couple questions were asked of me

[Guest mustangdave]

Can I get some input from you more knowledgable guys:

I have a Browning Arms Co lever action Model BL-22 rifle. I am interested in

getting a good scope for it. I want to be accurate at 200 yards or farther. I

also have a Winchester Model 94 lever action 30-30 rifle. I have a Tasco scope 3

- 7 X 20. I don't know if it is suitable for the 22 or for the 30-30.

What can you guys tell me? I was thinking 200yds might be pushing it for a 22, but what do I know

[Guest Guy N. Cognito]

200 yds seems pretty far for a .22lr.

[Kelemvor]

With a good .22 and a scope you can put 5 rounds on a quarter at 100yards. Beyond 100, your accuracy is going to go to crap. The reason for this is, in most cases, the bullet is only going a little over 1100fps (the speed of sound, supersonic speed). When it slows down along it's flight path, it will eventually cross a velocity boundary called the "transonic region" as it becomes subsonic. When this happens, the pressures and forces acting on the bullet go all crazy and will cause it to veer off its intended path. That said, I've been able to "lob" .22 bullets out to the 300m gong at a range before, but it was definitely not a sure thing.

[MacGyver]

The 3-7x20 is probably sufficient for your needs on the .22LR. I personally like a little bigger objective lens, simply because it gathers more light and thus presents a brighter image to my eye. However, it should work fine for anything within 100 meters, and be adequate for testing the range of your ammunition and patience beyond.

[Guest Jamie]

What can you guys tell me? I was thinking 200yds might be pushing it for a 22, but what do I know

I've hit targets at over 100 yards with a .22 handgun, so I would think 200 yards with a rifle wouldn't be any big deal...

Apparently these guys don't think so either:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlyvTj3rnBk

Edit: oh, and then there's this one...

There was an article on a fellow that did some penetration tests on .22lr at some god-awful range ( more than 300 yards, as I recall ) linked to in a thread over on THR a good while back, but I couldn't find it again. Apparently the little bullets still have some hole-punching capability left in 'em even "way on out there", if his tests were any indication. Also, the bullets seem to still be splattering quite well against the steel plate at 250 yards in that first vid I linked to up there as well.

So maybe .22lr at 200 yards isn't quite the stretch that it seems at first glance...

Edited December 16, 2010 by Jamie

[Alleycat72]

[Guest mustangdave]

Thanks for the input guys...

[byrnemm]

There was an article on a fellow that did some penetration tests on .22lr at some god-awful range ( more than 300 yards, as I recall ) linked to in a thread over on THR a good while back, but I couldn't find it again. Apparently the little bullets still have some hole-punching capability left in 'em even "way on out there", if his tests were any indication. Also, the bullets seem to still be splattering quite well against the steel plate at 250 yards in that first vid I linked to up there as well.

So maybe .22lr at 200 yards isn't quite the stretch that it seems at first glance...

Lethality of the 22LR- Results! - Sniper's Hide Forums

here's the article. They shot turkeys from really, really far away (for a .22lr!)

[MacGyver]

Shooting past 100 with .22LR is certainly doable. You just have to recognize the limitations of the caliber. In my experience, I can ring a gong all day at further distances, but I'm not going to group worth anything with the bulk pack ammo that I usually run. Also to be considered is that a lot of more inexpensive scopes sitting on 0 MOA bases may run out of elevation adjustment once you start walking targets out further.

As an example, the 38 grain subsonic stuff that I'm shooting right now through a scope zeroed at 60m will hit within 1.5 inches anywhere from 0-75 meters, but will be -6.47 inches below zero at 100m, -54.02m inches at 200, and -155.64 at 300m.

I definitely encourage the OP to have some fun and give it a whirl, just recognize that once you get out past 100 it's going to take knowing you weapon and working with it to get the results you want. Have fun though. I know I do.

[Guest Jamie]

Lethality of the 22LR- Results! - Sniper's Hide Forums

here's the article. They shot turkeys from really, really far away (for a .22lr!)

Yup, that's it. When I first saw it there were still pics attached and showing though.