How to zero a red dot

Have you recently purchased a red dot sight for your firearm and found yourself staring at a paper target, feeling overwhelmed by the process of zeroing it? Maybe you’ve spent hours researching various techniques and watched countless tutorials online, yet the idea of aligning your optic to hit your target precisely still feels daunting. Fear not! In this guide, we will break down the steps so you can confidently zero your red dot sight and spend more time focusing on accuracy at the range.

To zero a red dot sight, start by securely mounting the sight on your firearm according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Set up a target at 25 yards, and fire a 3-shot group to determine where your shots hit relative to the target. Adjust the windage and elevation knobs on the sight to align the point of impact with the point of aim, and repeat the process until your shots are consistently on target.

To delve deeper, the first step to zeroing your red dot sight involves ensuring it is properly mounted. A secure mount prevents any movement that could throw off your aiming. Once the sight is correctly positioned, set up a target at about 25 yards; this distance is often used for initial sight-in because it allows for manageable adjustments. Fire a group of three shots in a controlled manner, as this will give you a better indication of where the sight is currently aiming compared to where it needs to be.

After firing, observe where your shots landed in relation to the target. If your aim was at the center but your shots landed low and to the right, you’ll need to make adjustments. Most red dot sights have windage and elevation knobs–turn the windage knob to move your point of impact left or right, and use the elevation knob to adjust it up or down. These adjustments are usually measured in “MOA” (minutes of angle), with 1 MOA equating to about 1 inch at 100 yards; thus, minor tweaks can lead to significant changes at greater distances.

Once you’ve made your adjustments, fire another group of shots to see how they align with your revised point of aim. Keep repeating this process until your shots consistently hit your target at that distance. It’s also useful to note that after zeroing your red dot at 25 yards, it’s good to verify it at longer distances, such as 50 or 100 yards, to ensure accuracy across a range of shooting scenarios. Finally, always remember to practice regularly to maintain your skill and ensure the sight remains zeroed over time.