sighting a new 22-250???

Share your coyote hunting tips, techniques, and thoughts about coyote hunting.

Moderators: Coyotehunter, Prairie Ghost

jecole360
Newbie
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:30 pm

sighting a new 22-250???

Post by jecole360 »

I recently purchased an H&R rifle in 22-250. I had a guy at a local gun shop bore sight it today and he used some kind of bore sighter that had a grid that you lined up the crosshairs at whatever yardage you wanted. I was a little unsure about the accuracy of this thing he used because it basically moved side to side in the barrel if he didn't keep it straight up. Anyway other than that what would be the best way to sight it and what yardage shoud I set it at. Most of the coyotes I see while hunting are out there pretty far (guessing about 400 yards). I have only ever called 2 coyote in close (60 yards) but other than that most of my shots will probably be between 100 and 300 yards if I cant get them called in close. Any advice???
User avatar
Tbush
coyotehunter
Posts: 856
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 12:26 pm
Location: Minot

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by Tbush »

I sight my 22-250 zero at 200 yds then I"m good up close also and then I know my hold over's at 300,400,and 500 yds after shooting alot!!
a proud member of the "IF" team
User avatar
ducksmuggler
coyotehunter
Posts: 76
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 8:24 am
Location: Southeast MN

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by ducksmuggler »

I also zero my 22-250 and all my small rifles for that matter at 200 yards. If you only have a 100 yard range sight it in just a hair high say 1" and you will be fine.

I feel shooting guns is just like shooting a bow; if you plan on only shooting to 300 yards practice at 400 yards so when the time comes its a cake walk..
jecole360
Newbie
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:30 pm

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by jecole360 »

Thanks. The guy zeroed it at 100 yards but I kinda want it zeroed at 200 so I'll have to tinker with it this weekend I guess.
User avatar
bucksnbears
coyotehunter
Posts: 1671
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:42 am
Location: western minn.

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by bucksnbears »

a 22-250 should be good for coyotes out to 300 yards at 2 inches high @ 100 yards.
the more food you have in your mouth at one time, the better you can taste it!!!
"Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone that they have not first taken away from someone else."
User avatar
Optimax90
coyotehunter
Posts: 390
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:28 am
Location: Bismarck ND.

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by Optimax90 »

bucksnbears wrote:a 22-250 should be good for coyotes out to 300 yards at 2 inches high @ 100 yards.
BnB I agree with you, depending on what bullet your shooting. I know CooperAI is shooting some 40gr Blitzkings, his load realy falls off at 300. A 55gr bullet will carry farther then that 40, but he still should be real close if he zeros at 200.

I still wouldn't take a boresitings word for it, go out and shoot the darn thing and see what it does...........
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
User avatar
Optimax90
coyotehunter
Posts: 390
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:28 am
Location: Bismarck ND.

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by Optimax90 »

bucksnbears wrote:a 22-250 should be good for coyotes out to 300 yards at 2 inches high @ 100 yards.
BnB I agree with you, depending on what bullet your shooting. I know CooperAI is shooting some 40gr Blitzkings, his load realy falls off at 300. A 55gr bullet will carry farther then that 40, but he still should be real close if he zeros at 200.

I still wouldn't take a boresitings word for it, go out and shoot the darn thing and see what it does...........
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
User avatar
lyonch
coyotehunter
Posts: 2795
Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:52 pm
Location: Not where i want to be

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by lyonch »

Dont trust the bore sighting at all. Get out there and shoot your rifle at 200 yards and zero it in. This caliber has capabilities to produce some very good consistency and shot placement. If you zeros it at 200 all you need to do for a 300 yard shot is hold right at the back of the coyote for height without daylight showing between the crosshairs and the coyote and squeeze a round off. If you have a duplex reticle your bottom post the point of that post is around 500 yards roughly. When you start shooting that far you better know what load you are shooting and the ballistics of it. Just dont grab a box of factory loads and expect that bottom post to be on at 500. The more you shoot it the more accurate you will get.
Chris Lyon


My mind belongs to my work,
My heart belongs to my family,
BUT MY SOUL BELONGS TO THE COYOTES!!!
User avatar
bucksnbears
coyotehunter
Posts: 1671
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:42 am
Location: western minn.

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by bucksnbears »

lyonch wrote:Dont trust the bore sighting at all. Get out there and shoot your rifle at 200 yards and zero it in. This caliber has capabilities to produce some very good consistency and shot placement. If you zeros it at 200 all you need to do for a 300 yard shot is hold right at the back of the coyote for height without daylight showing between the crosshairs and the coyote and squeeze a round off. If you have a duplex reticle your bottom post the point of that post is around 500 yards roughly. When you start shooting that far you better know what load you are shooting and the ballistics of it. Just dont grab a box of factory loads and expect that bottom post to be on at 500. The more you shoot it the more accurate you will get.
yep!!!!! :) . also, i see no reason for a 40 grain in the 22-250. :?
the more food you have in your mouth at one time, the better you can taste it!!!
"Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone that they have not first taken away from someone else."
User avatar
LeviM
coyotehunter
Posts: 2375
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:26 am
Location: ND

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by LeviM »

Tbush wrote:I sight my 22-250 zero at 200 yds then I"m good up close also and then I know my hold over's at 300,400,and 500 yds after shooting alot!!
Great post Terry, I have nothing else to add! Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more!
Levi McNally
"Coyote Fever"
'Whack em' and Stack em' ND Style"
"Speak the Language"
Pilgrim

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by Pilgrim »

jecole360

I think those HRs are cool- Interested to learn how it works out.

To your question, I agree that 200 yards would be a better starting point for zero.

The remarks about bore zero shouldn't be ignored. A good boresight job gets you on paper. You'll also figure out that you can eyeball your bore/scope relationship just as easily. The rest is scope adjustments per bullet impact. Where different bullet loadings impact will be another lesson we all learn to deal with.

Another nugget is to consider your barrel's twist rate. I bet yours is 1 twist per 12 inches (1/12") so your barrel will favor mid-50 to 60 grain bullets. Anything under 50 grain is more likely to group less accurately (unless the barrel is 1/14"). Every bullet is designed to match its bearing surface in harmony with a particular rate of twist in order to stabilize (like a football spiral).

Lots of guys on this site own 22-250 cal rifles so there's no shortage of guidance.

Have fun!

NOTE: If you're not concerned beyond 300 distances you can trust that +1.5" at 100 will put most 3600+ muzzle velocity loadings in a coffee cup at 300 with MOA minimum accuracy. My advice is zero between +1" & +1.5" at 100 for a beginner since no brain needed under 300. +2" at 100 would have the top of your trajectory arc pretty high around 200.
User avatar
barebackjack
coyotehunter
Posts: 393
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:08 am
Location: ND

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by barebackjack »

Like most on here, I too sight in everything at 200. Its simpler that way. That, and my average shot at a coyote seems to be around the 125 mark. 200 yard zero also lets you use the "1/3" rule on coyotes. 100 yards and closer aim at the bottom 1/3 of the chest. 100-200 aim at the middle 1/3 of the chest. 200-300 aim at the top 1/3. Anything past 300 and you had better have done your homework.
User avatar
2putt
coyotehunter
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:22 pm
Location: Marion, Indiana

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by 2putt »

Just got new ammo 45 gr jhp's from winchester. On the winchester ballistics online software is say sighted in at 100 yards it will be 1.5 inches low at 200. But if you have it sighted in at 200 yards it say that at 100 your bullet will be .8 inches high...This to me in my opinion doesnt add up. Any advice? Id rather have my rifle sighted in at 200 but do not have the range to shoot that distance to practice. Do I set the scope 1.5 inches high or .8 inches high at 100 yards to get dead zero at 200????

Thanks!!
newby!!
User avatar
Tim Anderson
coyotehunter
Posts: 1275
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:48 am
Location: Minn

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by Tim Anderson »

.8 inches high at 100 yards to get dead zero at 200????
Yep that should work but if you got a place to do it you should double check it on paper...
User avatar
2putt
coyotehunter
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:22 pm
Location: Marion, Indiana

Re: sighting a new 22-250???

Post by 2putt »

Thanks Tim for the advice! Im still not sure why in the heck the software would tell me sighted in at 100 yards the bullet will drop 1.6 in at 200 yards. Then if its sighted in at 200 yards it will only be .8 inch high at 100. (Im getting two different answers to my question on this software) Or am I just looking at it wrong?
newby!!
Post Reply