Aligning the sights on a rifle before actually shooting it
One of the oldest methods for aligning the sights (scope) of a rifle prior to actually shooting it at a target is called “bore sighting” This method has been in used literally since the selfcontained cartridge was invented. It appears to be a relatively simple process, but, in truth, it isn't and it's not exactly precise.
The gunsmiths of the gas light era and even up to the late 1950s built a variety of devices to aid in bore sighting. Bore sighting is simply looking through the bore of a rifle at a target some distance away and then aligning the sights on. the bull's eye. This is almost impossible to do unless the rifle is held in a sturdy vise. I have seen numerous types of devices to hold the rifle. Even when everything goes well, the rifle still must be fired on the range for fine adjustment.
Basically, the bolt action rifle is the easiest to bore sight. This is because the bolt can be removed, and the gunsmith can look directly through the bore. However, lever and pump action rifles can also be bore sighted when some type of mirror is used.
When I had a shop, I purchased a small L-shaped device the could be slipped into the action. It contained a mirror set on an angle. This allowed me to peer into the device and see the reflection of the bore in the mirror. Alignment of the bore on the target was accomplished by moving the barrel until the bore aligned with the target.
It was understood that bore sighting a rifle was not equivalent to sighting the rifle in with live ammo. Believe me, bore sighting and live. ammo sighting are worlds apart. Even the most precise type of bore sighting might be a foot or more off at 100 yards. Bore sighting is just a starter, but it saves a lot of ammo.
Well, the day of the rifle-holding vise is gone. Also, going to the range and trying to align the bore on a target a 100 yards distant (which by the way is not easy) is no longer necessary. Modern technology has come to the rescue in the form of a laser type device that takes a lot of the guesswork out of bore sighting. A new product, LaserLyte Bore Sighter is simple to use qnd far more accurate than looking through the bore.
The LaserLyte Bore Sighter incorporates an arbor with an adjustable (expanding) adapter that screw into the end of the arbor.
The adapter holds the device firmly in the bore. In the ON position, the LaserLyte Bore Sighter emits a bright red laser beam that covers just 3-inches at 100 yards. When the laser dot is projected on the target, it is used, as the point-of-aim for adjustimg the rifle scope or iron sights.
LaserLyte, P.O. Box 126, Cottonwood, Arizona. 86326 (www.LaserLytes.com) designed it to be not only simple but also fast and effective. They claim it allows bore sighting accuracy that nearly rivals actual shooting on the range.
Understanding that ultimate precision at the bore results in ultimate accuracy down range, LaserLyte has developed a calibrated system in its Hi-Precision bore sighter that allows perfect alignment of the laser to the central axis of the bore.
By calibrating the unit while in a firearm, the shooter can effectively achieve almost perfect bore sighting accuracy before fir-ing the first shot. The result is not only faster, easier sight-in sessions, but also reduced ammo consumption and wear and tear on the shooter's ghoul der.
The new laser bore sighting tool works just as well on pistols as it dies on rifles The one I am testing is designed with a thinner arbor suitable for calibers 17 to 22. The first one I saw was designed for calibers 22 to 50 caliber – shotgun bore adapters are also available. While it works well in subdued light with any target.
Each unit comes with a “reflector' target that gives a sharper picture than just regular target paper. The reflector target is only for aiming and is not used as a sight in target when live ammo is used. The unit is powered by (3) A 76 batteries (included). Battery life is about 1 1/3 hours of continuous use. The. unit I am testing carries a list price, of $61.50 phis shipping.
(Don Lewis is a longtime outdoor writer for the Leader Times and other publications. He is also the author of several books. His column appers each Friday on the Armstrong Afield page in the Leader Times.
