How to Boresight a Scope on a Bolt-Action Gun

Visual Boresighting

• 1

  Remove the bolt from the rifle and place the rifle on a secure surface. The surface should be one that allows the rifle to be consistently aimed at the target but let's you adjust the scope without moving the rifle (sandbags are recommended).

• 2

  Looking through the barrel at the target, adjust the rifle so that a predetermined spot on your target is visible.

• 3

  Move the scope's crosshairs so they intersect on that point. Adjust the scope elevation by rotating the adjustment dial, on the top of the scope, clockwise for down and counterclockwise for up. Similarly, adjust the scope windage by rotating the adjustment dial, on the right side of the scope, clockwise for left and counterclockwise for right.

• 4

  When the crosshairs are centered, recheck the barrel position and verify that it is still lined up with the point on the target (if not, repeat the process).

Laser Boresighing

• 5

  If using an end-mounted laser boresighter, attach the laser to the end of your rifle barrel. If using a bullet-style laser boresighter, place the device into the rifle's chamber and close the bolt (this activates the laser).

• 6

  Aim at your target to note where the laser is striking your target (the laser will appear as a bright red dot). Adjust the crosshairs to center on the laser point, using the same procedures outlined in section one.

• 7

  Remove the laser boresighter.

Optical Boresighting

• 8

  Attach the boresighter to the end of the gun barrel. Modern optical boresighters use magnets, whereas older ones use of alignment rods that are inserted down the barrel. The lens of the boresighter should line up with the view from the scope.

• 9

  As you look through the scope, you will see a grid pattern from the boresighter lens. Adjust the crosshairs to the center of the boresighter grid (see section one for scope adjustment procedures).

• 10

  When the crosshairs are centered, remove the boresighter.