Zeroing a Ruger 10/22 and getting an optic for it

[Shotgun_Slav]

This is a multiple part question.

I'm getting my first .22 rifle soon. It's a Ruger 10/22 takedown model with the Magpul stock.

I'm not very familiar with the ballistic performance of the .22 cartridge and I'm wondering how to best utilize the rifle for what it is, given that it shoots a much smaller bullet. I have other rifles, but they are chambered in bigger calibers.

The main purpose of the Ruger 10/22 for me is use it as a cheap affordable training option and perhaps to hunt small game sometime later on in the future.

My first question is, should I zero the rifle at 100 yards or at a close range?

I typically do so with my other rifles, but I don't know if 100 yards is a good distance for the .22 cartridge.

My second question is, should I bother putting an optic on the rifle or just stick to using iron sights?

I'm considering putting a Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Red Dot Sight on it, but I've also seen a lot of people using scopes as well.

Turner's sells some of their 10/22s together with a factory-mounted Viridian EON 3-9x40 scope. Another popular option seems to be the UTG Bugbuster 3-9x32 scope.

Does anyone here have experience with any of these? What do you think is the best option in your opinion?

I know that preferences are subjective, but I want to know what works best for other people.

So, if you were in my situation, what would you do? How would you set up the rifle?

Let me know your thoughts.

[ARDude]

I set my iron sights/red dot to 50 yards.
Depending on your barrel and scope, I would say 100-200 yards.

[Fatcat]

Personally, I intend to use my 10/22 Takedown for close range use (50 yds or less). I opted to use a micro red dot on the Magpul Takedown mount.

https://magpul.com/hunter-x-22-backpacker-optic-mount.html?mp_global_color=118

Theoretically, mounting the scope on the receiver may induce changes in zero as you mount/dismount the barrel. The Magpul replaces the barrel locking block where a short Pic rail section is used to mount a micro dot sight.
If you want to mount a regular scope, you can’t use this mount. Need to mount the scope on the receiver. People have done this have this with varying results. IMO, mounting a scope is too bulky for a packable break-down rifle.

I’ve zerod at 25 yrds and learned my hold-overs as I shoot further out. .

[Zenderfall]

There's a few people using this rifle in the program I run in my shooting club, so I know this one quite well. I've shot it a bunch too, plus I owned several 10/22's.

The Ruger 10/22, and the especially the takedown versions, are generally accurate to about 2 MOA with most decent ammo (not the bulk pack variety). That means, at about 50 yards, the group spread will be about an inch. At 100 yards, it will spread to about two inches.

Ammunition in .22LR is very unlike that of centerfire cartridges. Since there's no reloading these, the quality and accuracy spread of the different brands will be very wide. Poor quality brands, like (and I didn't want to state names, but hell) Armscor, and Winchester T-22, will spread to about six inch groups, while really good stuff like Wolf Match will be less than an inch.

optics, mainly, scopes, will help sighting because the reticle is small. if you ever tried using the stock sights on any Ruger rimfire rifle, you'll notice the front bead can be pretty big compared to something tiny like a golf ball at 100 yards. I don't particularly like dots on distance rifles because the dots are too big, and no magnification doesn't seem to be much better than irons. 3-9 and 4-12 scopes seem to be pretty good on these.

Short distance .22LR shooting at 50 yards with a scope-make sure that scope is parallax'ed to 50 yards and not 100. adjustable parallax scopes are the way to go if you shoot even shorter distances.

If you want more accuracy, keep in mind, since the barrel is removable, it takes a hit on accuracy, just a tad. The DE's that shoot this rifle have done so with scopes mounted to aftermarket barrels. If you're just general shooting and hunting, you'd probably not want to get that deep into accuracy though. That costs money and most people aren't willing to spend it.

Have fun with it! It's a decent rifle.

[Oceanbob]

For me the Holosun 510 fits on my takedown well.

[NATEWA]

I zero it at 50 yards. Red dot (Crimson Trace) for quick shots and a Vortex rimfire scope on a heavy barrel 10/22. My ar22 upper has a bushnell trs red dot.

[sealocan]

Just going from personal experience and I'm not claiming to be any expert, I would advise strongly getting very proficient / as accurate as you possibly can be with your iron sights first, before you go adding anything else, like a red dot or a scope etc.

That way if that technology fails you or gets broken or battery dies etc you still have something you can use with good results. Of course iron sights can and do break but it's less likely in my opinion.

And I'll also say that before you choose whatever optic think about your environment you're in and the environment you'll most likely be shooting/hunting in. Because a lot of areas you don't have clear 100 yard plus shots because of trees, hills, thick brush etc.
And depending on you live you might have just the opposite wide open mostly flat rolling hills with not that much plant life that's tall enough to block your views.

That might help you decide what type of optic might be best to start with, After your solid with iron sights.

[Imageview]

I'd actually suggest a 25 yard zero. And a red dot over a scope.

My logic:

For the zero range, if you're considering hunting here in CA you're gonna be using non lead ammo. Non lead ammo is super light and super fast, but it sheds velocity super quickly. Usually the ammo goes transonic somewhere between 45-60ish yards, and accuracy falls apart. For shooting longer ranges, starting with subsonic ammo (only available in lead bullets) is better, since you don't have to deal with the distortion the transition entails. Bigger heavier bullets handle the transition better, so with lead supersonic bullets are better than lead free. I try to practice as much as like I intend to use a firearm, so for me where I limit my 22 to 50 yards or less a 25 yard zero makes sense.

Also for training just shoot smaller targets. If my shots at 25 yards off a bench aren't touching or really close, then I need to put in more work. Similarly a 1/4 or 1/8 sized targets from field positions is a great and sometimes humbling exercise.

For the optic I like a dot on a takedown because you can barrel mount it. The Ruger takedown system is pretty good, but no takedown system is perfect. There are very small amounts of shift in alignment. With a barrel mounted optic you are reducing the variables that can impact accuracy. Also it's small and handy, which goes well with the Magpul takedown stock. The Romeo 5 is fine, although I hate the buttons on it personally.

Everyone is different though, so the best bet is to get out there and just try different stuff. See what you like for the rifle, and get it dialed in for you.

[champu]

I really like the Primary Arms 6x32 ACSS .22lr optic, and it goes well with the raised cheek piece from the Magpul backpacker stock.

It gives you a 25/50 yard zero with drop marks in 25 yard increments out to 200.

[stormvet]

I think Oceanbobs set up is perfect for a take down, on a normal 10/22 rifle I’d go for some type of magnification optic. I have a BSA 3-9 on my Radical Firearms semi-custom 10/22, but for a take down a small light weight zero power red dot is the way to go in my opinion.

[Mayor McRifle]

If I were you, I would put Tech Sights on a takedown 10-22, and zero it in at 25 yards. https://www.tech-sights.com/ruger-products/

I would only put a red dot on it if I was going to use it for Steel Challenge. I wouldn’t put a magnification scope on a takedown because of the potential that the zero might change. I would save a scope like that for a non-takedown model.

[FNGGlock]

IMO play to the 10/22 takedown strengths. It is not a precision rofle, but a compact lightweight 22. Get a Magpul stock and light economical red dot like the TRS25. I really enjoy mine with that setup, I save the more expensive and bigger Holosun 510s for my ARs. The 10/22 takedown does it’s best work at 50yds and in, a 25yd zero is pretty much spot on at 50yds too. 100 yds on a pinch, but I would recommend it for offhand shooting and quick transitions, not bench work as precision is not the strong suite.

[denpython]

I own the takedown model and set it up with a hogue stock and bugbuster compact scope Excellent!!
Start at 25 or 50 yards to zero in scope then go to 100 and adjust.

I shoot tight centr groups at 100 bench. I only shoot it at 100 because at 50 its one single hole per session.,.boring!

[Rwnielsen]

I built a high zoot 10/22 with all the expensive aftermarket parts...barrel, triggr, bolt, stock and put a BSA 22(?) scope on it. While it's a tack driver the way it is, I'm going to change to a red dot just for the fun factor. You can't really chase a can around with a scope.

[duckman1]

I use the Cabela?s rim fire scope on my 10/22. I have found it to be very accurate and the glass is pretty good. It?s on sale regularly and can be had for a decent price. I would zero for 50 yds with .22 for starters.

I have mine zeroed at 100yds kitted out with Kidd guts and it?s wicked fun.


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