Zeroing at 100 yards.

[Northrup]

Good morning!

So, I just bought my first AR15, something I've been meaning to do since I got out of the Army. I pick it up in ten days, and of course, I need to zero it. That being said I have an Aimpoint red dot for my main optic. My concern is my local range that allows rifle calibers is at minimum 100 yards. It's been a few years since I've zeroed and I also used to start at 25 yards and work my way out. Does anyone have a helpful tricks to get me started? ...Are there any ways to start the zero without firing the weapon, kind of a cold guess of any sorts? I don't know, I think you get the idea. I'm also new here, glad to be here, hope all is well across the board.

[hung380]

Welcome and thank you for your service
You can use a bore sighter to get close but still gotta fine tune it at 100 yds.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2

[SuperSet]

You could always start with a bore zero by taking your upper only, removing the bolt and looking down the bore to a target. Then without touching the upper, make adjustments to your red dot to align with what you see in the bore. This method is very rough and only works out to 25 yards to get you on paper.
A 100-yard zero is good. Just remember that your POI will always be below your POA so you're always holding over. I prefer a 50 yard zero for red dots.
Good luck, man.

[Northrup]

I have a feeling it's just going to be one of those range days that requires patience... Are the bore sights you guys are taking about the "laser on a stick" as I used to call it? I've seen a .223 round that has a laser inside of it somehow... I ordered some back up flip sights just in case I get frustrated and need to feel good about myself

[SuperSet]

You dont need a laser boresight. Those things are a waste of money. Just look down the bore.

[Eddy's Shooting Sports]

Before anything, just try shooting it and see if it is on the paper. Have a friend also watch to see where the bullet strikes if it misses the paper. I have mounted thousands of scopes over the last 30 years and one thing I have noticed in recent years is that most optics on most rifles are pretty well aligned without even touching the knobs. This is the fruits of modern manufacturing.

[DolphinFan]

I zero my AR's at 50 yards, it is accurate within 2" out to 225 yards

[Stockton]

Battle sight zero your weapon. Lollipop your red dot.

[Northrup]

Roger. All ideas noted. I'll make sure to report back on my success. I can't wait to get out there... Now if we could all find somewhere to get a decent price on ammo. I don't want to stray from the topic too far... I was at a range in Marin the other day and I was told 70 cents a round was a good deal for over the counter purchases of .223 or 5.56. How you are guys buying your ammo and how are the deals?

[Trgt]

Bring a spotting scope or binoculars. Or see if range has a scope you can borrow. Then you can get an idea of where you are hitting between target change periods, you probably won't be able to see your hits with the aim point at 100 yards.

On ammo you can be below .50/round if you buy Cabelas 1200 rounds for $499 online.

[usmc700]

Lost Gatos Rod and Gun has a 25 yd range for rifles just in case you feel like driving up the mountain.

[Northrup]

Got it. I'm hoping I can make it to the range in Castro Valley. They have a 50 yard range that I can start at. But... if I can't make it there I'm stuck starting out cold on 100. I'll be fine either way, it's just been so long I feel like a jack-***.

[desertnuke]

Northrup, hung380 is right if you want to sight in your AR w/o firing using a laser bore sight is the way to go. We do that with our M.I.L.E.S. and SAAB gear.
Good Luck!!

[-hanko]

Originally Posted by Stockton

Battle sight zero your weapon. Lollipop your red dot.

This.

Google "Improved Battle Sight Zero" and take care of the irons first.

Add the red dot and co-witness.

Simple, and a laser boresighter is definitely overkill.

-hanko

[CSACANNONEER]

Boresight by eye and then use the one shot zero method to our optics with only one shot. This can be done at 25 yards or 1000 yards depending on the gun and the range you are intending to shoot. IT ONLY TAKES ONE ROUND TO ZERO OPTICS!!!!!!!!

[negolien]

Originally Posted by Eddy's Shooting Sports

Before anything, just try shooting it and see if it is on the paper. Have a friend also watch to see where the bullet strikes if it misses the paper. I have mounted thousands of scopes over the last 30 years and one thing I have noticed in recent years is that most optics on most rifles are pretty well aligned without even touching the knobs. This is the fruits of modern manufacturing.

I concur also most new optics don't require any left or right input so don't mess with that lol. Easy way to get lost when zeroing imo.

[noplay6978]

+1 for Eddy's. I just zeroed my m4 after mounting a Nikon P223 on my dining room table. Took me 10 rounds and less than 5 mins to zero sub MOA at 100 yds with a friend calling out my shots. If I can do it, it must be easy.