How to Zero an Airsoft Scope in 3 Steps Easily
If you recently attached a new rifle sight to your airsoft gun, or if your BB flight path hasn’t been able to reach the target, you’ll need to zero the scope. You should also zero the scope if you dropped the airsoft gun (two things can happen here, your hop-up adjustment is out or your scope adjustment is out).
The good news is that zeroing your scope isn’t difficult! It simply takes time. You should do this since even the greatest airsoft sniper rifle is useless if the scope crosshairs aren’t on target.
Zeroing an airsoft scope can be a tiresome, but very necessary, piece of preparation if you want to be a great airsoft marksman. If you want to be great at airsoft, then zeroing your scope is a must. Accuracy is the foundation of a good airsoft player.
What Does “Zero Your Scope” Mean?
To ‘zero’ scope is to align it to strike a given target at a specific distance. In the case of airsoft, this may be anywhere between 125 and 200 feet.
When you zero the scope, you position the crosshair sights such that they correspond to the anticipated point of impact. Because the scope is offset to the barrel, there will be a point when the BB will impact higher than the crosshairs suggest. This happens when the target is too near. Beyond a certain distance, the impact site will be lower than the crosshairs. This occurs when the target is too far away.
It’s like changing the plate carrier so that it suits your body nicely. So, if you’re unable to hit your target, we’ll guide you through the process of zeroing your scope.
How to Set Your Airsoft Scope to Zero: 3 Steps
The process of zeroing your scope consists of three simple steps:
- Zeroing preparation
- Firing and sight adjustments
- Keeping your zero for as long as possible
Step 1: Zeroing preparation
Even though this may appear to be technical, there isn’t much to it. You may complete the task in record time even if you are new to the game.
Select a Good Testing Location
You will need to shoot the gun many times to ensure that it is zeroed. Choose a shooting location. Make certain that it is secure. Ideally, you should select a range where you are comfortable with both the terrain and the goal distance (some people use their backyard). You may use markers or posts to confirm that you’re testing at typical engagement distances.
Before you become irritated trying to figure out how to change the scope, have a look at it and then experiment with the modifications. Make sure you understand how to modify everything and how many clicks of the dial it takes for the crosshairs to move.
You should pay close attention to the following two key adjustment knobs:
- Elevation: This causes your reticle to shift up or down. This knob is often found on the top of the scope. Another item to be mindful of is the minute angle or MOA. Those are the turret marks. This is a measurement that corresponds to one inch per 100 yards. That is, if you are an inch off at 100 yards, you will be a good 2 inches off at 200 yards, and so on.
- Windage: This causes your reticle to shift to the left or right. This knob is often seen on the side of a scope.
Step 2: Firing and sight adjustments
Now that we’ve gotten everything out of the way, we can get to the fun part: lining up the sights and shooting. Check where the hits are landing and perhaps get a buddy to spot for you.
After each shot, assess the target and make any necessary modifications. It will take several rounds, but each tweak will get you closer to that ideal zero and will most likely cost you numerous magazines’ worth of BBs.
If you see that large alterations to the optics are required, it is easier to start afresh. Simply remount the scope or use shims to make those adjustments greater so you don’t have to rely on the turret. This allows you to make little modifications, making the entire process of zeroing your optics easier.
Step 3: Keeping your zero for as long as possible
Believe it or not, your zero may be knocked out of alignment, necessitating the time-consuming procedure of re-zeroing. Review the procedures below to avoid having to re-zero your computer.
Here is a handy list of tips to follow, to ensure zero is maintained:
- Check that your scope adjustment dials are securely fastened.
- Lock your sight down – some shooters use loc-tite on their scope rings.
- Avoid dropping your airsoft pistol or use a sling to make an inadvertent drop less likely to harm it.
- Don’t over-adjust your hop up – this will modify the BB flight path, and your previously calibrated zero will no longer be on target.
- Make a notation on your hop-up unit so that if it must be altered, you may restore it to the zero position.
- Use the same match quality BB at the same weight every time you hit the field.
- Keep your rifle clean since dirt might interfere with the BB flight route.
- Fire your airsoft gun vertically, not canted, or sideways – the hop-up is meant to function vertically.
Summary
1st, adjust the hop-up on your airsoft replica.
Here you can check out our guide on hop-up adjustment.
After you’ve established your hop-up, it’s time to adjust your sights/optics. Before we continue, keep in mind that the procedure is the same regardless of the aiming device. The only change would be how the targeting tool is adjusted.
Aim your gun at a stationary target that is within the effective range of your weapon. The effective range is the distance between your muzzle and the point at which your BB begins to drop in height noticeably. Therefore, you must first establish your hop-up.
Take a few rounds at your stationary target while looking through your sight technique, paying attention to where your BBs are moving in relation to your aiming device. I propose adjusting the X and Y axes independently. Do the X-axis first, then go for the Y-axis.
FAQ
How many shots will I need to fire to zero my gun?
Some folks can zero their rifle in only a few rounds (5 – 10). Some folks require 80-100 BBs to get it properly. And others simply aim to get close to zero and hope that the RNG gods favor them when it comes time to take the shot.
Is it hard to zero a scope on an airsoft replica?
No, it is not difficult. It does, however, require time and patience. And the chances that you’ll get it right the first time are not very high. But once you get a feel for it and have done it a few times – it will become very easy to do.
