By Paul Panella
Editor’s Note: This is the second article in our “Christmas” buyers guide series. Our criteria is straightforward: We’re featuring products in the $150 range or less that we think represent exceptional value. Stay tuned for more great gift ideas targeted at your favorite gunslinger.
Every shooter mounting new optics on a rifle knows the importance of setting up your scope so it’s properly aligned with your rifle’s muzzle. Sometimes that can be a tedious process of trial and error that can consume a whole range session. But starting out with proper alignment between the two before you hit the range can shave a lot of time, money, and aggravation off the sighting-in process by putting your very first shots on paper.
Doing it right the first time while making it easy is what the LaserLyte Bore Sight is all about.
LaserLyte is a company that has produced a number of solid shooting, training, and sighting devices incorporating lasers. Their Universal Laser Bore Sight is designed as a versatile alternative to single caliber breech inserts. It will work on a variety of bore sizes ranging from .22 all the way up to .50. That means that you don’t have to buy a new sighting device for every caliber of firearm you own.
Once you’ve made sure your firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction, you can use the LaserLyte to sight–in outside or inside at distances as close as 25 feet. All you need is a gun rest or some other device to hold your gun securely.
After that’s done, the concept is simple and straightforward. The main body of the LaserLyte is a standard spindle shape. The wide end holds the tiny batteries and the laser. At the tapered end is a threaded hole that will accept any of four expanding arbors that easily attach with the supplied Allen wrench/hex key.
Once attached, each arbor expands as you screw it into the spindle.
Simply choose the arbor that matches your caliber, insert it into the muzzle and turn the body of the LaserLyte until the arbor expands to the bore diameter.
It’s a quick and easy process. Following that, just turn on the laser beam and center it (and the bore) on the supplied target. Then move to the scope and adjust the crosshairs until they align horizontally, with the laser dot. Vertical elevation will vary slightly depending on the distance you use to sight-in, but LaserLyte has a good instructional video on their site.
The entire process is quick and easy to verify.
The LaserLyte’s red beam is very bright indoors and doesn’t spread. If you’d rather do things outside, the LaserLyte sighting target enhances visibility in direct sunlight and the sighting dot is easy to spot at twenty five yards. In addition, battery life is
claimed to be 1.5 hours. I’ve found that to be accurate. It’s plenty of time to mount several scopes before you need a replacement set.
That brings us to the only hitch, although it’s a small one.
To keep things compact, the LaserLyte uses three very small No. 393 batteries that are supplied with the set. It’s probably a good idea to order some back-ups from their web site, an on line specialist, or pick some up at an electronics store. They’re not expensive, just hard to find.
I’ve used the LaserLyte to sight-in four different rifle/scope combinations, so far, with excellent results. Using 25 feet as my sighting distance at home, I was never more than 3 inches off target center at 100 yards for my first shots at the range.
Considering time and ammunition saved, it’s easily paid for itself several times already. LaserLyte also has a package for .17 to .22 calibers and a great accessory kit that supplies several attachments to the bore sight allowing you to level your rifle and scope for increased precision.
The Universal Mini Bore Sight is available on Amazon for $52.96.
Photos courtesy of Paul Panella.
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