How to Use a Laser Bore Sight Cartridge

If you want to improve your hunting/target-shooting accuracy, then consider a laser bore sight. Boresighting lines up the optical sight located on the top of the gun barrel with your bore axis. After you’ve mounted your scope, this should arguably be your top priority. It helps to ensure your first shot will hit target paper at about 50 yards.

Boresights can provide several benefits like saving time, reducing ammo costs, and protecting your shoulder from recoil. Various types of boresights are available including laser boresighter. Some emit a laser beam from an arbor that’s inserted into the muzzle. Others have the dimensions of a cartridge that’s inserted into the gun’s chamber.  

Non-laser Boresighting Methods

Boresighting involves various methods. The old-school method is to remove a bolt action rifle’s bolt then look down the bore. The gun is secured and positioned, so it points at the target around 50 yards away. Elevation/windage turrets are then tweaked until the reticle centers on the bullseye.

The magnetic method is the most convenient method and requires a magnetic boresighter. Strong magnets attach them to the muzzle rather than putting arbors into the barrel. Magnetic boresighters can be used for all calibers/gauges, and no other parts can be lost/damaged.

Benefits of Laser Boresighting

Then there are laser bore sighting devices. These units provide several benefits. They’re much more precise than using your eye. Yes, you can use basic bore sighting to hit paper at distances of 100 yards. However, bore sighting can get you closer to center. In addition, you can save money since you’ll need less ammo to zero your rifle.

Secondly, there’s no need to look down the gun’s barrel to bore sight when using a laser. That said, the gun must always be unloaded.

This reason is due to laser devices being inserted into the rifle’s muzzle then the rifle is moved, so the laser hits the target’s center. Then you just have to move the gun scope’s reticles, so they’re centered on the dot.

This provides yet another benefit. You can use the laser to bore guns like lever-actions without removable bolts. You can also view the barrels from the breech end.

How to Use Laser Bore Sights

1. Verify the rifle is empty

This is always the most important step to take in terms of gun maintenance. Clear the firearm’s chamber and make sure the rifle and environment are clear. Make sure to follow the “safety first” mantra.

2. Set up adapter

Install the particular adapter to match your gun’s caliber. Then add the boresighter to your rifle. Determine if you’re using daylight or standard target. Make any adjustments required based on your gun’s caliber.

3. Find a stable position

It’s critical to use a stable mount/gun vise when sighting the rifle. Consider using a vise to make the process easier vs. using your hands/leaning prop.

4. Align sight

Line up the sight (e.g. 25-yard range). The laser should fill up the center of daylight target completely. Next, make tweaks about where the sun sight matches up with red dot from boresight. You should also line up backup sights/secondary optics on the rifle.

5. Remove laser bore sight form rifle barrel

OK, this might seem like a case of stating the obvious. Just remember the “safety first” rule and the fact that to err is human.

Using a Universal Bore Slight

• Use shooting bags, bench rest, or other objects to stabilize your gun. Just ensure that the gun is unloaded and pointed in the right and safe direction.
• Hang your target at least 15 to 25 yards away.
• Unpack the Universal Boresight. Then, turn it on.
• To save its battery life, only press or activate the arbor by attaching it to the barrel. If not in use, you can just detach it.
• Then, you should remove the muzzle or suppressor device you have on your firearm.
• Simply put the boresight to the end of your barrel.

Types of Laser

Laser Class

• One way of identifying quality is the class of the laser. Majority of the bore sighters goes with class III lasers. However, there are also some models that use better ones.
• The laser’s class definitely affect the laser’s visibility. This means that the lower the laser class, the more it becomes visible. The higher class lasers are, the more they become dangerous for the vision, but class III lasers are considered safe.

Laser Color

• The laser’s color seems like an arbitrary characteristic. As commonly known, you will be able to see green lasers better than the red ones.
• This is because green lasers are usually more powerful, whether they are in whatever class or wavelengths.
• Another reason why green lasers are more visible to us is that our eyes are able to spot different nuances of green better than our eyes do in red.
• With a green bore sighter, we will be allowed to zero sights and optics even in longer distances.

Laser Brightness

• Even if the lasers belong in the same class, class III, for example, some of these lasers are still dimmer than others. Hence, it is ideal to always find a bright laser since it will allow you to zero in your guns or firearms in a broad daylight.
• Otherwise, you will have to zero in your sights when in indoors, or you will have to wait for the evening or clouded day before you start.

Conclusion

Laser bore sights including cartridge-types are a good option in terms of convenience, precision, and flexibility. They’re game-changing boresights that make the process exponentially easier. They also provide benefits like saving money on ammo and reducing the effects of recoil.

We’ve just reviewed some of the top in-chamber laser bore sights on the market. As always, it’s important to pick a unit that’s within your budget. If you make a wise choice in terms of durability and performance, then it will ultimately save you money in the long term. Your gun will be more accurate before you take your first shot.