If your hits are far from the center, you’ll probably need to zero in your firearm. That used to be a tedious process. Not only a frustrating task, but also involving lots of ammo, and these days that is expensive. Fortunately, laser boresighters are available to make the process easier and faster.
If you are new to guns you might wonder what exactly is boresighting? It’s the process of aligning the center of your barrel, called the bore, with the sights on your firearm. This results in more on target hits.
In this article we look at:
- Bushnell Banner Bore Sighter Kit
- LaserLyte Laser Bore Sight 22-50
- Wheeler Professional Laser Bore Sighter
- Gun Gear Depot Laser Boresight Cartridge
- SiteLite Ultra Mag Green Laser Professional Boresighter
How to Use a Bore Sighter Video – YouTube:
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Boresight Buying Guide
Boresighters are available in various shapes and sizes and come with different attachment features. This diversity can make selecting the right boresighter a bit challenging. To help you get the best value for your investment and save time, I’ve compiled a list of key features to consider when purchasing a laser boresighter. These include:
- Laser power/quality: Lasers are categorized into classes, which is one way to determine their power/quality. Most lasers usually come in Class III, but other high-end sighters use better ones. Generally, a higher-class number indicates better visibility and better sights. However, too much is also dangerous as higher-class versions can damage your vision. However, buying a low-quality, dim laser that’s hardly seen even indoors can affect accuracy.
- Laser color: Most lasers are visibly red, which is the economical option. But if you want a more powerful laser that is highly visible, opt for a green one. Green-colored lasers are generally associated with the more precise boresighters, they can also be visible in broad daylight and at night.
- Versatility: For those who own several guns, it’s important you choose laser boresighters that can fit most of them. Presently, most manufacturers design boresighters to fit a specific kind of firearm.
- Ease of use: Some boresighters come with screws for attachment to different weapons while some brands offer a magnetic platform for attachment. I find the magnetic ones to be generally easier to use.
Our Top 5 Laser Boresighters
So let’s get to it. Here are the five best laster boresighters in the market today.
First on the list is the Bushnell Banner Bore Sighter, renowned as one of the top laser boresighters available. It comes in a sleek black vinyl case and includes three steel adjustable arbors, which can accommodate .22 to .177 handgun calibers. The Bushnell Professional Bore Sighter is constructed from premium aluminum with a black anodized finish, giving it an elegant appearance.
This kit includes a graduated grid system, where each graduation represents 4 inches per 100 yards. It’s a popular choice among professionals, though beginners might find it challenging to use. Although designed primarily for indoor use, it can also be used outdoors if you avoid bright sunlight. The Bushnell boasts a high-quality feel and comes with a lifetime warranty, but it is pricier compared to some other options.
- Comes in a vinyl black case
- Can fit caliber sizes .22 to .177
- Utilizes a graduated grid system
- Lifetime warranty
- Graduated system may be complicated to use
LaserLyte Laser Bore Sight 22-50
Similar to the Bushnell, the LaserLyte boresighter also comes as part of a kit. It features a powerful Class III laser with a wavelength of 630-670nm, visible up to 100 yards. This versatile tool includes four different adapters for calibers ranging from .22 to .50 and operates on 3 BAT-393 batteries. Its straightforward design makes it user-friendly: simply choose the appropriate adapter for your firearm, attach it to the barrel, and switch on the laser.
While it is a universal tool, keep in mind that it requires a minimum barrel length of 3 inches. It may be challenging to use with firearms that have shorter barrels, as it could slip out if not fully inserted into the bore. Nevertheless, the LaserLyte Laser Bore Sight 22-50 is one of the most cost-effective and efficient laser boresighters available.
- Powerful red laser light
- Can multiple firearms
- Can be used to sight in scopes
- Can only be efficient for close-range sighting in
- Only works on weapons with barrel lengths of at least 3 inches
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Wheeler Professional Laser Bore Sighter
This boresighter features a robust magnetic platform that ensures precise alignment. The Wheeler Professional Bore Sighter is a lightweight model with an aluminum body encased in rubber molded housing, combining both style and durability. It utilizes a high-powered Class IIIR laser, visible up to 100 yards, and is available in both red and green laser options. Additionally, it operates on a single Lithium 123A battery, which is included in the package. The Wheeler Professional Bore Sighter comes precalibrated and is ready to use immediately out of the box. Its universal design allows it to be compatible with various types of firearms.
- Highly accurate and powerful laser
- Has red and green laser light options
- Precalibrated and easy to use
- Long-lasting battery life
- Can fit multiple types of firearms
- Expensive
GGD Laser Boresight Cartridge
Among the top laser boresighters listed, the Sightmark stands out as the most budget-friendly option, especially with its current price drop from $54 to $24.99. Its durable construction is entirely brass, designed to resemble a cartridge. This boresighter is compatible with various calibers and features a red laser that is visible up to 100 yards on a reflective target. For standard targets, the laser can be seen from approximately 40 to 50 yards, so it’s best to avoid using it in very bright sunlight. The package includes batteries, which provide a runtime of 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Can fit older pistol models
- Can be seen up to 100 yards
- Available for multiple calibers
- Becomes slightly inaccurate at longer ranges
- Only 1 hour of battery life
SiteLite Ultra Mag Green Laser Professional Boresighter
If you have a bit of extra money to spend, consider the SiteLite Ultra Mag Green Laser Professional Boresighter. It boasts precision engineering that simplifies bore alignment with its powerful magnetic cone centering feature. This SiteLite model accommodates .22 to .50 caliber handguns and rifles.
One of its standout features is the Class IIIA green laser, which remains highly visible even in daylight. It is also user-friendly: simply select the appropriate adapter, insert the sighter into the barrel, and let it realign. For accurate results, utilize the target adjustment system. The device operates on a single Lithium 123A battery, which provides up to 15 hours of use. With its advanced features, the SiteLite Ultra Mag Green Laser Professional Boresighter represents a top choice at its price point.
- Highly powerful and accurate laser
- Green color makes it visible day and night
- Can fit most types of firearms
- Long-lasting battery life
- Expensive
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Conclusion
Laser boresights simplify the process of zeroing your firearms. But do you really need one? I would argue yes. While it’s possible to zero your sights quickly using traditional methods if you have a bit of luck or skill, you’ll end up expending a lot of ammunition in the process. If you’re new to this, I’d recommend starting with the GGD Red Dot Laser Brass Boresighter. It offers solid quality at a very reasonable price.
As always, when you tinker with your firearm it is best done with a clean gun. Our Best Gun Cleaning Kits article is here to help you with making your gun sparkle inside and out.