Anybody interested in shooting accurately from a long distance needs to have a rifle scope. When it comes to how to sight in a rifle scope, there are a few things you should keep in mind. While there is some technical knowledge required for this, by following a few simple steps you should have no trouble sighting your rifle scope just fine.
As always when dealing with firearms, the most important thing is to make sure you have all the correct equipment and information. After that, simply follow the procedure carefully and pay attention to safety.
6 Simple Steps To Sight In A Rifle Scope
Step 1.
Start by mounting scope. First, you need to get your rifle and mount the scope onto it using the appropriate mounts (so that they will withstand your rifle´s recoil).
This step is extremely important, for obvious reasons. If you were to mount the scope with a wrong type of mount, it could end up flying off when shooting, thus causing a risk of injury.
Once you are done mounting it, make sure it´s tightly mounted. You can use loctite (or a similar industrial adhesive) on the screws, if necessary, for additional grip.
Step 2.
At this point, you need to assemble all the materials you will be needing. These are:
Also, you may put a bi pod/tripod on with your scope, if you plan on using one on our rifle.
Step 3.
Now, you will need to bore sight your rifle.
To do this, first you must set your targets at 25 yards, and at 100 yards away. Now rest your rifle (on a bipod, tripod, sandbags, etc.) to make sure it stays in place while you sight it. It´s important to make sure no part of the rifle is resting on a solid surface.
With a bolt-action rifle, you´ll just remove the bolt and look down the bore, until your bore gets aligned with the target. In the case of a single-shot rifle, you´ll have to open the action. It should be noted that auto-loader rifles cannot be sighted using this method. The same would apply to pumps.
Now adjust the stand your rifle is on so that the target at 100 yards distance is at the center of your view (when viewing from the breech). Then adjust the scope so that the cross-hairs become totally aligned on the target; do this without moving the rifle itself at all.
At this point, you will have a fully sighted rifle for 100 yards.
Step 4.
Now you sight it to 25 yards. Once you´re finished, you just replace the bolt and then proceed to set your scope to the maximum level of magnification you can get, while still retaining a clear view.
Fire a round at the very center of the target that´s located at 25 yards distance.
Step 5.
After firing, make sure you´re unloaded and grab your binoculars. You´ll need to look for where your shot landed exactly, in order to make the necessary adjustments. If your shot hit low on the target, then you´re going to compensate by adjusting upward, and so on. The manufacturer of your scope will have provided the specific instructions for how to do this on your specific model of scope.
Just keep repeating this process until all your shots are hitting near the center of the target.
Step 6.
Last but not least. now you are going to sight your rifle to 100 yards away. Wait until your barrel has cooled down, then get down into a comfortable position, relax and, when you´re ready, carefully fire three shots at the target.
Now, all that´s left to do is to check where your shots landed (using your binoculars), and adjust to compensate any deviations you might observe. It´s a good practice to adjust your sight so that, when you shoot at the center of your target, your shots will land roughly around 3 inches above the center. This way you will have the widest possible range when shooting.
At this point, you are done! Always remember to follow each step carefully, take your time while doing it, and be safe at all times.
