Sighting in a red dot scope is essential for accurate shooting. But what if you don’t have access to a range, or you want to save time and ammunition? Fortunately, there are effective methods to sight in your red dot scope without shooting. These techniques rely on alignment tools and adjustments, giving you a solid zero before you even start shooting.
While live-fire zeroing is the most accurate, pre-aligning your optic without shooting has several advantages:
Saves ammo: No need to waste rounds during the initial setup.
Time-efficient: You can do the bulk of adjustments at home.
Convenient: Perfect when range access is limited.
Bore sighting is the most common way to align your optic before live firing. There are two main approaches:
Visual Bore Sighting:
Secure your rifle in a stable position (gun vise or sandbags).
Remove the bolt (for bolt-action rifles) and look directly down the barrel at a target.
Without moving the gun, adjust your red dot until the reticle aligns with the same target.
Laser Bore Sighting:
Insert a laser bore sighter into the chamber or muzzle.
The laser projects a dot on your target.
Adjust your red dot sight so it lines up with the laser dot.
Point your red dot at a mirror from a short distance. If the reticle and its reflection are misaligned, adjust the optic until they overlap. This ensures your sight is centered.
If you don’t have access to a bore sighter or mirror, mechanically center your optic:
Count the total adjustment clicks on both windage and elevation.
Divide by two and set each turret to the middle point.
This returns the sight to its factory-neutral position.
If your firearm has iron sights, you can co-witness:
Mount your red dot.
Align the dot so it sits just above the front post when looking through the irons.
This gives you a good initial zero before live-fire confirmation.
Perform sighting at a consistent distance (commonly 25 yards).
Use a stable rest to minimize movement.
Always confirm with live fire when possible—pre-sighting gets you close but isn’t a replacement for real shooting conditions.
Learning how to sight in a red dot scope without shooting can save you both time and ammunition. Whether you use a laser bore sighter, mirror method, or co-witnessing technique, you’ll have your optic aligned well enough to hit paper on your first shots. Afterward, you can fine-tune at the range for ultimate precision.
If you’re searching for a reliable red dot sight that offers sharp reticles and easy adjustments, choosing a trusted manufacturer ensures long-term performance and clarity.