Introduction
For shooters who want accurate hits, learning how to sight a rifle scope is a skill worth having. Sighting in a rifle scope means adjusting it so your shots land where you aim. Even if your rifle is well-built and well-handled, it can still miss its targets if the scope is not set up right. This is why proper setup is important before you go hunting, target practice, or range shooting.
Many shooters struggle with scope adjustments because the process feels technical. And this process is not reserved only for experts. With the right steps and a bit of patience, even a beginner can learn how to zero a scope with confidence.
With this guide, you can learn clear steps on how to set your rifle scope the right way for getting better results at the range.
Why Do You Need to Zero Your Scope?
A rifle scope is a magnified optic. When you look through the scope, you expect the bullet to land where the reticle is placed. For the scope to be zeroed, the rectile and the bullet impact align at a chosen distance. When the scope is not zeroed, your shots can miss even when you take a steady aim. For instance, when a scope is zeroed at 100 yards, shots fired at that distance should land right on the reticle. If the impact is high, low, or off to the side, the scope still needs adjustment.
By zeroing the rifle scope, your point of aim and point of impact align at a chosen distance, allowing you to get consistent shots. Whether you are at the range or in the field, with a zeroed rifle scope, you can have the confidence that your shots will hit the mark.
How to Sight a Rifle Scope? Step-by-step
By following this step-by-step guide, you can set up your scope correctly and get accuracy at the range or in the field.
Step 1: Make Sure Your Scope Is Installed Properly
Before making any adjustments, check if the scope is mounted correctly on the rifle. Most modern rifles have a mounting system for a scope. Your rifle can have pre-drilled and tapped holes for scope bases or have a grooved rail system, such as Weaver or Picatinny rails. The scope base must match the rifle’s setup.
The scope needs to be securely tightened. Loose screws or mismatched rings can cause the scope to shift, which will result in inaccurate shots. If the mount is not stable, even after zeroing, your shots will be inconsistent. leading to inconsistent shots even after zeroing.
Step 2: Adjust Eye Distance and Scope Focus
If your scope has an adjustable diopter, adjust your eyepiece for a clear image. A blurred rectile can also cause strain on your eye. You need to adjust your scope to create a perfect amount of eye relief. This adjustment should be done before live firing and only needs to be set once for your eyesight.
Eye relief is just as important. It is the space between your eye and the end of the scope, and it must be far enough to account for recoil. A practical way to set eye relief is to shoulder the rifle naturally, then adjust the scope forward or backwards until you see a full image without shadowing around the edges. Once the image is clear and comfortable, lock the scope in place and avoid changing it during the zeroing process.
Step 3: Stabilise Your Rifle
A stable rifle is important for accurate zeroing. Freehand shooting should be avoided during zeroing. Small movements from breathing or posture can shift impact and lead to incorrect adjustments. Using support removes that guesswork and keeps results consistent.
To properly sight your rifle’s scope, you need a stable shooting position. You can use a shooting bench or a bipod. You can also shoot from another position that is supported for firing. With any of these methods, you can reduce recoil by up to 95%, achieving the desired results.
Step 4: Bore Sight the Rifle
If you’re starting from scratch, bore sighting saves time and ammunition by getting you on paper faster. A laser bore sighter will fit into your chamber or muzzle to project a reference point on the target. Make sure the laser sight is straight in line, then adjust the windage and elevation so the reticle lines up with that point. If the rifle is titled, the boresight will be off, therefore, you need a stable shooting platform.
Step 5: Take Your First Shots
Start by taking your first three shots at 25 or 50 yards. Starting short makes it easier to get your shots on paper. Slow, controlled three-shot groups, aiming at the same time, matter more than individual shots because they show the rifle’s true point of impact. This also prevents small errors and prevents wastage of ammunition chasing misses at longer range. Grid targets are designed for zeroing rifles. You can use the scope’s turrets to adjust.
Step 6: Adjust Windage and Elevation
Elevation adjustments move the point of aim up or down. Windage moves the point of aim left or right. Most scopes adjust in MOA (minute of angle) increments, 1 MOA = 1 inch at 100 yards. A scope with ¼ MOA adjustments will move your point of impact a quarter of an inch in the indicated direction per ‘click’.
Calculate the number of clicks needed based on how far your group is from the target centre. Make small changes, then fire another group to confirm. Controlled adjustments help prevent overcorrecting and keep the zeroing process accurate.
Step 7: Confirm Scope Zero at 100 Yards
After dialling in your scope at short distances, move the target out to 100 yards to confirm your zero. This distance is standard because it gives a reliable reference for most hunting and target scenarios, and ballistic data from ammunition manufacturers is based on a 100‑yard zero.
Fire another three-shot group, make adjustments and repeat. Make any final adjustments to windage and elevation to bring the group dead centre on the target. Focusing on group centres instead of single shots ensures consistent alignment. Confirming your zero at 100 yards, you can easily move towards 200 yards and 300 yards.
What Should You Do If Your Scope Loses Zero After Firing?
If your shots start drifting after firing, you must check the scope mount. If it is not stable, the shots will not be accurate. Recoil can loosen screws or cause slight movement in the rings, therefore, tighten the base and ring screws evenly and confirm the scope has not rotated.
Next, check whether the rifle is stable on the shooting setup. Fire another controlled group after checking it to see if the issue repeats. If the problem continues, return to your last confirmed zero and make small adjustments rather than large corrections. This helps you identify whether the shift is mechanical or shooter‑related.
Practical Tips to Avoid Common Issues
Small changes in technique make a big difference. Following the practical tips can help avoid common issues in sighting the rifle scope.
- Keep the rifle supported the same way for every shot. Changes in shoulder pressure or grip can cause groups to open, resulting in false readings.
- Use the same ammunition you plan to shoot long term. Different bullet weights and velocities can move the point of impact, even at short distances.
- Set your magnification at a comfortable level and leave it there while zeroing. Zoom changes do not affect the impact on a properly working scope, but constant adjustments can distract from consistency.
- Pay attention to fundamentals. A steady cheek weld, smooth trigger press, and controlled breathing often make a bigger difference than scope adjustments.
Conclusion
Sighting in a rifle scope takes some time, but it pays off every time you shoot. When your scope is set up and zeroed correctly, your shots land where you expect them to, and practice becomes more productive.
Using reliable equipment makes that process smoother. Feyachi designs outdoor sports products with a focus on performance, durability, and real shooting conditions.
FAQs
How often should I check my rifle’s zero?
It is also a good idea to confirm zero after changing ammunition, mounting a new scope, or before a hunting season or competition.
What is the best distance to zero a rifle scope?
For shooters, 100 yards is the standard zero distance. It provides a clear reference point, works well with factory ballistic data, and makes adjusting for longer distances more predictable.
What MOA adjustment do I need for 1 inch at 100 yards?
At 100 yards, 1 MOA equals approximately 1 inch. If your scope adjusts in ¼ MOA clicks, you will need four clicks to move the point of impact by one inch in any direction.
How to Zeroing for 100 yards at 25 yards?
To zero for 100 yards while shooting at 25 yards, adjust the scope so your shots land about 1 inch low at 25 yards. This places the bullet on a trajectory that will intersect the point of aim at 100 yards. Always confirm the final zero at 100 yards for accuracy.
