Master the Mark: How to Zero Your Rifle Scope in 3 Simple Steps

You’ve bought a brand new rifle scope. You’ve mounted it securely. Now comes the most critical step: Zeroing.

Many beginners find the process of "sighting in" a scope intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you are a hunter preparing for the season or a target shooter aiming for bullseyes, a properly zeroed scope is the difference between a hit and a miss.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process to get you on target quickly and efficiently.

Step 1: The Setup & Bore Sighting

Before you fire a single shot, you want to get your scope "roughly" aligned with your barrel. This saves you expensive ammo.

The Traditional Method:

• Secure your rifle on a stable rest (sandbags or a gun vise).
• Remove the bolt (if using a bolt-action rifle) and look through the barrel from the back.
• Center a target (about 25-50 yards away) inside the circle of the barrel.
• Without moving the rifle, look through the scope. Adjust your turrets until the crosshair centers on the same target.

Pro Tip: Using a Laser Bore Sighter makes this process much faster and can be done indoors.

Step 2: The 25-Yard "Paper" Shot

Don't go straight to 100 yards. You might miss the paper entirely, leaving you guessing where the bullet went.

1. Place a target at 25 yards.
2. Aim for the center and fire a 3-shot group.
3. Observe where the group hits.
4. Use your turrets to adjust the reticle towards the bullet holes.

Once you are hitting the center at 25 yards, you are ready to move out.

Step 3: The 100-Yard Fine Tuning

100 yards is the standard "zero" distance for most modern rifles. Move your target back and repeat the process.

Understanding the Math (MOA)

Most scopes use 1/4 MOA clicks. This means:

At 100 yards, 4 clicks = 1 inch of movement.

Example: If your bullet hits 2 inches low and 1 inch right:

• Dial UP 8 clicks (2 inches x 4 clicks).
• Dial LEFT 4 clicks (1 inch x 4 clicks).

Ready to hit the range?

Zeroing takes patience, but having confidence in your gear is worth it. Make sure you have the right tools for the job.

Need to upgrade your glass or grab some mounting gear? Check out our latest arrivals below.