[Moparmike]

How hard is it to do and how much would one typically pay to do so? I am thinking of doing it on a Mauser (please, no sex jokes) and would like to know about it. Also, is it adviseable to wait until I get a scope to do that, or try to get the iron sights to work (I hear that Mausers are inaccurate with plain iron sights).

Thanks,

[hps1]

Boresighting a bolt action rifle is simple and you can do it yourself with either iron sights or a scope. Simply remove your bolt, using sand bags or any other method of resting the rifle so that you can look through the bore at a target (can be a small dot on the wall across a room or a target at 100 yds. Line the rifle bore up so as to center the bullseye in the bore and then adjust the sights so that they are aligned on the same bullseye, being careful not to move the rifle in the process. Once this is done, your shot should be on paper and final adjustments can be made to your sights to obtain exact POI desired.

As to accuracy of iron sights, good iron sights, can be as accurate as a scope providing the shooters eyesight is good. You can shoot iron sights as good as you can see. Having said that, some Mauser (as well as other military rifle sights) leave something to be desired and a scope will probably shrink groups somewhat.

I'd give the mauser a try w/irons and you might be pleased with the results, you can always add the scope later.

Regards,
hps

[Dave R]

hps is right. I just do it at the range. Takes maybe 10 minutes. The only trick is to use enough sandbags (or equiv) to keep the rifle motionless after you get the bore pointed at the target, and while you turn the scope knobs (or adjust the iron sight).

hps is also right about iron sight accuracy. Accuracy is all about a good sight picture and a steady hold while squeezing the trigger. It can be done with iron sights as well as with scopes. Scopes do have the advantage in light gathering, magnification, and precision.

[Nero Steptoe]

This may seem obvious to many of you, but, believe me, I've seen guys at our local range who found this as welcome news: When mounting a scope on an AR carry handle, simply conform the scope to the iron sights, assuming that the iron sights are properly zeroed. (Then fine-tune, as one would with bore-sighting)

[standingbear]

if your talking the 8mm mauser...get a good solid scope( rings/base that wont move) that can take the recoil.i bore sighted mine by taping a white piece of paper on the wall in the garage,put a black dot on it with a marker and set the gun in a vise with wooden blocks and a cloth over them to not scratch the finish.took it out and 3 shots into the sighting in,the cross-hair rectile inside the scope broke.those boresight kits that you buy that slide into the barrel with a white checkered square card.you then look into the scope and adjust the turrents(windage/elevation)to match the pattern on the card..kinda expensive for just 1 use and you still have to take the gun out and bring it in where you want it..some gunshops will boresight it free if you buy a scope.never hurts to ask.