First Thoughts on the Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter
The Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter promises a quick and easy way to get your rifle roughly sighted in. This little tool, with its brass construction and red laser, aims to save time and ammunition at the range. At a budget-friendly price point, it’s tempting to see if it can actually deliver on its promise of simplified bore sighting.
My rifles, particularly my .308 Winchester hunting rifle, often take a beating traveling to and from the range, and between hunting spots. Maintaining a zero after such trips is crucial, and I was tired of wasting ammo just getting back on paper. I’ve tried traditional methods, like using a bore scope, but they can be cumbersome. This Aim Sports boresighter seemed like a potentially faster and simpler alternative.
Upon unboxing, the boresighter feels surprisingly solid, given its price. The brass casing appears well-machined, and the laser aperture is clean. Its weight isn’t substantial, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. Compared to more expensive magnetic or external bore sighting systems, the Aim Sports is certainly more compact and easier to store. My initial reaction was cautiously optimistic, hoping its performance would match its decent first impression.
Real-World Testing: Putting Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter at my local shooting range, using my Remington 700 in .308 Winchester. The range offered a 100-yard target setup, perfect for initial sighting. Inserting the boresighter into the chamber was straightforward, mimicking the feel of loading a standard cartridge.
The red laser was clearly visible, even in bright daylight, projecting a distinct dot onto the target. Adjusting my scope to align with the laser dot was simple enough. However, I noticed a slight inconsistency in the laser’s position when rotating the boresighter within the chamber, raising concerns about its true accuracy.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several range sessions, the Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter’s reliability became questionable. The battery life proved shorter than expected, requiring frequent replacements of the LR41 batteries. The brass casing also showed some minor scratching and wear after repeated chambering and extraction.
While it gets you close to being on target, it’s no substitute for live fire zeroing. I found that even after careful bore sighting with the laser, I still needed to make significant adjustments at the range to achieve a true zero. This underperformance compared to my expectations.
Breaking Down the Features of Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter
Specifications
- Caliber: .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and 7mm-08 Remington. This makes it versatile for those owning rifles chambered in these popular calibers.
- Material: Brass. The brass casing provides decent durability and resistance to corrosion.
- Laser: 5mW Red Laser. A visible red laser, offering sufficient brightness for use in various lighting conditions.
- Battery: LR41. The boresighter utilizes LR41 button cell batteries, which can be readily available but may require frequent replacement.
- Mount: Chamber. It mounts directly into the rifle’s chamber, ensuring consistent alignment with the bore.
These specifications matter because they directly influence the accuracy, reliability, and ease of use of the boresighter. The brass construction should withstand repeated use, while the laser’s visibility is critical for quick alignment. The chamber mount design theoretically ensures accurate positioning within the rifle.
Performance & Functionality
The Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter functions by projecting a red laser beam down the bore of the rifle. This allows the user to roughly align the scope or sights with the bore’s trajectory before heading to the range. In practice, it gets you in the general vicinity, but requires fine-tuning with live rounds.
The main strength lies in its simplicity and ease of use. Its weakness is its questionable accuracy and the need for frequent battery replacements. It partially meets expectations as a quick bore sighting tool, but falls short in delivering precise zeroing.
Design & Ergonomics
The build quality is acceptable for its price point. The brass material feels sturdy, though not exceptionally refined. The unit’s weight is negligible, making it easy to handle and store.
It is user-friendly, requiring no special tools or complicated procedures for insertion and removal. However, the lack of a dedicated on/off switch is a minor inconvenience, as the battery drains whenever it’s chambered.
Durability & Maintenance
The brass casing should provide reasonable durability, but the laser diode and battery compartment are potential weak points. Proper storage and careful handling are essential to prolong its lifespan. Cleaning is straightforward, simply wiping the brass surface with a clean cloth.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter comes with no additional accessories. There are no customization options available. The boresighter is designed to be a standalone tool.
Pros and Cons of Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter
Pros
- Affordable price point.
- Easy to use and chamber like a regular cartridge.
- Provides a rough initial bore sight, saving some ammo.
- Compact and easy to store.
- Brass construction offers decent durability.
Cons
- Questionable accuracy; requires significant live-fire adjustments.
- Short battery life, frequent LR41 replacements needed.
- No on/off switch, leading to battery drain during storage if left chambered.
Who Should Buy Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter?
Perfect for: Budget-conscious shooters who want a very basic tool to get their rifles roughly on paper before heading to the range. It could also be useful for hunters who need a quick confirmation of their zero after rough handling of their rifle in the field.
Who should skip this product? Anyone seeking precise bore sighting or those who demand high accuracy. Those relying on a perfectly zeroed rifle should invest in a higher-quality bore sighting system or stick to traditional methods.
Must-have accessories or modifications? Extra LR41 batteries are a must. A case to protect the boresighter from damage is also recommended.
Conclusion on Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter
The Aim Sports 243 / 308 Winchester / 7mm-08 Remington Laser Boresighter offers a budget-friendly solution for getting a very rough initial bore sight on your rifle. While it saves some ammunition compared to starting completely from scratch, its questionable accuracy and short battery life are significant drawbacks. The price is justified for what it offers, but keep your expectations realistic.
I would cautiously recommend it to shooters on a tight budget who understand its limitations. It’s a tool for getting close, not for achieving pinpoint accuracy. Ultimately, it’s a supplementary aid, not a replacement for proper range time and live-fire zeroing. If you’re looking for a quick and dirty way to save some ammo, give it a shot; just be prepared to spend time at the range fine-tuning your zero.