Accurately zeroing your firearm is crucial for precision shooting, whether you're a seasoned marksman or just starting out. One effective method to achieve this is boresighting, a process that aligns your firearm's sights with the barrel's bore using a boresighting tool, often incorporating a laser. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to boresight with a laser, ensuring you get the most accurate starting point for your zeroing process.
What is Boresighting?
Boresighting is a preliminary step in the zeroing process. It's a quick and easy method to roughly align your sights or scope with the barrel's path, significantly reducing the time needed for fine-tuning at the range. Instead of firing numerous rounds to find your zero, boresighting gets you close, saving ammunition and time. A laser boresight is particularly helpful as it provides immediate visual feedback.
Choosing the Right Laser Boresight
Selecting the appropriate laser boresight is critical for accuracy. Consider these factors:
- Caliber Compatibility: Ensure the boresight is compatible with your firearm's caliber. Different calibers require different sized boresights. Using the wrong size can damage your firearm.
- Laser Type: Red lasers are generally sufficient for most applications, offering good visibility in various lighting conditions. Green lasers offer improved visibility, especially in bright sunlight, but are typically more expensive.
- Construction: Look for a durable, well-constructed boresight made from robust materials that can withstand the rigors of insertion and removal.
Step-by-Step Guide to Boresighting with a Laser
This procedure assumes you've already chosen a compatible laser boresight. Always prioritize safety: treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
1. Safety First:
- Unload your firearm: Completely unload your firearm and visually inspect the chamber and magazine to confirm it's empty. Double-check!
- Point in a safe direction: Ensure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction, away from people, pets, and anything you don't want to damage.
2. Inserting the Laser Boresight:
- Carefully insert the boresight: Gently insert the laser boresight into the muzzle of your firearm's barrel. Avoid forcing it; if it doesn't slide in easily, double-check compatibility.
- Secure the boresight: Ensure the boresight is securely seated, maintaining a stable position within the barrel.
3. Adjusting Your Sights or Scope:
- Turn on the laser: Activate the laser boresight.
- Align the laser with your sights/scope: Position yourself at a safe distance (at least 25 yards is recommended) where you can clearly see the laser dot on a target.
- Adjust your sights/scope: Carefully adjust your iron sights or the turrets on your scope until the laser dot is centered in your sights or scope's reticle. This is the crucial step for achieving accurate boresight alignment.
4. Removing the Boresight:
- Remove the boresight: Carefully remove the laser boresight from the barrel.
5. Confirmation at the Range:
- Firearm zeroing: While boresighting provides a good starting point, it's essential to confirm and fine-tune your zero at the range using live ammunition. Start with short-range shots and gradually increase the distance as you refine your aim.
Tips for Accurate Boresighting
- Proper lighting: Ensure sufficient lighting for optimal visibility of the laser dot.
- Stable platform: Use a stable rest or shooting bench for precise alignment.
- Distance: Use a sufficient distance (25 yards or more) to minimize errors.
- Repeat the process: Repeat the process several times to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Conclusion
Boresighting with a laser offers a significant advantage in the firearm zeroing process. By following these steps and prioritizing safety, you can achieve a more accurate starting point for zeroing, saving time and ammunition at the range. Remember that boresighting is a preliminary step; always confirm and fine-tune your zero with live fire at a safe shooting range.
