How to Boresight a Rifle: Laser vs Optical Bore Sights
By Texas Precision Optics Inc | Published: 2026-10-14
Category: How-to Guides
Boresighting at home cuts wasted ammo and range time. Learn the step-by-step process and when to choose a laser bore sight over an optical one.
Quick answer
Boresighting aligns your optic or iron sights to the barrel's bore axis before you fire a shot. A laser bore sight is faster and easier to see at indoor distances, while an optical (arbor-style) bore sight works without batteries and suits quick field checks. Use a caliber-specific laser unit for the best fit, then confirm at the range.
Laser vs optical bore sights: which one fits your process
Laser bore sights project a red dot that you match to your scope's reticle, so you can do bore sighting at home across a room. Optical bore sights use a grid or collimator that you view through the barrel; they need no batteries and are popular for a fast pre-range check. The tradeoff is that laser units depend on battery condition and a consistent chamber fit, while optical units can be slower to set up and read. Caliber-specific laser units like the TPO 22-250 Bore Sight Red Laser Boresighter with 6 Batteries seat directly in the chamber for repeatable alignment. If you want a simple, visible reference and don't mind carrying spare AG3 batteries, laser is usually the easier path for a first-timer.
Match the bore sight to your chambering
A bore sight that doesn't match your chamber won't sit concentric, and a tilted laser sends you chasing a false zero. The TPO .177 Boresighter Red Dot Bore Sighters with 6 Batteries is caliber specific to .177, and the TPO 30-30 Win Boresight with Red Laser Boresighter Zero Bore Sighter is built for .30-30 Winchester. Check the headstamp on your brass or the barrel marking before ordering. If your cartridge isn't listed, don't force a close-enough unit; choose an optical bore sight or a caliber-specific laser that actually fits. The catalog facts for these units list a sighting range of 15 to 100 yards, so plan your indoor distance accordingly.
Set up a safe, stable boresighting station
You don't need a range, but you do need a safe backstop and a steady rest. Use a bipod, sandbags, or a cleaning vise so the rifle can't shift between adjustments. Remove all live ammunition from the workspace, verify the chamber is empty, and point the muzzle at a wall or backstop that can safely catch a laser if it's accidentally activated. A consistent rest is what makes your bore sighting at home repeatable; if the rifle moves, your adjustments are guesses.
Confirm with live fire and save ammo sighting in
Boresighting gets you on paper, not zeroed. Start at 25 yards, fire a three-shot group, and adjust your turrets to move the group to point of aim. Then move to 100 yards and repeat. Because the bore sight already aligned the barrel and optic, you skip the usual close-range guesswork and save ammo sighting in. If your first group is off the paper entirely, recheck the bore sight fit and the laser dot before burning more rounds. A laser bore sight is a starting reference, not a substitute for confirming zero with live fire.
Step-by-step: boresight your rifle
- Clear and safe the rifle: Remove the magazine, open the action, and visually confirm the chamber is empty. Point the muzzle in a safe direction before inserting anything into the bore. Checkpoint: no live ammunition anywhere near the workspace.
- Insert the caliber-specific bore sight: Seat the unit fully into the chamber or muzzle according to its design. For chamber-style lasers, the fit should feel snug but not forced. For the TPO 22-250 or .177 units, confirm the marking matches your chambering. Common mistake: using a bore sight for the wrong caliber, which tilts the laser and gives a false reference.
- Activate the laser and set your rest: Turn on the red laser and place the rifle in a bipod, sandbags, or vise. Aim at a wall 15 to 100 yards away, matching the bore sight's stated sighting range. Checkpoint: the rifle does not move when you release it.
- Align the reticle to the laser dot: Look through your optic and adjust windage and elevation turrets until the reticle center sits on the laser dot. For iron sights, adjust until the sights line up on the dot. Make small, deliberate clicks. Common mistake: chasing the dot with large turret swings, which overshoots and makes the process slower.
- Recheck and remove the bore sight: Confirm the dot and reticle still align after a few seconds, then turn off and remove the bore sight. Store it with the spare AG3 batteries so it's ready next time. Checkpoint: the bore sight is out of the rifle before you load anything.
- Confirm at the range with live fire: Start at 25 yards, fire a three-shot group, and adjust to point of aim. Move to 100 yards and repeat. Boresighting saves ammo by getting you on paper; live fire confirms the zero. Next step: log your turret settings so you can return to zero after cleaning or transport.
Bore sight options from Texas Precision Optics
- TPO 30-30 Win Boresight with Red Laser Boresighter Zero Bore Sighter: TPO 30-30 Win Boresight with Red Laser Boresighter Zero Bore Sighter; sturdy brass construction; sighting range 15 to 100 yards; includes 1 x .308 Bore Sight and 6 x AG3 batteries. A caliber-specific .30-30 unit with brass body and spare batteries lets you boresight at home without a range trip.
- TPO 22-250 Bore Sight Red Laser Boresighter with 6 Batteries: TPO 22-250 Bore Sight Red Laser Boresighter with 6 Batteries; fits the 22-250 chamber; caliber specific; sighting range 15 to 100 yards; includes 1 X Bore Sight and 6 X AG3 batteries. Chamber-specific fit keeps the laser concentric so your initial reticle alignment is more trustworthy.
- TPO .177 Boresighter Red Dot Bore Sighters with 6 Batteries: TPO .177 Boresighter Red Dot Bore Sighters with 6 Batteries; fits the .177 chamber; caliber specific; sighting range 15 to 100 yards; includes 1 X Bore Sight and 6 X AG3 batteries. Useful for .177 airguns or rimfire trainers where you want a low-cost, battery-powered bore sighting check.
