How to Zero a Scope?

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Zeroing a riflescope is an integral part of shooting. It enables to fire the bullet at the point where it is wanted to hit. It provides the perfect location in which the bullet will hit. Without zeroing a scope, you can’t shoot at the desired point. New scopes are easy to be zeroed as compared to the old ones.

How to zero a scope correctly?

It takes time, patience, and effort to zero the riflescope. A scope can be zeroed with less effort if a boresight such as a laser sight is used. Using a laser sight can be used to zero a scope without firing but for properly zeroing and accurately aiming with a scope follow all the instructions in this article. 

Steps to zero a riflescope

You can zero a scope at different distances. The most preferred length is 100 yards. The reason behind it is that many scopes come with parallax adjustment set to 100 yards. It makes it easy to zero a scope within 100 yards. Another simple reason is that you can quickly identify if the gun scope is lined up with the boresight or not. Zeroing a scope at other distances such as 25-50 yards can be used.

This distance is recommended only to zero a scope with the laser sight. Zeroing a scope with firing requires at least a distance of 100 yards. As 100 yards can make the scope zero accurately, we will recommend using the fire technique. It is necessary to check that the scope is appropriately fitted in the gun. If it is not, then all of your efforts can go in vain.

1. Basic steps

In this heading, we will highlight some things that you need to do before zeroing the scope.  [sc name=”in-content” ]

  • The first step is to fix the mount according to the scope manufacturer’s direction. You just have to screw the mount in the X pattern. After placing the eyepiece in the correct order, the next step is to level the crosshair before tightening the screw-up. It is essential to fix it right to avoid difficulties in zeroing.
  • Resting the gun at a certain point is necessary as while zeroing a scope moving the gun is not wanted. You can’t zero a riflescope. You can fix the gun at a rifle rest. Then make sure that the distance that you have selected is in the range of the weapon. Firing one or two bullets on the target that is chosen for zeroing can do this.  

2. Making adjustments

Once you have completed all the steps, the second step is to lie down and fire some bullets to zero the riflescope. It would be best if you examined whether your shots are going high or below the bull-eye. Make sure that your gun is unloaded while making adjustments or it can cause damage to you. According to the right, left or, up, down the distance from the bullseye, windage and elevation knobs can be adjusted.

All the scopes are different, but the essential knobs and adjustments are almost the same. Each one of the clicks of the scope is equal to a quarter of an inch at hundred yards. As one MOA (minute of angle) is equal to one inch at hundred yards. When one bullet is fired on the target, note its distance from the bullseye. Suppose the bullet hits four and a quarter inches below and three and a half inches right.

As four a half times four that is sixteen and that is eighteen. So you will rotate the elevation knob through eighteen clicks.  This adjustment elevates us to the point right to the bullseye. But to make the bullet hit at the bullseye; we should make some adjustments with the windage knob. Suppose the bullet impact’s horizontal distance is three and a half from the right to the bullseye. So we have to come three and a half MOA.

Three and half times four are equal to fourteen. We will rotate the clicks on the windage knob fourteen times to zero the scope. Do this process fire some more bullets and a zero scope will be achieved. You can also watch this video in case of any difficulty.

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Conclusion

This article explains all the crucial aspects of zeroing a scope. Zeroing a scope can be done without firing through a boresight called laser sight. But, it is not as good as doing a scope zero by firing. Firing makes it easy to zero scopes to make accurate adjustments. Firing on the target makes it easy to locate the inaccuracy. It provides you with the horizontal and vertical distance from the center of the target.

You can adjust the knobs and rotate them according to the distance. It takes time to zero a scope accurately, but you don’t need to zero it again once it is done. It would help if you bought suitable mounts, so the scope stays in position. Some experts suggest spending more money on mounts than scopes. [sc name=”faq3questions” q1=”How to zero a scope?” a1=”A scope can be zeroed with less effort if a boresight such as a laser sight is used. Using a laser..” q2=”Steps to zero a riflescope” a2=”Another simple reason is that you can quickly identify if the gun scope is lined up with the boresight or not. Zeroing a scope at other distances such..” q3=”Making adjustments” a3=”According to the right, left or, up, down the distance from the bullseye, windage and elevation knobs can..” ]

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