77/22 with NECG Peep Sight

[JustsayMo]

A 77/22 popped up locally and I couldn't resist. It was in rough shape and that was reflected in the price. After a range trip that proved promising I refinished the stock and set it up to provide some inexpensive bolt reps for my Scout.

I had read good things about the NECG Peep Sights and decided to give them a try.

It took a few tries to get the front sight height correct though I have yet to test that in the field. Using a .530" high front with the NECG Peep at its lowest setting and holding the bead at the bottom of the bullseye (EDIT with correction) it will print right on top of the bead at 50 yards using CCI Mini Mags, Blazer and Fed Bulk. I'm thinking this might be a fairly useful zero as it gives me a lot of upward adjustment should I decide to try this rifle in our club's "long range 22" match which the far targets are at 200 yards.

Adjusting the Elevation does require a small screw driver. I'm not sure how many minutes of angle are in this sight but I will be finding out on my next trip to the range.

Last week, prior to getting the NECG sights, I took the rifle out with me to do a little Grouse hunting and trail camera checking. The only Grouse I saw was on his way out of this time zone so all of my shooting was limited to plinking. It was a great time and even with the factory open sights there are a lot more holes in the knots and pine cones around my place.

The CCI Quiet ammo shoots very well in this rifle and is noticeably quieter.

I'm really liking this rifle and with the NECG sights, I'm liking it even more. My CZ 452 American is probably more accurate but the quality of this rifle sure impresses me.

Edit note: I discovered that I had two more rotations of downward adjustment on my most recent trip to the range.

 

[Snake45]

Very, very cool, and well done! :wink:

I wanted a peep sighted bolt action and didn't have a lot to spend on it. I ended up putting an old Redfield peep on a Remington 581 and have been very happy with it. Had to use a higher front sight too and I went with a stylish ramp. Of course mine doesn't have the "big gun feel" that your 77/22 does.

 

[JustsayMo]

At the range today I tested the NECG sight to see how far I could get a zero. I used the inexpensive Federal Value Pack 36 gr HP ammo which shoots well in this rifle - roughly 2MOA, close to 1 MOA if you let me throw out a flier.

At 200 yards the sight still has a full rotation of adjustment left. The trajectory is well above the paper at 50, 100 and 150 yards, I'd estimate by over a foot. There was too much wind to determine how well this ammo will group at that range but the majority of a magazine's worth could be covered with the relaxed hand.

I'm using the .091" aperture. It works well for general purpose though for precision shooting on paper I'd rather have a smaller aperture. The sight does come with a larger aperture.

I don't expect to do much shooting beyond 100 yards with this rifle but it is nice to there is enough sight for it. The elevation adjustment does require a small screw driver and there are approximately 10 revolutions of adjustment which I estimate to be about 22 MOA.

 

[Snake45]

Looks like it would make a pretty good "understudy" for your Scout. Nicely done! :wink:

 

[JustsayMo]

Snake45: I'm thinking the same thing. With the price of ammo and reloading components being what it is these days I've noticed some of the "carbine courses" are allowing shooters to take and run the courses with 22's.

 

[AGE Ranger]

I just bought a new 77/22 and was researching scopes and ran across your post. Since my rifle doesn't have any sights is there a good front sight you would recommend? Or would I be better off just getting a scope like I planned on then look for a 77/22 with iron sights?

I looked at a couple websites and have more questions than answers now.

Thanks

 

[JustsayMo]

I believe it would be more cost effective to find a 77/22 with the irons already in place. It will need a taller front (.530") than what comes with the rifle. Easy and inexpensive to do plus there are a lot of different options - firesights, beads of various sizes and colors, and squared posts of various thicknesses.

Most importantly it gives you a great reason to buy another rifle...

 

[AGE Ranger]

Well I did buy an over-sized safe a few months ago and my other rifles look lonely.

 

[Snake45]

I just bought a new 77/22 and was researching scopes and ran across your post. Since my rifle doesn't have any sights is there a good front sight you would recommend? Or would I be better off just getting a scope like I planned on then look for a 77/22 with iron sights?

I looked at a couple websites and have more questions than answers now.

Thanks

The factory irons aren't that great--I believe they're basically 10/22 sights. If you wants peeps on your rifle, get a peep like the OP's and then have a local gunsmith mount a front sight on your barrel. A Williams "Shorty Ramp" would look good on it.

 

[AGE Ranger]

Thanks for the help and info!