How to Sight in a Scope at 25 Yards

Sighting in, or "zeroing," a telescopic sight is a procedure to align the point on the target that appears in the crosshairs of the scope with the point on the target where the bullet actually impacts. When these points are aligned, a target properly pinned in the crosshairs will be accurately struck by the bullet. Scopes are usually zeroed at ranges beginning at 25 yards and progressing out to hunting ranges of 100 yards or beyond. For low-power firearms like .22s, however, a scope zeroed at 25 yards only may be sufficient for the ranges typically used.

Things You'll Need

  • Small bore rifle paper targets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take the rifle to a shooting range or other safe location with at least 25 yards of available shooting distance.

    • 2

      Put up a large bullseye paper target designed for small-bore rifles.

    • 3

      Place one or more stabilization sandbags on a shooting bench. Rest the rifle on the sandbags in a secure position, aimed toward the target.

    • 4

      Sit comfortably and look through the scope. Place the crosshairs on the center of the bullseye and fire three shots, centering the crosshairs on the bullseye between each shot.

    • 5

      Examine the three points of impact on the target. Draw lines between the three points to triangulate the group and place a mark in the center of the triangle.

    • 6

      Measure the distance in inches left/right and up/down from the triangulated point to the center of the bullseye.

    • 7

      Turn the windage adjustment screw on the scope the required number of clicks to equal the distance in inches left/right from the triangulated point to the center of the bullseye. Turn the elevation adjustment screw on the scope the required number of clicks to equal the distance in inches up/down from the triangulated point to the center of the bullseye. Most scopes are designed with 1/4-inch minute-of-angle (MOA) adjustment. Each click of the windage and elevation adjustment screws equals 1/4-inch at 100 yards. At 25 yards, therefore, each click equals 1/16-inch.

    • 8

      Look through the scope and re-center the crosshairs on the bullseye.

    • 9

      Fire another three-shot group to verify that the point of impact of the bullets is now in the center of the bullseye. If necessary, triangulate the second group and make additional measurements and windage/elevation adjustments.