How to Bore Sight at 25 Yards to Hit Paper

Safety Checks and Bench Setup

Setting up your rifle or handgun before bore sighting prevents accidents and keeps you from chasing false adjustments. If your firearm moves even a fraction of an inch while you turn dials, your work at twenty-five yards will not carry over to the target. Take a few minutes to prepare your bench before looking through your glass.

• Remove all live ammunition: Take every magazine out of the firearm and move all live rounds to another room. Check the chamber with your eyes and your finger to confirm it is empty.
• Clear your line of sight: Make sure the path between your bench and the 25-yard target is clear of obstacles and people. Always treat the muzzle as if it could fire, even when you know the gun is unloaded.
• Lock the firearm into a sturdy rest: Place your gun into a bench vise, shooting rest, or firm sandbags. The firearm must stay completely level and motionless without your hands touching it.
• Level your reticle: Look through your optic to confirm the aiming dot or crosshairs sit level. An optic mounted at a tilt causes horizontal shifts whenever you adjust vertical elevation dials.

A wobbly bench or soft rifle rest is the primary reason bore sighting fails. If you bump the gun while turning a dial, re-center the rifle in the rest before you touch another knob.

Choosing Between Visual Sighting and Laser Tools

You do not always need special gear to bore sight a firearm. The method you choose depends on the design of your action and whether you can look straight down the inside of the barrel with your naked eye.

Visual bore sighting costs nothing and works well on bolt-action rifles. You remove the bolt from the receiver, look through the back of the action, and center a distant target through the barrel tube. You can also do this on an AR-style rifle by pulling the rear takedown pin, removing the bolt carrier group, and looking through the upper receiver. This method requires an unobstructed line from breech to muzzle, so it does not work on closed-receiver lever guns, pump actions, or semi-automatic handguns.

Laser bore sighters solve that problem by projecting a visible beam straight down the barrel. Cartridge-style units look like regular brass ammunition and chamber directly into the breech. Universal muzzle tools attach to the front of the barrel using expanding arbors that fit snug inside the rifling. If you use backup iron sights alongside your optic, you can also align iron sights for cowitness with red dot sights during this bench session so both aiming points match.

How to Align Your Sight at 25 Yards Step by Step

Follow these steps to align your red dot or scope to your barrel at twenty-five yards. Take your time with each step so you only have to do this once before heading to the firing line.

1. Set up a high-contrast target backer at twenty-five yards.

   Hang a grid target with a bold bullseye or reflective tape at the center. Reason: Daylight can wash out red laser dots, so a dark bullseye or reflective tape helps you spot the beam quickly at distance.

2. Clamp your unloaded firearm securely in the rest.

   Rest the rifle on solid bags or clamp it into a vise so it points directly toward the target without your support. Reason: You need both hands free to turn optic dials without nudging the barrel off target.

3. Center the target through the bore or activate your laser.

   If sighting visually, look down the barrel and center the bullseye in the circle of the bore. If using a laser tool, switch it on and place the laser dot on the bullseye. Reason: Establishing the bore center creates the baseline that your optic needs to match.

4. Look through your optic without moving the firearm.

   Look through the glass while keeping the gun completely still. Note where your aiming dot sits compared to the laser point or centered bullseye. Reason: Checking this gap shows you exactly which dials need turning.

5. Adjust the elevation dial until the vertical gap closes.

   Turn the up-and-down adjustment dial on top of your optic to bring the aiming dot level with your target reference. Reason: Matching vertical alignment first makes it simpler to judge your horizontal line.

6. Adjust the windage dial to eliminate horizontal error.

   Turn the side adjustment dial to align your aiming dot directly over the laser beam or visual center. Reason: Centering the horizontal plane prevents your live rounds from drifting off the paper to the left or right.

7. Verify your alignment one last time.

   Look down the bore or check that the laser is still on the bullseye, then look back through your glass. Reason: Turning stiff optic turrets can twist the rifle slightly in the rest, throwing your adjustments off.

Accounting for Height Over Bore at 25 Yards

A common mistake at twenty-five yards is forcing the aiming dot to sit directly on top of the laser beam. While that looks aligned, it ignores height over bore, which is the physical gap between the center of your barrel and the center of your optic lens.

A rifle barrel sends a bullet out along one line, while your sight sits one to two and a half inches higher. Because light travels in a straight line while bullets travel in an arc, the sight line and the barrel line must intersect downrange. If you place a red dot directly on top of a laser beam at twenty-five yards on a rifle with a tall mount, your barrel angles downward relative to the sight. When you later shoot at one hundred yards, your bullets will strike much lower than expected.

To set a reliable baseline at twenty-five yards, check the gap between your barrel center and your optic window. For standard hunting rifles with low scope rings, having the reticle sit about half an inch above the laser beam gives a practical starting point. For modern sporting rifles where the optic sits two inches above the bore, adjust your aiming dot so it hovers roughly an inch above the laser dot. This keeps the sight line close to parallel with the barrel.

Moving from Bore Sighting to Live-Fire Zeroing

Bore sighting gets your firearm pointed close enough to hit paper, but it never replaces live-fire zeroing. A bore sight only aligns straight lines. It cannot account for bullet drop, powder charge, barrel vibration, or recoil.

Before loading a single live round, take your bore sighting tool out of the firearm. If you used a cartridge-style laser, eject it and put it away. If you used a muzzle-end arbor kit, remove it from the barrel tip immediately. Leaving an arbor or tool in the muzzle creates a severe barrel obstruction that can destroy the firearm and cause injury when fired.

Once the barrel is clear, fire a careful three-shot group at your 25-yard target from a supported rest. For small-caliber pistols, such as when zeroing a red dot sight for a Ruger Mark pistol, a steady rest shows your exact cluster right away. Measure the distance from the center of your group to the bullseye, then adjust your dials to walk the group onto the bullseye. Most optics adjust in quarter-inch clicks at one hundred yards, which equals one-sixteenth of an inch per click at twenty-five yards.

What to Look for in a Bore Sighting Tool

If you plan to buy a bore sight tool, look for practical features that fit the firearms you own. Cartridge-style laser sighters chamber like regular brass, providing consistent centering inside the chamber. If you shoot multiple calibers, however, purchasing individual cartridge units gets expensive. A universal arbor kit with interchangeable plastic or rubber adapters fits many different barrel diameters, from small rimfire bores up to 12-gauge shotguns.

Check the laser color and switch design as well. Green lasers remain much easier to see in bright daylight at twenty-five yards than red lasers. Look for tools with a simple push-button or rotary power switch. A dedicated switch preserves battery life and saves you from fumbling with small batteries while working at your bench.

1

ARKSight Green/Red Boresighter’s tip adapters for 0.17 to 0.78 Caliber

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• ARS Mark

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  8.8
• Brand
  ARKSight

Key specs2

Caliber Span

0.17 to 0.78 Caliber, 20GA, 12GA

Accessory Notice

This kit supplies replacement plastic tips and screws only. You need a compatible arbor emitter tool to project an alignment beam.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Includes 12 plastic adapters and screws covering 0.17 to 0.78 caliber barrels
• Supports large shotgun bores including 20 gauge and 12 gauge
• Stiff plastic build resists flexing better than softer rubber alternatives
• Lightweight profile adds minimal front weight at 0.04375 pounds

Cons

• Contains only arbor tips and screws without an emitter laser unit
• Requires verifying thread fit if used with non-ARKSight bore sight tools

2

Laser Bore Sight for .30-06/25-06/270 Cartridge Hunting Red Dot Boresighter

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• Brand
  SAWKE

Key specs2

Chamber Match

.30-06, 25-06, and .270 Winchester

Cartridge Alignment

Slips directly into the chamber like a live round to display the barrel centerline without requiring muzzle arbor adjustments.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Chambers directly into .30-06, 25-06, and .270 rifle chambers
• Includes six batteries to provide two complete working sets
• Cartridge design aligns naturally with the chamber without muzzle adapters

Cons

• Limited strictly to the .30-06 parent cartridge case family
• Red laser diode can be difficult to view on paper in direct outdoor sunlight

3

GOTICAL 30-06 25-06 and 270 Cartridge Laser Bore Sighter .270

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  Gotical

Key specs2

Laser Classification

Class IIIA, under 5mW output

Chamber Match

.30-06, 25-06, and .270

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Class IIIA red laser projects under 5mW output for target indexing
• Chambers directly into .30-06, 25-06, and .270 caliber rifle chambers
• Machined gold-toned metallic housing weighs 0.15 pounds

Cons

• Listing does not state included battery count or spare power cells
• Fixed case geometry cannot adjust across different rifle calibers

4

Red Laser Boresighter for .25 Caliber,Laser Bore Sight, Sight More

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• Brand
  MOSANDON

Key specs2

Dedicated Caliber

.25 Caliber

Cartridge Alignment

Positions inside the chamber to reference barrel center. Requires live-fire shooting to confirm exact final bullet impact.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Dedicated fit for .25 caliber chambers ensures precise seating
• In-chamber design projects a red dot down the barrel without muzzle clamps
• Compact cartridge shape stores easily in range bags or optic cases

Cons

• Single-caliber design will not fit larger or smaller rifle chambers
• Listing does not specify battery type, runtime, or spare cell count

5

Laser Bore Sight, 308 Bore Sight Laser with 6 Batteries（2

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• Brand
  SAWKE

Key specs2

Dedicated Caliber

.308 Winchester

Power Supply

6 batteries included (2 complete sets)

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Direct chamber fit for .308 Winchester rifle actions
• Supplied with six total batteries for two full operating cycles
• Self-contained case eliminates muzzle arbor attachment hardware

Cons

• Does not accommodate standard intermediate or rimfire calibers
• Red beam visibility can wash out against light-colored targets in bright daylight

6

EZshoot BoreSighter Bore Sight Kit with Button Switch for 0.177

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• Brand
  EZshoot

Key specs2

Switch Mechanism

Push button switch

Supported Calibers

Adapts to barrels from 0.177 to 0.54 caliber. Fits pistols and rifles without needing dedicated cartridge brass.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Integrated push button switch lets you turn the beam off without pulling batteries
• Arbor adapters accommodate a broad range from 0.177 up to 0.54 caliber
• Compatible across both handgun barrels and full-length rifle muzzles

Cons

• Muzzle arbor design requires careful centering to prevent angular offset
• Does not support 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun bore diameters

7

MOSANDON .30-06/25-06/270 Bore Sight Laser Red Dot Cartridge Laser bore

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• Brand
  MOSANDON

Key specs2

Chamber Support

.30-06, 25-06, and .270 Winchester

Battery Provision

2 sets of batteries included

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Chambers inside .30-06, 25-06, and .270 Winchester actions
• Bundled with two full sets of batteries for extended bench setup
• Eliminates muzzle arbor hardware for fast chambering at the bench

Cons

• Restricted to .30-06 family parent case dimensions
• Red diode provides lower daylight visibility compared to green lasers

8

Bore Sight Laser Professional Green Laser Bore Sight Kit with

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• Brand
  moloxo

Key specs2

Diode Color

Bright Green Laser

Adapter System

Includes 32 adapters to seat inside barrels spanning 0.17 caliber rimfire up to 12-gauge shotgun muzzles.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• High-visibility green laser diode provides clear contrast in outdoor daylight
• Includes 32 caliber adapters covering 0.17 caliber up to 12 gauge
• Versatile mounting supports pistols, rifles, and shotguns from the muzzle

Cons

• Green laser diodes draw battery power faster than red diodes
• Muzzle-inserted rod must be checked manually for snug concentric alignment

9

EZshoot Bore Sight 9mm Red Laser Boresighter with 4 Sets

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• Brand
  EZshoot

Key specs2

Platform Fit

9mm Luger (Pistols and PCCs)

Battery Provision

4 sets of batteries included

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Chambers cleanly into standard 9mm Luger handgun and pistol-caliber carbine barrels
• Bundled with four complete sets of batteries to handle multiple sight-in sessions
• Brass cartridge profile seats directly against the chamber shoulder

Cons

• Usable only in 9mm chambers and cannot adapt to rifle calibers
• Requires manual battery removal to shut off power between adjustments

10

EZshoot Bore Sight Laser Kit Bright Green Laser BoreSighter with

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• Brand
  EZshoot

Key specs2

Switch Mechanism

Big button switch

Diode Color

Bright Green Laser

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Green laser beam offers superior visibility over red lasers at 25 yards
• Oversized push button switch allows quick toggling without removing the battery
• Broad caliber compatibility reaches from 0.17 caliber to 12-gauge shotguns

Cons

• Higher power consumption typical of green laser diodes
• Listing does not state exact adapter count included in the box

11

CVLIFE Bore Sight Laser Kit with 64 Adapters fit 0.17

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• Brand
  CVLIFE

Key specs2

Adapter System

64 Caliber Adapters

Beam Visibility

Projects a green laser dot that stands out clearly at 25 yards, even under bright daylight conditions.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Massive 64-adapter assortment provides tight sizing from 0.17 caliber to 12 gauge
• Bright green laser beam aids sight alignment against bright outdoor target backers
• Works across hunting rifles, pistols, and shotguns without chamber restrictions

Cons

• Large collection of small arbor pieces requires organized bench storage
• Muzzle rod must be kept perpendicular to prevent angular zero errors

12

EZshoot 243 308 Bore Sight Laser Red Dot Laser Bore

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• Brand
  EZshoot

Key specs2

Chamber Support

.243 and .308 Winchester

Handling Note

Lacks an on-off switch. Unscrew the end cap and remove the batteries between turret adjustments to conserve power.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Fits both .243 Winchester and .308 Winchester rifle chambers directly
• Includes two complete sets of batteries right in the package
• Solid cartridge design ensures repeatable seating against the chamber wall

Cons

• Cannot be used in non-.308 family cartridge dimensions
• No integrated power switch so cells must be extracted to turn off

13

BoreSighter for 223/9MM/7.62X39MM/30-30/30-06/.25/270/243/308/7MM/45ACP Colt Caliber Rifle Scope Handgun Brass Red

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  StrongTools

Key specs2

Caliber Coverage

• .223 Remington and 9mm Luger
• 7.62x39mm and .30-30 Winchester
• .30-06, .25, .270, .243, and .308
• 7mm and .45 ACP Colt

Body Construction

Machined Brass

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Extensive cartridge set fits .223, 9mm, 7.62x39, .30-30, .30-06, .25, .270, .243, .308, 7mm, and .45 ACP
• Durable brass cartridge construction resists deformation during repeated chambering
• Supplied with AG3 batteries to power the individual red dot bullet units
• Covers both handgun and rifle calibers without muzzle-mounted arbor rods

Cons

• Higher total kit cost compared to single-caliber chamber tools
• Uses small AG3 button cells that require careful handling when replacing

14

Feyachi Laser Bore Sight 12 Gauge Bore Sight Red Dot

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• Brand
  Feyachi

Key specs2

Shotgun Chamber

12 Gauge Only

Battery Supply

3 sets of batteries included

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Tailored specifically to 12-gauge shotgun chambers for stable seating
• Includes three sets of batteries for multiple optical zeroing setups
• Red laser projects straight through the shotgun bore without muzzle adapters

Cons

• Incompatible with 20-gauge shotguns or standard rifle chambers
• Lacks an external toggle switch so batteries must be removed after use

15

EZshoot Laser Bore Sight, 12 Gauge Bore Sight Laser Red

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• Brand
  EZshoot

Key specs2

Shotgun Chamber

12 Gauge

Optic Alignment

Provides a reference point down the bore to align shotgun dot sights at 25 yards before patterning with live shells.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Chambers directly into 12-gauge shotguns to align red dots or hunting scopes
• Supplies two full sets of batteries for immediate out-of-box operation
• Eliminates external muzzle clamps and arbor alignment steps

Cons

• Fits 12-gauge shotguns only and will not fit smaller shotgun bores
• Requires extracting battery cells manually to shut off the laser beam

Last update on 2026-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bore sight a firearm without buying a laser tool?

Yes, you can visually bore sight any firearm that lets you see straight through the barrel from the breech. Bolt-action rifles and break-action shotguns work well once you remove the bolt or open the action. Closed-receiver firearms like lever guns, pump shotguns, and semi-automatic pistols need a laser tool because the receiver blocks your view.

Should my red dot sit directly on top of the laser beam at 25 yards?

On rifles with tall optic mounts, your aiming dot should usually sit about an inch above the laser beam rather than directly on it. This offset accounts for the physical gap between the optic lens and the barrel center. Setting the reticle slightly above the laser at close range keeps the sight line closer to parallel with the barrel.

Why did my first live shot hit a different spot than the laser?

A laser travels in a perfectly straight line, but live bullets drop from gravity and react to barrel vibration. Bore sighting only aligns the mechanical axis of the barrel to your sight so you hit the paper backer on your first shot. You still need live rounds to set your final zero for your specific ammunition.

What should I do if the red laser is hard to see in bright sunlight?

Bright sunlight can wash out a red laser beam at twenty-five yards. You can make the beam visible by placing a piece of retro-reflective tape or a dark target on your backer board. You can also bore sight in lower light, such as early morning or indoors, or use a brighter green laser tool.