The red dot sight has become a popular choice for both rifles and pistols, offering a fast and intuitive aiming system. But unlike iron sights, a red dot requires proper “sighting in” to ensure your shots hit where you aim. This guide will walk you through the process of sighting in your red dot sight, from preparation to achieving pinpoint accuracy.
Red Dot Advantage
A red dot sight projects a red illuminated dot onto the lens, allowing you to focus on your target without aligning front and rear sights. This provides a faster sight picture, especially in low-light conditions or for close-quarters shooting.
However, for this advantage to translate into accuracy, the red dot needs to be perfectly aligned with the bore of your firearm. This alignment process is called “sighting in.”
What You’ll Need
Before hitting the range, gather the necessary equipment to ensure a smooth sighting-in process:
- Safety First: Always prioritize firearm safety. Familiarize yourself with the four cardinal rules: Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded, never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy, keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
- Your Firearm: The rifle or pistol equipped with the red dot sight you want to zero.
- Sighting Targets: Printable targets are readily available online, or you can purchase pre-printed ones from shooting stores. Choose targets with clear aiming points at the desired sighting distance.
- Stable Rest: A shooting bench, sandbags, or other stable platform to hold your firearm securely. This eliminates shooter error and allows for precise adjustments.
- Ammunition: Select ammunition appropriate for your firearm and sighting-in purposes. Match-grade ammo is recommended for optimal accuracy during sighting in.
- Adjustment Tools: Most red dot sights come with Allen wrenches or screwdrivers for windage and elevation adjustments. Refer to your red dot’s manual to identify the correct tools.
The Sighting In Process
Now that you’re prepped, let’s delve into the sighting-in procedure:
A. Bore Sighting
This initial step helps achieve a close alignment between the red dot and the bore of your firearm. While not mandatory, it saves time and ammunition during target sighting.
- Ensure the firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction.
- Look through the barrel from the breech end (the chamber end) as if you’re aiming down a sight. You might need a flashlight to see through a darker barrel.
- Center the bullseye of your target on the opposite side of the barrel (imagine lining them up perfectly).
- Without moving the firearm, switch to looking through the red dot sight.
- Ideally, the red dot should be centered on the bullseye you aligned through the bore. If not, make minor windage and elevation adjustments to the red dot (consult your manual for specific adjustment directions).
B. Target Sighting
Here’s where you refine the alignment using actual shot placement:
- Choose Your Distance: Select an appropriate distance for initial sighting. Typically, 25 or 50 yards are common starting points.
- Steady Does It: Secure your firearm in the shooting rest, ensuring a stable platform.
- Power Up: If your red dot has an on/off switch, turn it on according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Focus on the Target: Focus your vision on the target bullseye, not the red dot itself.
- Fine-Tuning the Red Dot: Fire a 3-shot group. Observe where the bullet holes hit on the target compared to the bullseye (point of aim).
- Elevation: If your shots are consistently hitting low, raise the point of impact by adjusting the red dot’s elevation knob (usually marked with “up” and “down” arrows). Conversely, adjust down for high impacts.
- Windage: If your shots are consistently hitting left or right, adjust the windage knob (usually marked with “left” and “right” arrows) to bring the point of impact closer to the center.
- Refine and Repeat: Fire another 3-shot group and analyze the point of impact again. Make adjustments as needed and repeat this process until your shots consistently hit near the bullseye.
Pro Tip: Take breaks in between shooting sessions to avoid fatigue and maintain focus. This helps ensure consistent sight picture and accurate adjustments.
Tips for Sighting In Success
- Maintain a Consistent Shooting Position: A comfortable and repeatable stance minimizes shooter error.
- Natural Point of Aim: Don’t force the sight picture. Allow your natural aiming posture to guide your alignment, then refine with the red dot.
- Focus on the Target: Keep your focus on the target, not the red dot itself. The dot should act as a reference point, not the primary focus.
- Take Breaks: Fatigue can negatively impact your shooting. Take short breaks to maintain focus and consistent shot placement.
- Spotting Scope (Optional): For longer distances, consider using a spotting scope to observe bullet holes on the target more easily. This allows for finer adjustments without constantly walking downrange to check your target.
Additional Considerations
- Sighting In at Different Distances: Once you’ve zeroed your red dot at your chosen distance, you might want to explore its performance at other ranges. Remember, bullet trajectory changes with distance. You can create a ballistic curve specific to your firearm and ammunition for reference at various distances.
- Red Dot Features and Adjustments: Different red dot models may have additional features or require specific adjustment tools. Always refer to your red dot sight’s manual for detailed instructions on its unique functions and adjustment procedures.
- Re-sighting After Mounting: If you remove your red dot sight and remount it on the same firearm, re-sighting is crucial to ensure accuracy. Even minor positional changes can affect bullet placement.
Conclusion
By following these steps and practicing proper technique, you can successfully sight in your red dot sight and unlock its full potential. Remember, consistent practice and refining your shooting skills will further enhance your accuracy with this versatile aiming system.
For further information and visual references, consider searching online for instructional videos on red dot sighting in specific to your firearm model. Happy shooting!