Best way to sight in pistol scopes

[redhawk44357]

I have a couple of medium velocity pistols (600 to 800) fps that I have mounted scopes on. What is the best way to zero them in?  Do I use a rest? At what distance? Any help will be appreciated.

[ac12]

What distance do you expect to shoot at?  That is the distance you should sight in at.

BUT, first I would do initial sight in at a CLOSE range, say 5 yards. 
Because if the scope is way off, you at least have an idea of which way to adjust the scope/mount.  If you completely miss the target at 20 yards, you may have no idea which way to adjust the scope/mount.  Been there, done that.
From 5 yards, go out to 10 yards, then in steps to your final distance, whatever that is.

Start with a rest, to get the scope's PoA close to the gun's PoI.
Then sight in however you plan to shoot.
It makes no sense to sight in on a rest, then shoot free-hand and have the PoI not match the PoA.

[redhawk44357]

Ok, good suggestions but one question..... PoA is point of aim.   What is PoI?  Point of impact?

[Lt. Dan]

Exactly.  I love pistols. PB 9mm, .38, .357 are my favorites.  None of those I shoot from a rest so why would I with an air pistol. 

I love my 13xx pistols and my P17 Beemans and they're super accurate but I'm a break barrel guy so my favorite breakbarrel pistol is the Browning Buck Mark UMX in .177.

Since my jaw is too sore to shoot my rifles I was out today shooting,  guess what I was shooting.  It's basically a 10 yard pistol, shooting the Daisy Spanish Flat Nose at a blistering 318 ft per sec.  Below is a 10 shot group at 10 yards shooting off hand of course.

I have it sighted in hitting 1 1/2" high at 10 yards because it's dead on at 20 yards that way.  I can hit my 3" spinners approximately 7 out of 10 shots with no wind. Yep they're fun.

[redhawk44357]

Thanks Dan.  I live in SE louisiana and am just now trying to get organized. My AG stuff is spread all throughout the house plus my shed too. LOL  Good suggestion on sighting in high at 10 yards so to be on at 20 yards. Hope to be slinging pellets soon!

 

[Lt. Dan]

With your 600-800 fps pistols yours will be different,  you'll be able to reach on out there. It'll be a fun journey for you.

[ac12]

Ok, good suggestions but one question..... PoA is point of aim.   What is PoI?  Point of impact?

yup
Sorry bout that.