How to Zero Your AR-15 at 25 Yards for Maximum Accuracy

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

How to Zero an AR-15 at 25 Yards

The AR-15 is a popular rifle for both hunting and self-defense. However, it is important to zero your AR-15 so that it shoots accurately at the range you intend to use it. Zeroing your AR-15 at 25 yards is a good starting point, as it is a common distance for shooting targets. This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to zero your AR-15 at 25 yards.

What You Will Need

To zero your AR-15, you will need the following:

  • AR-15 rifle
  • Ammunition
  • Shooting rest
  • Boresighter (optional)
  • Target
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Paper

Steps to Zero Your AR-15 at 25 Yards

1. Attach the boresighter to your rifle. A boresighter is a device that helps you align the sights of your rifle with the bore of the barrel. It is not necessary to use a boresighter, but it can make the process of zeroing your rifle easier.
2. Load your rifle with ammunition. Use the same type of ammunition that you will be using for hunting or self-defense.
3. Set up your target at 25 yards. The target should be a large, dark object that is easy to see.
4. Place your rifle on a shooting rest. This will help to stabilize the rifle and ensure that it does not move during the firing process.
5. Look through the sights of your rifle and center the target in the crosshairs. Do not fire your rifle yet.
6. Turn the windage and elevation knobs on your scope until the crosshairs are aligned with the point of impact on the target. The point of impact is the place where the bullet hits the target.
7. Fire your rifle and observe where the bullet hits the target. If the bullet hits above the point of aim, turn the elevation knob down. If the bullet hits below the point of aim, turn the elevation knob up.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until the bullet is consistently hitting the point of aim.
9. Remove the boresighter from your rifle.
10. Fire a few more rounds at the target to confirm that your rifle is zeroed.

Your AR-15 is now zeroed at 25 yards. You can now adjust the sights for other distances as needed.

Step Instructions Image
1 Attach a laser bore sight to your AR-15.
2 Turn on the laser bore sight and aim it at a target 25 yards away.
3 Adjust the sights on your AR-15 until the laser dot is aligned with the center of the target.

Equipment Needed

To zero an AR-15 at 25 yards, you will need the following equipment:

  • An AR-15 rifle
  • A 25-yard target
  • A riflescope or red dot sight
  • A laser bore sighter
  • Ammunition
  • A shooting mat or bipod
  • A spotting scope or binoculars

Preparation

Before you begin zeroing your AR-15, there are a few things you need to do to prepare.

First, make sure that your rifle is clean and properly lubricated. Second, make sure that you are using the correct ammunition for your rifle. Third, choose a shooting position that is comfortable and allows you to maintain a good sight picture.

Once you have prepared your rifle and chosen a shooting position, you can begin the zeroing process.

Zeroing the Rifle

To zero your AR-15 at 25 yards, follow these steps:

1. Mount your riflescope or red dot sight to your rifle.
2. Attach the laser bore sighter to your rifle.
3. Turn on the laser bore sighter and aim it at the target.
4. Adjust the windage and elevation knobs on your riflescope or red dot sight until the laser dot is centered on the target.
5. Remove the laser bore sighter.
6. Load your rifle with ammunition and fire a shot at the target.
7. Adjust the windage and elevation knobs on your riflescope or red dot sight until the bullet impacts the center of the target.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you are able to consistently hit the center of the target.

Once you have successfully zeroed your AR-15 at 25 yards, you can take it to the range and test it out. Be sure to practice shooting at different distances to get a feel for how your rifle performs.

Zeroing your AR-15 at 25 yards is a relatively simple process that can be completed in a few minutes. By following the steps in this guide, you can ensure that your rifle is accurate and reliable at all distances.

Here are some additional tips for zeroing your AR-15:

  • Use a quality riflescope or red dot sight.
  • Use good-quality ammunition.
  • Practice shooting at different distances.
  • Be patient and persistent.

With a little practice, you will be able to zero your AR-15 and shoot accurately at any distance.

How do I zero an AR-15 at 25 yards?

1. Choose the correct ammunition. The type of ammunition you use will affect the point of impact (POI) of your rifle. Make sure to use the same type of ammunition that you will be using for hunting or target shooting.
2. Set up your rifle on a rest. This will help to ensure that your rifle is stable and that you are able to make accurate shots.
3. Adjust the rear sight. The rear sight is used to adjust the vertical position of the POI. Turn the elevation knob clockwise to raise the POI and counterclockwise to lower it.
4. Adjust the front sight. The front sight is used to adjust the horizontal position of the POI. Turn the windage knob clockwise to move the POI to the right and counterclockwise to move it to the left.
5. Take a shot. Once you have made all of your adjustments, take a shot at the target. If the POI is not where you want it to be, make further adjustments and repeat steps 3-5 until you are satisfied with the results.

What is the best way to zero an AR-15?

There are a few different ways to zero an AR-15, but the most common method is to use a 25-yard zero. This means that the rifle will be sighted in so that the POI is 2 inches below the target at 25 yards. This is a good starting point for most shooters, and it can be adjusted as needed for different types of ammunition or shooting conditions.

What is a 25-yard zero?

A 25-yard zero is a common sighting in method for AR-15s. It means that the rifle will be sighted in so that the POI is 2 inches below the target at 25 yards. This is a good starting point for most shooters, and it can be adjusted as needed for different types of ammunition or shooting conditions.

How do I know if my AR-15 is zeroed?

There are a few ways to check if your AR-15 is zeroed. The easiest way is to shoot a group of shots at a target at 25 yards. If the shots are all grouped together, then the rifle is zeroed. You can also check the POI by using a laser bore sight. This will help you to make sure that the rifle is sighted in correctly.

What are the common mistakes people make when zeroing an AR-15?

There are a few common mistakes that people make when zeroing an AR-15. These include:

  • Not using the correct ammunition.
  • Not using a rest to stabilize the rifle.
  • Not making enough adjustments.
  • Not checking the POI after making adjustments.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure that your AR-15 is zeroed correctly and that you are able to make accurate shots.

How often should I zero my AR-15?

You should zero your AR-15 whenever you change the ammunition that you are using, or if you make any changes to the rifle’s sights or optics. It is also a good idea to zero your rifle periodically, just to make sure that it is still sighted in correctly.

In this comprehensive guide, we have discussed the steps on how to zero an AR-15 at 25 yards. We started by discussing the importance of zeroing your rifle, and then we moved on to the different types of sights that you can use to zero your rifle. We then provided detailed instructions on how to zero your AR-15 using a front sight post and a rear sight aperture, as well as how to zero your AR-15 using a red dot sight.

We hope that this guide has been helpful, and that you are now able to zero your AR-15 with confidence. Remember, the key to accurate shooting is having a properly zeroed rifle. So take the time to zero your rifle, and you’ll be sure to improve your accuracy.

Here are some key takeaways from this guide:

  • The importance of zeroing your rifle
  • The different types of sights that you can use to zero your rifle
  • How to zero your AR-15 using a front sight post and a rear sight aperture
  • How to zero your AR-15 using a red dot sight

By following these steps, you can be sure that your AR-15 is properly zeroed and that you will be able to hit your targets with accuracy.

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