How to Zero a Scope On a Rifle

Sighting in a rifle can be a tedious process, but with the proper preparation and technique it's not a difficult task.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rifle
• Scope
• Scope mounts and rings
• Appropriate screwdrivers for both mounting the scope and adjusting it.
• A large target, I recommend at least 2 feet square.

1. Open the action on your rifle, this is a safety step that allows you to constantly look into the chamber insuring it is empty.

2. Mount the scope, before tightening the rings all the way make sure that when you look through the scope from your shooting position the reticles are clear. This is referred to as adjusting your eye relief.

3. Once the scope is tightened you will want to bore sight the rifle. How you will do this depends on the action of your rifle. For a bolt action or falling block action keep reading, for other actions skip to Step 7.

4. With a bolt action or falling block you can do this with no additional tools. You will remove the bolt or open the action and place the rifle in a gun vise or on sand bags making sure it is solidly in place.

5. Next you will look down the rifle barrel, centering it on a dot on your wall, or a screw, anything that is stationary and visible through your barrel.

6. Once its centered you will look through the scope and adjust the scope so the cross hairs are centered on the same dot/screw. Now the rifle is bore sighted.

7. For other actions that don't allow you to easily look through the barrel you can purchase a cartridge shaped laser pointer that will fit in the chamber and project a laser dot on the wall. So you just center the cross hairs on that dot.

8. Now it's time to go to the rifle range. For most calibers 100 yards is a fairly standard range to sight a rifle in for. It is also a good starting point because it's not too far away, but far enough to give you a good zero.

9. You'll want a large target, the bigger the better, and a day without too much wind or an indoor range if you can manage. I recommend taking several different brands or loads of ammo, as some guns prefer one brand or load to another.

10. Start with 3 shot groups, shoot a single three shot group, then adjust your scope. After ever scope adjustment gently tap the scope's adjustment knobs with the back of your screwdriver. This insures the adjustments will take effect. Repeat this process until you have achieved the desired zero.

11. Once you have the desired zero, clean your rifle and let it cool down. Fire three separate single shots, taking time to let the gun cool down after each shot. These will insure your zero. Put your caps back on your adjustment knobs and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• When you first start shooting your three shot groups, experiment with your different ammo brands/loads. Don't choose your final ammo based on which one shoots closer to your point of aim at the beginning, but based on which one shoots the smallest three shot group.
• Sight in your rifle on sandbags if you can, they will provide the most stable platform.
• Try to have as little physical contact with your rifle as possible while still keeping the rifle snugly against your shoulder. Sandbags don't breathe, or have a heartbeat to move cross hairs around.
• Make sure you either have different targets or you mark your shots once you've shot them, this will insure that you don't confuse new shots with old ones.
• Small adjustments are better than big ones, it may seem like it will take longer, but things will go much more smoothly if you need to a just a little bit more, than if you have to start adjusting a completely different direction.
• Remember that firearms are not toys. They are tools, and while used correctly are completely safe. No gun has ever jumped up off a table, loaded itself, and pulled its own trigger to shoot someone. All gun related accidents are caused by user error.
• The rules of gun safety are as follows: 1) ALL guns are ALWAYS loaded. 2) Never point a gun at something you are not prepared to destroy. 3) Always be sure of your target, and what is behind it. 4) Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you are ready to shoot.