| A boresighter is a device used to align the sights | | | | to the point of the laser spot, the firearm can be |
| or scope of a hunting firearm to it's bore. It's | | | | expected to strike the target on the first shot. |
| primary use is to ensure a hunter is able to set | | | | These boresighters can be used at any distance |
| the sights or scope so the gun prints on paper on | | | | between 15 and 100 yards and are available for |
| the first shot, reducing the amount of ammunition | | | | rifle and handgun hunting cartridges from 17 HMR |
| expended during the sight-in process. This is an | | | | to 416 Remington Magnum and also 20 and 12 |
| important consideration, especially when using | | | | gauges, with all barrel lengths. Aimshot and NC |
| today's expensive premium hunting ammunition. A | | | | Star are two manufacturers that produce this |
| secondary use is for checking the zero of a | | | | style. |
| firearm while in the hunting field at any time | | | | The other style of laser boresighter is made to |
| without firing a shot. | | | | insert into the muzzle of a firearm. Adapters are |
| Boresighters come in two styles. The first has a | | | | made for calibers from 17 to 75 plus 12 and 20 |
| collimator, which depending on the model, attaches | | | | gauge shotguns and requires a minimum barrel |
| to the muzzle of the gun with either a magnet or | | | | length of 4 inches. Once tightened for a snug fit, it |
| an arbor. The magnet-mount type can be used | | | | will project a laser beam onto a target, as an |
| for all firearms regardless of caliber or barrel | | | | extension of the firearm's bore. Two makers of |
| length. The arbor type will come with arbors for | | | | this type are Bushnell and Laserlyte. They can be |
| calibers from 22 to 45. The gun must have a | | | | used for distances from 10 to 100 yards. |
| barrel length of at least 4 inches. Once attached | | | | After the gun is zeroed, a laser boresighter can |
| to the firearm, the reticle or sights need to be | | | | also be used to check the zero at any time |
| adjusted until they point to the middle of the grid | | | | without firing a shot. The results will be more |
| pattern. This will ensure that the sights are aligned | | | | precise than with the collimator-type boresighters. |
| with the bore, thus the first shot can be | | | | Place a target at a specific distance, such as 50 |
| expected to strike close to the bullseye of the | | | | yards, and mark where the sights and laser are in |
| target. After final sight-in, reattach the boresighter | | | | relation to each other. To check the zero |
| and make a record of the position of the sights | | | | afterwards, use the same target placed at the |
| or scope reticle to check the zero at a later time, | | | | same distance to verify that the relationship has |
| such as during a hunting trip where firing a shot | | | | remained the same. |
| may alert nearby game. | | | | Regardless of which boresighter you choose for |
| The battery operated laser boresighter is the | | | | sighting-in your hunting guns, they will all to do |
| second style of boresighter. They come in two | | | | what they are made for. One of the laser |
| types. The first, being made of brass with the | | | | boresighters may be a better choice if accurate |
| same dimensions as a cartridge case, fits into the | | | | zero checking is a priority, or if using open sights. |
| chamber or cylinder of a firearm and will project a | | | | Otherwise, selection may be just a matter of |
| laser beam through the center of the bore onto | | | | personal choice. |
| the target. Once the scope or sights are adjusted | | | | |