How to Zero Your AR-15: The Ultimate Guide
How to Zero an AR-15
The AR-15 is a popular rifle for self-defense, hunting, and target shooting. However, it’s important to zero your AR-15 so that it shoots accurately at the range you intend to use it. Zeroing your AR-15 is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to follow the steps carefully to ensure that you get the best results.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of zeroing your AR-15. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right ammunition to making the final adjustments. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to zero your AR-15 with confidence and accuracy.
| Step | Instructions | Image |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attach your AR-15 to a solid rest. |  |
| 2 | Set your target at 25 yards. |  |
| 3 | Load your AR-15 with a single round of ammunition. |  |
| 4 | Turn on your AR-15’s optic and adjust the windage and elevation knobs until the crosshairs are centered on the target. |  |
| 5 | Fire one round at the target. |  |
| 6 | If the round hits high or low, adjust the elevation knob accordingly. If the round hits left or right, adjust the windage knob accordingly. |  |
| 7 | Repeat steps 4-6 until the round hits the center of the target. | |
| 8 | Your AR-15 is now zeroed! | |
Zeroing your AR-15 is an essential step in ensuring that your rifle is accurate. When your rifle is zeroed, the point of impact (POI) of the bullet will match the point of aim (POA) of the riflescope. This means that when you aim at a target, the bullet will hit the target where you intended it to.
There are a few different ways to zero your AR-15, but the most common method is to use a boresighter. A boresighter is a tool that helps you align the riflescope with the bore of the rifle. Once the riflescope is aligned with the bore, you can then use a target to zero the riflescope at a specific distance.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of zeroing your AR-15 using a boresighter. We will also provide tips on how to make sure your rifle is zeroed correctly.
Tools and Materials
The following tools and materials are required to zero your AR-15:
- AR-15 rifle
- Riflescope
- Boresighter
- Target
- Shooting mat
- Safety glasses
- Ear protection
Zeroing Procedure
The following steps will show you how to zero your AR-15 using a boresighter:
1. Mount the riflescope on the rifle.
2. Bore-sight the riflescope.
3. Zero the riflescope at 100 yards.
4. Verify the zero at 200 yards.
Mount the Riflescope on the Rifle
The first step is to mount the riflescope on the rifle. Most AR-15s come with a Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver, which is where the riflescope will be mounted.
To mount the riflescope, you will need to use a set of scope rings. Scope rings come in different sizes, so you will need to choose a set that is compatible with your riflescope and your rifle.
Once you have chosen a set of scope rings, you can install them on the rifle. To do this, you will need to remove the factory-installed scope caps from the rifle. Then, you can align the scope rings with the Picatinny rail and tighten them down.
Bore-Sight the Riflescope
Once the riflescope is mounted on the rifle, you can bore-sight it. Bore-sighting is the process of aligning the riflescope with the bore of the rifle. This can be done using a boresighter.
A boresighter is a tool that helps you align the riflescope with the bore of the rifle. It consists of a rod with a light at the end. The rod is inserted into the bore of the rifle, and the light is used to align the riflescope with the bore.
To bore-sight the riflescope, you will need to attach the boresighter to the rifle. Then, you will need to insert the rod into the bore of the rifle and turn on the light. The light will help you align the riflescope with the bore.
Once the riflescope is aligned with the bore, you can tighten down the scope rings.
Zero the Riflescope at 100 Yards
Now that the riflescope is bore-sighted, you can zero it at 100 yards. To do this, you will need to set up a target at 100 yards.
Once the target is set up, you can begin zeroing the riflescope. To do this, you will need to shoot a few rounds at the target. After each shot, you will need to adjust the riflescope until the point of impact (POI) of the bullet matches the point of aim (POA) of the riflescope.
Once the POI and POA match, the riflescope is zeroed at 100 yards.
Verify the Zero at 200 Yards
Once the riflescope is zeroed at 100 yards, you can verify the zero at 200 yards. To do this, you will need to set up a target at 200 yards.
Once the target is set up, you can shoot a few rounds at the target. After each shot, you will need to check to see if the point of impact (POI) of the bullet has changed. If the POI has changed, you will need to adjust the riflescope until the POI and POA match.
Once the POI and POA match, the riflescope is zeroed at 200 yards.
Zeroing your AR-15 is an essential step in ensuring that your rifle is accurate. By following the steps in this guide
How to Zero an AR-15
Zeroing your AR-15 is essential for accurate shooting. When your rifle is zeroed, the point of impact (POI) of the bullet will match the point of aim (POA) of the riflescope. This means that when you aim at a target, the bullet will hit the target.
There are a few different ways to zero an AR-15, but the most common method is to use a 25-yard zero. This means that the rifle will be zeroed so that the point of impact is 2 inches below the point of aim at 25 yards. This is a good starting point for most shooters, and you can adjust the zero as needed for different distances.
To zero your AR-15, you will need the following:
- A rifle with a scope
- A 25-yard target
- A spotting scope or laser rangefinder
- A few rounds of ammunition
1.Mount the riflescope
The first step is to mount the riflescope on the rifle. Make sure that the scope is mounted securely and that the eye relief is correct.
2.Boresight the riflescope
Boresighting the riflescope is the process of aligning the crosshairs of the scope with the bore of the rifle. This can be done by using a boresighter or by using a laser bore sighter.
3.Adjust the scope
Once the riflescope is bore-sighted, you can begin to adjust the scope for accuracy. The following steps will show you how to adjust the scope for a 25-yard zero:
- Place the target 25 yards away from the firing line.
- Fire a few rounds at the target, aiming at the center of the target.
- Observe where the bullets hit the target.
- Adjust the scope up or down, as needed, to move the point of impact to the point of aim.
- Repeat steps 3-5 until the point of impact is 2 inches below the point of aim at 25 yards.
4.Confirm the zero
Once you have zeroed the rifle, you should confirm the zero by firing a few more rounds at the target. If the bullets are still hitting the target 2 inches below the point of aim, then the rifle is zeroed.
5.Practice shooting
Once the rifle is zeroed, you should practice shooting at different distances to get a feel for how the rifle shoots. The more you practice, the more accurate your shooting will become.
Troubleshooting
If the rifle is not zeroing, there are a few possible causes:
- The riflescope is not mounted correctly. Make sure that the riflescope is mounted securely to the rifle and that the eye relief is correct.
- The riflescope is not bore-sighted correctly. Boresight the riflescope again and make sure that the crosshairs are aligned with the bore of the rifle.
- The riflescope is not adjusted correctly. Make sure that you have adjusted the scope correctly for a 25-yard zero.
- The ammunition is not the correct type or is not loaded correctly. Use the correct type of ammunition for your rifle and make sure that the ammunition is loaded correctly.
- The shooter is not using the correct shooting technique. Make sure that you are using the correct shooting technique for your rifle.
If you have tried all of these things and the rifle is still not zeroing, you may need to take the rifle to a qualified gunsmith for help.
Safety
Always wear safety glasses and ear protection when shooting. Never point the rifle at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be aware of your surroundings and the potential for ricochets.
Zeroing your AR-15 is an essential part of accurate shooting. By following these steps, you can zero your rifle in a few simple steps. Practice shooting at different distances to get a feel for how the rifle shoots and to improve your accuracy.
How do I zero my AR-15?
1. Choose the right ammunition. The type of ammunition you use will affect the point of impact (POI) of your rifle. Make sure to use the same type of ammunition that you will be using for hunting or target shooting.
2. Find a good shooting rest. A stable shooting rest will help you to achieve a consistent sight picture and make it easier to zero your rifle.
3. Set up your target. You will need to set up a target at a known distance. The most common distance for zeroing an AR-15 is 25 yards.
4. Load your rifle and engage the safety. Make sure that your rifle is unloaded and that the safety is engaged.
5. Adjust your sights. Use the following steps to adjust your sights:
1. Look through the rear sight and align the front sight with the target.
2. Fire a shot.
3. Observe where the bullet hit the target.
4. If the bullet is high, adjust the rear sight down. If the bullet is low, adjust the rear sight up.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 until the bullet is consistently hitting the center of the target.
6. Confirm your zero. Once you have adjusted your sights, fire a few more shots to confirm that the bullet is consistently hitting the center of the target.
What are the different types of AR-15 sights?
There are three main types of AR-15 sights: iron sights, red dot sights, and holographic sights.
- Iron sights are the most basic type of sights and are typically included with an AR-15. They consist of a front sight post and a rear sight aperture.
- Red dot sights are electronic sights that project a red dot onto the target. They are very fast to acquire and are ideal for close-quarters shooting.
- Holographic sights are also electronic sights, but they project a holographic image of the target onto the sight. They are very clear and precise, making them ideal for long-range shooting.
What is the difference between a front sight post and a rear sight aperture?
The front sight post is a small, vertical post that is located at the front of the rifle. The rear sight aperture is a small, circular opening that is located at the rear of the rifle. The front sight post is used to align with the rear sight aperture in order to aim the rifle.
How do I adjust my AR-15 sights?
To adjust your AR-15 sights, you will need to use the following steps:
1. Look through the rear sight and align the front sight with the target.
2. Fire a shot.
3. Observe where the bullet hit the target.
4. If the bullet is high, adjust the rear sight down. If the bullet is low, adjust the rear sight up.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 until the bullet is consistently hitting the center of the target.
What is the best way to zero my AR-15?
There are a few different ways to zero your AR-15, but the most common method is to use a shooting rest and a target at a known distance.
1. Set up your shooting rest and target at a distance of 25 yards.
2. Load your rifle and engage the safety.
3. Look through the rear sight and align the front sight with the target.
4. Fire a shot.
5. Observe where the bullet hit the target.
6. If the bullet is high, adjust the rear sight down. If the bullet is low, adjust the rear sight up.
7. Repeat steps 2-6 until the bullet is consistently hitting the center of the target.
How often should I zero my AR-15?
You should zero your AR-15 whenever you make a change to the rifle, such as changing the ammunition or the sights. You should also zero your rifle if you notice that it is no longer shooting accurately.
What are some common problems with AR-15 sights?
There are a few common problems that can occur with AR-15 sights, including:
- The sights are not aligned properly. This can cause the rifle to shoot high or low.
- The sights are not adjusted properly. This can cause the rifle to shoot to the left or right.
- The sights are damaged. This can
In this comprehensive guide, we have discussed the basics of zeroing an AR-15. We covered everything from choosing the right scope and mount to making the necessary adjustments to your rifle. We hope that this information has been helpful and that you are now able to zero your AR-15 with confidence.
Here are a few key takeaways:
- The most important factor in zeroing your AR-15 is choosing the right scope and mount. Make sure that the scope is compatible with your rifle and that the mount is securely attached.
- Once you have chosen the right scope and mount, you can begin the zeroing process. Start by shooting a group of shots at a target that is 25 yards away. Make adjustments to your scope until you are able to consistently hit the center of the target.
- Be sure to check your zero periodically, especially if you change your ammunition or make any modifications to your rifle. By following these steps, you can ensure that your AR-15 is zeroed and ready to perform when you need it most.