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Print A 25-Meter AR-15 Zeroing Target

Zeroing an AR-15 / M-16A2-style rifle to 300 meters is easy if you use a 25-meter zeroing target. You can print a zeroing target with a black aiming silhouette or one with a red aiming silhouette below.

The instructions and the targets available here are designed for 5.56mm NATO ammunition with a 62-grain FMJ bullet at a muzzle velocity of 3100 fps.

However, these targets work almost as well for the more common 55-grain FMJ 5.56mm bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3200 fps. There is less than 1/32-inch difference in trajectory between the two bullets at 25 meters to zero at 300 meters. The 62-grain bullet actually shoots flatter than the 55-grain bullet beyond 155 meters despite its lower muzzle velocity because the 62-grain bullet maintains momentum, thus down range velocity, better than the 55-grain bullet. The difference in trajectory at 300 meters is negligible. In fact, the difference between the trajectories of the two bullets is only about 3+1/2 inches at 500 meters. Zeroing at 25 meters with bullets heavier than 62 grains and slower velocities may not result in a 300-meter zero. But you can try these targets anyway.

Just as the target title indicates, you need only 25 meters (27 yards plus 1 foot) to zero an AR-15 / M16A2-style rifle to a range of 300 meters (that is 328 yards). This is not a new technique. The U.S. military services have been using it for decades to zero M-16A2s because it works so well. Walking only 25 meters to check your target certainly beats walking 300 meters even if you have access to a 300 meter rifle range.

The AR-15 / M-16A2 25-meter zeroing target helps to sight-in an AR-15A2 with the standard aperture rear sight to a range of 300 meters. Select a target with a black aiming silhouette or select a target with a red aiming silhouette below.

You must mechanically zero your AR-15 before you shoot at the zeroing target. Mechanical zeroing is sort of like boresighting. Like boresighting any other rifle, mechanical zeroing does not sight-in your AR-15. However, when done correctly, mechanical zeroing will ensure your first bullet will at least hit the target at 25-meters. Then you can adjust the point-of-impact (POI) from there.

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Unlike boresighting, mechanical zeroing does not require viewing the target through the bore or using any boresighting device. Not sure how to mechanically zero? The shooter's manual for your AR-15-style rifle explains how to mechanically zero. Visit the manufacturer's website to view or print a shooter's manual if you bought a used AR-15-style rifle that did not include one. The manual for a DPMS® Panther™ can be viewed at DPMS® Panther™ Operations Manual. Visit Bushmaster® XM15™ Instruction Manual to view Bushmaster®'s XM15™ shooter's manual.

Post a target at 25 meters (27 yards and 1 foot) after you mechanically zero your AR-15. Carefully aim center mass of the silhouette and fire one shot. Walk out an check your target. If the first bullet did not hit near the silhouette, make a bold sight adjustment so your next shot will be much closer to the silhouette. If the bullet did impact the aiming silhouette or close to it fire two more shots to form a shot group.

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Use the front sight only to adjust elevation while zeroing. (Do not adjust the rear sight elevation while zeroing; the rear sight elevation adjustment is for adjusting range only after the rifle has been zeroed.) One click of the front sight moves the POA about 3/8-inch up or down at 25 meters. The elevation (horizontal) lines are numbered accordingly along the left and right margins. Depress the lock pin then turn the front sight the appropriate number of clicks in the direction of the "UP" arrow to raise the point-of-impact (POI). Turn the front sight the opposite direction of the arrow to lower the POI.

Do use the rear sight windage knob to adjust the POI left or right while zeroing. One click of windage knob adjusts the point-of-impact (POI) left or right 0.3 cm (about 1/8-inch) at 25 meters. The windage (vertical) lines on the AR-15 sight-in targets shown here are 3/8-inch apart. Therefore, three windage knob clicks will move the POI on the target one vertical line left or right. The windage lines are so numbered along the top and bottom margins. You may twist the windage knob only one or two clicks for fine adjustments if you need when the shot group is close to the center of the aiming silhouette. (The target would be cluttered if a vertical line was printed for every windage click.)

Select an AR-15 target:

AR-15 Bullet Trajectory
25-Meter AR-15 Zeroing Target
25-Meter AR-15 Sight In TargetClick here to view an AR-15 zeroing target with a black aiming silhouette
Click here to view an AR-15 zeroing target with a black aiming silhouette
25-Meter AR-15 Zeroing Target
25-Meter AR-15 Sight In TargetClick here to view an AR-15 zeroing target with a red aiming silhouette
Click here to view an AR-15 zeroing target with a red aiming silhouette

Make additional windage and elevation adjustments until you shoot at least one three-shot group that is centered in the impact circle on the aiming silhouette.

Twist the rear sight elevation knob counterclockwise one click to the "8/3" setting only after you shoot a three-shot group that centers within the impact circle. Your AR-15-style rifle will be zeroed for 300 meters. Do not adjust the front sight after your AR-15 has been zeroed. Use the rear sight elevation knob to adjust the sight to shoot at targets beyond 300 meters.

The rear sight windage knob should only be used to adjust windage while zeroing. Do not change the rear sight windage knob setting after your AR-15 has been zeroed.

Zeroing at only 25 meters is much easier than zeroing at 300 meters.

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