How far should I sight my .22 lr?

Jesse D310 · May 9, 2006, 05:32 AM

Hi I recently bought a Marlin 22lr. rifle and I also bought a scope. At what range should I set the scope for?

knzn · May 9, 2006, 07:42 AM

45-55 yards, generally speaking

MADISON · May 9, 2006, 08:01 AM

How far should I sight my .22 lr?
The answer is how far do you intend to shoot.
25 yards?
50 yards?
100 yards?
I have a 22 Long Rifle Ruger 77/22 that is [a yard gun] sighted in for 25 yards.

Here is an important consideration...Most scopes focus at 30 to 35 yards.

Toney · May 9, 2006, 11:20 AM

For an auto rifle i would set it at around 35-40yds, i set my bolt rifle at 50yds

hoghunting · May 9, 2006, 11:44 AM

Mine is sighted in at 40 yds.

biglabsrule · May 9, 2006, 11:48 AM

i have the same problem, i bought a marlin 980v bolt action bull barrel 22lr and have been debating where to sight it in for,
the problem i return to is i am shooting a varmint at ranges of 10-20 yards but targets at 50 yards or more,
im not sure what ill end up doing, prolly sight it then write the number of clicks to adjust it out down or just rember how many clicks for what range ...
any opionoins :P

Wild Bill Bucks · May 9, 2006, 11:50 AM

Sighting in a .22lr with a 40 grain HP loaded to 1255 fps with a Ballistic coefficient of .100.
Sighted at 30 yards = You will be approx. 1/2" low at 10 yards, be dead on at 20 to 50 yards, at 60 yards approx. 1" Low.
This is the best sighting range I have found for small game in my area.(Southeastern Oklahoma)

Scorch · May 9, 2006, 12:35 PM

I sight mine 2" high at 50 yds, puts it dead on at 75 yds, 1 1/2" low at 100. The sight setting works well for small game and ground squirrels.

FirstFreedom · May 9, 2006, 12:40 PM

For Hyper-Vel (like Aguila super maximum) ==> 70 or 75 yards. But I don't use these as I found them to be inaccurate, so this is theoretical.

For High-Vel ammo (most common) ==> 60 yards This is a good choice since "Hi-Vel" is the most common type of ammo, and a 60 yard zero gives you a PBR of about 74 yards, IIRC, with a 3" kill zone (1.5" high or low).

For Standard-Vel ammo ==> 50 or 55 yards
For Subsonic standard ammo, including SSS ==> 45 or 50 yards
For CB longs & shorts ==> 25-40 yards, depending on use.
For Super Colibris ==> 10 yards

My preferences, anyhow.

skeeter1 · May 9, 2006, 07:23 PM

FWIW, I've got my Marlin 39D zeroed in at 75 yards. It's been known to take out little critters up close and crows at 100 yards. That was just with plain .22LR high speeds. The newer hyper-velocity rounds (like CCI stinger) make 75 yds seem like a good bet.

Jseime · May 9, 2006, 08:55 PM

ive got a remington 597 with a 3-9X40 Bushnell trophy (big game not .22) scope. I keep mine dead on a 25 yards and with a bit of testing and whatnot shooting gophers at 50 yards is a snap and anything less than 25 is almost too easy.

I use CCI Mini-Mags whenever possible

TPAW · May 9, 2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

The answer is how far do you intend to shoot.

+1 on that!

dfaugh · May 10, 2006, 08:54 AM

As is this answer to many of these questions:it depends.

Mine are most accurate with 38-40 standard velocity loadings. I can shoot realy tight groups at 50 yards with my Marlin Model 60. So, I sight 3/4" high at 50 yards. Most shots I get (pest/vermin) around my place will be at least 30 yards, and closer to 50, usually...So, for shorter shots, I aim just a "tad" low. And, sighted this way I'm about 1" or so low at 100 yards, which is about the maximum practical shot with a .22. With the slightly high 50 yard zero, its about right on at 75, and I just aim a bit high at 100. I rarely miss, and this formula works for me, but YMMV.

zukiphile · May 10, 2006, 09:10 AM

An air rifle target scope with a close parallax adjustment. You will need the parallax adjustment for proper accuracy under 50 yards, and you will want the quick and precise horizontal adjustment for all shots past 100 yards.

gdm · May 11, 2006, 03:03 PM

85 yards.

Jesse D310 · May 12, 2006, 05:10 AM

I mostly want it for hunting jackrabbits and squirrels at I would say 25 yards to 75 yards. I think I should set it at 50 yards. What do you guys think?

knzn · May 12, 2006, 07:29 AM

Set up some paper targets ranging from the 25-75 yards you said you intend to shoot. Pick a zero, any zero. Find a happy medium, your 50 yard guess will be a fine place to start. Then let that wonderful "bullet drop compensator" that is located between your ears take over. Sighted in at 50, you will be very close do a dead on hold from 25-75 yds.

Just go shoot.

FirstFreedom · May 12, 2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

I mostly want it for hunting jackrabbits and squirrels at I would say 25 yards to 75 yards. I think I should set it at 50 yards. What do you guys think?

Dude. Did you read my post? Assuming you're using "hi-vel" ammo, setting it for Sixty yards (not 50) will give you a PBR right about 74 yards - this is exactly what you are saying you want. Squirrels are small targets. You set that at 50 and shoot one at 75 and you are going to be at least 1/2-1" low. On a jackrabbit it won't matter, but on a squirrel, it's a miss. Set it for a 60 yard zero and you will be happy. Are you familiar with PBR (point blank range)? If not, PM me or post here and I'll give you some info...

Superhornet · May 12, 2006, 12:12 PM

34 yards, 2 feet 7 inches...works good....

Jesse D310 · May 22, 2006, 07:02 AM

No Im not familiar with PBR.

FirstFreedom · May 22, 2006, 10:23 AM

OK, read up on it here:

http://www.exteriorballistics.com/eb...ned/5th/35.cfm

That is an outstanding explanation, actually. Then ask follow up questions. But the hit zone for a squirrel is roughly 3", so you can't go any more that 1.5" high or 1.5" low. Given that, and the BC and muzzle velocity (and thus trajectory), you can calculate what zero gives you a *maximum* PBR. For a 3" vital zone and Hi-vel .22lr ammo (30 gr), a 60 yard zero means that you will never be more than 1.5" high at any point between the muzzle and 60 yards, and you will not be more than 1.5" low until you get past 74 yards, if I am recalling correctly from when I ran the numbers previously. Actually, I calculated that 59 yards is the perfect zero, but rounded it up to 60. So that might make you 1.6" high at some point along the trajectory, something like that.

chemist308 · May 22, 2006, 10:29 AM

I always kept mine sited for 50 yards with no problems.

Kermit · May 22, 2006, 01:31 PM

IMHO, it would depend on how you intend to use your 22...If you're indoors mostly & shoot only at 50' - 75' then sight it in at that range. If you're out doors and shoot out to 100 yards...sight in at that distance

Have it ready to perform at what you are anticipating will be its primary mission

Sun Tsu · July 29, 2008, 11:53 AM

I found that the 22 lr has the capilibility of shooting 163yds without any major compensation nessicarrily. I would recomend zeroing in at 75yds to avoid over shooting a small game target.

mikejonestkd · July 29, 2008, 11:59 AM

What happens to a bullet at 164 yards?

I have mine zeroed at 50 yards.

May 9, 2006, 05:32 AM	#1
Jesse D310 Member Join Date: March 23, 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 46	How far should I sight my .22 lr? Hi I recently bought a Marlin 22lr. rifle and I also bought a scope. At what range should I set the scope for?

May 9, 2006, 07:42 AM	#2
knzn Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 2001 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 125	45-55 yards, generally speaking __________________ knzn=kansan "For he was a man of propper wit, and the ghosty tails of the tall hills didn't scare him none."

May 9, 2006, 08:01 AM	#3
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	How far should I sight my .22 lr? How far should I sight my .22 lr? The answer is how far do you intend to shoot. 25 yards? 50 yards? 100 yards? I have a 22 Long Rifle Ruger 77/22 that is [a yard gun] sighted in for 25 yards. Here is an important consideration...Most scopes focus at 30 to 35 yards.

May 9, 2006, 11:48 AM	#6
biglabsrule Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2006 Location: Adirondack Park, upstate NY north of Utica Posts: 385	i have the same problem, i bought a marlin 980v bolt action bull barrel 22lr and have been debating where to sight it in for, the problem i return to is i am shooting a varmint at ranges of 10-20 yards but targets at 50 yards or more, im not sure what ill end up doing, prolly sight it then write the number of clicks to adjust it out down or just rember how many clicks for what range ... any opionoins :P __________________ got me a little lady, the gun buying has come to an end, sigh

May 9, 2006, 12:35 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,039	I sight mine 2" high at 50 yds, puts it dead on at 75 yds, 1 1/2" low at 100. The sight setting works well for small game and ground squirrels. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Taylor Machine

May 9, 2006, 11:20 AM	#4
Toney Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2005 Location: Stillwater Oklahoma Posts: 558	For an auto rifle i would set it at around 35-40yds, i set my bolt rifle at 50yds

May 9, 2006, 11:44 AM	#5
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2006 Posts: 1,236	Mine is sighted in at 40 yds.

May 9, 2006, 11:50 AM	#7
Wild Bill Bucks Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2005 Location: Southeastern Oklahoma, Next door to Sasquatch Posts: 1,232	Sighting in a .22lr with a 40 grain HP loaded to 1255 fps with a Ballistic coefficient of .100. Sighted at 30 yards = You will be approx. 1/2" low at 10 yards, be dead on at 20 to 50 yards, at 60 yards approx. 1" Low. This is the best sighting range I have found for small game in my area.(Southeastern Oklahoma)

May 9, 2006, 12:40 PM	#9
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,452	The answer is For Hyper-Vel (like Aguila super maximum) ==> 70 or 75 yards. But I don't use these as I found them to be inaccurate, so this is theoretical. For High-Vel ammo (most common) ==> 60 yards This is a good choice since "Hi-Vel" is the most common type of ammo, and a 60 yard zero gives you a PBR of about 74 yards, IIRC, with a 3" kill zone (1.5" high or low). For Standard-Vel ammo ==> 50 or 55 yards For Subsonic standard ammo, including SSS ==> 45 or 50 yards For CB longs & shorts ==> 25-40 yards, depending on use. For Super Colibris ==> 10 yards My preferences, anyhow.

May 9, 2006, 07:23 PM	#10
skeeter1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 3,403	FWIW, I've got my Marlin 39D zeroed in at 75 yards. It's been known to take out little critters up close and crows at 100 yards. That was just with plain .22LR high speeds. The newer hyper-velocity rounds (like CCI stinger) make 75 yds seem like a good bet.

May 9, 2006, 08:55 PM	#11
Jseime Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,775	ive got a remington 597 with a 3-9X40 Bushnell trophy (big game not .22) scope. I keep mine dead on a 25 yards and with a bit of testing and whatnot shooting gophers at 50 yards is a snap and anything less than 25 is almost too easy. I use CCI Mini-Mags whenever possible __________________ I love the smell of fresh shotgun in the morning.

May 10, 2006, 08:54 AM	#13
dfaugh Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,715	As is this answer to many of these questions:it depends. Mine are most accurate with 38-40 standard velocity loadings. I can shoot realy tight groups at 50 yards with my Marlin Model 60. So, I sight 3/4" high at 50 yards. Most shots I get (pest/vermin) around my place will be at least 30 yards, and closer to 50, usually...So, for shorter shots, I aim just a "tad" low. And, sighted this way I'm about 1" or so low at 100 yards, which is about the maximum practical shot with a .22. With the slightly high 50 yard zero, its about right on at 75, and I just aim a bit high at 100. I rarely miss, and this formula works for me, but YMMV. __________________ "If you Listen to Fools, the Mob Rules" "No one has the answer, but one thing is true. You'e got to turn on evil, when its coming after you. You've gotta face it down,and when it tries to hide, you've got to go in after it, and never be denied. Time is running out...Let's roll. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for love. We're going after satan, on the wings of a dove. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for truth. Let's not let our children grow up fearful in their youth."

May 10, 2006, 09:10 AM	#14
zukiphile Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Posts: 1,349	let me suggest An air rifle target scope with a close parallax adjustment. You will need the parallax adjustment for proper accuracy under 50 yards, and you will want the quick and precise horizontal adjustment for all shots past 100 yards.

May 11, 2006, 03:03 PM	#15
gdm Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2005 Posts: 319	85 yards.

May 12, 2006, 05:10 AM	#16
Jesse D310 Member Join Date: March 23, 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 46	I mostly want it for hunting jackrabbits and squirrels at I would say 25 yards to 75 yards. I think I should set it at 50 yards. What do you guys think?

May 12, 2006, 07:29 AM	#17
knzn Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 2001 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 125	Set up some paper targets ranging from the 25-75 yards you said you intend to shoot. Pick a zero, any zero. Find a happy medium, your 50 yard guess will be a fine place to start. Then let that wonderful "bullet drop compensator" that is located between your ears take over. Sighted in at 50, you will be very close do a dead on hold from 25-75 yds. Just go shoot. __________________ knzn=kansan "For he was a man of propper wit, and the ghosty tails of the tall hills didn't scare him none."

May 12, 2006, 12:12 PM	#19
Superhornet Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2005 Location: florida Posts: 292	34 yards, 2 feet 7 inches...works good....

May 22, 2006, 07:02 AM	#20
Jesse D310 Member Join Date: March 23, 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 46	No Im not familiar with PBR.

May 22, 2006, 10:23 AM	#21
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,452	OK, read up on it here: http://www.exteriorballistics.com/eb...ned/5th/35.cfm That is an outstanding explanation, actually. Then ask follow up questions. But the hit zone for a squirrel is roughly 3", so you can't go any more that 1.5" high or 1.5" low. Given that, and the BC and muzzle velocity (and thus trajectory), you can calculate what zero gives you a maximum PBR. For a 3" vital zone and Hi-vel .22lr ammo (30 gr), a 60 yard zero means that you will never be more than 1.5" high at any point between the muzzle and 60 yards, and you will not be more than 1.5" low until you get past 74 yards, if I am recalling correctly from when I ran the numbers previously. Actually, I calculated that 59 yards is the perfect zero, but rounded it up to 60. So that might make you 1.6" high at some point along the trajectory, something like that.

May 22, 2006, 10:29 AM	#22
chemist308 Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2005 Location: Pocono Mtns, PA Posts: 587	I always kept mine sited for 50 yards with no problems. __________________ critters: the other red meat Live in PA? PA Firearms Owners Association

May 22, 2006, 01:31 PM	#23
Kermit Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2001 Location: California Posts: 3,020	IMHO, it would depend on how you intend to use your 22...If you're indoors mostly & shoot only at 50' - 75' then sight it in at that range. If you're out doors and shoot out to 100 yards...sight in at that distance Have it ready to perform at what you are anticipating will be its primary mission

July 29, 2008, 11:53 AM	#24
Sun Tsu Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 1	22 siting distance I found that the 22 lr has the capilibility of shooting 163yds without any major compensation nessicarrily. I would recomend zeroing in at 75yds to avoid over shooting a small game target.

July 29, 2008, 11:59 AM	#25
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 2,649	What happens to a bullet at 164 yards? I have mine zeroed at 50 yards. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.