Jinxed,

My rifle is sighted in at 100 yards. The round I shoot won't start dropping significantly until around 125 yards. It's a laser inside that range. No dope adjustments required. I have a $99.00 Walmart Nikon Prostaff 4x32 fixed powered scope on my Marlin .17. It'll shoot the balls off a gnat at 100 yards all day long. I'm talking pancake stacks. Works good, is cheap and will last a long time on a rifle with absolutely, positively NO RECOIL!

For a little more $ and longer ranges, the BSA is the cat's ass and you can dial in your adjustment dopes for whatever range you like. Just know that at around 200 yards, the .17 projectile runs out of gas (goes below mach speed). Just sayin'...

I shoot mine out to 125 using no holdover. It's pretty much point of aim, point of impact. To give you an idea, I have a drop of 8" on my 200 yd steel when I shoot it. So, I guess the answer to your question is 125 yards.

Having re-read your posts, I think you'd be better off getting the BSA.

Jinxed,

My rifle was set up with the "Cabela's" brand Bullet Drop Compensating scope when I bought it (it's identical to the BSA "Sweet 17" scope referred to earlier in the post.) It has target turret adjustments that are quick to use with your fingers, as well as side focus (really only important if you are changing ranges/distances often, as I do for prairie dog hunting). I zeroed my scope at 100 yards and have found the adjustments on the scope for distance, using the dial (BDC) are accurate out to 300 yards. The "Clicks" are marked in 25 yard incriments and it holds it's zero throughout the range of adjustment, both directions, up and down. The scope I have is 6x12x40 and I am very happy with it. That rifle/scope combo averages about .5 inch groups with Hornady 17 grain V-max ammo at 100 yards and about half MOA out to 300 (1.5 inch group at 300)

Check the internet for the best deals on the BSA Sweet 17 scope. If you can't find one under $160.00, go to Cabela's web site and order thier version of it. You WON'T be dissappointed. Trust me, with that round, that rifle and that scope, everything smaller than a coyote will be betting its life if it comes within 300 yards of you. And if you are just looking to punch paper, this set up will make you look GOOD when you start compairing group size with your shooting buddies...

I have let 3 people shoot my set up, and all 3 have purchased the exact set up after having fired mine.

-Tac

Let us know how your rig shoots once you have it set up and running... I am sure you won't be disappointed.

-Tac