How to Adjust a Sighting Scope on a Rifle for Beginners

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Plus, how often to zero and answers to other common questions
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Whether you’re just learning to shoot for the first time or you’ve recently installed a new scope on your rifle, it’s important to sight in your scope to ensure you’re shooting accurately. Luckily, zeroing in your rifle scope is an easy process! We talked to firearms instructors Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon and Roger Judd to find out everything you need to know to adjust your scope safely and efficiently.

Quick Guide to Zeroing a Rifle Scope

  1. Ensure the scope is securely mounted and perfectly level.
  2. Bore sight the gun to get the scope roughly lined up with the barrel.
  3. Fire a group of 3 shots at a target.
  4. Make minor adjustments using the elevation and windage knobs on the scope.
  5. Fire and adjust again until the scope is zeroed.
Section 1 of 7:

Mounting the Scope

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  1. “Before you can sight in a rifle, the scope has to be mounted correctly,” says Judd. Start by screwing the mount into the holes on the top of the rifle. Attach the rings to the top of the mount. Use a level to make sure the rifle is perfectly straight, then set the scope into the rings. Double-check that the scope is level and then tighten the ring screws to secure it. [1]
    • Use a torque wrench to ensure the screws in the mount are tightened to the manufacturer’s specifications. [2]
    • Lightly oil the base of the mount and the top of the rifle to prevent rusting, but don’t get oil into the screw holes or on the screws. [3]
    • If you’re not comfortable doing this process yourself, take your scope to a gunsmith to have it professionally mounted.
Section 2 of 7:

Bore Sighting Before You Fire

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  1. Pull the bolt out of the rifle—the way you do that can vary depending on the rifle you’re using—and set your gun on a secure base, like sandbags. Look through the barrel and adjust the gun until it’s pointed right at the center of your target. Then, adjust the knobs on your scope until the crosshairs or reticle are centered on the same spot. [4]
    • Bore sighting helps ensure you’ll hit the target (called being “on paper”) when you first start firing at the range. It’s a simple process that allows you to check that your scope is roughly in line with your rifle barrel, and it helps you get close to zero without wasting ammo.
  2. 2
    Or, use a laser for bore sighting. Dr. Harmon says, “The best way to zero a rifle is to use something called a bore sight cartridge, which is a little laser beam that you insert into the bore of the rifle.” Point the laser at your target, then adjust your scope so it’s pointed at the center of the laser. That will get you close to zero, then you can fine-tune once you start shooting.
    • “Green lasers are more visible if you’re bore sighting a scope during the daytime,” says Judd. “Red doesn’t show up very well during the day, but it’s better if you need to sight in at night.”
Section 3 of 7:

Zeroing Your Scope at the Range

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  1. The only way to accurately sight-in a rifle scope is to shoot it from a variety of positions. The easiest (and safest) way to do this is at a gun range. As always, practice good gun safety while you're handling a firearm and wear the proper eye and ear protection—it will typically be required by the range. [5]
    • Use a target specifically intended for zeroing at the distance you’re using. These will typically have lots of measurements that let you make accurate adjustments on the rifle. The more sure how "off" each hit is, the more accurately you'll be able to sight it in.
    • Follow the specific regulations and rules at the range at which you're shooting.
  2. 2
    Set up the gun at the distance you want to use for zeroing. “Most rifles are zeroed at 100 yards,” says Dr. Harmon. This is also the most common distance you’ll find at shooting ranges. However, when you’re sighting in a gun for the first time, even if you’ve already bore sighted it, Dr. Harmon recommends “zeroing at 25 yards first to get you close to the bullseye.”
    • You can also zero at 200 yards if you prefer and your gun range allows it.
  3. Dr. Harmon says, “Before you fire a rifle, stabilize it using a stand or even something as simple as a foam block or a sandbag. That will hold the rifle as steady as possible.”
    • If you don't have a solid gun rest, get in as solid a position for shooting as possible. Even just setting up a couple of steady books, or your boots, or your jacket, will help you to rest the gun on something and shoot more accurately. Just make sure whatever you're resting it on is clear of the bolt.
    • Load the gun and take off the safety—be sure to follow any procedures required by the range as you do this.
  4. 4
    Aim at the center of the target. “Most scopes have a simple crosshair,” says Dr. Harmon, “but some have more advanced reticles with hash marks.” No matter which kind of scope you have, train the center of the scope directly on the center of your target.
    • Take your time to get set up—maintain a “ cheek to stock weld ,” meaning your cheek is resting naturally against the stock of the rifle. This will help ensure your shots are consistent.
  5. “When your crosshairs are close enough to the bullseye, exhale and hold that for a microsecond,” advises Dr. Harmon. “Then, gently squeeze the trigger—don’t jerk it, just apply gentle pressure while holding the rifle as steady as possible. Fire a group of 3 rounds, using your optics to aim.”
    • By firing several rounds, you’ll have a more accurate idea of how the scope is aligned. If one shot is a little wild (due to user error or other factors), you could adjust your scope more than you need to, causing you to backtrack later.
  6. Wait for the signal that the range is cold, then engage the safety and unload your rifle, checking it twice to be sure. Retrieve your target or examine it through a range sight to get an accurate picture of your shots. [6]
    • If your reticle or target has hash marks, use those as a reference point for how far you need to adjust your scope.
  7. Judd says, “Use the adjustment knobs on the top of your scope to move the impact point up or down and left or right.” It’s usually a good idea to adjust the windage (left and right) and elevation (up and down) separately for accuracy, although some people do make the changes at the same time. [7] On some older sights, you'll need to use a penny or a small key to turn the knobs gently, though on most sights you can just use your fingers to twist the knob, like a dial.
    • Imagine bringing the bullet (point of impact) to the crosshairs (point of aim). If your bullet lands down and to the left of your point of aim, you’ll need to adjust to the right and up.
    • The distance that your scope moves with each turn (or click) depends on the type of scope you have. To learn more about that, jump to our section on MOA vs MRAD .
  8. 8
    Repeat the process until your shots hit the center of the target. Fire another group of 3–5 shots, then check your target and adjust the sights again. “Keep doing that until the bullet impacts the center of the target,” says Judd.
    • Once that happens, your scope is zeroed.
    • If you had to remove a set screw to turn your adjustment knobs, replace it once your scope is zeroed.
Section 4 of 7:

How often should I zero my scope?

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  1. Do a full zero when you install your scope and check every time you shoot. Shooting your gun can cause minor shifts in the scope that can throw off your aim. Also, changes in environmental conditions like wind, temperature, and even humidity can change your point of impact. And while those changes might be minor, once you get to a long-range distance like 100 yards, it can make a big difference in how far you are from the target. [8]
Section 5 of 7:

What’s the difference between MOA and MRAD?

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  1. Minutes of angle (MOA) and milliradians (MRAD) are zeroing measurements. They tell you how far your scope will move with each click—or turn—of the knob. Judd says that on most scopes, each turn or click is one-quarter minute of action, or MOA. That means that each click will move your scope by about 1 ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) at 100 yards. So if you need to move the scope by 1 in (2.5 cm), that would be 4 clicks.
    • If you’re using a scope that measures in milliradians, each click is equal to about 0.36 in (0.91 cm) at 100 yards. [9]
    • Use whichever measurement your scope is set to. In the U.S., MOA is more common.
Section 6 of 7:

What are the adjustment knobs on a scope?

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  1. The elevation knob adjusts the sight up and down. Windage adjusts the sight left and right. [10] Some scopes have additional adjustment knobs like:
    • Parallax: Adjusts the focus to your eye position.
    • Illumination: Adjusts the brightness of the crosshairs or reticle to make it easier to see.
    • Magnification: Similar to the zoom on a camera, allows you to enlarge what you’re looking at through the scope.
    • Diopter/Focus ring: Focuses the reticle.
Section 7 of 7:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. 1
    What if I can’t get my rifle to group well enough to zero it? If your grouping is really inconsistent, it could either be a problem with your scope or your shooting technique. Try removing the scope and shooting with the iron sights. If you can group well using that, replace your scope or have it professionally serviced.
  2. 2
    Do weather conditions affect my zero? Yes. Wind, humidity, and temperature can all affect your zero. Even the sun in your eyes can affect how you aim, so it’s a good idea to double-check zero every time you shoot.
  3. 3
    Does magnification affect my zero? No, once your zero is set, it will be accurate no matter which scope magnification you’re using.
  4. 4
    Do I need to put my scope at mechanical zero first? No, there’s no need to adjust your scope to mechanical zero before you sight it in. Instead, bore sight it to get a general idea of where it should be set.
  5. 5
    How many clicks to zero a scope at 100 yards? That depends on how far off your scope is and what measurement your scope uses. If you need to move the scope 2 in (5.1 cm) and you use a MOA scope, it would take 8 clicks to zero the scope.
  6. 6
    Is it better to zero at 100 yards or 200 yards? That really depends on the conditions you’ll be shooting in. If you expect to be shooting at 200 yards, you should zero your scope based on that.
    • You may also have to take your shooting range into account. Some shooting ranges can only facilitate shooting at 100 yards.
  7. 7
    Why are they called clicks? When you turn the adjustment knobs on your scope, they make a small clicking noise. As a result, each incremental turn is called a click.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the best way to use a rifle scope?
    Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon
    Firearms Instructor
    Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon is a Firearms Instructor based in Southern New Jersey. He is the Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Ironsights Academy, a firearms education & training organization that he launched to continue his love of teaching and learning. Dr. Harmon is a higher education educator with over 20 years of experience who blended his passion for teaching with shooting sports as he launched Ironsights Academy: Firearms Education & Training. Dr. Harmon is an NRA Certified Instructor in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection Inside & Outside the Home, Concealed Carry Weapons, Defensive Pistol, and a certified Chief Range Safety Officer. Dr. Harmon is also certified by the American College of Surgeons to teach Stop the Bleed courses.
    Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon
    Firearms Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Magnification and cost of scope vary greatly. So, depending on whether you're shooting 50, 100, or 1000 yards, you may need a different type of scope, but once you're sighted in and that scope is sited in for the correct distance, using a scope is fairly easy and intuitive. Most have a simple crosshair. Some have more advanced radicals where they have what we call bullet drop compensators, different hash marks on the scope reticle for different distances that allow you transition between close and far distances relatively easily.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
  • Question
    How do I get rid of a black circle inside the eye piece?
    Community Answer
    Move the scope closer to your eye. This will increase your field of vision and eliminate the black ring you see inside the scope eyepiece.
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 36
  • Question
    Do the left buttons make it go up and down? Also, what do the knobs do?
    Community Answer
    Refer to your user manual for the specifics of any particular scope. If the knobs click, they probably adjust the reticule. If not, they could adjust magnification. Or, it could be a rheostat if your scope is illuminated.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about firearm safety, check out our in-depth interview with Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon .

      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/8rFOtmWqBUI?t=269
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/8rFOtmWqBUI?t=103
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/8rFOtmWqBUI?t=64
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/U1qccU6hHgo?t=106
      5. ↑ http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Gary_OTMFall2011.pdf
      6. ↑ https://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Gary_OTMFall2011.pdf
      7. ↑ https://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Gary_OTMFall2011.pdf
      8. ↑ https://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Gary_OTMFall2011.pdf
      9. ↑ https://www.benel.eu/en/advice/rifle-scopes/moa-vs-mrad
      1. ↑ http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Gary_OTMFall2011.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To zero your rifle scope, head to your local gun range and mount your rifle in a rest. When the range is clear and it's safe to shoot, take 3-5 shots at the bull’s eye. After you’ve taken your shots, examine your shot grouping through the scope. Or, wait until the range is cold and take the target down. Once you know where your shots are missing the target, make adjustments with the dials on your scope. For example, if your shots are all mostly high, adjust the scope a little higher to account for that. Use the top dial to make vertical adjustments and the side dial for horizontal adjustments. Make very small adjustments at a time, since a click usually moves the scope about ¼ inch. For more tips, including how to install your scope onto your rifle, read on!

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