I have still managed at least 2,000 rounds. (Low volume for a rimfire, but respectable for .22 WMR.) I have shot everything from squirrels, to rabbits, to prarie dogs, to a wounded badger.

The .22 WMR is not enough for a humane kill on dog-sized game; in the hands of the average hunter.

Quote:

What ammo do you guys recommend for use as a light coyote round?

.223 Rem [

]

L_Killkenny · March 13, 2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

I would think that a 40 grain HP @ around 1900 fps would be fairly detrimental to a coyote. I realize he might not explode into fur, but with a solid hit I don't think he'd go far.

You wouldn't think so would ya? But the opposite is true. A .22MAG chest shot coyote can run for anywhere between 0 yards and infinity. Top that off with the fact that their think fur soaks up a lot of blood and they leave very little blood trail. Sure you will get the occasional bang flop but the majority will be runners. I've shot em with a .22MAG and I'd do it again if that's what I had in my hands when one showed up but I'd never intentionally go coyote hunting with one.

For the record, I really wish they'd come up with a round capable of "reliably" taking coyotes that runs $15 per 50. I'd pack away all my reloading gear and never touch it again.

chris in va · March 13, 2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

For the record, I really wish they'd come up with a round capable of "reliably" taking coyotes that runs $15 per 50

7.62x39.

March 12, 2009, 03:28 PM	#1
shepherddogs Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 1,007	22 Magnum Ballistics What is the best distance to sight in a 22 Magnum rifle so that the trajectory is never more than 1 1/2 inches high or low? And what would this make the maximum range without having to hold over. I don't have much experience with 22 Mag rifles. Thanks for any info.

March 12, 2009, 04:24 PM	#2
ryalred Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Location: SE Oklahoma Posts: 491	Zero it at 107 yards and it will be +1.5" at 65 yards and -1.5" at 123 yards. Of course there are lots of variables, but this is on average. See this article comparing the .22 mag with the .17 HMR http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_17HMR_22WMR.htm __________________ ryalred rifle & muzzleloader -- exhilarating bowhunting -- obsession reloading -- addicted

March 12, 2009, 05:47 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	My ballistics software spits out 119 yds zero, 137 yds MPBR. A lot depends on which bullet you choose, what your muzzle velocity is, etc. I sight mine 1.5" high at 100, hold dead on out to 140-ish yds. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 12, 2009, 06:20 PM	#4
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,676	Mine spit out a 108 yard zero. That is using the 40 gr. CCI. I'm assuming ryalred used the same info. Looks like Scorch used the 30 gr. CCI +V. Those look all great out of the muzzle but by the time you get out past 100 yards the smaller bullets have a major energy deficit. I'll stick with the 40 and 50 grainers. If I want flatter shooting than that it's time to get the .17HMR. Last edited by L_Killkenny; March 12, 2009 at 07:04 PM.

March 12, 2009, 06:46 PM	#5
shepherddogs Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 1,007	Awesome! Thanks for the info. What ammo do you guys recommend for use as a light coyote round? Light as in not my 223. Last edited by shepherddogs; March 12, 2009 at 06:50 PM. Reason: clarify

March 12, 2009, 06:56 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,427	Your MPBR really depends on what load you are shooting in it. My .22 WMR is sighted in, dead on, at 100 yards. It's good enough for prarie dog head popping out to about 135 yards, with some hold-over at 150. (Fiocchi / Armscor 45 Grain SP and HPs)

March 12, 2009, 07:24 PM	#8
shepherddogs Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 1,007	I would think that a 40 grain HP @ around 1900 fps would be fairly detrimental to a coyote. I realize he might not explode into fur, but with a solid hit I don't think he'd go far.