What range to adjust sites to?

[Jim PHL]

I recently got a Ruger 22/45 with adjustable sites. I want to adjust the sites on this gun and my S+W Model 18 using a rest the range has. This is not a Ransom rest or similar where you can bolt the gun in, just a well made static rest to keep the gun absolutely steady so I can get the most accurate site alignment. My question is: at what distance should I "zero" the guns? If I make the sites "dead-on" at 50 feet (max distance at this indoor range) will there be much difference at other distances I shoot at? I guess a better question is: if zeroed at 50', what range will those sites still be accurate? (Will they still be 'on' as near as 15-20 feet? Will they still be 'on' as far as 75 feet?) I am thinking the POI at different distances will be much less pronounced with a .22 since they shoot pretty flat. 90% or more of my shooting is done at this indoor range. I doubt I would do much shooting at distances closer than 15-20 feet and rarely more than 50 feet although I can see trying greater distances when I get to shoot outdoors. (In those circumstances, though, as long as I've got the left/right adjustment correct, a slightly higher POA should be all I need.)

I would definitely like to find a good zero and keep the sites fixed from then on rather than changing them all the time based on what distance I am shooting at. I usually buy my ammo at the range - always the same brand - so I also don't want to be bothered changing the sites based on ammo. These are plinkers. Fun guns. I don't want to get TOO wrapped up in the task. Just one range session of really focused work to get them both right and then be able to forget about it.

 

[Dksimon]

IMO you should zero the sights at the distance you will be shooting on a regular basis.

I.E. my 10/22 is zeroed at 25 yards for hunting rabbits but my 22-250 is zeroed at 200 for hunting deer.