The Wheeler Professional Boresighter Made a Bold First Impression
Like many seasoned shooters, I’ve spent countless hours at the range, meticulously adjusting scopes and sights. It’s a necessary evil, but one I’ve always found time-consuming and often frustrating. I had been using the older style arbor boresighters that fit inside the chamber, and had been less than impressed with their performance. So, when I stumbled upon the Wheeler Professional Boresighter, promising fast and accurate bore sighting for virtually any firearm, my interest was immediately piqued.
Years of experience have taught me to be skeptical of bold claims, but the Wheeler’s magnetic attachment system and hand-tuned calibration hinted at a level of precision I hadn’t encountered before. The problem I wanted to solve was simple: drastically reduce the time and ammunition wasted on initial scope adjustments. Upon unboxing, the robust aluminum body with its soft rubber over-molding felt substantial and well-made. The included reflective sighting grid and molded plastic case were nice touches, suggesting Wheeler’s attention to detail.
I’d previously used a laser boresighter that inserted into the chamber and another that used expanding arbors. Those were functional, but not nearly as easy to use or as precise as I hoped. The magnetic design of the Wheeler Professional Boresighter seemed to offer a superior alignment method, eliminating the potential for bore damage and promising greater accuracy. My initial excitement was tempered with cautious optimism. Would it live up to the hype? At $88.49, it wasn’t the cheapest option, but if it delivered on its promises, it would be a worthwhile investment.
Real-World Testing: Putting Wheeler Professional Boresighter to the Test
First Use Experience
My first opportunity to test the Wheeler Professional Boresighter came at the local shooting range. I was mounting a new scope on my trusty AR-15. The range was fairly busy that day, and the sun was beating down. It was a typical hot summer day at the range. I attached the Wheeler Professional Boresighter to the muzzle and was immediately impressed with the strength of the magnetic connection.
The red laser was bright and easily visible, even in the daylight. Within minutes, I had aligned the scope’s reticle with the laser dot on the reflective sighting grid. After making these adjustments, my first three shots at 50 yards were surprisingly close to the bullseye. I made a few minor adjustments to dial it in perfectly. The entire process was significantly faster and more accurate than using traditional bore sighting methods.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several months of consistent use, the Wheeler Professional Boresighter has proven to be a reliable and valuable tool. I’ve used it on various rifles, shotguns, and even a few handguns, and it has consistently delivered accurate results. The aluminum body has held up well to bumps and scrapes, showing no signs of wear and tear.
The soft rubber over-molding provides a comfortable grip and protects the laser module from impact. Maintenance is simple: a quick wipe-down with a clean cloth after each use is all it takes. Compared to my previous experiences with arbor-style bore sighters, the Wheeler far surpasses them in terms of ease of use, accuracy, and durability. It has consistently reduced the amount of time and ammunition required to zero my firearms.
Breaking Down the Features of Wheeler Professional Boresighter
Specifications
High-Power Red Laser: The bright red laser is easily visible in various lighting conditions, allowing for quick and accurate alignment. This is crucial for efficient bore sighting, especially when time is limited.
High-Strength Magnetic Connection: The magnetic connection provides a secure and precise alignment with the bore, without the risk of damage. This is a significant advantage over arbor-style bore sighters, which can potentially scratch or damage the barrel.
Machined Aluminum Body with Rubber Over-Molding: The durable aluminum body protects the laser module, while the rubber over-molding provides a comfortable grip and impact resistance. The quality build speaks to the Wheeler’s longevity.
Hand-Tuned Calibration: Each unit is hand-tuned during manufacturing, ensuring maximum precision and reliable performance. This innovative calibration mechanism is the key to the Wheeler’s consistent accuracy.
Compatibility with Virtually All Firearms: The magnetic attachment system works with a wide range of firearms, including rifles, shotguns, and handguns. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for any gun owner.
Lithium 123A Battery: Operates on a single Lithium 123A battery, which is included. The convenience of an included battery means immediate usability right out of the box.
Performance & Functionality
The Wheeler Professional Boresighter performs its job exceptionally well. It allows for quick and accurate initial scope adjustments, saving both time and ammunition. The strong magnetic connection ensures consistent alignment, and the bright red laser is easy to see even in daylight. The only minor weakness is that very short barrels might present a challenge for stable mounting, but this is a rare scenario.
It exceeds my expectations in terms of ease of use and accuracy. I can now confidently mount a new scope and get it reasonably close to zero within minutes, which significantly reduces frustration and wasted ammunition at the range. The Wheeler Professional Boresighter fulfills and exceeds expectations.
Design & Ergonomics
The Wheeler Professional Boresighter boasts a well-thought-out design. The machined aluminum body feels solid and durable, while the rubber over-molding provides a comfortable and secure grip. The magnetic attachment system is simple to use and ensures a precise alignment with the bore. There is virtually no learning curve; anyone familiar with firearms can use it effectively right out of the box.
Durability & Maintenance
The Wheeler Professional Boresighter is built to last. The durable aluminum body and rubber over-molding provide excellent protection against bumps and scrapes. With proper care and storage, it should provide years of reliable service. Cleaning is simple: just wipe it down with a clean cloth after each use.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Wheeler Professional Boresighter comes with a reflective sighting grid and a molded plastic storage case. There are no specific customization options for the unit itself. However, the effectiveness of the Wheeler is enhanced by using high-quality scope mounting tools and precision levels for optimal scope alignment.
Pros and Cons of Wheeler Professional Boresighter
Pros
- Fast and Accurate Bore Sighting: Significantly reduces the time and ammunition needed for initial scope adjustments.
- Universal Compatibility: Works with virtually all firearms, including rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
- Durable Construction: Machined aluminum body with rubber over-molding ensures long-lasting performance.
- Easy to Use: Simple magnetic attachment system requires no specialized knowledge or tools.
- Hand-Tuned Calibration: Provides maximum precision and reliable performance.
Cons
- Price: Slightly more expensive than some other bore sighting options.
- Short Barrels: May be challenging to use with very short barrels due to limited surface area for magnetic attachment.
Who Should Buy Wheeler Professional Boresighter?
The Wheeler Professional Boresighter is perfect for:
- Serious shooters who frequently mount and adjust scopes.
- Gunsmiths and firearm professionals who need a reliable and accurate bore sighting tool.
- Hunters and competitive shooters who demand precise zeroing of their firearms.
Who should skip this product?
- Casual shooters who rarely change their scopes or sights might find it to be an unnecessary expense.
- Those who only own firearms with extremely short barrels may encounter challenges with stable mounting.
Must-have accessories or modifications?
- A high-quality set of scope mounting tools (torque wrench, levels) to ensure proper scope installation.
- Spare Lithium 123A batteries to ensure continuous operation.
Conclusion on Wheeler Professional Boresighter
The Wheeler Professional Boresighter is a well-designed and highly effective tool that delivers on its promises. It significantly reduces the time and frustration associated with initial scope adjustments, saving both time and ammunition. While it may be slightly more expensive than some other options, the universal compatibility, durable construction, and hand-tuned calibration make it a worthwhile investment.
The price is justified by the time saved, the increased accuracy, and the overall convenience it provides. I would wholeheartedly recommend the Wheeler Professional Boresighter to any serious shooter, gunsmith, or hunter who wants to streamline the scope mounting process and ensure precise zeroing of their firearms. It has become an indispensable part of my range kit, and I’m confident it will be for you too. Invest in the Wheeler Professional Boresighter and experience the difference it makes in your shooting experience.