How to Zero an Air Gun Scope

Make sure the scope to your air gun is properly zeroed.

Having a scope on an air rifle, or any gun, can greatly improve your accuracy. However, the scope is only useful if it is properly mounted and zeroed. Just as a musical instrument needs to be properly tuned before it is played, a scope on an air gun needs to be properly zeroed. You may need to check the scope on a regular basis to make sure that your shots will be on target.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Air Rifle
• Scope
• Cardboard

Instructions

1. Put on safety glasses. Even when test shooting at targets, there is the possibility of ricocheting.

2. Set up a test target in front of a safe backstop. Draw two small dots 2 1/2 inches apart on a piece of cardboard. Preferably using a rest, or the most stable firing position you can, use the scope to fire three to five shots into the center of the cardboard.

3. Retrieve the target and measure from the center of the group to the edge of the cardboard. You will measure your target in "minute of angles" (MOAs). Four clicks of the adjustment knob on the scope equals one MOA. For example, assuming your scope has 1/4-minute turns, which is standard, and if your grouping is 2 inches low and 1 and 1/2 inches to the left, you will need to adjust 32 clicks up and 24 clicks to the right.

4. Fire another round of three to five shots and check the accuracy after making the adjustments. At this point you will probably only need to make minor changes, such as a couple clicks to fine tune the scope.

5. Fire of a grouping of 15-20 shots to check the final accuracy.

Tips & Warnings

• Since air rifles are not as powerful as real guns, it is important not to use too long of a range for distance to zero. A practice target of 25 to 30 feet is an average range, but provided you are wearing your safety glasses, you may start as close as 10 feet.

References

• Zero Rifle Scope: "How to zero a rifle scope or sight for air rifle shooters or combat gamers"
• Paint Ball Zone