If you want your shots to hit where you aim, you need to learn how do you zero a rifle scope. This process aligns your scope’s crosshairs with the point of impact of your bullet at a specific distance. It’s the most important step in setting up your rifle for accuracy, whether you’re hunting, target shooting, or preparing for competition.
Getting it right builds confidence and ensures ethical, effective shots. While it might seem technical, breaking it down into simple steps makes it manageable for anyone.
How Do You Zero a Rifle Scope
Zeroing is simply adjusting the internal mechanisms of your scope so your point of aim and point of impact match. Think of it like sighting in a new pair of binoculars; you’re just calibrating the tool to work perfectly with your specific rifle and ammunition. A proper zero accounts for variables like bullet drop and gives you a known reference for making longer shots.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Gathering the right gear before you head to the range makes the whole process smoother and safer. Here’s your checklist:
* A stable shooting platform: A solid bench rest and sandbags or a mechanical rest are ideal. This removes human error from the equation.
* Ammunition: Use the exact ammo you plan to shoot regularly. Different brands or bullet weights will impact differently.
* Eye and ear protection: Safety is non-negotiable.
* A target: A paper target with a clear, small aiming point. Grid targets are excellent for seeing exactly where your shots land.
* Screwdrivers or an adjustment tool: Usually included with your scope for the windage and elevation turrets.
* A boresighter (optional): This tool can help get you on paper at close range, saving initial ammo.
Choosing Your Zero Distance
Your zero distance is a personal choice based on your primary use. There’s no single “best” distance.
* 25-Yard Preliminary Zero: Many shooters start here to get on paper safely before moving to a longer range. It’s a great initial step.
* 50-Yard Zero: Common for rimfire rifles and some pistol-caliber carbines where trajectories drop quickly.
* 100-Yard Zero: The most popular choice for centerfire rifles. It provides a flat trajectory for many common hunting cartridges out to 200 yards or more.
* 200-Yard Zero: Often used for higher-velocity rifles where the bullet path stays very flat over longer distances.
Consider where you’ll be shooting most often and choose a distance that makes sense for your ballistics.
Step-by-Step: The Zeroing Process
Follow these steps carefully for a precise and repeatable zero.
Step 1: Mount the Scope Securely
Before you can zero, your scope must be mounted correctly. Ensure the rings are tight to the base and to the scope tube according to the manufacturer’s specifications. A loose mount will never hold a zero. The scope should be level and at a comfortable eye relief distance for you.
Step 2: Perform a Rough Boresight
This gets you on the target. Unload your rifle and remove the bolt (if possible). Look directly down the bore from the chamber end and center the target in the barrel. Without moving the rifle, adjust the scope’s windage and elevation turrets until the crosshairs are centered on that same target. A laser boresighter can also do this job quickly.
Step 3: Fire Your First Group
Set up your target at your chosen distance (we’ll use 100 yards as the example). From a solid rest, fire a careful 3-shot group. Aim for the exact same point each time. Don’t adjust the scope between these shots. The goal is to see a tight cluster, which shows your shooting consistency.
Step 4: Adjust the Scope
Now, analyze your group. Let’s say your 3-shot group is 6 inches low and 4 inches to the left of your aiming point. You’ll need to consult your scope’s manual to know the value of each “click” of adjustment (e.g., ΒΌ MOA per click). To move the impact point up 6 inches, you’ll adjust the elevation turret in the “UP” direction the required number of clicks. To move it right 4 inches, adjust the windage turret in the “RIGHT” direction.
Step 5: Confirm and Fine-Tune
Fire another 3-shot group after your adjustments. Your group should now be much closer to the bullseye. Make smaller, finer adjustments as needed. Once your group is consistently centered on your point of aim, your rifle is zeroed. Fire a final 3- or 5-shot group to confirm the zero is holding steady.
Understanding Scope Turrets
Those knobs on top and side of your scope aren’t mysterious. They’re precise adjustment tools.
* Elevation Turret (Top): Moves the point of impact up and down. It’s usually marked with an “Up” arrow or direction.
* Windage Turret (Side): Moves the point of impact left and right. Marked with an “R” for right or “L” for left.
* Parallax Adjustment (Side or Objective Bell): Not all scopes have this. It focuses the reticle and target plane to remove parallax error, which can cause aiming inconsistency if your eye moves.
Always follow the directional arrows on the turrets. Remember the old saying: “Follow the hole.” If your shots are hitting low, you need to come up to meet them.
Common Zeroing Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced shooters can slip up. Watch for these pitfalls.
* A poor rest: Inconsistency in your front or rear bag will ruin group consistency.
* Adjusting after every shot: Always fire a group before making changes. Single shots can be fliers.
* Mixing ammunition: Stick to one brand, bullet weight, and type throughout the zeroing process.
* Forgetting to record your settings: Once zeroed, note your turret positions or use a zero-stop feature if your scope has it.
* Rushing the process: Take you’re time. Heating the barrel too quickly can change point of impact.
Maintaining Your Zero
A zero can shift over time. It’s good practice to check it periodically.
* Check it at the start of a new hunting season or competition year.
* Check it if your rifle suffers a significant bump or drop.
* Check it if you change your ammunition type entirely.
* Always store your rifle in a safe, dry place to protect it’s zero.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many shots does it take to zero a scope?
With good preparation, it can take 10-15 rounds. Starting with a boresight saves ammunition. The key is firing groups, not single shots.
Can I zero my rifle at 25 yards instead of 100?
Yes, a 25-yard zero is a valid starting point, especially for getting on paper safely. However, you must understand that your point of impact will be different at 100 yards. Some ballistic calculators can translate a 25-yard zero to a longer-range equivalent.
Why does my zero keep changing?
Common culprits include loose scope mounts, a shifting barrel due to heat or pressure from the stock, using different ammunition, or a mechanical issue with the scope itself. Double-check all mounting screws first.
What’s the difference between zeroing and sighting in?
The terms are often used interchangably. Technically, “zeroing” is the act of adjusting the scope to achieve a point of aim/point of impact match. “Sighting in” is the broader process that includes zeroing and may also involve understanding holdovers at various distances.
Do I need to re-zero for different ammo?
Almost certainly. Different bullet weights, velocities, and designs will fly differently. If you switch ammo, you need to verify and likely re-zero your rifle scope to ensure accuracy.