Zeroing in a scope not at a shooting range?

You really don't need anything to set the scope other than a little time to shoot and maybe a coin or screwdriver to make adjustments.

It's quicker if you have something to hold the rifle solidly, but it's not necessary at all.

Just shoot at CLOSE range to get on paper, make the proper adjustments, and when you're hitting near the point of aim, move the target to the desired distance and repeat
 
Because I am cheap, I get a suitable length cardboard box and cut slots in the front and back for the fore end and stock, close fitting so the rifle does not rock back and forth. Set up a piece of paper at about 25 yards-the bigger the paper, the better, but usually a legal pad size works okay. Make sure the box cannot move-rocks work okay for a 22. Fire a shot touching just the trigger and see where it lands. Without moving the box, dial the elevation and windage dials until the cross hairs are centered on the hole. That should put you really close.
 
First off, it's important to note that what you describe, and what everyone else here is describing is "BORE sighting" your rifle, meaning "getting close", not "SIGHTING" your rifle, meaning getting ON with your chosen ammo. You will HAVE to go to the range in order to do actual sighting. No way around that. You cannot ever rely on rough sighting or bore sighting such as everyone is describing unless you're literally trying to hit the broad side of a barn (or a man sized target at 5-10 yards).

As for bore sighting, there are many ways, some of which require the rifle to be held very solid in the same spot (laser, look-through-kentucky-bore-sighting), and some which don't (optical bore sighter).

I prefer the optical boresighter. Mine cost $30 years ago and is made by Leupold. It works well to get you on an 8.5x11" paper at 25 yards. That's all you need. Then sight to the center at 25 yards. Then go immediately to 100 yards. Just be sure to take the magnetic optical bore sighter off the barrel before shooting, or you will have a very bad day.
 
If the iron sights are sighted in...aim them at a target while using a solid rest, and bore sight the scope that way.
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You can't use the iron sights with the scope mounted without using see-through mounts, and that would still require something to hold the gun immobile
 
I zero all my scopes just laying in the dirt in a field. throw down a rug and lay the gun on my bag or whatever. I start at 25yrd-ish. if not on paper I keep getting closer until it is, and start from there.

if you have never zero-ed a scope, the first time usually takes trial and error to get it right. just remember, you want the reticle to be where the hole just went. so take a shot on the paper and take a few clicks in the direction it needs to go, then take another shot, repeat. then get out to hat distance you want your set zero, and do it again. it's not hard after your first time, once it clicks you'll see how easy it is.

and 100$ is plenty of scope for a .22
 
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