Learning how to sight in a rifle scope at 25 yards is the smart first step for any shooter. It saves ammo, builds confidence, and sets a solid foundation for longer distances. This guide will walk you through the simple, step-by-step process to get your rifle hitting where you aim.
How to Sight in a Rifle Scope at 25 Yards
This method is called “short-range zeroing.” The goal is to get your bullet’s impact point very close to your point of aim at 25 yards. This makes the final adjustment at 100 yards much easier and more predictable. It’s a fundamental skill every rifle owner should know.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Gathering the right gear before you head to the range makes everything smoother. Here’s your checklist:
- A securely mounted and leveled rifle scope.
- Enough ammunition (at least 20 rounds).
- A solid shooting rest or sandbags (a bipod alone is often not stable enough).
- Eye and ear protection.
- A target with a clear, small aiming point.
- A screwdriver or the specific tool for your scope’s adjustment caps.
- A safe, designated shooting range with a 25-yard lane.
Step-by-Step Sighting Process
1. Safety and Setup
Always treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Point the muzzle in a safe direction. Set up your target at a measured 25 yards. Get yourself and your rifle into a very stable position on the bench. The rifle should rest solidly in the sandbags, not your hands. You want to remove as much human wobble as possible.
2. The “Bore Sight” Method (Optional but Helpful)
If you can, remove the bolt from your rifle. Look directly down the barrel (the bore) from the breech and center the target in the barrel. Without moving the rifle, adjust the scope’s crosshairs until they are also centered on that same target. This gets you on paper from the start and is a huge ammo saver.
3. Firing Your First Group
Load your rifle. Aim carefully at the exact center of your target. Fire three shots slowly and deliberately. Focus on a smooth trigger pull and follow-through. Don’t worry about where they hit yet; just shoot consistently.
4. Reading Your Shot Group
Go downrange (when the range is cold and safe!) and look at your target. Find the center of your three-shot cluster. This is your current point of impact. Measure how far this center is from your aiming point. Note the direction (e.g., 2 inches low and 1 inch left).
5. Making Scope Adjustments
Here’s the key part. Scope turrets adjust in Minutes of Angle (MOA). At 25 yards, 1 MOA is about 0.25 inches. Most scopes have 1/4 MOA clicks, meaning each click moves the point of impact 1/4 MOA.
- If your group is 2 inches low at 25 yards, you need to come up 8 MOA (2 inches / 0.25 inches per MOA = 8 MOA). With a 1/4 MOA scope, that’s 32 clicks UP (8 MOA x 4 clicks per MOA).
- If it’s 1 inch left, you need to move right 4 MOA, which is 16 clicks RIGHT.
Remember the old saying: “Follow the holes.” Turn the turret in the direction you want the bullet holes to move.
6. Confirming Your Zero
After making the adjustments, fire another three-shot group. This group should be much closer to your aim point. Repeat the measure-and-adjust process until the center of your group is exactly where you’re aiming. A perfect 25-yard zero for many rifles will have the bullet striking about 1 inch high. This sets you up perfectly for a 100-yard zero later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing the shots: Let the barrel cool between groups. A hot barrel can change point of impact.
- Unstable rest: If the rifle is wobbling on the bags, your groups will be large and misleading.
- Chasing a single shot: Always adjust based on a group of shots, not one flyer. Even pros throw a bad shot sometimes.
- Forgetting to reset turrets: Some scopes allow you to loosen the turret and set the zero marker after you’re done. It’s a helpful reference for the future.
Moving from 25 Yards to 100 Yards
Once you have a good 25-yard zero, moving to 100 yards is simple. At 100 yards, your 1-inch-high impact at 25 yards will typicaly drop to be very close to dead-on. Fire a group at 100 yards. The adjustments you make now will be tiny—often just a click or two to fine-tune. This two-step process is far more efficient than starting at 100 yards and wasting ammo finding the target.
FAQ Section
Why sight in at 25 yards first?
It’s efficient. At 25 yards, any error in your scope’s alignment is magnified four times less than at 100 yards, making initial corrections easier and cheaper. You use less ammo to get on target before making the final precise adjustments at longer range.
What if my scope adjustments don’t seem to work?
First, double-check your math. Ensure you’re turning the turrets the correct direction. If problems persist, the scope mounts might be loose, the scope could be faulty, or the rifle’s action might not be bedded correctly. Ensure all screws are properly torqued.
Can I sight in my rifle at 25 yards for good?
For some low-velocity cartridges like .22 LR or for use in very dense brush where shots are very close, a 25-yard zero may be sufficient. For most centerfire rifles intended for 100+ yard shooting, it’s just the initial step. The bullet’s trajectory will be too high at mid-range if you only use a 25 yard zero.
How often should I re-check my zero?
You should check it whenever you suspect a bump or drop, before a hunting season, or if the rifle has been in storage a long time. It’s good practice to verify your zero periodically, even if nothing seems wrong.
Mastering how to sight in a rifle scope at 25 yards is a fundamental markmanship skill. It takes the mystery out of the process and puts you in control of your equipment. With a little patience and this method, you’ll have your rifle dialed in quickly, accurately, and without wasting boxes of ammunition. Always remember to prioritize safety and have fun with the learning process.