Newbie help please

[jmp1973]

Hi all, I am rather new to firearms but wanted to pick a 15-22 before someone in Washington says I'm not allowed to. As a side note, I also got my NRA membership.

As a complete newbie, I have a couple rather very basic questions so please bear with me. First, I have read a lot about the variety if ammo. For some reason, I am drawn to the CCI mini mags. I have found some at gander mountain which are more expensive than prices I see posted here, but are in stock. Is there a major difference between the 36 and 40 grain? I anticipate only shooting paper targets, although I suppose if it really hits the fan and my 9mm not available I could use for defense.

Second, I anticipated adding a red dot sight in the future after I practice with the stock sights. Again, after reading, I am drawn to the truglo line. Any suggestions? Do the stock sights then get removed? Is a riser necessary? Easy to zero in?

I suppose that is all for now, sorry for the lengthy post and thank you in advance.

 

[Freeway]

First of all, welcome from Oklahoma. Spent some time working in Seattle a few years ago and loved it there!

Ammunition... this is a picky subject as each rifle seems to have its own preference. CCI Mini-Mags are a very popular choice, and nearly everyone seems to have good luck with them. So far, I have tried the following rounds...

1) CCI Mini-Mag 40g CPRN (Copper Plated Round Nose)
2) CCI Tactical
3) Winchester M-22
4) Remington Golden Bullet

Each one of these has worked fine in my rifle, even though many people do not recommend the Golden Bullets (got a box for free, why not use them?) Overall, I have only had 4 failures (2 fail to load, and 2 fail to fire) in just over 1,000 rounds.

Have not tried the 36g Mini-Mags, so I can't help.

Red dot sights, a lot of people here use them. You will find Eotech, Sightmark, TruGlo, NcStar, and several other kinds. The existing sights can stay on, though many people here get the Magpul folding back up sights (I have them, and like them). A riser may, or may not be needed depending upon the particular sight chosen, and whether you want a 1/3 or absolute co-witness with the iron sights. That is a personal preference and a matter of much debate on this forum and elsewhere.

Personally, I am saving for an Eotech XPS2.0. It's expensive, but I have used one in the past and loved it. For me, the open style is easier for me to use with both eyes open that the tube style red dots. Others will say the opposite.

Visit a gun store, or attend a gun show and experiment with the different style red dot sights to find your preference within your price range.

Again, welcome, and I'm sure others will add their opinions/advice soon.

 

[sound wave]

welcome to the forum

comparison with 36 and 40
CCI: Compare Loads

the 36gr are hollow points. made for varmint hunting. the 40 is more for target shooting/plinking. i haven't shot the 36 before, but the 40 works great in my rifle.

mini mags have become pretty scarce in my area, so i am now shooting federal auto match.

 

[Varangi]

Newbie,
My 15-22's eat everything- I am still shooting the nasty wax coated stuff I bought back in the 80's- rotating my supply as they say- The 15-22 shooters on this forum are fanatical and will give you a "no s---" assessment.

My experience is in the optics you speak of. The first question to ask yourself is what type of shooting will you be doing?
Precision- punching paper, static at a range with known distance targets= magnified optics- w/ long eye relief- {lots of info here re: scopes}

CQB- tactical, unsupported, movement, multiple targets, etc- HOLOGRAPHIC- ie: Eotech-- or RED Dot- Aimpoint, Burris, etc...

My battle rifles have Eotech and Aimpoint systems. These platforms are primarily quick reaction CQB systems- AND $$$$%$$$$.

Bushnell has a Aimpoint T-1 clone that does everything the T-1 does except work with night vision- $100--- Add a $14 Burris mount and you have a red dot for under $130. Modify the height of the optic based on your cheek weld and shooting style.

BUIS and co-witnessing is for tactical, "Deadly Ground" scenarios. No offense to those to believe- but it is just Bling... If you lose your optic during a shoot, you will just fix it or put the rifle away until another day. I find that to truly co-witness, I have to bring the optic up higher than I am comfortable with. W/ a standard A2 front sight, the optic needs to rise 2 1/2" to co-witness in the bottom 1/3rd of the optic. I like my optics as close to the barrel as possible. Save the Bling money and buy Magazines and ammo...JMHO.

Mike

 

[OLDSTER]

Welcome from North Dakota

 

[sound wave]

BUIS and co-witnessing is for tactical, "Deadly Ground" scenarios. No offense to those to believe- but it is just Bling... If you lose your optic during a shoot, you will just fix it or put the rifle away until another day.......Save the Bling money and buy Magazines and ammo

Maybe it might be "bling" to those who never use the BUIS. I am sure there are a lot of people like me who like to shoot with both the red dot or back up sight. Having them co-witness is not bling. Having iron sights and a red dot that do not co-witness doesn't make any sense to me.

If I were to lose my optic, then I would just continue shooting with the irons. I admit that I don't find myself in many "deadly ground scenarios" at the range, but it would be a waste to cut my range day short just because my optic failed.

Also, just my opinion.

 

[tspan]

First of all you need to try different loads, they all shoot different.

I am also using a Nikon P-22 Nikoplex 2-7 X 40 mm scope with P-22 Mounts.

When I change to a red dot I'm using an Aimpoint Comp-C with an
American Defense quick detach mount. Also have Magpul Flip-up back up sights.

The best results I have had are the following loads.

1. Federal AE 38gr copper plated HP 1260 FPS
2. CCI Mini-Mag 40gr copper Plated RN 1235 FPS
3. CCI Velocitor 40gr copper plated HP 1435 FPS

Here are the results of #1 and #2 at 50 yards

 

[sound wave]

tspan, are those targets from when you were using the scope or the red dot?

 

[tspan]

Used the scope set on X7 Mag.

 

[Varangi]

Maybe it might be "bling" to those who never use the BUIS. I am sure there are a lot of people like me who like to shoot with both the red dot or back up sight. Having them co-witness is not bling. Having iron sights and a red dot that do not co-witness doesn't make any sense to me.

If I were to lose my optic, then I would just continue shooting with the irons. I admit that I don't find myself in many "deadly ground scenarios" at the range, but it would be a waste to cut my range day short just because my optic failed.

Also, just my opinion.

By your leave- I have an incredible dislike for iron- even though they are made of plastic.... I like to see the sweat on their forehead, just before I remove it.

Cheers

 

[Kai Winters]

My 15-22 likes everything I've put through it. I've not used any Remingtons but may buy a box of 50 just for the heck of it.

It is the most accurate with Winchester bulk...the 333 box.

I suggest buying 50-100 of each brand/type available and see what your gun likes best.
I prefer using 50 yards as the test distance with my Nikon ProStaff 3x9-40 scope on a bench with a rest for testing ammo.

I suggest you use a white pie plate, draw a 2" circle on it with a Sharpie/marker and write the ammo brand/type on it. Use 10 rounds of each brand per plate. Save and look at them at home when you can relax and consider how each type responds in your gun. Then you can buy the ammo that your gun likes best...or the least costly if you're just plinking away having fun.

Here's how I did mine recently:

 

[reece27]

Mine eats everything. I couldn't believe it since the owners manual says they don't recommend certain types of ammo but mine seems to like everything. I only had 1 misfire with the golden bullets other than that no problems. I have shot over 1000rds with only that one misfire. I couldn't be happier