How to Zero a Scope

If you have ever owned a rifle and used a scope, you have most likely heard the term “zero the scope”. For people that are new to the world of rifles and hunting, you may be curious about what it means. Others may simply need help to perfect it, especially if they feel that they have to work hard to compensate for their rifle not being accurate or those that miss more targets than they hit. In all cases, you will have to learn how to zero a scope.

What Does Zeroing a Scope Mean?

All bullets arc slightly, which means that from the time they leave your rifle to when they hit the target, they will drop as their speed decreases and gravity pushes them down. There is nothing that you can do about that. When you zero a scope, you will choose targets that are a set distance from you. You take aim and shoot. If the bullet does not hit dead center, you will want to adjust your scope up or down and maybe even side to side. Your next bullet should hit closer to the target center.

The idea of zeroing is to ensure that you do not have to work hard to compensate for the arc. The scope should do it naturally so that when your bullet strikes the target, it goes where you want for it to. You want to look through the scope and take aim at the center of the target. If, after you fire, your bullet hits dead center, you have zeroed your scope as much as possible for that range. That is often why you may hear people say that they are “zeroed in to 150 yards.” All this means is that their point of aim and the point of impact is the same over 150 yards.

Tricks to Make Zeroing In A Rifle Easier

Most scopes can be zeroed in with only two or three steps, depending on how much help you have from a friend. Most people hear about the three step method when they ask, “How to zero a rifle scope.” It entails aiming at the target and firing off three shots, then adjusting your scope to zero in on the area between the three hits. By doing this, you can zero in on that area as opposed to the bullseye.

If you are curious from there about how to sight in a scope within two shots, this is where you will need a friend. You aim first at your target’s center and take the shot. Chances are good, it will not be exact if you are not zeroed in already. Have a friend adjust while you look through the scope. Put the crosshairs dead center of where the bullet made contact. Then take aim on the bullseye again and your aim should be accurate and hit dead center.

Are There Any Tools that Make Zeroing A Scope Easier?

When asking how to zero in a scope, many people want to know if there are tools that can make it easier to do.  The good news is, there are a couple different options. One tool you may use is the target you aim at. Some bullseye targets for sighting have measurements and such to tell you how much you should adjust if you hit in a certain area based on the clicks to get it more accurate. If you need something a little more exact, you may want to consider using a bore sight. This can make it very quick and easy to do.