W&A Wesson Arms

Zeroing a Smith & Wesson Scope With a Laser Bore Sighter

A laser bore sighter can make the first stage of sighting in a Smith & Wesson rifle faster and less wasteful. It projects a visible reference point downrange, allowing the scope’s reticle to be brought close to the rifle’s bore axis before live rounds are fired. This is a preliminary alignment method, not a replacement for confirming zero at an approved range.

The process is straightforward when the rifle, optic and laser are compatible. Australian owners also need to account for their state or territory firearms laws, licensed storage requirements and range rules. A bore sighter should be treated as a precision accessory and as a firearm-handling task, even when no ammunition is present.

Choosing The Correct Boresighter

Laser bore sighters are available as cartridge-shaped chamber inserts, muzzle-mounted units and universal adapters. A chamber insert is generally the most repeatable option because it references the rifle’s chamber, while a muzzle device can be useful across several calibres if it is fitted carefully. The correct model must match the cartridge, chamber dimensions and barrel configuration of the Smith & Wesson rifle.

Check whether the device emits a red or green laser, whether it uses replaceable batteries and whether the manufacturer supplies calibre-specific fittings. A bright green beam may be easier to see in daylight, while a red unit can be perfectly adequate indoors or in shaded conditions. When comparing compatible accessories, a laser accessory guide can help identify the features worth checking before purchase.

A scope-mounted laser is a different product from a bore sighter. The former can be used as an aiming aid, while the latter is designed to establish a relationship between the bore and the optic. For a Smith & Wesson M&P15, a bolt-action rifle or another scoped platform, select a unit intended for the rifle’s chamber or muzzle rather than one designed only for pistols.

Safety And Australian Requirements

Unload the rifle completely before installing the laser. Remove the magazine, open the action and inspect the chamber visually and physically. Keep all ammunition in another room during the setup. The muzzle should remain pointed in a safe direction, and the laser must never be directed at people, vehicles, aircraft or reflective surfaces.

Australian firearms rules differ between New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Licence conditions, transport requirements, approved shooting locations and storage obligations can vary. A firearm owner in Sydney may face different administrative requirements from one in Melbourne or Brisbane, so state guidance and range instructions should take priority over general online advice.

Use a secure gun rest or a properly rated rifle vice that does not damage the stock or barrel. Do not clamp hard against a thin barrel, free-float tube or delicate optic mount. If the rifle is being transported to a range, follow the relevant unloaded-and-secured transport rules rather than assuming that a short trip is exempt.

Preparing The Rifle And Scope

Place the rifle on a stable bench with the bore sighter installed according to its instructions. For a chamber-style unit, ensure it is fully seated and that the action closes without force. For a muzzle-mounted model, centre it carefully and tighten only as much as specified. An uneven muzzle adapter can introduce an angle that makes the projected dot misleading.

Set the scope’s magnification to a moderate level and adjust the ocular focus until the reticle appears sharp. Establish a comfortable cheek weld, then adjust the scope’s eye relief so the full field of view is visible without moving the head. Confirm that the elevation and windage turrets are free to adjust and that their protective caps are removed.

A solid mechanical installation matters more than high magnification. Loose rings, misaligned bases or a scope that shifts under recoil will undo careful bore alignment. On an M&P15-style rifle, check that the optic is mounted on a rigid receiver rail rather than a flexible handguard section unless the manufacturer specifically supports that arrangement.

Aligning The Laser At Short Range

For an initial setup, place a large paper target at approximately 25 metres. This distance is practical at many Australian rifle ranges and makes the laser dot easy to locate. In a controlled indoor space, use a suitable backstop and follow the facility’s laser rules; never improvise a target in a home, garage or suburban yard.

With the rifle secured and the action open, activate the bore sighter. Look through the scope and find the laser dot. Adjust the elevation and windage turrets until the reticle is close to the dot, keeping in mind that the reticle and bore are physically offset. The goal is not to place the dot exactly on the crosshairs at every distance, but to bring the point of impact into a useful starting area.

If the dot cannot be seen, check battery orientation, the device’s seating and the target surface. A white or pale matte target usually works better than glossy paper. Avoid staring into the beam through the scope at close range, and switch the laser off whenever it is not needed.

Confirming Zero With Live Fire

Laser alignment only approximates the rifle’s actual point of impact. Bullet trajectory, ammunition characteristics, barrel harmonics, wind and the scope’s height above the bore all affect the final result. Once the preliminary adjustment is complete, remove the laser, confirm the rifle is loaded only at the firing point and follow the range officer’s commands.

Fire a small group at 50 metres, or at the distance recommended for the rifle and cartridge. Use the same shooting position for each shot and allow the barrel to cool as appropriate. Measure the centre of the group rather than chasing individual holes. Adjust the scope in the direction required by the manufacturer’s turret markings, then fire another group.

Many Australian ranges use metric distances and may have specific sight-in benches or target frames. At a busy range near Sydney, Melbourne or Perth, follow the local ceasefire procedure before approaching a target. Some clubs also restrict chronographs, lasers or particular ammunition types, so check the range’s conditions before arriving.

Common Errors And Practical Fixes

A frequent mistake is treating the laser dot as the exact bullet impact point. The bore and scope sit at different heights, so their lines converge only at a selected distance. Another error is adjusting the reticle while the rifle is resting unevenly, which can make the alignment change as soon as the rifle is shouldered.

If the laser moves when the device is rotated, the unit may be poorly seated or defective. Remove it, clean the contact surfaces as directed and reinstall it. If the dot forms a wide arc while the device is turned, do not rely on that bore sighter until its alignment has been checked or the unit replaced.

Groups that shift between shots may indicate loose scope rings, inconsistent ammunition, an unstable rest or an issue with the rifle. A scope with exposed target turrets can also be moved accidentally during handling. Marking the confirmed zero settings in a notebook helps identify whether a later change comes from the optic, ammunition or mounting system.

Setup Recommendations For Australian Shooters

Use the following practices to make the process safer and more repeatable:

A small notebook or digital range log is especially useful when switching between factory loads. A Smith & Wesson rifle may produce noticeably different groups with different bullet weights, even when the laser alignment remains unchanged. Record the load that produced the confirmed zero rather than relying on memory.

For owners who use a Performance Center model, an M&P rifle or a classic bolt-action platform, the same basic sequence applies: safe unloading, careful installation, short-range alignment and live-fire verification. The optic, mount and ammunition determine the final result more than the laser’s apparent brightness.

Bore sighter type Main advantage Limitation Suitable use
Chamber insert Usually repeatable and calibre-specific Must match the chamber Regular use with one rifle
Muzzle-mounted Can work with several calibres Sensitive to fit and alignment Shared accessory setups
Universal adapter Flexible across platforms May require careful centring Occasional use
Visual laser cartridge Quick preliminary reference Battery and seating issues can affect results Initial scope alignment

After the scope has been confirmed with live fire, remove the bore sighter and store it separately from ammunition. Clean the rifle according to the Smith & Wesson manual, check that the optic mount remains tight and note the verified zero distance. The next concrete step is to unload the rifle, inspect the chamber and confirm that the selected laser unit matches its exact cartridge and chamber.