How to Bore Sight a Rifle Scope: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bore sighting your rifle scope is a critical step in ensuring accurate shot placement. It’s an essential process that helps to align the scope’s target dot with the rifle’s barrel, allowing you to hit your target with increased precision. In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to bore sight a rifle scope. Before we begin, make sure you have all the necessary equipment and that your rifle is unloaded and safe.
What is Bore Sighting?
Bore sighting involves aligning the scope’s optics with the rifle’s barrel through a process of trial and error. It’s usually done at the factory during the manufacturing process, but it’s also a practice that can be done manually by the shooter. When done correctly, bore sighting ensures that the scope is properly aligned with the barrel, allowing for accurate aiming and shooting.
Preparing Your Rifle and Scope
Before you start the bore sighting process, make sure your rifle and scope are ready. Here are some necessary steps to follow:
- Purchase a bore sighting telescope or a laser bore sighting device.
- Ensure that your rifle is unloaded and safe.
- Clean your rifle’s barrel and receiver to ensure a clear view during the process.
- Mount your scope on the rifle, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Adjust the scope’s elevation and windage turrets to their neutral settings.
The Bore Sighting Process
Bore sighting involves a trial-and-error process of adjustments to align the scope with the barrel. Here are the steps to follow:
Contents
Step 1: Initial Alignment
- Look through the scope: Hold the rifle straight and look through the scope, focusing on the intersection of the reticle’s center dot and the objective lens.
- Align the reticle with the barrel: Move your head to the side slightly, keeping your eyes straight, and align the center dot of the reticle with the barrel’s point of impact. You might need to adjust the rifle’s position or the bore sighting telescope to achieve alignment.
- Rotate the scope: Rotate the scope’s turret to aim the reticle at a point on the wall that is roughly 10 to 15 yards away, depending on the scope’s magnification.
Step 2: Elevation Adjustment
- Adjust the elevation turret: Loosen the elevation turret and adjust it up (clockwise) or down (counterclockwise) until the reticle’s center dot is below the point of impact (POI) on the wall.
- Check the POI: Look through the scope to check if the POI is now aligned with the reticle’s center dot. If not, readjust the elevation turret up or down until the reticle is aligned with the POI.
- Repeat the process: Repeat steps 1-2 until the reticle is aligned with the POI.
Step 3: Windage Adjustment
- Adjust the windage turret: Loosen the windage turret and adjust it right (clockwise) or left (counterclockwise) until the POI is aligned with the reticle’s center dot.
- Check the POI: Look through the scope to check if the POI is now aligned with the reticle’s center dot. If not, readjust the windage turret left or right until the POI is aligned with the reticle.
- Repeat the process: Repeat steps 1-2 until the POI is aligned with the reticle.
Tips and Tricks
- Be patient: Bore sighting can be a time-consuming process, so be prepared to spend some time on it.
- Make small adjustments: Make small adjustments to the elevation and windage turrets during the process to avoid overtightening or over-releasing the turrets.
- Use a paper target: Use a paper target to help you stay focused and to ensure a clear view of the bullet’s impact.
- Check your scope’s optics: Ensure that your scope’s optics are clean and free of debris to minimize parallax errors.
Conclusion
Bore sighting your rifle scope is a simple yet crucial process that requires patience and attention to detail. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you should be able to accurately bore sight your rifle scope, ensuring that your shots land where you aim. Always remember to follow proper rifle safety procedures and to handle your rifle with care. Practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries to get it right.
Table: Bore Sighting Checklist
| Step | Task | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Initial Alignment | Align reticle with barrel, aim at point on the wall |
| 1 | Rotate Scope | Point reticle at point 10-15 yards away |
| 2 | Elevation Adjustment | Adjust elevation turret to align reticle with POI |
| 2 | Check POI | Verify reticle is aligned with POI |
| 3 | Windage Adjustment | Adjust windage turret to align reticle with POI |
| 3 | Check POI | Verify reticle is aligned with POI |
Conclusion: Bore sighting your rifle scope is a critical step in ensuring accurate shot placement. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you should be able to accurately bore sight your rifle scope, ensuring that your shots land where you aim. Remember to follow proper rifle safety procedures, handle your rifle with care, and practice makes perfect.
