Newsflash: when you buy an airsoft gun that comes with sights or a scope, neither of these things will be adjusted when you first pick up the gun. Don’t be surprised if you charge your AEG and load her up just to whiff on the target completely with the first few pulls of the trigger. This is normal. You need to adjust your iron sights or red/green dot sights, or, if you have an airsoft scope, you need to zero it.

Zeroing a Scope? What Is That!?

Let’s take a few steps back and clear the air. Zeroing an airsoft scope refers to the process of adjusting the reticle (the crosshairs) within the optic so that the rifle scope’s “point of aim” as closely corresponds to the “point of impact” as possible.

Point of aim refers to where the scope’s reticle lines up. Look through a scope. See where the crosshairs intersect? This is the point of aim.

Point of impact refers to where the BBs actually strike the target when you pull the trigger. Zeroing an airsoft scope refers to the process of mounting the scope and then adjusting the reticle, given a specific airsoft BB and a given range, so that the scope is accurately adjusting.

So let’s get to it.

1.Mount your airsoft scope

The first step is mounting your airsoft scope. This is actually a very important step considering the fact that how you mount your scope will impact eye relief, parallax distortion, and more. Also, loose mounts can knock a scope off zero, requiring you to go through the whole process again.

Most scopes will come with scope rings with mounts intended for Picatinny or dovetail rails. Simply loosen these (most of them will loosen via the aid of a flathead screwdriver or a hex or Torx wrench), slip the mounts over the rail on your airsoft rifle’s receiver, and then tighten them.

Ensure that your scope is properly aligned over the receiver before you fully tighten the mounts. The scope should be straight and the reticle should be level. If necessary, you can loosen the scope rings themselves to adjust the scope tube within the rings. Mount the airsoft gun and look through the scope; if it’s comfortable and you have enough eye relief, tighten everything up.

2.Set up your gun and target at the desired distance

Start at a fairly close distance, like 25 to 50 yards. It’s hard to zero in an airsoft sniper rifle’s scope at 50 yards or more. Once you have the process down pat, you can then move out the zeroed-distance to 100 yards or more, depending on the range of your airsoft gun and the distance you want set as your zero.

Set up your target at that range and then set up a secure bench-rested shooting location, or shoot from a bipod or a set of shooting bags. A stable shooting platform is imperative for accurately zeroing in an airsoft scope.

Tip: Use Marker Targets or Powder-Coated Airsoft BBs

To complete the process of zeroing in your airsoft scope, you’ll need to be able to see where your shots land. For that, you have two options; you can either use a reactive target that shows you where your shots made contact, or you can use special powder coated airsoft ammo that will leave a mark where they strike.

3.Take a few shots and see where they land

With your scope mounted and your targets and shooting station set up, take a shot at the target and see where it lands. If it doesn’t land on the paper you may need to move your target closer. If your first shot lands on paper, take three to five more shots. They should all be grouping in one area of the target, which indicates precision; now you just need to adjust for accuracy.

4.Adjust for windage and elevation

Most airsoft scopes will adjust via two knobs on the tube; one at the top for elevation (up and down) and one on the left or right side of the tube for windage (left and right adjustments). Some scopes adjust in quarter MOA (minute-of-angle) increments, wherein one “click” adjustment of the knob would result in a quarter of an inch at 100 yards. (A minute of angle corresponds to one inch at 100 yards).

If you look through your scope at your shot grouping and turn one of your scope’s adjustment knobs, you’ll see the reticle move accordingly. With your airsoft rifle fixed in the position from which it was fired, adjust the knobs for windage and elevation until your reticle aligns with your shot group.

Your airsoft scope is now half-of-the-way zeroed. You now need to take several more shots, adjusting the reticle as closed to point-of-impact as possible. When you’re satisfied that your airsoft scope is satisfactorily adjusted, you’re ready to hit the field.

However, you have to remember that your rifle is only zeroed in at this exact range. You will need to account for different ranges in the field, as well as for the droop of your shot’s trajectory over longer distances. If necessary, move your target back further and continue the process to zero it in at a more practical range.

5.Readjust as needed

The final step is to readjust as necessary. Over time, scopes may lose their zero; they also may lose their zero from being dropped or transported. Before an important match, always check your scope’s zero and adjust it as necessary.

Contact Us for Help

If you have any additional questions about this article, or how to adjust your airsoft sights, scopes, or other optics, please feel free to contact us at 800-581-6620. We’d be happy to help with you any recommendations that might make the process easier as we have some tips and tricks of our own to offer.

Meanwhile, check out our collection of airsoft scopes and accessories at the previous link, where you’ll find plenty of options in magnifier scopes, shockproof and dust-proof scopes, and more.