How to Sight in a Crossbow: 5 Steps to Getting Your Eye In

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How to Sight in a Crossbow: 5 Steps to Getting Your Eye In

Sighting in a crossbow is different from sighting in a traditional archery bow.

That’s because the mechanics of a crossbow are very different.

Instead of drawing back on your string, you load bolts into your crossbow, pull the trigger, and fire away.

Crossbows don’t have strings to be sighted; instead, they have an adjustment rail for the scope and iron sights.

Sighting in crossbow scopes may seem tricky at first if you have no prior experience with these types of bows, but once you know what you’re doing it won’t take long at all!

Read on to learn how to sight in a crossbow.

5 Steps To Sighting In A Crossbow

What You Will Need

First, let’s go over what you’ll need to make sure that your crossbow is perfectly sighted in. Here’s a quick rundown:

A Good Crossbow
Arrows – Make sure that your arrows are compatible with your crossbow.
A Crossbow Scope – This allows you to sight in and shoots your crossbow from a distance.
A Level – You’ll need this to ensure that your crossbow is perfectly level.
A Bow Sight – This is your crossbow’s level that mounts on the rail of the crossbow.
A Shooting Range – This is the best place to sight in your crossbow!
A Friend – You’ll need a companion while you sight in your crossbow.

How to sight in a crossbow scope – Video Tutorial

Source: YouTube
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Step#1: Sight in your crossbow

Before you do anything else, start by making sure that your crossbow is sighted in.

To do this, you’ve to make sure that your crossbow is level and that it is facing the same direction as your target.

Step#1: Sight in your crossbow

Then, you’ve to shoot a few practice bolts to make sure that you’re hitting your target.

The goal of these practice shots is to make sure that your crossbow is shooting where it’s aiming.

If you’re not hitting the bullseye, your crossbow needs to be sighted in.

If you did this correctly, your bolts should be hitting near the center of your target.

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Step#2: Test your crossbow

Now that you have your crossbow sighted in, you want to test it again and make sure that it’s still sighted in.

You don’t want to fine-tune your crossbow again and again as you sight it more and more, so you need to make sure that it’s adjusted properly the first time!

Step#2: Test your crossbow

To do this, set up your target again at the same distance as before, and shoot a few more bolts at it.

If your bolts are landing in the same place as before, your crossbow is still sighted in.

If your bolts are hitting a different place on your target, you need to fine-tune your crossbow.

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Step#3: Fine-tune your crossbow

Now that you have tested your crossbow and have determined that it isn’t sighted in, you need to fine-tune it so it is hitting the bullseye.

To do this, you’ll want to remove your bolts from the crossbow and unscrew the adjustment rail.

Step#3: Fine-tune your crossbow

Now, you’ll have to look at your crossbow to see which way the adjustment rail should be turned.

Most often, if your bolts are hitting off to the left, they’ll need to be turned to the left.

If they need to be turned to the right, your crossbow is still sighted in.

You want to fine-tune your crossbow until your bolts are hitting the bullseye.

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Step#4: Sight in your bolts

Now that your crossbow is sighted in and hitting the bullseye, it’s time to adjust your bolts so that they’re landing in the same place.

Step#4: Sight in your bolts

To do this, you’ll first want to take your bolts and string them onto your crossbow.

Then, you need to pull back on your bow sight and sight your bolts in.

You’ve to adjust your bolts until they’re hitting the same place as your crossbow.

Once they do, they’re sighted in and ready to go!

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Step#5: Final test and evaluation

Now that you’ve sighted in your crossbow and are certain that it is properly sighted in, it’s time to make sure that you’ve done everything right.

Step#5: Final test and evaluation

To do this, shoot a few more practice bolts at your target and make sure that they are landing in the same place.

If they are, you’ve done a good job sighting in your crossbow!

Once you’ve confirmed that your crossbow is perfectly sighted in, it’s time to put it to use!

Conclusion

Sighting in a crossbow doesn’t have to be tricky; it just takes a little bit of know-how.

Yes, it’s true that crossbows don’t have the same strings as traditional bows, but that doesn’t mean that sighting a crossbow is difficult.

Once you know what you’re doing and which parts of your crossbow you need to adjust, sighting in a crossbow is easy as pie!

And once you’ve sighted in your crossbow, you’ll be able to shoot accurately and precisely—plus you’ll have loads of fun shooting with your buddies!

Frequently Asked Questions

What distance should you sight-in a crossbow?

The distance that you should sight-in your crossbow depends on the range of distances you intend to shoot. If you are shooting at long distances, then it is best to sight-in your crossbow at the maximum legal hunting range in your area, or as close to that distance as possible. For most recreational or target archery purposes, it is best to sight-in your crossbow at 20, 30, or 40 yards. This will allow you to accurately aim and produce consistent groups when shooting at different distances up to the maximum hunting range.

Where do you sight-in a crossbow?

The best place to sight in your crossbow is at a shooting range or an archery shop that has the appropriate targets and backstop. Make sure the area in which you are sighting your crossbow is clear of any potential safety hazards such as animals, people, etc. When sighting in your crossbow, it is important to use a sturdy rest and to anchor yourself well so that you do not move while aiming and releasing arrows. Additionally, make sure you have adequate eye protection when shooting.

Do you chase the arrow when sighting a crossbow?

No, it is not necessary to chase the arrow when sighting a crossbow. Sighting in your crossbow involves adjusting the scope and aiming at a target until you achieve consistent accuracy with each shot. Trying to chase arrows after they have been released can actually lead to inaccurate results because movement and environmental variables may affect their flight path. So instead of chasing arrows, focus on consistently shooting well-aimed shots at a target, then adjust your scope until you reach the desired level of accuracy. This method will save time and result in more accurate shooting.

What do the lines in a crossbow scope mean?

The lines in a crossbow scope are used to indicate the distance of a target. Generally, there will be one line for each yard of distance up to 40 yards away. For instance, if the target is 20 yards away, the corresponding line on the scope should be lined up with the bullseye of the target. By using these lines, you can easily adjust your scope for accurate shooting at various distances without having to make large adjustments or aim off-center.

Augene Allen
Augene Allen is a man of many talents and accomplishments. A graduate of Special Forces, Ranger, SCUBA, Jumpmaster, and Helicopter Flight Training Schools, he has dedicated his life to service - first as a Sheriff's Deputy for 30 years, then as a SWAT operator for 24 years. He is also a Firearms and Defensive Tactics Instructor, Technical Collision Investigator with 2,306 DUI arrests under his belt, and owner of CrossFit Pierce County for 6 years. In addition to all this, Eugene is an Ironman triathlete and currently an avid cyclist. Though he's retired from the military now, Eugene still lives in Tacoma, WA with his wife and two cats.