To adjust your firearm's sights ( e.g., scope, optic ) to shoot accurately at a specific distance.
What is a firearm's zero?
It's the distance your firearm's sights ( e.g., scope, optic ) are set to shoot most accurately.
Why do I need to zero my firearm?
It improves your accuracy when shooting at ranges close to your firearm's zero.
It can also inform how to adjust your aim to shoot accurately at further ranges.
How to zero a firearm?
Choose a distance you'd like your firearm to be accurate at. (e.g., 10 yards for pistols, 36 yards for rifles)
Setup a target at that distance.
Aim at the target's bullseye with your sights, and slowly shoot 3 bullets. Preferably resting the firearm on a table or sandbag to reduce shooter error.
The 3 bullet holes on your target is called a shot group. Locate the center of that shot group.
Adjust your sights. If the center of your shot group is
left of the bullseye, adjust your sights to the right.
right of the bullseye, adjust your sights to the left.
above the bullseye, adjust your sights downwards.
below the bullseye, adjust your sights upwards.
Repeat steps 3-5 until the center of your last shot group is on the bullseye.