Zeroing

**Zeroing** is the process of aligning a rifle's sights or optic so that the aiming reference matches the point of impact at a chosen distance. The distance you choose — your "zero" — defines the ballistic relationship across every other distance you shoot. For a 5.56 AR-15 with a red dot or LPVO, the most commonly recommended zero is the **50/200-yard zero**: zeroed at 50 yards, the bullet crosses point-of-aim again at roughly 200 yards with minimal holdover to about 250 yards. The **100-yard zero** is the most common bolt-rifle zero and the default most precision shooters use. Zero matters more than most shooters respect. A rifle that is not zeroed to the shooter, the ammunition, and the optic mounting — and then confirmed on paper — is effectively un-aimed at any distance past point-blank range.