Laser Bore Sighter Instructions

Bore sighting a rifle is the first step of adjusting the windage for a new scope. A laser bore sighter is designed to make that process more accurate, reliable and convenient. Laser bore sighters are relatively simple to use, and can save you time in getting your rifle and scope ready for action.

  1. Securing your rifle

    • While bore sighting your rifle with a laser bore sighter, it is crucial that the gun remain stable. The most reliable way to secure a rifle is to use a vise to hold it steady. If you use a vise, put padding between the vise clamps and the gun to avoid scratching the stock, barrel and housing. If you don't use a vise, you can use a gun rest at the forestock while holding the back of the rifle steady yourself. But remember that you will need a free hand to adjust the scope.

    Installing the bore sighter

    • After inserting the batteries, select the bore sighter settings for the caliber of your gun. When you have selected the proper setting, insert the bore sighter into the chamber of your rifle, just like you would insert a shell. Make sure it can slide into the chamber completely, and then slide the bolt closed to secure the bore sighter in place.

    Sighting in

    • The standard distance to zero a rifle is 25 yards. Get the rifle in steady position pointing at the bullseye of a target 25 yards away. Do not sight through the scope while aligning the rifle; track the laser point and aim with dot of the laser sighter instead. When the gun is steady with the laser point on the center of the target, look through the scope to see where the crosshairs are pointing. Adjust the alignment of the scope by adjusting the windage knobs on the right side and top of the scope. Track the movement of the crosshairs and adjust as necessary until the crosshairs are zeroed on the laser point at the bullseye.

    Final steps

    • Draw the bolt and remove the boresighter. If it is wedged in the firing chamber, you can use a cleaning rod to dislodge it by poking from the muzzle end. After you have boresighted, you must take your gun to a firing range to finish sighting in. Remember that bore sighting a rifle does not guarantee that it is well sighted-in. Shooting on a live range is the only way to complete accurate sighting-in.