How to Sight in a Red Dot Scope without Shooting – Here’s Everything that You Need to Know

How often have you seen someone using a red dot scope and then shot at something they didn’t intend to shoot?

This happens because the person was looking through the wrong eye piece.

In this article, we will talk about how to sight in red dot scope without shooting. 

How to Sight in a Red Dot Scope Without Shooting

How to Sight in a Red Dot Scope Without Shooting

There are many different techniques used to sight in a red dot scope. Some people like to use a laser device, others prefer to use a magnifying glass. There are even those who like to use a light source. Regardless of which technique you choose, you will have to follow these steps:

1. Attach the Laser Unit

2. Set Up the Rifle

3. Sight in the Rifle

4. Check the Accuracy

5. Repeat Steps 3 & 4 Until Satisfied

If you would like to know how to sight in a Red Dot Scope, you’ll need to practice often. Practice makes perfect!

What is Possible?

Bore sighting is done using a piece of equipment called a scope. This allows you to see what you’re aiming at much more precisely than when you’re looking through the sights of your gun.

You use this to line up your shot before firing.

Why is Laser Accuracy Important?

Laser accuracy is very important when you want to shoot accurately. A slight error in the fit of the laser into the barrel will cause a major change in the trajectory of the bullet. Barrels are unique, and each one will be slightly different.

Bore sighting is a quick and easy method of getting more accuracy. It isn’t a replacement for proper sighting in your scope, but it can be used as a temporary measure until you can get to a range.

Note: If you want to know a complete guide and tutorials about scopes click HERE.

The Tools You’ll Need

  • Gun with scope mounted on it and
  • Laser Pointer

Make Your Ammo Decision

You should zero at 100 yards. This will help you get the most accurate shot.

All guns show different levels of accuracy depending on the brand, type of ammunition, etc. Shooting groups is the best way to determine your ideal load.

You should aim for a zero that’s 2 to 2.5″ high at 100 yards. This will put you dead-on at around 200 to 225 yards. Long-range shooters usually aim for a 3 inch zero at 100 yards.

Note: If you want to gain information on How to Dial in a Scope click HERE.

Boresighting Basics

Boresighting is a technique used to align the sights of a firearm. You must be familiar with this technique before you start using it. It helps you to make adjustments to your weapon to ensure accuracy.

Boresighted guns are easier to use than un-bore-sighted ones. They can be used more accurately and quickly.

Visual Boresighting

There are several ways to sight a rifle. The most common method is to line up the center of the barrel with the sights. Then you adjust the knobs until the bullet hits the target. Another option is to use a tripod or other stable platform. You then aim the gun by adjusting the knobs. Once you’ve done this, the target has been sighted and you’re ready to shoot.

There’s a second option known called the “mirror method”. A mirror is used to align the rifle. You first place the rifle at a distance that allows you to see your own reflection as it looks into the scope. You then adjust the windage so it is aligned with the weapon’s bore.

Note: If you want to gain information about Who Makes Redfield Scopes? click HERE.

Laser Boresighting

Laser bore sighting is a great way to improve accuracy. It’s fast, easy, and precise. End mounted laser bore sighters are available for most popular firearms. Bullet-shaped units fit into the chamber of the weapon.

When you look into the rifle scope, you’ll see a laser point. You just need to center the laser points crosshairs. That is done by turning the adjustment dials on the gun’s scope body. The weapon will be zeroed-in perfect.

Optical Boresighting

Optical bore sighters work by using light beams to measure distance. In this game, you use an optical boresight mount on the end of your weapon’s barrel. Line up the lens and the crosshairs. Peek through the lens grid, then adjust the crosshairs until they align with the center of the grid.

How to Boresight Rifles – Step-by-Step Guide

Boresighting your gun is an important part of shooting. You need to know the steps to do this correctly.

Step 1: Stabilize Your Firearms

First, make sure the gun isn’t loaded. When you bore-sight a rifle, it’s important that your weapon isn’t moving at all because if it moves, you’ll get inaccurate shots. There are various ways to do this including using a lead sled or vice to hold the rifle still.

Note: If you want to know How to Paint a Rifle Scope click HERE.

Step 2: Line up Bore Optic

Boresight your weapon by lining up the bore with the center of the optic. Aiming at 25 yards is ideal because you’re “on paper” when shooting at 100 yards. Don’t worry about using ammunition when boresighting.

A bull’s eye is a symbol used by marksmen to indicate the point of aim. In this case, it refers to a large, prominent target.

Step 3: Look Down Barrel

You should be able to look into the back of the receiver and see down the barrel. If you’re looking at a bolt action rifle, you just have to look down the barrel. If your rifle is an AR-15 or M16 type, you’ll need to remove the stock. If you’re using any other kind of rifle, you’ll need to take off the handguard.

After adjusting the gun, you should now position it. This step is to ensure that the target’s center is as close to the bore’s center as possible.

Step 4: Center Optic’s Reticle

This is a simple task. You need to loosen the screws/Hexa nuts of the scope rings. You may have to adjust the marks (crosshair, reticle) to be aligned correctly.

Step 5: Tweak and Tighten

You must aim carefully when shooting. Your target should be centered in the crosshairs. Tighten any screws on the scope ring. Reassemble the rifle. Move the target to the 100-yard line. Sight in and shoot!

How to Laser Boresight Rifles?

You can find many of these items if you want to do boresighting. Laser devices provide several benefits. For instance, they offer more accuracy than simply using your eyes.

High-tech weapons are great inventions, but the downside is that they require a lot of maintenance. This means that you need to spend time cleaning them after every use.

This actually provides another benefit. Use the laser to bore guns without removing the bolt. View the barrel by looking into the breech end.

Step 1: Fit Laser Unit

Laser sights should be used when aiming at targets. A laser sight is usually fitted onto a weapon. You turn a knob on the boring-sights’ body to aim the laser’s red dot on the target.

Step 2: Adjust the Reticle

The laser dot should be attached to the turret. The turret should be adjusted so that the center of the laser dot overlaps the laser dot on the target. Detach the laser device from the turret.

Step 3: Move Target to Yards

Boresighting is an essential part of shooting. You must know how to use it correctly.

Step 4: Keep Your Rifle Steady

Boresighting is an important step to take before shooting. You should use a wide range of materials like a vise, woodblocks, sandbags, etc. These items help you to set a precise shot pattern, and make sure you’re aiming exactly where you want to shoot.

Step 5: Hit Range then Hit Hills

Shooting ranges are places where people go to shoot guns. You should go to the range as often as possible. Practice shooting at the range helps you become better at shooting. This makes your next hunting trip more likely to be successful.

Final Thoughts and Things to Remember…

As a shooter, you need to know that aiming plays a vital role when sighting in a red dot sight.

Bore axis is the point where the bullet enters the barrel.

Boresighting is an easy way to get close to your target. You won’t have to go to a range or buy expensive equipment. All you need is a gun and some time to do it.

Accurate shooting, after all, is all about balance and proper alignment.

If you want to know more information about scopes click Here.

Author

  • John Moses

    John is the Editor in Chief here at The Outdoor Stores. His area of expertise ensures that there is no one better to suggest which rifles are most suitable for your hunting experience. He is also available for you to contact him personally to discuss the types of animals you want to hunt and the terrain you will be hunting on. Feel free to read his posts for expert opinion on Rifles, Scopes, Rangefinders, Bonoculars and Monoculars.

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