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How Accurate Are Laser Bore Sights? Important Facts & FAQ

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Wheeler Professional Laser Bore Sighter

So, here’s something not many people will tell you: no experienced target shooter will leave the house, before ensuring that he or she has the best sighters to work with. And it’s not just something that you forget if you’ve been in this line of business long enough.

But picking a suitable sighter in a market flooded with substandard products is no easy feat. That’s why you have to take a minute to think about what you want. Draft a pros-and-cons list if you have to, and don’t forget to take into account all the different aspects that define an incredible sighter.

One of those aspects is accuracy. You see, if you have ever tested a laser bore sighter before, you already know they tend to register high scores in this department. If you are only looking for accuracy while shooting, then yes, it will deliver. Of course, their degree of accuracy is a totally different conversation, one that we’ll be looking to answer in this article. But before we get into all of that, let’s start by defining what a laser bore sighter is.

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What’s a Laser Bore Sighter?

A laser bore sighter is a special kind of rifle accessory. Special in the sense that it provides a more modern avenue for adjusting your firearm as well as the optical iron sight. Say you’re looking to hunt at night, its laser pointer will make your work easier by centering your aim.

The total distance covered by the pointer will mostly depend on the brand, if not the type of gadget you’re working with. You’ll also notice that it relies on the traditional red or green dot as a marker.

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Are Laser Bore Sights Accurate?

If your main concern at this point is whether or not it will deliver while you’re out there shooting with your pals, the answer is yes. The laser bore sighter is as accurate as they come. Nonetheless, you still have to take into consideration the different variables at play, when it comes to determining the degree of accuracy.

These are the things that we’re referring to:

Alignment Of the Notches

Whether you like it or not, the trajectory of your bullet will certainly be influenced by this factor. For a quick second, let’s assume all your firearms have notches that are positioned in such a way that they end up forming something that resembles a ridge within the barrel. That elevation, even though small, will compel your bullet to travel in a slightly curved trajectory. So, the sighter did its job, but your firearm let you down.

Torque

In physics, we like to define torque as the force exerted on an object or body through some lever arm. The definition is still similar in the world of target shooting, save for the fact that we see it as the force by which our bullet gets pushed away from the rifle. The torque is a vital factor in this equation, as it can also change the trajectory of the bullet. How high or low your torque is will determine whether the bullet maintains a straight course or forms a curved trajectory.

Distance Covered

In retrospect, this is a no-brainer. With or without a laser bore sighter, the distance will always influence your aim. It won’t affect you to a higher degree once you’ve installed the sighter, but if it’s all about the point-and-shoot accuracy, you’ll certainly see the difference.

If you have the option of shooting at a closer range, take it. This will not only guarantee you a perfect shot but also improve your overall skill.

The brands that we’ve worked with have often provided us with all the information we need to enhance usability—including the recommended distances. Although we’re not 100% sure about this, we think the most that we’ve come across is an additional 25 feet of range. If that’s the case, don’t go past that. You’ll only be affecting your accuracy.

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How Does a Laser Bore Sighter Compare to an Iron Sight?

Consumer tastes and preferences vary. And that’s how we know some people will take the side of the iron sighter and throw shade towards the laser bore. All you need to know is that the former completely relies on the human line of sight, while the latter doesn’t. That red dot will always be visible, even if the light conditions aren’t that favorable.

Do you prefer hunting at night? And if you do, do you think an iron sighter will provide you with the same level of service as the laser bore? We bet not. The kind of technology used to produce this device has made it possible for manufacturers to add more features to it to facilitate accuracy in the dark.

Let’s not even get into the price conversation because these gadgets are way cheaper than the conventional iron sight. And we have a feeling that the prices will soon go down, given the availability of technology has positively influenced the cost of production.

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How Can Shooters Improve Their Accuracy Without Relying on a Laser Bore Sighter?

Utilizing Other Sighters

If you have no way of getting access to your laser bore sighter or don’t have the means to buy one, you could always turn to the iron sighter. And if that doesn’t appeal to you, there’s a holographic sighter and even one that’s designed to use a prism.

Night Vision Goggles

These goggles are for those who love hunting under the cover of darkness. Truth be told, not even a highly advanced shooter can hit a bullseye under such conditions. We all need help sometimes, and the night vision goggles will come in handy. You should go with them to target practice every so often, just to get a feel of what it’s like.

Firearm Design

If you go through the long list of firearms being sold online, you’ll notice most of them have functionality and accuracy listed as their key selling points. That’s because manufacturers understand just how important these two aspects are, especially to target shooters.

The design of your rifle will directly influence your accuracy levels. The people working in the research and development department usually come up with different scenarios, and also factor in distance, while working on such a blueprint. So, there’s no way a short-range rifle will outperform a long-range one even if the guy behind the trigger has a vast wealth of experience in the game.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does a Laser Bore Sighter Offer Value for Money?

It certainly does. And there’s no iota of doubt in our minds about this, seeing as it offers more than what other sighters offer, at a pocket-friendly price. It’s very durable, accurate, and user-friendly.

Can a Laser Bore Sighter Cover 100 Yards?

Yes, it can. The beam that will be emitted by the laser through your barrel will be very visible on a target that’s 100 yards away. Just make sure that your sighter is properly attached to the firearm before testing it out.

Is It Possible to Bore Sight a Shotgun?

Not all sighters are suitable candidates for this type of task. But lucky for you, the laser bore sighter is one-of-a-kind. It offers a more refined avenue for sighting, thereby making it the best sighter for hunters looking to work with shotguns.

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Conclusion

The main function of the laser bore sighter is to enhance accuracy. But remember, enhancing accuracy isn’t the same as ensuring your shots are accurately placed. So, if you’re only buying this tool hoping you’ll be able to hit your targets without practicing, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Also, laser bore sighters are not everyone’s cup of tea. Some shooters still prefer the traditional method, which involves the utilization of iron sight. It all depends on what you’re most comfortable with.

About the Author Robert Sparks

Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.