How to Boresight a Rifle: A Step-by-Step Precision Guide

When preparing for a hunt or a day at the range, ensuring your rifle is properly sighted in is crucial for accuracy. One essential step in this process is boresighting—a method that helps align your rifle’s bore (barrel) with your scope before firing any shots.

This article walks you through a simple and effective approach to boresighting, using a .300 Win Mag as an example, to get you on target faster and with fewer wasted rounds.

This is a hint for those of you attending one of our long range schools if you are bringing a personal rifle. :) 

Why Boresighting Matters

Boresighting helps you align your rifle’s scope with the barrel, reducing the number of shots needed to achieve an accurate zero. This is especially useful when mounting a new scope or making adjustments before an important hunt, like the upcoming bear hunt in Alaska that prompted this tutorial.

Essential Tools for Boresighting

Before you begin, gather the necessary tools:

• A Stable Rest – A lead sled (such as a Caldwell Lead Sled) provides the best stability, but a front rest and rear bag can also work.
• Fix It Sticks – A versatile toolset ideal for making precise scope adjustments.
• Boresighting Devices (Optional) – Laser bore sighters can be mounted on the muzzle or inserted into the chamber, but they are not required for the method we’ll discuss.

Step-by-Step Boresighting Guide

1. Secure Your Rifle

Place your rifle in a stable rest. Stability is key because even small movements can affect alignment. If using a lead sled, ensure it is firmly in place.

2. Remove the Bolt (for Bolt-Action Rifles)

For bolt-action rifles, remove the bolt so you can see directly through the barrel. This method allows you to align the bore with your target manually.

3. Align the Bore with the Target

• Position the rifle so that when you look through the barrel, the target (preferably a large, high-contrast object) is centered in the bore.
• A 100-yard target is ideal, but if you’re new to boresighting, start at 25 yards to make adjustments easier.

4. Adjust the Scope

• Without moving the rifle, carefully look through the scope.
• If the reticle is not centered on the target, adjust the elevation and windage knobs to move the crosshairs until they align with the center of the bore.
• Remember: Turning the elevation knob up moves the crosshairs down, and turning the windage knob right moves the crosshairs left.

5. Verify and Fine-Tune

• Double-check that the bore and scope are aligned.
• Once satisfied, replace the bolt and prepare to fire test shots.

Live Fire Adjustment

Even with proper boresighting, you may not be perfectly zeroed. The next step is to take test shots and fine-tune your adjustments.

1. Fire a Test Shot

• Aim at the center of the target and fire a shot.
• Observe the point of impact using a spotting scope or a long-range camera like the Tactacam FTS.

2. Make Adjustments

• If the bullet hits low, adjust the elevation knob up.
• If the bullet hits left, adjust the windage knob right.
• Example: If you are three minutes left and one minute low, move the crosshairs right and up accordingly.

3. Fire Additional Rounds

• Fire another shot after adjustments and continue fine-tuning until you are hitting the center consistently.
• Once your rifle is properly zeroed, your scope is ready for the hunt or range session.

Final Thoughts

Boresighting is a simple but effective way to save ammunition and get on target faster. By following these steps, you’ll ensure your rifle is properly aligned before shooting, making the zeroing process quicker and more efficient. Whether preparing for a hunt or a range day, taking the time to boresight your rifle can improve accuracy and confidence in the field.

For more shooting tips and techniques, check out our other long-range shooting guides and videos. Happy shooting!

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