Sighting In a Scope? Here Are 5 Things You Need

Sighting in a scope or red dot is not hard, but there are a few things you need and a few more that just make the job easier. I have sighted in a lot of red dots and scopes over the years and it’s surprising how much time and ammo you save when you add a few accessories. Making sure you have a good understanding of the MOA (minute of angle) settings for the specific optic you are sighting in is a must.

The first time I ever sighted in a red dot, I wanted it sighted in at 50 yards. I placed the dot on the center of my paper target and fired. I didn’t have any magnification with me, so I walked over to the target to see where the bullet hit. Turns out it didn’t. I had no idea what to do next, so I just gave the windage and elevation a few clicks and fired again.

I have no idea how many rounds I fired that day and if I did know, I wouldn’t tell anyone. That was about 20 years ago, and I’ve learned a few helpful things since then. For someone who has never sighted in a red dot or scope, knowing those tips beforehand can make the process more enjoyable. I won’t cover the MOA settings of the optic today but focus more on the equipment instead.

1. Bore Sight

This is not required for sighting in an optic, but it can make the process faster. A bore sight allows you to dial your scope or optic at a closer range so when you begin to zero it on the range, it’s already close. This would have fixed the problem I talked about above.

There are several types of bore sights. One type is shaped like a bullet that goes into the chamber and shines a laser down the barrel and onto a target. This is one of the most accurate types of bore sights, but it must be specific to the caliber of gun you are sighting in.

A second type has a rod that sticks out of the back of the laser and goes into the muzzle end of your barrel. I had one like this and it came with several different sizes of rods for rifle-caliber barrels.

The third type, and my favorite, is the Real Avid Viz Max Bore Sight. It may not be as accurate as the other two, but it is fast and easy. The Viz Max has a magnet on the back of it that sticks to the end of your muzzle. It basically works with any type of rifle regardless of caliber. I use this every time I change an optic or scope on a rifle. I zero the optic with the laser at 25 yards in my garage. When I zero the optic at the range, it has always been on paper at 50 yards.

2. Spotter Scope

A spotter’s scope is almost a requirement for me when I’m shooting at 100 yards or more. Even for red dots at 50 yards, it’s helpful. If you have a powerful magnification on your scope and you’re only zeroing at 100 yards, you can probably see your shots without any issue. With a lot of scopes though, I can’t quite see where some of my bullets are hitting. I end up walking all the way out to the target for a closer look.

A spotter’s scope allows you to see everything on your target with ease. If you have a friend helping, they can watch as you shoot and give you instant feedback. Vortex and Bushnell both make excellent spotter scopes. If you want a cheaper version that still works just fine, try the Gosky 20-60X80 spotter scope. If you have some open land, these also work great for viewing. Most of them have small tripod legs that fold up and a carrying case for convenience.

3. Range Finder

If you are using a range with markers, you may not need a range finder, but they are handy to have when you are trying to zero a scope at a specific distance that is not marked. I always check the distance of a target before I shoot so I can adjust my scope if needed. These work great on hunting trips because you can check distances for areas you plan to shoot. Vortex makes a simple range finder called the Vortex Crossfire HD 1400 Laser Rangefinder.

Sig Sauer also makes a lot of great rangefinders as well. Knowing your exact distance from the target is imperative when sighting in a scope or adjusting for elevation. The Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB Ballistic Rangefinder will give you all the info you need for those long shots. But the HD 4000 is expensive, so it depends on how much you want to spend.

4. Tripod / Rest

Unless you are gifted enough to have frozen, statue-like abilities, a gun rest or tripod is almost a must. There are several types of gun rests that help steady the firearms while you take your shot. This can be gun bags, which are densely filled bags with a unique shape to hold your rifle. They are probably the cheapest form of gun rest on the market. Tabletop rifle shooting rests are the most popular at shooting ranges. Many of these have clamps to hold your rifle secure.

My favorite however is the tripod mount. A good tripod with adjustable clamps at the top can hold your rifle steady in the standing position. This is nice when you are shooting out in a field or simply want to stand while you shoot. It also works great for hunting trips because it swivels and lets you adjust your point of aim while holding your gun. You can set it up overlooking a field and wait for that 30-point buck to come walking out.

5. Electronic Hearing

Even if you are shooting alone, a good set of electronic earmuffs are so much better than earplugs or non-electric earmuffs. They protect your ears and give you superhuman hearing at the same time. My Walker Razor earmuffs are so powerful I can hear crickets and flies buzzing around while I shoot. I know hearing protection doesn’t affect your shot at 100 yards, but it does make it more enjoyable. It also lets you hear what’s going on around you while you shoot.

If you want to get fancy, they make some with built-in Bluetooth and walkie-talkies. The Bluetooth version syncs to your phone so you can listen to music and hear calls and texts as they come in. The walkie-talkie versions have a mic that folds down in front of your mouth and lets you talk to other people wearing the same type of earmuff. These have a wide range of pricing so there are plenty of options if you’re on a budget.

What gear do you need?

You can zero a scope or red dot without some of these items, but each one provides a benefit that makes life much easier. Knowing your optic is close to zero before you even head to the range is awesome. Having the ability to see a small hole in a target from 100 yards away is nice. Everyone zeroes their guns differently and uses different tools during that process.

Some people like to do as much on their own as possible without the help of these devices. There’s nothing wrong with either way if you can get your optic on target. But having some help is great and these products all help in a different way. You may decide to use a few or all of them. Either way, give some thought to what products you need the next time you head out to the range.