If you have ever been in a situation where you’re sighting in a pistol or rifle, but you seem to be using a whole lot of ammunition to do so, it might be time to pick up a bore sight and learn how to bore sight a rifle. Most of the bore sighters on the market today make sighting simple by including a laser. You can use the laser to zero in with your iron sights and scope without having to reach down and use more of your precious ammo.
Laser bore sights are a common staple for those who own firearms as they allow you to quickly and easily sight in without heading to the gun range. To use a bore sight, you place the device into the chamber of your firearm and calibrate to a target at a set distance, allowing you to sight without ever having to fire the gun. This gives you the option of sighting in a rifle at home no matter what the weather looks like outside.
Because of how helpful these sights can be, having one is something every firearm owner should consider. Today we’re going to be looking at eight of the best laser bore sights on the market and explaining exactly what they offer you. We’ll also offer some insight into how to choose the bore sight that will work best for your needs.
Top Laser Bore Sight List: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
SiteLite Ultra Mag Green Laser Professional Boresighter
This bore sighter by SiteLite is a high accuracy option which is also a bit more expensive than some of the other sights on the market. However, it does come with a lifetime warranty so you will never need to spend money on another bore sight in the future. It comes with ballistic targeting software that allows you to create a target based on the model and type of your gun as well as the type of ammunition you prefer.
This model comes with the SRL Scope Leveler which helps you level the crosshairs. It is compatible with a large number of firearms of calibers from .22 to .50 along with 20 and 12 gauge shotguns. It’s one of the most used and highly reviewed bore sights on the market and well worth a look.
Pros
- Long battery life of about 15 hours
- Bright green laser for night and daytime use
- Features SRL scope leveler
Cons
- May need to check gaskets on a regular basis
Wheeler Professional Laser Bore Sighter
Those looking for a product that is dependable and solid to last a long time will appreciate this offering by Wheeler. It offers a 100 yard green laser for easy visibility in any sort of conditions. It can also be used on any handgun or rifle using a magnetic connection to ensure precise alignment on all your firearms.
This laser bore sight is lightweight and sleek to guide your gun without weighing it down. It works well for all levels of users but can require frequent battery changes. If you don’t plan to be using it over and over in a short period, that may not be a problem. All in all, it offers a great universal bore sight option that comes at a price that isn’t too high.
Pros
- 100 yard laser sight in daytime or at night
- Lightweight and portable
- Features an easy connect magnetic mount
Cons
- May require frequent battery changes
Bushnell 743333 Boresighter
Bushnell is one of the top names when it comes to firearm accessories. This bore sight works on everything from rifle to handguns and muzzleloaders. It offers zeroing at up to 100 yards and is made to create consistent results to save ammo. Most users will find that it can get the job done quickly and easily.
This doesn’t only come with the high-quality bore sight. This is a package that includes the sighter along with a carrying case and three arbors. While it works well on most firearms, it is made for low to medium height scopes so AR models will not be compatible with the sight.
Pros
- Accurate up to 100 yards
- Requires no battery changes
- Features a graduated grid sighting reticle
Cons
- Fill not fit AR model firearms
SiteLite Mag Laser Boresighter
The SiteLite Mag is made of aluminum with a silver and red body. It comes with two adapters, two target cards, twelve O-rings, an SLR-100 adapter with bubble level, and instructions. This is an extremely versatile boresighter that covers a wide range of calibers and works indoors and outdoors.
It has accurate sights and is simple to adjust. While this is one of the best bore sights on the market, it is also one of the more expensive so make sure it fits your needs before making it your purchase. This model is a bit less premium than the Ultra further up on our list but is fully capable of offering what you need to zero in your firearms.
Pros
- Works with a large number of rifles and handguns
- Operates great both indoors and outdoors
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- One of the most expensive options
StrongTools Red/Green Laser Boresighter 177
This bore sight laser is well manufactured with two screws and a washer lock to fit the adapters. This ensures it can go in any firearm and you won’t have any issues with removal. It is a very efficient model that allows hunters and other gun lovers to increase accuracy and speed without going through tons of firing it a gun range.
This device comes with eight different adapters to fit firearms from 0.1777 to 0.50 caliber which is most handguns, rifles, and scopes. The laser module is high quality and only makes use of qualified electronic parts to ensure it lasts a long time.
Pros
- Comes with eight adapters to fit many rifles and handguns
- Inexpensive but accurate device
- High quality laser for long lifetime
Cons
- Some users experience ill-fitting adapters
Sightmark Shotgun Boresights
While the Sightmark Shotgun Boresights is a highly inexpensive option, it also gets the job done as well as the expensive models. It is created of machined brass and has the shape of a cartridge case but contains batteries and the laser system. Inserting the batteries automatically turns it on while removing them turns the device off.
This device comes with a carrying case and is truly universal to work with any rifle. It’s the best bore sight for the money bar none and those who want to save a bit of cash will find it does a great job. It’s easy to pack and travel with and quick to zero in for your firearms. One thing to be aware of is that you will need to buy two if you want boresights for both 20 and 12 gauge shotguns.
Pros
- One of the least expensive options
- Durable and offers high reliability
- Fast gun sighting and zeroing system
Cons
- Turning on and off requires inserting and removing battery
Bushnell 740001C Magnetic Boresighter
This boresighter from Bushnell is another high-quality option that comes in a magnetic design for use with any sort of firearm or scope. That means you don’t have to mess around with arbors or inserting extra items into your firearm. All you have to do is slide it on and quickly zero in your rifle or handgun for accurate use. It’s unbelievably easy to use and comes at a good price.
This is one of the few bore sights that is designed to be aesthetically pleasing and may impress others who see it. All materials used are high quality and have been extensively tested. The reticle is made of an etched glass and quality optics offer high definition quality during use.
Pros
- Magnetically attached to muzzle of any gun
- Offers quality optics with great clarity
- Designed for maximum durability
Cons
- Shaft may be too short for some scope rings
Sightmark SM39021 .22LR Boresight
Our last choice is the Sightmark SM39021 Boresight, which is usable on all models of pistols and rifles. Unlike an arbor type sighter, it is highly accurate. It also comes with a lightweight design and offers a sleek, black look that stands out from the pack. It’s simple to use and does the job quickly to get you back to hunting or target practice in no time.
This model has a fast sighting and gun zeroing system for any hunter. It has a Class IIIA laser which is completely reasonable, although it will work better in low light or indoors. It’s also a reasonably priced option so it won’t break your bank if you decide it’s the right bore sight for your needs. It works well for both amateurs and more professional firearm users.
Pros
- Universal fit for any firearm
- Features a very bright laser
- Price is extremely affordable
Cons
- Takes time to learn to use
Things to Consider When Choosing a Laser Bore Sight
Just looking at our reviews of the best bore sights on the market, you have probably come to realize that these devices come in many shapes and sizes. While all can do the same job of making sighting in a firearm more easily, they often use different features to do so. This can make it more difficult than expected to find the bore sight that is perfect for your situation.
We’re going to offer a bit of information about the different features and characteristics of bore sighters and how those things can impact your experience. This should give you a great start for finding the model that best fits your needs.
Type of Laser Offered
Knowing which kind of laser a bore sighter has is extremely important when it comes to how you can actually use it. Every laser manufacturer is a bit different and some may be better for your needs than others. There are a few different things to be aware of when considering a bore sight and its included laser.
Laser Class
One of the ways you can determine the quality of the laser is by looking at the class. Many of the bore sighters on the market have a class III laser, but there are a few that use higher quality ones. If you aren’t familiar with laser class, it affects how visible the laser actually is.
A laser with a lower class is going to be more visible in all situations. Lasers with a high class are also considered to be more dangerous for your vision. However, class III lasers are considered to be among the safest.
Laser Color
When you see a bore sight mentioning a laser color, you might think that the choice is arbitrary, but it is anything but. It is a good rule of thumb that green lasers tend to be easier to see than red lasers will be. This may not be the case 100% of the time but it’s fairly close.
Green lasers are more powerful in most cases, whether because they run on a different wavelength or because they are in a different class. In addition to that, the human eye is better that spotting the hues of green than with red. If you choose a green bore sighter, this will allow you to zero in your optics and sights over a longer distance than with a red laser.
Laser Brightness
You can have two lasers that are exactly the same class, but where one is brighter than the other is. The best option is to choose a laser that is very bright as it makes zeroing in your firearms easier when it’s sunny outside. If that isn’t possible, you will need to zero in on a clouded day, an evening, or inside before you get started.
Versatility Offered By a Bore Sight
You may notice that some of the lasers on our list can be used on many different weapons of various calibers, while others must be used only on a single caliber. There are other differences as well, some of which you will want to think about before purchasing the right bore sight for yourself.
Additional Calibers
If you go for a unit that fits more than one caliber, it will typically come with several adapters that let it fit the barrel of additional firearms. Every time you use the sighter on a new firearm, you will need swap out the adapters. This might sound frustrating, but it really doesn’t take much time.
When you get a bore sighter with multiple caliber fittings, the sighter will come with everything you need to do so. In many cases this will be a simple single screwdriver.
Keep in mind that while this kind of sight is often reliable and precise, it may not fit flash hiders or muzzle breakers so not every rifle in your arsenal may be able to use them.
You also have to remember each and every time to change the adapter between firearms. That means unscrewing the current one and mounting a different one in its place. This involves using a small screw to screw the adapter to your sighter. This can be difficult in situations where there is little light.
There are a few models that allow the use of the bore sight on separate firearms without using screws that you might drop and lose. Some have a magnetic platform that attaches to the barrel. This is the most convenient option.
Single Caliber
On the other hand, a single caliber device is going to be the simplest to use. Since they are created for a single caliber, there’s no need to worry about adapters or screws. As soon as the bore sight comes in the mail, you can begin to use it.
Two types off single caliber bore sighters are available on the market. One is like the multiple caliber device in that it attaches to the barrel of a firearm using a magnetic platform or sliding right into the barrel. The other is more like an actual firearm cartridge which loads into the chamber and shows exactly where your gun is aiming.
Price Considerations
As with any other product you decide to purchase, laser bore sighters are going to come in many different price ranges. This might seem strange as they all do the same thing. However, there are reasons for the price variance which we will share so you can ensure you are purchasing the right product for your specific needs.
Inexpensive Models
Most of the models that are least expensive are going to be class 3B lasers. These lasers are considered to be safe but are just on the edge of that. This means you should avoid staring directly into the light from the laser. When designed for use on a single caliber, they will have a simple design that makes them efficient for use, despite their low price.
The lasers on most of these lower end sights are going to be red, which works well in situations with low light but may not be easy to see under bright daylight or artificial light. This is a disadvantage, but the lasers are still completely usable indoors or under dim light.
Those that have a versatile design to work on multiple calibers tend to make use of screw on adapters. This makes it more challenging to switch them out in the field, but it can still be done.
Mid-Priced Models
When you choose a mid-priced bore sight, you are often going to get a higher quality laser than with the inexpensive models. Most of the time these lasers will be more power efficient, which means the batteries last longer, as well as being safer in general.
While most of these models will use red laser light, the laser tends to be brighter so you can see it from farther away. Those with multiple caliber fitting may use high quality adapters or magnetic platforms so swapping them out is a bit easier. The ones that are single caliber tend to be very accurate.
High End Models
The more expensive bore sights tend to be equipped with green laser light, which makes them easier to see in all sorts of light conditions. Most of them will be multiple caliber so you can easily use them with many firearms. The sights in this price range tend to offer magnetic platforms so swapping them out is the easiest of all.
In addition to offering lasers that are more visible, they tend to be the most power efficient so the batteries will last a very long time. This can be the most useful if you have several firearms that use separate sights and scopes that you rotate throughout the year. It also works well for professionals who don’t want to deal with a lot of maintenance.
How to Use a Bore Sighter
If this is your first time using a bore sighter, you want to know how to actually use it. It’s a lot easier than you might think. There are six steps involved and each will only take a short amount of time to get through.
The first thing you want to do is make sure your firearm is unloaded. Then you want to set up a sack of sand, bipod, or some other target at some distance from where you will be using the sight.
Next, install the bore sighter and zero the optics of crosshair on the laser.
Once that’s done, remove the sighter and load the gun. Then fire one single round at the center of the target.
Unload your gun once more and put the sighter back on. Look through the optics or sights and adjust them so the sighter is centered right on the target with the crosshairs on the hole the bullet made in your target.
Take off the bore sight one more time and load your firearm.
Shoot at the center of the target. If all went well, this shot should go right through the center. If that isn’t the case, start back with step four and go through the rest of the instructions again.
The Top Bore Sights of the Year
At this point, you should have the knowledge you need to choose the right bore sight for yourself. A laser bore sighter will help make zeroing in your firearms a breeze. It makes the process easier as well as very precise.
Follow our instructions for how to use a bore sighter and you will quickly be able to zero in using only a couple of bullets rather than many more.
It isn’t that challenging to find the best bore sighter when you have the knowledge about what to look for. This buying guide will help you make the decision about which model is best for you.