Zeroing a .22

[Pinned&Recessed]

Hey all, I have quick question.

I have a .22 rifle and I zeroed it at 50 yards a long time ago. I want to take it out and reconfirm the zero. It's not a precision rifle. Plinking and popping crows is all it does. Minute-of-Cokecan at 100 yards is fine accuracy for what I want.

Anyway, the only range I can get to right now is a 25-yard range. My question is, what should the POI be for a 50-yard zero at 25 yards? I usually use standard Federal/Remington/Winccehster bulk packs, but I know they're not too consistent, so I think I'll use something better for zeroing.

Anyway, thanks for the help.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Do a search for one of those free online ballistic programs and input the data. You'll probably have to determine BC by yourself though.

 

[Flatfender]

For a standard velocity 22lr zeroed @ 50 yds., your point of aim should be 1/4" - 1/2" BELOW center @ 25 yds.

In other words, very little difference.

Here's a handy 22 ammo table for use with Ballistics software:

http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/proszak/Rimfire Ballistics.html

Ballistics software:

http://www.norma.cc/htm_files/javapagee.htm

 

[Don Buckbee]

25 vs 50 POI

For nearly all of my 22 target rifles, the point of impact is within 1/4" when changing from one range to the other. That's using target ammo. Not enough to worry about for a hunting rifle.
Don

 

[Hutch]

Really depends on the height of the sights above the bore. With typical .22 iron sites, the top of the post is maybe 3/8-1/2 inch above the center of the barrel. With a tricked out bull-barreled rifle with a 50mm scope mounted 2 inches above the bore, the difference will be HUGE. Zero the mega-scoped rifle at 25, and you'll be WAY high at 50, but the iron-sighter will be very close to spot on.

 

[ksnecktieman]

The people at Rimfire Central have some threads about this,,, try this one?

http://www.gunsmoke.com/scot/guns/1022/22ballistics.html

 

[Pinned&Recessed]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm glad there won't be much change.

I looked at the one site and it indicated that at 100 yards, the bullets are impactin nearly 5 inches low with a 59 yard zero.

Hmm....May want to zero out further.

Thanks for all the tips.

 

[TallPine]

59 yard zero

who cooked that one up?

Why not 58 yards, or maybe 61.75 ...?

5-6 inches low at 100 when zeroed at 50 is about right. I have to hold on the top edge of an 8.5*11" piece of paper at 100yds to hit the center.

It's good practice to guess the holdover at various ranges > 50 yds.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Without talking to the individual I can't say for sure, but perhaps 59 yards is an acceptable 2nd zero at the upper limit of his shooting range.

 

[ksnecktieman]

If I understood properly what he was trying to say. His intent was to be within one inch of point of aim from muzzle to 75 yards. For precision shooting that would make a lot of losing scores, but it sounds like "minute of squirrels head" to me.
I would say the five inch drop at 100 yards is one of the limitations of the 22 lr, if you are planning to shoot at 100 yards on a regular basis, it may be time to step up to a .22 mag, or maybe the new .17 HMR, or at the very least a scope with target turrets so you can adjust for the longer range, and return to zero.