How to Sight in a Rifle Scope without a Boresighter

There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of taking a well-aimed shot and hitting your target. But achieving that level of precision requires more than just a steady hand and a good eye.

If you’re a shooter, you know that properly sighting in your rifle scope is crucial for achieving accurate shots. While bore sighters can make the process easier, not everyone can access one. 

So, what do you do when you need to sight in your rifle scope without a bore sighter? In this guide, we’ll show you how to do just that, with step-by-step instructions that will have you hit your targets confidently in no time. 

Whether you’re a beginner shooter or a seasoned pro, this guide will give you the tools you need to achieve accurate and precise shots every time, even without a bore sighter.

What is Bore Sighting in Rifle Scope?

Bore sighting in a rifle scope is the process of aligning the scope’s crosshairs with the rifle’s bore axis to get the scope on target before making any further adjustments. This process helps the shooter to save time and ammunition during the sighting-in process.

The bore sighting method involves placing a device called a bore sighter into the barrel of the rifle, which projects a laser beam down the center of the bore. The shooter then adjusts the rifle scope to align with the laser beam, ensuring that the crosshairs are properly aligned with the rifle’s bore axis. This helps the shooter to achieve accurate and precise shots when they begin shooting at longer distances.

6 Steps to Sight in a Rifle Scope without a Boresighter

As a shooter, you know that proper sight alignment is essential for hitting your targets accurately and precisely.

Let’s know how to do just that, with step-by-step instructions that will have you hit your targets confidently in no time.

Step 1: Mount Your Rifle Scope Properly

Before you can begin the process of sighting your rifle scope, you need to ensure that it is mounted correctly on your rifle. If you’re unsure how to do this, consult the manual that came with your rifle or seek the advice of a professional gunsmith. Once your rifle scope is mounted, you can move on to the next step.

Step 2: Set Up a Target at a Reasonable Distance

Choose a visible and clear target, and set it up at a distance of around 25 yards. It’s important to start at a reasonable distance, so you can make adjustments without walking back and forth between your target and rifle. A good target to use is a paper plate with a black dot in the center.

Step 3: Adjust Your Rifle’s Iron Sights

Before you start adjusting your rifle scope, it’s essential to ensure that your rifle’s iron sights are properly aligned. To do this, aim at the target using your iron sights, and make any necessary adjustments until you hit the bullseye. Once your iron sights are properly aligned, you can move on to adjusting your rifle scope.

Step 4: Use a Laser Bore Sighter Or a Plumb Line

While a bore sighter would be ideal for sighting in your rifle scope, you can still achieve the same effect using a laser bore sighter or a plumb line.

A laser bore sighter emits a laser beam that aligns with the center of your rifle’s bore, while a plumb line is simply a weighted string that you can hang from your rifle to help you line up your shots. Both tools can be used to help you get your rifle scope on target.

Step 5: Adjust Your Rifle Scope

Now that you have your laser bore sighter or plumb line set up, it’s time to make adjustments to your rifle scope. Use the adjustment knobs on your scope to move the crosshairs until they align with the laser beam or plumb line.

Once you have the crosshairs lined up, take a few practice shots to ensure that you are hitting the bullseye.

Step 6: Fine-tune Your Adjustments

You will unlikely get your rifle scope perfectly aligned on the first try. So, take your time and make small adjustments until you consistently hit your target. Remember, the key to accurate shooting is patience and practice.

Final Verdict

While a bore sighter can make the process of sighting in your rifle scope easier, it’s not essential. With the right tools and a little patience, you can achieve accurate and precise shots without a bore sighter.

Just remember to mount your rifle scope properly, set up a visible target, adjust your iron sights, use a laser bore sighter or plumb line, make adjustments to your rifle scope, and fine-tune your shots until you hit the bullseye every time.