Sighting in a Ruger 10-22 with Bushnell 4x32

[Headsawyer]

So.. I got a new 10-22 and a Bushnell 4x32 scope. I've been wanting to sight it in dead on at 50 yards. Is this wise, or should I be choosing a different method/distance for dead on? I normally plink with federal bulk, Winchester bulk, hp. I do keep 40 grain bullets of wildcats, m22, federal auto match, and I want to be on a decent average in accuracy with both between 20-75 yards. My eyes are not as good as they once were, so I am adding scopes to my 22 rifles now, whereas before I've only shot 22s using iron sights. All input on this forum appreciated.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I zero my .22 rifles at 50.

 

[22-rimfire]

I usually sight in at 50 yds. I have been known to sight in (an inch high) at 25 yds as well. Be sure to shoot it at 25 and 75 if you can to get a feel for how it does at those ranges.

 

[highorder]

I'm zeroed at 30 yards.

That's the back fence.

 

[Captains1911]

40 - 50 yard zero makes sense for most scoped 22s. Maybe somebody could provide a trajectory plot or two for.

 

[sappyg]

When my 10/22 was set up with Tech sights it was sighted at 25 yards. Added a 4x scope and and it's now set at 50. Same size groups.

 

[minutemen1776]

50 yards is a pretty typical range for zeroing a .22 rimfire. Is your scope a dedicated rimfire type? If so, its parallax may also be set at 50 yards. If it's an ordinary scope (intended more for centerfires), it may be parallax free at 100 yards.

 

[Batty67]

50 yards for my Bushnell 1.5 to 4.0 scope.

 

[Headsawyer]

Yes it is a dedicated rimfire scope. Just a 30 dollar one from Wally.. I do not understand the term parallax. Just an Ozark sawmiller and truck driving hillbilly. Sorry guys lol

 

[sappyg]

Not to worry really. Mine is a $30 simmons and the Parallax is set at 100 yds. You can notice it at 50 yards if you are looking for it but as long as you mount the rifle the same every time it's not a big deal. Depending on the ammo I'm about an inch high at 25 yards and around 9-12" low at 100.

The biggest problem you may have with accuracy is keeping consistent tension on the action screw.

in other words... parallax should't keep you from enjoying your new rifle. You did good

 

[Muzzlelover]

1 inch high at 25 yds with my marlin 795 and at 50 I'm still a half inch high.that pleases me.

 

[JohnB]

I normally plink with federal bulk, Winchester bulk, hp. I do keep 40 grain bullets of wildcats, m22, federal auto match

If you want accuracy, especially out at 50 yd and more you are going to have to get past this. Most all .22 rifles will throw a different point of impact with different ammo. Zero with one ammo and be off as much as 3" at 50 yd. with a different ammo. Find the ammo that shoots the best groups then buy a couple of thousand rounds of the same Lot Number.

My .22 rifles are zeroed at 50 yd. because that is how far it is from my back porch to the edge of the woods.

These targets were at a measured 50 yards with a new out of the box no modifications 10/22 with a 3X9 Nikon scope. It was sighted in with Mini-Mags. I held to the center of the bullseye for every shot. I was amazed at the difference in POI for the different ammo.

 

[Headsawyer]

I hear ya JohnB. And I do agree completely with you that my mix and match ammo collection is not the best way to roll. My problem, tho, is that in my area, we have precious few places to buy ammo, and we pretty much have to take what is offered by the stores we have here..I could buy when I go out on the road, but I could end up being dispatched to Canada at any time while I'm out, so that would be an extremely volatile situation at the border. Definitely not a place to be found with a brick of ammo in a semi. Lol

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Your set up is not a benchrest combo. I would guess that you can get most any bulk ammo to group "beer" can accurate at 50 yards. I have tried a lot of bulk ammo and find the Federal Automatch does pretty good in most rifles. I would just try a box or two of different bulk stuff, pick the one that groups the best, zero the rifle to it and then feed it that ammo only.

 

[JohnB]

By the way, on my 10/22 I put 6 layers of electrical tape (cut into little rectangles) at the tip of the forearm under the barrel and left the barrel band loose. It's just snug enough to keep it from sliding off. That modification cut my groups in half.

 

[Headsawyer]

Boy am I ever learning a lot from this forum! I never even heard the term- action screws before I came here. But I most certainly spent 2 hours getting the basics on action screw tension after I saw it on this thread last night. I've learned more in a few weeks here about guns than i've learned before, in my entire life!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

You will also quickly learn that .22 rifles can be some finicky rascals to get to shoot tight groups at 50+ yards.

 

[shootr]

Stock screw tension is an easy thing to experiment with and one I've found typically has a noticeable effect. An inexpensive beam type torque wrench is very helpful. Midway sells an Allen head forearm screw that's harder to bugger than the OEM.

Re your scope - if it's bugging you, you can loosen the lens ring on the objective end of the scope and carefully turn the ring holding in the lens. Don't disassemble the scope - just take off the lens ring and turn the "lens holder." Do this at 50 yards and stop turning when the image is sharp. Your parallax will be set at 50 yards. A small rubber strap wrench works well.

OBTW if you're having fun now, get yourself an $89 Kidd trigger and Katy bar the door. Just sayin'...

 

[22-rimfire]

22 rifles have always been known to be quick finicky with ammunition preferences. I don't really understand why that is. I would sight in with your favorite ammunition and go from there. When hunting, choose the stuff you sighted in with. If plinking, experiement. If target shooting on paper, definitely shoot some of each. But you often will need to shoot something like 10 rounds before your barrrel is seasoned for the change in ammunition. If shots are all over the place, clean the barrel and around the chamber. Then shoot again. It may be the rifle, or the ammunition... and often "you".

Honestly, I was never really very comfortable shooting on paper at 50 yds with a 4x scope. That is one of the reasons I shot at 25 yds and it was a comfortable distance where you could see your holes without a lot of trouble. Cuts down on sneaker wear.

 

[Headsawyer]

Ok I've noticed that my stock (action?) screw, is loose enough out of the box that I can feel/hear the barrel moving in the stock as I handle the rifle. But- i've been able to produce 2 inch groups at 50 yards the way it is currently, with el cheapo bulk Winchester hp. Of course that's across the top of my truck box with makeshift rest made of jackets. Lol. I intended to tighten that screw when I cleaned it after last shooting session, but now I'm afraid to mess with it until I further my education on the matter. Thanks also for the parallax info. I've been reading up on that matter as well.

 

[Skylerbone]

I run an old 4X Bushnell on my .22 Marlin squirrel getter that's got an adjustable objective but I often wish it wasn't there. When I hit the hardwoods I dial in 35 yds. and leave it, no time to get fussy while hunting. I too like sighting in at closer distance, 15-20 yds. can really help when choosing ammo especially with a 4X and thicker crosshairs.

I've had .22s that were picky about everything, others that could group most anything. What will drive you nuts is when a manufacturer drops a product line once you've settled on it.

 

[Red Tornado]

Very loosely, if you zero at 25 you should also be zeroed around 75, depending on scope height and ammo. That should put you a little high at 50.

Zero at 50 and you'll be a little low at 25 and 75.

So, take your choice or split the difference. FWIW, I usually zero at 50.
RT