How to Sight In Your Rifle

Published on February 2, 2021
Duration: 3:28

This guide outlines the essential steps for sighting in a rifle, emphasizing proper scope mounting, ammunition selection, and a systematic approach to zeroing. It recommends starting at close range (25 yards) and progressively moving to longer distances (100 yards or more) while minimizing human error with a stable shooting platform. The video also touches on bore sighting as a preliminary step to ease the process.

Quick Summary

To properly sight in a rifle, begin by ensuring your scope is correctly mounted and centered. Start at a close range like 25 yards to get on paper easily, then use scope adjustments based on your rifle's ballistics and intended engagement distance, typically zeroing at 100 yards.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Sighting In
  2. 00:12Importance of Correct Scope Mounting
  3. 00:33Selecting the Right Ammunition
  4. 00:54Using a Steady Shooting Rest
  5. 01:09Starting at Close Range (25 Yards)
  6. 01:39Bore Sighting Your Rifle
  7. 02:02Making Scope Adjustments
  8. 02:25Dialing In at 25 and 50 Yards
  9. 02:32Achieving a 100 Yard Zero
  10. 02:45Testing at Longer Distances (200 Yards)
  11. 03:06Ethical Shooting and Knowing Your Capabilities
  12. 03:14Conclusion: Practice at the Range

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first step to properly sight in a rifle?

The most important initial step is to ensure your rifle scope is correctly mounted to the firearm. All mounting components should be tightened uniformly, and the crosshairs must be perfectly centered without any looseness or cant.

At what distance should I start sighting in my rifle?

It is highly recommended to start sighting in your rifle at a close distance, typically around 25 yards. This proximity makes it much easier to get your shots on paper and make initial adjustments to your scope.

How do scope adjustments work when sighting in at different distances?

Scope adjustments are usually calibrated for 100 yards. When sighting in at a closer distance like 25 yards, you'll need to make four times the number of clicks for the same point of impact change compared to 100 yards.

What is bore sighting and how does it help?

Bore sighting uses a laser device inserted into the barrel to project a beam onto a target. This aligns your scope's crosshairs with the barrel's trajectory, making it easier to get your first shots on paper at the range.

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