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Old February 15, 2013, 11:08 AM   #1
Robk
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Can you sight in an AR15 in 5.56 with .22lr?

SO to those more in the know than I, can this be done? I have a CMMG .22lr conversion for my 5.56mm AR15. I am rather inexperienced in sighting in a long arm, and am looking for constuctive feed back. I do realize that there is a major difference in trajectory for these 2 rounds. But if I could site in for 50 yards, it would be a great help to reduce waste of my 5.56mm rounds. I have done a quick search and believe I have concluded from my sourced information, may not be the best, that a 22lr with hit 1 inch high at 50 yards and a 5.56mm will be at 0 inches at 50 yards. Is my information correct?

Also, if I do get a zero with my 5.56, will that also hold over to zero at 200 yards as i have also found in my research.

I am using a red dot 0x scope. Hope to be able to set it up to co-witness with my front site and rear back up.

Any help is as always greatly appreciated.
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Old February 15, 2013, 11:28 AM   #2
Carne Frio
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I don't think that zeroing for 22lr will be that helpful
for your 5.56 shooting. Maybe for windage but not
for elevation. Read the posting at this link about how
to zero and at what distances. It has some well done
graphics, too.
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=65679
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Old February 15, 2013, 11:30 AM   #3
Art Eatman
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I've always started any sight-in of whatever sort of rifle at 25 yards. If I'm not on a target the size of a sheet of typing paper, I come back to ten yards.

I've found that with an AR, zeroed a couple of inches low at 25 yards lets me be close to the center of a target at 100 yards, and I go from there for final sight-in.

Been too long since I've shot a .22 rimfire at 100 yards; I'm no help, there.
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Old February 15, 2013, 02:38 PM   #4
hodaka
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The .22 might help you get it on paper but pretty useless other than that. 1000 fps is quite a bit different than 3000 fps when it comes to sighting in your rifle. As Art suggests, get close to the target for the first few rounds.
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Old February 15, 2013, 03:12 PM   #5
slim9300
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Can you sight in an AR15 in 5.56 with .22lr?

You should be able to sight in any rifle in just a few shots. Are you trying not to shoot your 5.56 at all? I would suggest actually shooting the rifle to get it dialed in.


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Old February 15, 2013, 03:21 PM   #6
Slamfire
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As said earlier, it will probably get you on paper.

Your rifle and you are a dynamic system under recoil. The energy input is different between a 22 LR and a .223 so I would not expect the bullets to print to the same point of aim.


However I have never done this, the 223 is a lot lighter recoil than a 308 or 270, so, let us know just how close it is when you do get zero'd.
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Old February 15, 2013, 04:13 PM   #7
Robk
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I understand that this is not the best way to do things. I have however looked briefly into the trajectory held by both of the rounds I intend to use.

.22lr CCI Minimag, 1 inch high at 50 yards

M193, 0 inch at 50 yards

If this does hold true, would it not make sense that if I print on center but 1 inch high, I should in theory be right on with the 5.56?

I will further look into this, check the provided link and do more trajectory searches for these 2 rounds.

I do thank everyone for the input. I do understand the overall thought expressed here. I do realize it would not be perfect, but what's the harm in giving it a go? worse case scenario, I will have more shooting time on the AR than it has even seen.

But of course, must wait for 2 things first. Non freezeing temperatures and even daylight to see what I am doing.

Thanks all so far.

P.S. Just checked out the link to the M4 forum, I get it. Thanks.

Last edited by Robk; February 15, 2013 at 04:22 PM.
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Old February 15, 2013, 04:32 PM   #8
Strafer Gott
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Who's theory? No way I would alter the factory zeroed sights to chase a .22 load. But that's just me.
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Old February 15, 2013, 08:53 PM   #9
Palmetto-Pride
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If you dont care about accuracy sure go for it. If you want the 5.56 bullet to go where you want it to then no.
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Old February 15, 2013, 09:40 PM   #10
m.p.driver
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I've shot my 20 inch barreled A2 with an Atchison kit at 100 yards, and never had to touch the sights.
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Old February 15, 2013, 10:07 PM   #11
bcarver
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wasted ammo

I understand not wanting to waste ammo at the current prices.
But if done right you can be sighted in with 4 or so rounds.
get a large target. I mean big 3 by 5 foot. covered with butcher paper.
shoot one bullet at 25 yards. (One perfect squeeze from a rock solid rest over sand bags)
Do the math. how many clicks are you left or right and up or down.
Make the changes. cover the hole with masking tape.
Move to 50.
Fire one good shot. Your barrel is stone cold.
do the math.
Make the changes.
Move to one hundred.
Fire one good shot. your barrel is still cold.
do the math.
Make the changes(sometimes it is dead on at this point).

even at these current prices you are getting it done dirt cheap.
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Old February 16, 2013, 06:08 AM   #12
mdcmn7
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Re: Can you sight in an AR15 in 5.56 with .22lr?

.22 of is cheap. Sight it in at whatever distance you want with the .22 and then put some 556 through it and see the difference.

Talk is cheap its it gun shoot it and see what happens

Given the different ballistics of the rounds I would assume at 25 yards they would be close ish and at 100 the .22 would be pretty low
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Old February 16, 2013, 08:55 AM   #13
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If using a scope and you have a good solid rest, take a shot at the bulls eye. Now without moving the rifle, hold a steady aim on the bulls eye and adjust the cross hairs so that you are sighted in on the bullet hole from the first shot and you should be dead on regardless of distance. Of course it helps if you bore sight first so that you are on the paper with the first shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiOpQY2ORo4
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