TN-VOL-MAN, I don't remember seeing a pic of your new toy. Did you post one? I just picked up my (new to me) 783 last week. I'll post a picture over this weekend.

I sighted mine in at 50 yards last weekend. This weekend I'll be taking it to the 100 yard range to see how it does based on the 50 yard zero.

 

I typically sight my 22WMR's at 50 yds. Once the 50 yd point of aim is dialed in you can start experimenting with performance at longer distances.

As for coyotes, IMO the 22WMR is a little too slow. You can accomplish the mission with it, but your margin for error gets pretty small and your range pretty close. .204 Ruger, 22-250, .223 are all pretty common calibers for coyotes, and do a fine job on the whistle-pigs too. .204 and 22-250 perform better, but the .223 is much cheaper to shoot if you are buying ammo over the counter.

Whichever you use, its a fun time. ;D

 

TN-VOL-MAN, I don't remember seeing a pic of your new toy. Did you post one? .

This is a first (posting an image in a forum thread), so hopefully it will work. Mine is a 983T and the photo is complements of the marlinfirearms.com website.

 

TN-VOL-MAN, I don't remember seeing a pic of your new toy. Did you post one? .

This is a first (posting an image in a forum thread), so hopefully it will work. Mine is a 983T and the photo is complements of the marlinfirearms.com website.

Is yours scoped now or are you using factory sights?

 

I did scope it with a very low quality scope which I am about to remove. However, the first trip to the range was promising. This scope has a very narrow area of focus, so I could only get a crisp image within a short yardage range. I ended up adjusting to focus to some degree of sharpness at 25 yards (enough to see a 1" bullseye). I had two shot groups where two rounds overlapped. Nice. I want a better scope. Range work was using regular Green/Yellow boxed Remington 40 gr ammo.

 

50 yards.

 

Okay - I'm re-scoped and ready to get back to the range - although it will take me a few days to get back there. I removed the RedHead scope that had issues. Replacement is a Simmons 3-9x-40 8-Point that I picked up at Academy Outdoors. It seems to be very crisp - especially for the money. 8)

 

Where I hunt coyote is a perfect KZ which runs from 100-150 yards.
So I sight in at 125 and blast 'em with impunity.

Depends on your hunting area...how well you know your scope/rifle combo.
Make a logbook, note your cold zero (first shot), practice enough to get good, enjoy

 

Oh the rifle shoots well. Here is the first shots after zeroing on 25 yards with the poor scope. I have since replaced that scope and will try to get new data soon.

Three shots - 2 in the orange. ;D

 

Said I would post pics this weekend. I did in another thread but it belongs here. Whistle dog was at 100 yards after zeroed at 50 last weekend. Not great but DRT

 

125yds very capable of that and more.

 

What scope bases are you all using for your rifles? I have a 925RM, but I'm guessing that the 983 has the same setup. I can't find the one recommended by the Marlin website anywhere online.

 

TN-VOL-MAN:

50 yards seems to be a good starting point.

What scope bases are you all using for your rifles? I have a 925RM, but I'm guessing that the 983 has the same setup. I can't find the one recommended by the Marlin website anywhere online.

Marlin's website says that Talley makes 2-piece screw in bases for the 983T. However, a quick search online will indicate that they are not very easy to find and none of the main gun parts distributors seem to carry them

Marlin also makes their own 2-piece screw in bases for the 983T. They list the part numbers on their website and you can call and order a pair direct from Marlin customer service. I think they cost about $20 shipped to your home.

But, if you are like me, and just want to get out and shoot the darn thing, Wally World carries the Weaver brand .22 tip-off style bases that simply clamp on to the top of the receiver rail (get the ones that fit 3/8 inch grooved receivers). This is what I put on my new 983T and they seem to work just fine - only cost me about $10. They also make them in the "Quad-lock" style.

Hope this helps!

~Marlin89C

H

 

Oh the rifle shoots well. Here is the first shots after zeroing on 25 yards with the poor scope. I have since replaced that scope and will try to get new data soon.

Three shots - 2 in the orange. ;D

It mostly depends on the range you'll be shooting. If you are going to make mostly 100 yd shots...zero for that...or if doing 50 yds in the backyard...etc.

It also depends greatly on the ammo...if you are using 30-grain rounds, they'll travel much flatter than the 50-grain Game-Shoks...much like a .17HMR

And it definitely helps to fire at a lot of different distances...logging the results of each. That way you know how each type of ammo performs with your rifle and what the characteristics are.

And all of it, of course, is an excuse to get out & shoot

 

....And all of it, of course, is an excuse to get out & shoot

To hear my beloved tell it, I don't need another reason to get out to the range. Heee! Heee! ;D

 

I typically shoot all my rimfires at 50 yds, and they are sighted for that distance. When I was hunting with my .22 Mag, it was sighted for 100 yds.

 

My Marlin 22 mag was a real nail-driver at 50 yards.(with a 3-9x40 BSA) I never had to try any long shots yet...

 

Zero at 25yds. is on at 125yds. for 22WMR. Aim low at in between ranges,practice --you'll see.Or zero at 65yds.

 

I have mine zeroed for 50 yards but have a Sweet 22 scope on it. Minimum zero on the Sweet 22 is 50 yards. I'll be experimenting with the various turret drums to see which corresponds to the ballistics of a 22 mag. at extended ranges.

 

I've got my 983 zeroed at 100 yards and have been shooting the Federal 50 gr Gameshoks and lately the Hornady 30 gr Vmax.. They are very different rounds to be sure....

The Hornady's are pretty amazing in both accuracy and flat shooting and seem to hit pretty hard at 100 yards. I have taken a few squirrels with them at 100 yards but don't recommend them for a squirrel you want to take home to mama.

I've killed a couple of coyotes with the Federal Gameshoks, one out just beyond 100 yards and the other about 70 yards. My wife has also killed one at 50 yards with the Gameshoks.

I have not shot at a coyote with the 30 gr Hornadys.

TN-VOL-MAN, your 983 will shoot that good at 25 yards just dropping the rifle on the bench :biggrin:, tighten it up man!


Just messin with ya, enjoy that new rifle.

Regards, TallGrass

 

What sort of scope? Rimfire scopes are usually adjusted for 50-75 yards, centerfire scopes are adjusted for 100 yards. Parallax can do you in for other distances. I'd be reluctant to recommend trying to take coyotes with a .22 mag at distances greater than 100 yards, guys do, though. For that, I'd get out the .223 or .204, my preference.

Stan S.

 

I put a scope with an adjustable objective on my 983 and find it useful to minimize parallax issues when shooting .

I like a. 4x 12 x 40 AO for the 22 mag out to 125 - 150 yds.

 

If you zero it for 100 yards, it will be +/-1.5" MPBR out to 115 yards.