Help me INGO, I'm an idiot (sighting in a rifle)

[indytechnerd]

Ok, so I got a new scope a while back for my Marlin Model 60 (pre-1983 version ). This week, I bought an inexpensive laser boresighter to get the scope close to POI. But, I'm not sure I did it correctly. I only have about 20' to work with in my house, and I'm planning on zeroing the rifle at 25yds, since that's about as far as I'll be shooting squirrels.

So, the idiot part: Is A, or B correct here? The red dot from the laser will be about 2" from the crosshairs at 20'.

I'm not going to say which way I have it now, lest I reinforce my idiocy.

 

[Hornett]

The rifle barrel is fixed about an inch below the center of the scope.
So the bullet MUST start out below the line of sight.
At 7 yards, the bullet should not have risen above the line of sight yet, so A.

Read this article if you want to know more.
Trajectory | Art of the Rifle

 

[Bradsknives]

Neither A or B is correct. Put the crosshairs right on the laser dot....assuming that your laser is place in the chamber and the laser bean is coming out of the end of your barrel or the laser is in line with the axis of your barrel.

 

[chezuki]

Either should get you on paper where you can dial it in correctly.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

A long time ago, I wanted to get my scope close enough to hit the paper at the range (way before cheap laser pointers). I strapped the gun down to a table outside, pointed at my barn. Then I used pliers on a small mirror from a compact until I had a piece shaped right to fit in the breach area. Then I got my binoculars and looked into the mirror and I could clearly see through the bore right where the gun was pointed. Then all I had to do was move the cross-hairs to match.

Later at the range, I only had to move it a few clicks to get it dead on.

 

[Joniki]

A long time ago, I wanted to get my scope close enough to hit the paper at the range (way before cheap laser pointers). I strapped the gun down to a table outside, pointed at my barn. Then I used pliers on a small mirror from a compact until I had a piece shaped right to fit in the breach area. Then I got my binoculars and looked into the mirror and I could clearly see through the bore right where the gun was pointed. Then all I had to do was move the cross-hairs to match.

Later at the range, I only had to move it a few clicks to get it dead on.

Genius...

 

[chezuki]

A long time ago, I wanted to get my scope close enough to hit the paper at the range (way before cheap laser pointers). I strapped the gun down to a table outside, pointed at my barn. Then I used pliers on a small mirror from a compact until I had a piece shaped right to fit in the breach area. Then I got my binoculars and looked into the mirror and I could clearly see through the bore right where the gun was pointed. Then all I had to do was move the cross-hairs to match.

Later at the range, I only had to move it a few clicks to get it dead on.

I did something similar with less work to sight in my Savage bolt gun. Removed the bolt and sighted right down the barrel through the bore, just lined the cross hairs up with what I saw through the bore.

 

[Bradsknives]

I have been known to take a mini mag light and adjust the beam down to the smallest circle I could get, then tape it to the end of the barrel. I would shine that circle on a wall inside my house. Looking through the scope, I would adjust the crosshairs to the center of the light. It always got me on paper to where I could make the final adjustments outside on bench at a later time....Hillbilly method 101.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

I did something similar with less work to sight in my Savage bolt gun. Removed the bolt and sighted right down the barrel through the bore, just lined the cross hairs up with what I saw through the bore.

I think I'd seen an article in an old Guns & Ammo about doing that, but since I was working with a 10/22 I didn't have the ability to pull out the bolt.

 

[calcot7]

Man you must be a genius!

A long time ago, I wanted to get my scope close enough to hit the paper at the range (way before cheap laser pointers). I strapped the gun down to a table outside, pointed at my barn. Then I used pliers on a small mirror from a compact until I had a piece shaped right to fit in the breach area. Then I got my binoculars and looked into the mirror and I could clearly see through the bore right where the gun was pointed. Then all I had to do was move the cross-hairs to match.

Later at the range, I only had to move it a few clicks to get it dead on.

 

[UncleNorby]

A is more correct than B.

2" is too much at 20'. Heck they are probably that far apart (maybe even less) as they are now on the gun. A typical sight height for many ballistics calculators is 1.5"

I'd adjust the crosshairs to be just over the laser, then shoot and adjust from there. If you want to be zeroed at 25 yds, it won't take much adjustment.

 

[indytechnerd]

Thanks folks. As of this moment, I really don't remember whether my rifle is set up as A or B. The laser is this one: Red Laser Dot Boresighter Complete Set With Tools, Batteries, And Gift Box

I'll plug it back in tonight and adjust to A with the crosshairs about 1/2" above the laser dot. Then tomorrow, if the weather holds off, I'll dial it the rest of the way in with boolits.

 

[Paul30]

Good video on setup here. Rifle Accuracy Tips - Using A Laser Bore Sighter - YouTube

Another thing many don't do is when mounting the scope, make sure the eye relief is where you comfortably hold the rifle from your eye, this keeps you from having to stretch your neck in an uncomfortable position to use it. I leave the scope loose, close my eyes and shoulder the rifle comfortably, when I open my eyes it should be the right distance, if not I move it and repeat until it is right. I use loctite on the mounting base and scope screws too.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Pink or blue loktite is your friend.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

Man you must be a genius!

I am a problem solver.

 

[Hornett]

I'll plug it back in tonight and adjust to A with the crosshairs about 1/2" above the laser dot. Then tomorrow, if the weather holds off, I'll dial it the rest of the way in with boolits.

That should be enough to put you on paper.