AR-15s are pretty versatile and easy to use. But just like any other rifle, AR-15 needs proper sighting for high shooting accuracy. When sighting an AR-15, you require bore sighters. Bore sighters are tools that help increase accuracy with the first shot.
Sighting any type of rifle is a pretty important lesson for any shooter. One way of sighting a rifle is bore sighting. It’s a method where you look down the barrel and through the bore to view your target.
Bore sighting can greatly increase your accuracy with the very first shot. If you’re looking to bore sight an AR-15, then you’ve come to the right place. Check this post If you’re looking for a scope for your ar-15.
Main Contents
What is Bore sighting
Bore sighting is a process used to align the bore of a firearm with the scope or sights of the gun. It involves placing a sighting device, such as a bore sighter or laser, into the chamber of the firearm. This is followed by adjusting the scope or sights until they are pointing in the same direction as the bore.
Bore sighting is an important step in the process of zeroing a firearm. It involves adjusting the scope or sights so that the bullet hits the target at a specific distance. By aligning the bore with the scope or sights, the shooter can ensure that the bullet will be fired in the direction of the intended target.
Importance of Bore Sighting
It can help shooters save time and ammunition by getting them on target more quickly and accurately. Below are some benefits of bore sighting.
- Accuracy: By aligning the bore with the scope or sights, the shooter can ensure that the bullet will travel in the same direction as the intended target. This is crucial for accurate and effective shooting at long distances.
- Time-saving: Bore sighting can save time and ammunition by getting the shooter on target more quickly and efficiently. It allows the shooter to make adjustments to the scope or sights before firing a single shot. This helps save time and reduce the amount of ammunition used.
- Consistency: Bore sighting helps to ensure consistency in the shooter’s aim. It is important to achieving consistent accuracy. By starting with an accurate bore sighting, the shooter can make minor adjustments as needed and maintain a consistent aim over time.
AR-15 platform
The AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle platform that is popular among civilian gun enthusiasts, hunters, and military and law enforcement personnel. It is characterized by its modular design, lightweight construction, and versatility.
The AR-15 was first introduced in the 1960s by the American gun manufacturer Colt as a military weapon, but it quickly became popular among civilians due to its accuracy, reliability, and customization options. Today, there are many different manufacturers of AR-15 rifles and a wide range of accessories and upgrades available to customize the rifle to the user’s needs.
The AR-15 platform is known for its lightweight construction, which makes it easy to handle and maneuver. It typically weighs between 6 and 9 pounds, depending on the configuration and accessories. It is also known for its accuracy and modularity, which allows users to customize the rifle to their specific needs and preferences.
The standard caliber for the AR-15 is .223/5.56mm, but it can also be chambered in other calibers such as .300 Blackout and .308 Winchester. It is a semi-automatic rifle, meaning that it fires one shot per trigger pull, and typically has a magazine capacity of 30 rounds.
Understanding the Basics of Bore Sighting
Bore sighting is the process of aligning the bore of a firearm with the line of sight of the scope or sights. This process ensures that the bullet will travel in the same direction as the shooter’s aim, making it an essential step in achieving accurate shooting.
The first step in bore sighting is to remove the bolt or bolt carrier group from the firearm, allowing access to the chamber. Next, a bore sighter or laser is inserted into the chamber, which projects a beam of light down the center of the bore.
The shooter then looks through the scope or sights and makes adjustments until the crosshairs or aiming point is aligned with the laser beam. The goal is to get the scope or sights as close to the center of the laser beam as possible, which will ensure that the bore is aligned with the shooter’s aim.
Definition and purpose of bore sighting
As indicated, bore sighting is aligning the firearm bore with the line of sight to view the target. It is an essential step in achieving accurate shooting and can save time and ammunition by getting the shooter on target more quickly and efficiently.
Bore sighting ensures that the shooter’s aim is accurate and on target. Bore sighting is typically done using a bore sighter or laser, which is inserted into the chamber of the firearm and projects a beam of light down the center of the bore. The shooter then adjusts the scope or sights until they are pointing in the same direction as the bore, as indicated by the laser beam.
Once the bore sighting is complete, the shooter can make minor adjustments to the scope or sights while firing at a target to achieve optimal accuracy. By starting with an accurate bore sighting, the shooter can save time and ammunition and achieve consistent accuracy over time. Bore sighting is an important skill for any shooter who wants to achieve accurate and effective shooting.
Types of bore sighting tools
There are several types of bore sighting tools available on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types of bore sighting tools include:
- Bore Sighter – a bore sighter is a device that is inserted into the chamber of a firearm and projects a beam of light down the center of the bore. The shooter then adjusts the scope or sights until they are pointing in the same direction as the laser beam.
- Collimator – a collimator is a device that is placed on the muzzle of the firearm and allows the shooter to align the bore with the line of sight of the scope or sights.
- Borescope – a borescope is a tool that allows the shooter to inspect the bore of the firearm for damage or debris that may affect accuracy.
- Magnetic bore sighter – a magnetic bore sighter is a tool that attaches to the barrel of the firearm and uses magnets to hold it in place while the shooter adjusts the scope or sights.
- Laser bore sighter – a laser bore sighter is similar to a bore sighter but uses a laser instead of a beam of light to align the bore with the line of sight of the scope or sights.
Advantages and limitations of bore sighting
Bore sighting has several advantages and limitations, which are important to consider when using this technique for firearm sighting. Here are some of the key advantages and limitations of bore sighting:
Advantages:
- Time and ammunition saving:
- Increased accuracy:
- Consistency:
- Ease of use:
Limitations:
- Limited accuracy
- Environmental factors.
- Human error
- Limited range
Preparing for Bore Sighting an AR-15
Preparing for bore sighting an AR-15 involves several important steps to ensure that the process is safe and effective. Here are some key steps to consider when preparing for bore sighting an AR-15:
Choosing the right bore sighting tool
There are several types of bore sighting tools available, including bore sighters, collimators, borescopes, magnetic bore sighters, and laser bore sighters. Choose the tool that best suits your needs and budget.
Selecting the right target
A high-contrast target with a visible center is essential for bore sighting. A simple target with a bullseye or crosshairs is sufficient for this purpose.
Ensuring a safe and stable shooting platform
Before bore sighting, make sure that the AR-15 is unloaded and that the shooting platform is stable and safe. Always follow proper safety procedures when handling firearms.
Preparing the AR-15 for bore sighting
Before bore sighting, ensure that the scope or sights are mounted securely on the firearm and that the firearm is level.
Remove the bolt carrier group from the AR-15 and insert the bore sighting tool into the chamber. Secure the bore sighting tool in place and adjust the sights until they are pointing in the same direction as the bore sighting tool.
Bore Sighting an AR-15
Bore sighting an AR-15 involves several important steps to ensure that the firearm is properly aligned with the scope or sights. Here are the basic steps to bore sighting an AR-15:
Installing the bore sighting tool
- Ensure that the AR-15 is unloaded and that the shooting platform is safe and stable.
- Remove the bolt carrier group from the AR-15.
- Choose the appropriate bore sighting tool and insert it into the chamber of the AR-15.
- Secure the bore sighting tool in place to prevent it from moving during the sighting process.
Adjusting the scope or sights to align with the bore sighting tool
- Look through the scope or sights and adjust them until the crosshairs or reticles are centered on the bore sighting tool.
- Make sure that the scope or sights are levels and that the vertical crosshair or reticle is aligned with the vertical axis of the bore sighting tool.
- Adjust the windage and elevation turrets on the scope or sights until they are aligned with the bore sighting tool.
- Repeat the process until the scope or sights are precisely aligned with the bore sighting tool.
Verifying and fine-tuning the alignment
- Remove the bore sighting tool from the chamber and replace the bolt carrier group.
- Move to a safe shooting distance and verify that the rifle is hitting the target.
- Fine-tune the scope or sights as needed to ensure accurate and consistent shots.
Confirming Zero at the Range
Confirming zero at the range is an important step in the process of zeroing an AR-15, and involves verifying that the firearm is hitting the target at the intended point of aim. Here are the steps to confirming zero at the range:
Choosing the right ammunition
Selecting the right ammunition is important for achieving consistent and accurate shots. Choose ammunition that is appropriate for the intended use and that has a similar weight and ballistic profile to the ammunition used during bore sighting.
Zeroing the AR-15 at a short distance
Begin by zeroing the AR-15 at a short distance, such as 25 yards. Use the same shooting platform, ammunition, and sighting system used during bore sighting, and aim at the center of the target. Fire a few rounds and adjust the scope or sights as needed to ensure that the shots are hitting the target at the intended point of aim.
Confirming zero at a longer distance
Once the AR-15 is zeroed at a short distance, move to a longer distance, such as 100 yards. Aim at the center of the target and fire a few rounds. If the shots are hitting the target at the intended point of aim, the AR-15 is zeroed at that distance. If not, adjust the scope or sights as needed to achieve the desired zero.
Tips and Tricks for Effective Bore Sighting
Here are some tips and tricks for effective bore sighting:
Best practices for using bore sighting tools
Select a bore sighting tool that is appropriate for the caliber and type of firearm being used. Ensure that the tool fits securely in the chamber and that it does not move during the sighting process.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a bore sighting tool that is not appropriate for the firearm being used.
- Failing to secure the bore sighting tool properly, resulting in movement during the sighting process.
- Using an unstable shooting platform results in movement or error during the sighting.
- Using inconsistent ammunition, resulting in variations in shot placement.
- Failing to check alignment regularly, results in misalignment and inaccurate shots.
Alternative methods for bore sighting
Alternative methods for bore sighting include using a laser bore sight, which projects a laser beam down the bore of the firearm, allowing for quick and easy sighting without firing shots. However, laser bore sighting can be less accurate than traditional bore sighting.
FAQs
Conclusion
Overall, bore sighting is crucial for proper accurate shooting. You need to follow our quick steps above to bore sight your AR-15. Make sure understand the AR-15 platform and bore sighter basics. Prepare the bore sighter, insert, adjust the scope, verify, and fine-tune.
Proper bore sighting ensures accurate shooting with the first shot. It also helps save time and ammunition.
Make sure you learn all the bore sighting basics and do regular practice with your AR-15.
Travis Mike is a firearm enthusiast and author passionate about all things guns. With 10 years of experience in the industry, Travis Mike has gained a wealth of knowledge on the subject. He is skilled in gunsmithing and tactical training. In addition to professional experience, Travis Mike is an avid hunter and shooter, regularly participating in local shooting ranges and hunting trips.