There’s a special kind of confidence that comes from knowing exactly where your rifle will hit. That confidence is born at the shooting range, during the essential process of sighting in your scope. While tools like bore sighters can be helpful, they aren’t a necessity. In fact, learning the fundamental method is a rite of passage for any rifle owner. Mastering How To Sight In A Rifle Scope Without A Boresighter [2025 Method] is not only entirely possible, but it also deepens your understanding of your equipment and the principles of marksmanship.
This guide will walk you through a safe, effective, and modern approach to getting your rifle on paper and dialed in for precision. We’ll cover everything from the crucial initial setup to making those final fine-tuning adjustments. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to confidently zero your rifle using just a few basic tools and a methodical process, ensuring you’re ready for whatever target you have in mind.
Gathering Your Gear and Setting Up Safely
Before you fire a single shot, preparation is key. You’ll need a few essential items: your rifle and scope, of course, plus the appropriate allen wrenches for the scope mounts. Ammunition for the distance you plan to zero at (often 100 yards) is a must. A solid rest is non-negotiable; a sandbag front and rear, or a quality shooting rest, will eliminate human wobble and let the rifle recoil consistently. Don’t forget eye and ear protection, a target with a clear, high-contrast bullseye, and a spotting scope or binoculars to see your hits without walking downrange constantly.
Safety is your first priority. Always treat the firearm as if it is loaded. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, downrange, at all times. Ensure your firearm is on safe until you are ready to fire, and keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target. Confirm your backstop is adequate and that the range is clear before you begin.
The Essential First Step: Getting on Paper at 25 Yards
This is the most critical part of the entire process. The goal here isn’t to achieve a perfect zero, but to simply ensure your bullet will hit the target paper at a closer distance. This saves you time, ammunition, and frustration. Set your target at 25 yards. From a stable, supported position, aim directly at the center of the bullseye. Fire a single, careful shot.
Now, use your spotting scope. Can you see the hole? If it’s on the paper, great! Do not move your rifle from its rest. Look through your scope again and notice where the crosshairs are pointing. Now, carefully turn the windage and elevation turrets (the dials on top and the side of your scope) to move the crosshairs directly over the bullet hole you just made. For example, if your shot hit six inches low and three inches left, you would adjust the turrets to move the crosshairs down and left until they are centered on that hole. Once the crosshairs are aligned with the impact point, your rifle is “on paper.” You are now ready to move to your true zeroing distance.
Fine-Tuning Your Zero at 100 Yards
Move your target out to 100 yards, or whatever your intended zero distance is. The adjustments you made at 25 yards should have your shots hitting reasonably close to the bullseye. Now, fire a three-shot group. The goal is to see a tight cluster of holes, not three separate ones. This group gives you a true average of where your rifle is shooting.
Go downrange and observe your target. Let’s say your three-shot group is four inches high and two inches to the right of the bullseye. Now, you’ll use the turrets on your scope. Each turret is marked with directions, usually “UP” and “RIGHT” or arrows. Importantly, you need to adjust the turret in the direction you want the bullet impact to move. To correct a shot that is hitting high, you must adjust the elevation turret down. To correct a shot hitting to the right, you adjust the windage turret left.
Scopes are calibrated in clicks, and each click moves the point of impact a specific amount (e.g., ΒΌ inch at 100 yards). To move our example group four inches down, you would calculate: 4 inches / 0.25 inches per click = 16 clicks. So, you would turn the elevation turret 16 clicks in the “DOWN” direction. Repeat the process for windage. Fire another three-shot group to confirm. Repeat this process of shooting a group, measuring the error, and making precise adjustments until your group is centered on the bullseye.
How To Sight In A Rifle Scope Without A Boresighter [2025 Method]
This entire process represents the modern, practical method for How To Sight In A Rifle Scope Without A Boresighter. Its strength lies in its simplicity and reliance on fundamental marksmanship principles. The 2025 approach emphasizes using a close-range “get on paper” step to eliminate guesswork, followed by a methodical group-shooting and adjustment process at the final distance. This technique builds foundational skills and ensures a reliable, verified zero that you can trust.
Final Checks and Pro Tips for Success
Once you’re satisfied with your zero, there’s one more vital step. Fire one final three-shot group to confirm everything is holding. Then, while keeping the rifle perfectly still, gently turn the turret knobs a full rotation or two away from your zero and then back to their marked setting. This ensures the internal mechanisms have settled into place and your zero is consistent.
A few pro tips can make your day at the range even smoother. Always let your barrel cool between groups; a hot barrel can warp and change your point of impact. Be consistent with your shoulder pressure and cheek weld on the stock. And finally, remember that the quality of your ammunition matters. If you plan to hunt or compete with a specific brand and bullet weight, try to sight in with that exact ammunition for the best results.
By following these steps, you’ve not only successfully sighted in your rifle, but you’ve also gained a deeper, hands-on understanding of how your rifle and scope work together. This knowledge is far more valuable than any tool. With your rifle now accurately zeroed, you can head into the field or to the competition with complete confidence in your equipment and your skills.