I bought my .22 plinker, a Ruger MKII fixed front blade and moveable rear notch. Now how far should I sight it in. I will be shooting snakes, tin cans, squirrels etc. I was thinking 25 yds dead on. but, I don't know much about handguns. I can't even figure out how to take it apart or PUT it back togather for cleaning. (used gun) Thanks, Carl

To a download a manual go to this web page.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/S-InstructManualsP.html

Pick the one you need they are PDF files.

In the manual it will explain disassembly and reassembly.

As how far to site in the pistol it depends on how far you do most of your shooting. I would try sighting in at 20ft then shoot at 25yrds to see the difference.

Happy shooting

358 - Please remember when adjusting these sights: To make the shots go left, you move the rear sight to the LEFT. Move shots right by moving rear sight to the RIGHT.

HOWEVER, it is just reversed with the front sight. If the gun shoots low, then you have to LOWER the front sight more. And the only way to do this is by filing it off bit by bit.

Hopefully you will get lucky and the sights will be right on for you as is.

Best way to sight it in is go to a range where you can sit down with some sand bags or old pillows so you and the pistol get real solid rest. Put a target up with a small orange dot in the middle (1"-2"). Get comfy and fire 3 rounds. Fire every shot with the same aiming position and don't worry about where the bullets are striking or adjusting your aim. That's what you are there to learn. Once you have determined that the pistol shots HERE at that range, then you know how to adjust it.

A little adjustment goes a LONG way with a pistol.

Be sure and take a small hammer and something like a brass drift with you to move rear sight. And take a nice flat file to file the front sight in case this is necessary.

Good idea if you will make a small reference mark on the receiver AND the rear sight so you can visualize how much you are moving it left or right. A soft lead pencil will do this and then wipe away when done.

My Ruger auto was fine left and right, but it shot WAY LOW, so I had to take down the front sight about 1/64" to get it up. Now it's perfect at 25 yds.

Be careful and never forget that removing the clip doesn't remove the round chambered in the gun. THAT is the bullet that always shoots people in "unloaded guns."

And take Swede's advice to go download and print out the manual from Ruger. It will tell you about all you need to know about the pistol.

The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation, forget the punches and files. The most accurate bullets from all of mine are the CCI blue tag mini mags--hollow points. Sight in at 25 for general shooting, closer if you plan on only close shots. Sighted for 25, the bullet will cross the line of sight again at 80 yds. At 200 yds it will drop 53". And yes, I can hit small targets at 200 by putting an aiming point exactly 53" above the target. This gun will shoot better then you can ever hold it.
Shooting it from sandbags will give you a different point of impact when shooting offhand. Best way to sight it in is from Creedmore position with the gun against the side of your leg, hand against your thigh and elbow on the ground. Make sure the muzzle clears your leg and pants. If you shoot from the bench, only rest your wrists.

I like to sight mine a smidge high at 25 yards, (+/- 1/2") and I can pretty much ignore the distance factor to 50 yards. YMMV, dvnv

I forgot to mention that the rear sight on the Ruger 22's has a set screw, so never pound on one. Just loosen the screw and it will move easy. And only if it needs it, which it won't.

BFR - Indeed some models of Ruger pistols have ADJUSTABLE rear sights. Others do not. For heavens sake, no one should beat around on an adjustable sight!!!

My comments were for the FIXED sights.

Thanks for all the help this is a standard ruger. the front sight is fixed but the rear can be drifted left or right for windage, it has no set screw. I guess seting it to hit at 25 yds is correct ?Now mind you I'm no pistol shooter. so what should the sight picture be ? do you rest the target on top of the sights or do you just put it dead on the target ?

Sight picture...dead on if it is a plinker/hunter. My .02, dvnv

At the bottom left corner of the picture in the web site below there is a sight picture reccomendation. It is a good reccomendation. The same can apply for other types of sights.





http://www.aosights.com/cat247.html



I put my intended target right on top of my front sight.

Sight your 22 in at 25 yards.

pecos, I took it for granted that he had the adjustable sight the way he explained that it was moveable. It would help if he would have been more specific.
All of you are correct for fixed sights. There is no setscrew on them. Been a long time since I seen one with fixed sights! All the ones I had years ago were regulated for 25 yds. from the factory
My advice on bullets still stands though. I have tried all of them, even expensive target loads. RWS is very accurate but sub velocity and VERY expensive. Can't beat the CCI's. I buy the cheap Federal 550 packs for just cheap blasting and get a lot of stove pipes because some don't have the power to open the action far enough. Remingtons really stink and some crack and some just go bang. Winchesters are better but their accuracy has really fallen off the last few years. When I won Ohio State .22 silhouette years ago with a Ruger Mark II, I used WW Wildcats. I hit 57 out of 60 with NO sight settings to start. My friend picked up the first shot at 50, 75 and 100 yds. and I was able to adjust and get the rest. I also cleaned the 100 yd shoot off targets. (chickens.) Wildcats now are junk.
Either way, I think he will enjoy the gun and have a great time. I love the Ruger .22's.

Have you tried the Remington Golden bullets that Wal-Mart sells they are copper coated hollow points. They come in a 550rnd bulk pack they shoot great out of my Match Heavy Barrel Ruger 10/22 rifle and my Dan Wesson 10" 22 silhouette pistol. I have tried several different types that are very expensive like Eley (Spl?) but these shoot the best. I havent tried the RWS but when it cools down I will give them a try.

I also like the Remington Golden Bullets.

BFR - You're spoiled, my friend, shooting all those fine Rugers with adjustable sights. And the target models usually have better triggers too.

My favorite .22 bullets are Federal and WW, although I used to buy and shoot a lot of PMC .22 LR and it was good also.

I hate Remington .22 bullets and stopped using them years ago...and the Ruger auto pistol was the reason.

One thing most of these Ruger pistols aren't very tolerant of is LOW POWER ammunition. I could load a clip of Remington in my Ruger and usually one round in the clipfull would not have enough power to properly blow back the bolt. JAM.
Plus you could hear the weak round if you were listening.

I got fed up and stopped ever using Remington .22s.

The exception to my rule is the Hyper Velocity 22 ammo by Remington. I've had very good results with this ammo and no jams.

Pecos45, if you quit using Rem 22 bullets years ago, I bet you would be surprised today. The golden bullet bulk pack is the best bulk pack on the market today for the price. Winchester Super X2 is the worste I have found and I have now quit using them. The federal stuff is ussually pretty good.

CCI standard, Green Tag, and Mini-mags are better than Rem, but cost more, too.
I have not been impressed by Eley Match ammo at all. The stuff I shot is not as good as green tag or standards.

David

I will have to pick up a box of these when I get to Wall-Mart. It is a shame WW went so far downhill. I used to get 3/4" groups with theirs from a Marlin 39 mounty at 100 yds. I will continue to use CCI Mini Mags for hunting but need a good, cheap bullet for just blasting. I admit to not trying them because Remington lost my .22 business long ago. They used to have great ones too. Seems as if everytime they change bullets and production methods so they can turn out more, cheaper, accuracy just goes away.
Eley bullets never showed me anything with any gun. LOTS of money for nothing.