Hope this isn't a dumb question.. I have a new M&P AR15 and tried to use a 223 bore site to get my iron sights and optic close before going to the range. The boresight isn't giving me a distinct dot out of the barrel (just playing around at ~40-50ft), but rather a fist-sized, half moon blob. I thought maybe there was some fluff or dust in the barrel that was distorting the beam so I ran a bore snake thru it and the checked it with a flashlight. All clear. The boresight by itself does produce a distinct dot when handheld and aimed at the same spot. Is it possible the the rifling and shine of the never fired barrel is causing the laser to reflect, bounce around and distort? I've used boresights before with pistols with good results. But never tried it in a rifle. I did a search and got a few hits, but nothing specific to the issue I'm experiencing. Thanks in advance. Can't wait to get to the range with this thing to the range!
Laser Bore Sighting an AR?
- Thread starter Gaucho59
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Kadonny
Member
2 thoughts. Could the flash hider be installed incorrectly where the beam is hitting it? Second thought, and probably the real answer is the bore sighter is misalingened where it doesn't shoot straight and it's angling the beam refelction off of the wall of the barrel. The bore sighters are far from hefty, so I could easily conceive where it is not aligned correctly.
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Yeah, I think the alignment is the issue. I posted the question on the Amazon page and apparently several folks had the same issue. You can turn on the laser and roll it across a table and the dot wobbles where it hits the wall. They apparently are made in China even tho they advertise them as made in USA.
4barrel
Member
You can get by without the bore sight. Put the rifle on a rest & remove the bolt. Stand back a little & look down the bore. Adjust the scope to where the bore points. It will be close enough to zero at 100 yards.
cgt4570
SWCA Member
Exactly! There is no reason to use a laser bore sighter on any rifle where you can look through the barrel.
JaPes
Member
I used the type that you push down the muzzle. It has plastic nibs for the end so you can snug fit it to the barrel.
In the dark, I project the laser on a wall from the farthest distance within my home. I align my dot to the laser beam. That gets me on paper. From there, I use a sighting target to zero my dot. I then align my irons to the dot.
In the dark, I project the laser on a wall from the farthest distance within my home. I align my dot to the laser beam. That gets me on paper. From there, I use a sighting target to zero my dot. I then align my irons to the dot.
MrG5122
Member
This works great on bolt actions but on ARs the buffer tube and stock are in line with the bolt. That said the the upper can be separated and put on the bags to use this method. It works. Dead on at 25yds should put you on paper at 100. YMMV.
My bore sight looks like a bullet and doesn't have the room to move around on the laser end like some I've seen. If you can move the back end of your laser sight then it moves the front end out of alignment. The bore sights with the handle in the back - like this one - [ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018SCFWBI?psc=1"]Amazon.com : JG16 - 19 Red Laser Bore Sight Kit Boresighter for .22 to .50 Caliber Scope Handgun Rifles : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31m2Hjq7tEL.@@AMEPARAM@@31m2Hjq7tEL[/ame] - are just asking to be out of alignment.
I was able to line up a laser sight I mounted on my AR exactly with the bore sight in just a couple of minutes. I haven't got to shoot it yet. That will come tomorrow. But it shouldn't be off very much. Laser sights aren't precision sights IMO but they're close. I like them because I can pick up any moving target with a laser very quickly. I don't expect to win any shooting competitions but I do expect to be able to nail more than one varmint with my AR when the time comes (I get multiple coyotes in the yard around my pets at times) I should be able to very quickly move from one target to another even if the second target is on the dead run. BTW I plan on getting a good red dot sight soon. I just got the AR for Christmas and for now I'm mounting what I have on it which is a green laser. I've used lasers effectively for years though. It's much easier to pick up a fast moving target with a laser over irons. The thing that makes it faster is you don't need to bring the rifle to eye level to sight in a target.
I was able to line up a laser sight I mounted on my AR exactly with the bore sight in just a couple of minutes. I haven't got to shoot it yet. That will come tomorrow. But it shouldn't be off very much. Laser sights aren't precision sights IMO but they're close. I like them because I can pick up any moving target with a laser very quickly. I don't expect to win any shooting competitions but I do expect to be able to nail more than one varmint with my AR when the time comes (I get multiple coyotes in the yard around my pets at times) I should be able to very quickly move from one target to another even if the second target is on the dead run. BTW I plan on getting a good red dot sight soon. I just got the AR for Christmas and for now I'm mounting what I have on it which is a green laser. I've used lasers effectively for years though. It's much easier to pick up a fast moving target with a laser over irons. The thing that makes it faster is you don't need to bring the rifle to eye level to sight in a target.
Ballistic147
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I've used this method for years. Always end up on the paper and usually very close.
You can stick the laser in a power drill, see how lopsided it is and make adjustments. Those chinese made ones tend to have their adjustment screws loose from backing out all the way or something.
Just for fun, I have laser modules coming in and will be making my own out of actual casings.
But really, "zeroing in" with ammo is more fun. Just shoot at the corners to start, then I like to do the MOA/click math to see how accurate the scope is in terms of adjustment clicks.
Just for fun, I have laser modules coming in and will be making my own out of actual casings.
But really, "zeroing in" with ammo is more fun. Just shoot at the corners to start, then I like to do the MOA/click math to see how accurate the scope is in terms of adjustment clicks.
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tbgunner88
Member
What's wrong with abbreviating point of sale? 
A mechanical boresighter? Is that like a 25-yard long metal rod?
I'm not sure if your'e exaggerating. I have two kinds. I prefer the magnetic bushnell boresighter. becuase it is adjustable from the barrel to the scope. but I have one I got from Cabelas also that is a arbor type mechanical boresighter. long story short. it gets you closer to the bullseye 10x faster than paper punching.
I have used both grid bore sighters and laser bore sighters, both have their advantages and disadvantages. I will grid bore sight my bolt guns, only if there isn't an MOA added scope base.
For my bolt guns with 20 MOA added bases, and my A4 ARs, I will use a laser bore sight only to get the scope on the vertical stadia wire, and about an inch low on the horizontal stadia wire at about 15 yards. With that basic setting, 99% of the time I am on paper at 100 yards.
I have noticed that on occasion, that I don't get a full dot projected on the target at times. In those instances, I have found that the beam projector has shifted in the laser "shell", at which point I class the laser as useless. At that point, I don't even get enough of a beam to torment my dogs.
For my bolt guns with 20 MOA added bases, and my A4 ARs, I will use a laser bore sight only to get the scope on the vertical stadia wire, and about an inch low on the horizontal stadia wire at about 15 yards. With that basic setting, 99% of the time I am on paper at 100 yards.
I have noticed that on occasion, that I don't get a full dot projected on the target at times. In those instances, I have found that the beam projector has shifted in the laser "shell", at which point I class the laser as useless. At that point, I don't even get enough of a beam to torment my dogs.
ChattanoogaPhil
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Some of you guys are pretty sophisticated.
Weuns around here aim at a small rock, clump of grass or debris on a dirt bank. Bang. Bullet strikes dirt. Adjust accordingly. Move to paper.
Weuns around here aim at a small rock, clump of grass or debris on a dirt bank. Bang. Bullet strikes dirt. Adjust accordingly. Move to paper.
