Let me start by saying I'm a new shooter (this year) so this is a newbie thread. Hopefully it will help other newbies like me.
After much struggle hitting 100 yard steel targets at my local range using my .22LR rifle with iron sights, I finally bought a 4x-32 scope for it. I sighted the scope in at 50 yards using my range bag as a bench rest. The shot pattern was fine, about the size of a quarter, so I got good results and adjusted my scope accordingly.
Then I moved the target back to 100 yards and used the same shooting technique. The shot pattern was not as good, as expected, but the center of the pattern was 7 inches low, which surprised me. I wondered how it was so low.
Then I investigated the ammo I've been using. It is CCI "Standard Velocity" lead round nose. I didn't realize that "standard velocity" is actually subsonic -- 1070 fps. CCI's website comfirmed that this ammo sighted in at 50 yards has a 7.6" drop at 100 yards. No wonder I was having trouble hitting the 100 yard steel targets.
I have since ordered a brick of Mini-Mags, i.e. "high velocity" rounds. However, I do believe that subsonic rounds have a purpose, but only out to about 50-70 yards. Am I wrong?
After much struggle hitting 100 yard steel targets at my local range using my .22LR rifle with iron sights, I finally bought a 4x-32 scope for it. I sighted the scope in at 50 yards using my range bag as a bench rest. The shot pattern was fine, about the size of a quarter, so I got good results and adjusted my scope accordingly.
Then I moved the target back to 100 yards and used the same shooting technique. The shot pattern was not as good, as expected, but the center of the pattern was 7 inches low, which surprised me. I wondered how it was so low.
Then I investigated the ammo I've been using. It is CCI "Standard Velocity" lead round nose. I didn't realize that "standard velocity" is actually subsonic -- 1070 fps. CCI's website comfirmed that this ammo sighted in at 50 yards has a 7.6" drop at 100 yards. No wonder I was having trouble hitting the 100 yard steel targets.
I have since ordered a brick of Mini-Mags, i.e. "high velocity" rounds. However, I do believe that subsonic rounds have a purpose, but only out to about 50-70 yards. Am I wrong?