How to Zero a Rifle Scope at 25, 50 and 100 Yards

Zeroing a rifle scope is one of those range chores that feels harder than it is. Skip the guesswork and use a 1-inch grid sight-in target, a solid rest, and a methodical pattern. This is the workflow that gets most rifles dialed in under twenty rounds.

What "zero" actually means

Your bullet doesn't travel in a straight line, but your scope does. Zeroing aligns the two so that at a chosen distance — usually 100 yards — point of aim equals point of impact. For a 5.56 or .308 service rifle, a 50/200 yard zero gives a usable hold from close-up to mid-range. Hunting rifles are commonly zeroed at 100 yards.

Gear checklist

• Stable rest (bipod + rear bag, lead sled, or sandbags)
• Quality ammo — pick the load you'll actually use, and stick to it
• A printed 1-inch grid sight-in target in A3 if possible
• Torque wrench or hex set for the scope rings
• Hearing and eye protection

Step 1 — Bore sight at home

Pull the bolt, set the rifle on a rest, and look down the bore at a distinct object 25 yards away. Without moving the rifle, adjust the scope until the reticle is on the same object. This costs nothing and usually saves a magazine of ammo.

Step 2 — Confirm at 25 yards

1. Set up a fresh target at 25 yards.
2. Fire a 3-shot group from a solid rest. Don't chase shots.
3. Measure the group's center distance from the bullseye in inches.
4. Adjust: most scopes are 1/4 MOA per click, which is roughly 1/16" at 25 yards.
5. Fire another 3-shot group to confirm.

Step 3 — Move to 100 yards

A 25-yard zero typically lands about 2" low at 100 yards for a 5.56 with a 1.5" sight height, and roughly on at 200. For a true 100-yard zero, shift the target out and repeat the 3-shot group routine. At 100 yards, 1 MOA equals about 1 inch — much easier math.

Common mistakes

• Single shots instead of groups — you're chasing wobble, not the rifle.
• Loose scope rings. Torque to spec before you blame the optic.
• Switching ammo mid-zero. Point of impact moves with the load.
• Cleaning the barrel between groups without firing a fouling shot first.

Need a target right now? Head to the library and grab a free A4 sight-in sheet, or browse common questions.