The 10 Best Laser Bore Sights in 2021
Laser bore sights were designed to eliminate the pain and frustration of sighting in a new gun or attempting to re-zero using old rifles.
Inefficient bore sighting can create many issues at the rifle range, including missing the paper or wastage of precisions bullets.
A laser bore sight will help align your rifle scope with a hunting rifle or handgun of your choice. Correct scope alignment maximizes the chances of hitting your target.
In our laser bore sight review, we explore the top picks that you can consider helping you leverage the true power of your hunting gear.
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10 Best Laser Bore Sights – Review
- 1. Best Overall Laser Bore Sight: MidTen Cal 223 Rem
- 2. Best Inexpensive Laser Bore Sight: CVLife Cal 223 Rem
- 3. Best Laser Bore Sight for All Firearm Calibers: Wheeler Professional Laser
- 4. Best 12-Gauge Laser Bore Sight: MidTen 12GA
- 5. Best Laser Bore Sight for Pistols: Sightmark SM39017
- 6. Best Long-Range Laser Bore Sight: Laserlyte MBS-1
- 7. Great Laser Bore Sight for 9mm Chambers: MidTen 9mm
- 8. High-Precision & Accurate Laser Bore Sight: Sightmark SM39001
- 9. Laser Bore Sight with A Lifetime Warranty: SiteLite SL-100
- 10. Laser Bore Sight with Long Battery Life: Sightmark SM39024
- How to Buy the Best Laser Bore Sights
- How Do You Use A Laser Bore Sight?
- Conclusion
10 Best Laser Bore Sights – Review
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PRODUCT |
FEATURES |
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1. MidTen Cal 223 Rem (Best Overall) |
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2. CVLife Cal 223 Rem (Best Inexpensive) |
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3. Wheeler Professional Laser (Best for All Firearm Calibers) |
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4. MidTen 12GA (Best 12-Gauge) |
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5. Sightmark SM39017 (Best for Pistols) |
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6. Laserlyte MBS-1 (Best Long-Range) |
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7. MidTen 9mm (Great for 9mm Chambers) |
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8. Sightmark SM39001 (High-Precision & Accurate) |
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9. SiteLite SL-100 (With a Lifetime Warranty) |
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10. Sightmark SM39024 (With Long Battery Life) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. MidTen Cal 223 Rem (Best Overall) |
2. CVLife Cal 223 Rem (Best Inexpensive) |
3. Wheeler Professional Laser (Best for All Firearm Calibers) |
4. MidTen 12GA (Best 12-Gauge) |
5. Sightmark SM39017 (Best for Pistols) |
6. Laserlyte MBS-1 (Best Long-Range) |
7. MidTen 9mm (Great for 9mm Chambers) |
8. Sightmark SM39001 (High-Precision & Accurate) |
9. SiteLite SL-100 (With a Lifetime Warranty) |
10. Sightmark SM39024 (With Long Battery Life) |
1. Best Overall Laser Bore Sight: MidTen Cal 223 Rem
- Fits: All .223 caliber
- Laser Power Output: < 5mW
- Sighting Range: 15 - 100 yards
- Battery: 6 x AG3
The high accuracy, affordability, and compatibility with popular rifles make MidTen Cal 223 Rem our best overall laser bore sight.
One of the reasons this bore sight is popular is its compatibility with .223 caliber rifles, which are a favorite for hunting enthusiasts and professionals.
This bore sight produces a visible red laser that has a sighting range of 15 to 100 yards, which is more than enough for enhanced target accuracy at your regular shooting range. With a dot size of 2 inches at 100 yards, you are guaranteed of enhanced target visibility.
Boasting of strong brass construction, this bore sight will be your reliable rifle companion for many years, and you may never need to replace it. It is also easy to insert in the rifle bore.
Even though you get 2 sets of 6 AG3 batteries to get you started with the MidTen Cal 223 Rem, their 1.5-hour life means they run out very fast.
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2. Best Inexpensive Laser Bore Sight: CVLife Cal 223 Rem
- Fits: .223 Remington
- Laser Power Output: < 5mW
- Sighting Range: 15 - 100 yards
- Battery: 6 x AG3
CVLife Cal 223 Rem is the most affordable laser bore sight on our list, and one of the most popular among .223 Remington caliber rifle owners.
Its popularity is attributed to a perfect combination of affordability, compactness, and lightweight construction. You’ll enjoy its fast gun zeroing, which helps reduce the wastage of shells and cartridges.
The unit’s sturdy brass construction is not only a durability booster but also enhances the sight’s positioning in the rifle bore, for accurate sightings.
Also, it works great even in harsh temperatures of -10°C and 40°C. You can use the bore sight for most of the year and still count on its reliability.
A slight inconvenience with CVLife Cal 223 Rem is that it has no On/Off switch. You have to unscrew and remove batteries after every use.
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3. Best Laser Bore Sight for All Firearm Calibers: Wheeler Professional Laser
- Fits: All rifle and handgun calibers
- Laser Power Output: < 5mW
- Sighting Range: Up to 100 yards
- Battery: 1 x 123A Li-Ion
The high-performance Wheeler Professional Laser implements a unique connection mechanism that allows it to fit rifles and handguns of any caliber.
It offers a strong magnet connection for easy and fast attachment to gun muzzles. The magnet is very strong, securing the unit firmly on guns for dependable and accurate performance.
You can count on the sight’s strength and durability thanks to its machined aluminum body. It is wrapped in a soft rubber overmolding to help enhance grip and handling.
As a bonus, this unit comes with a molded plastic storage case that is lined with a padded insight for an additional layer of protection.
Because the Wheeler Professional Laser is a unique and robust bore sight, it doesn’t come cheap. Its premium price will not appeal to budget buyers.
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4. Best 12-Gauge Laser Bore Sight: MidTen 12GA
- Fits: 12-gauge shotgun
- Laser Power Output: < 5mW
- Sighting Range: 15 - 100 yards
- Battery: 3 x AG13/LR44
If you own a 12-gauge rifle, such as a semi-automatic shotgun, the MidTen 12GA laser bore sight is purpose-built for its chamber.
The reliable accessory sits perfectly in the rifle bore, and capitalizes on its strong brass build to boost stability, fast gun zeroing, and sighting.
Because this top-rated bore sight helps achieve high sighting accuracy, it effectively reduces wastage of shells and cartridges, saving you time and money.
You’ll also be pleased with the inclusion of 1 battery set containing the 3 AG13 cells required to power the accessory.
Not only does it deliver a large dot size of 2 inches at 100 yards, but will also work well in harsh temperatures as low as -10°C and highs of 40°C.
You may experience range limitations in the MidTen 12GA during daylight outdoor applications. Perhaps a green-laser version would be great for diversity.
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5. Best Laser Bore Sight for Pistols: Sightmark SM39017
- Fits: All .45 handguns
- Laser Power Output: < 1mW
- Sighting Range: 15 - 100 yards
- Battery: 2 x AG5
Pistols can also benefit greatly from laser bore sights such as the Sightmark SM39017 , which is designed for the .45 ACP handguns.
It offers a convenient and accurate sighting system for pistols, helping you achieve accurate aims without firing a single shot. For this reason, it is a popular accessory for competitive shooters, hunters, and law enforcement professionals.
Pre-calibration is one of the features that enhances the bore sight’s precision. It also offers fine adjustment for true centers, while the unit’s brass construction boosts bore stability.
In the long-run, these accuracy-boosting features will help reduce ammo and cartridge wastage, while boosting your marksmanship.
And to ensure the accessory is protected at all times, a lightweight carrying pouch has been included.
Although the Sightmark SM39017 is an excellent handgun bore sight, you will need to remove the batteries after every use, to turn it off, a process that can prove inconvenient.
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6. Best Long-Range Laser Bore Sight: Laserlyte MBS-1
- Fits: All .22 to .50 caliber
- Laser Power Output: <5mW
- Sighting Range: 25 - 500 yards
- Battery: 3 x 393
Sighting range is a top priority when choosing a laser bore sight, and that is where Laserlyte MBS-1 thrives.
It packs one of the brightest and most powerful legally-allowed lasers which manages a range of up to 500 yards (457.2 meters), at night. The long-distance sighting it delivers is unrivaled by other bore sights in its class.
The bore sight adopts a universal design that fits all .22 to .50 caliber rifles and requires a least 3 inches of barrel length, for maximum firearm compatibility.
Versatility is another area where Laserlyte MBS-1 excels. The bore sight is compatible with scopes, iron sights, and laser gun sights.
You’ll also enjoy using this bore sight because it offers a convenient On/Off roll switch, which is absent in most of the rival models.
Because the Laserlyte MBS-1 is a multi-component laser bore sight, it’d have been great if a carry pouch or case was included, because it is essential.
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7. Great Laser Bore Sight for 9mm Chambers: MidTen 9mm
- Fits: All 9mm caliber
- Laser Power Output: < 5mW
- Sighting Range: 15 - 100 yards
- Battery: 3 x AG3
MidTen 9mm is a laser bore sight that’s been optimized to fit 9mm chambers while helping achieve rapid gun sighting and zeroing.
Because it’s built for relatively short chambers, this bore sight sits perfectly and firmly in the bore with stability being further boosted by a strong brass construction. The accessory will not require replacing for a long while.
The visible red laser’s high accuracy will reduce wastage of cartridges and shells, especially when sighting in the range of 15 to 100 yards. And getting started with the bore sight is easy because its 3 required AG3 batteries are already included.
Removing the MidTen 9mm from the barrel may prove to be a cumbersome process because there’s no ejector mechanism. You need to use a cleaning rod for this process.
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8. High-Precision & Accurate Laser Bore Sight: Sightmark SM39001
- Fits: All .223 caliber
- Laser Power Output: < 5mW
- Sighting Range: 15 - 100 yards
- Battery: 3 x AG3
Superior sighting precision and accuracy are the main highlights of the Sightmark SM39001 laser bore sight.
This .223-caliber firearm accessory has been recommended by the National Tactical Officers Association for its sighting convenience, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, all of which help reduce shell and cartridge wastage.
The bore sight is easy to use. After chambering the unit like a regular bullet, it produces a red laser dot, which indicates the exact point your rifle is aiming.
Compatibility with .223-caliber rifles makes the bore sight a favorite for many users including competitive shooters, law enforcement, and hunters.
A lightweight carrying pouch has been included for ease of portability, and provides some protection to the laser, especially when you’re out with it in the field.
Even though the required AG3 batteries have been included with the Sightmark SM39001, they manage a limited life of 1 hour, which is shorter than that of most rival models.
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9. Laser Bore Sight with A Lifetime Warranty: SiteLite SL-100
- Fits: .22 to .50 caliber, 12 & 20-gauge shotgun
- Laser Power Output: < 5mW
- Sighting Range: Up to 300 yards.
- Battery: 2 x LR44
The SiteLite SL-100 laser bore sight promises to deliver superior and reliable accuracy to all your .22 to .50 caliber, plus 20 and 12-gauge shotgun rifles, thanks to its lifetime warranty offering.
Not only does it support most of the popular rifles for shooting professionals and enthusiasts, but the bore sight managers an impressive sighting range of 300 yards, which is longer than that of most rival models.
While many of the bore sights we have reviewed manage a battery life of 1.5 hours only, this one manages to squeeze out an extra 30 minutes from its 2 LR44 batteries, for a 2-hour life.
You also get a Ballistic Targeting System software program by SiteLite to help you with mastery of laser bore sighting for specific rifles and ammo.
On the downside, however, the SiteLite SL-100 is not very pocket-friendly. It may not appeal much to budget buyers.
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10. Laser Bore Sight with Long Battery Life: Sightmark SM39024
- Fits: .17 to .50 caliber
- Laser Power Output: <5Mw
- Sighting Range: 15 - 100 yards
- Battery: 3 x AG3
The efficiency-boosting strobe mode of Sightmark SM39024 helps the laser bore sight conserver power and extend its battery life.
This bore sight capitalizes on the strobe mode’s low power consumption to extend battery life by up to 150%. You won’t have to replace the 3 AG3 batteries of this accessory after every hour or so as is the case with other models.
Efficiency is also added to the setup process, though the inclusion of magnetic attachment. Simply load the batteries as prescribed, then place the bore sight’s base onto the rifle barrel’s end. The magnet unit attaches very firmly.
For sighting accuracy, the bore sight comes already calibrated, while its brass construction and protective carry case extends the unit’s durability.
And although Sightmark SM39024 comes with a convenient power switch, it is easy to trigger it while the sight is in the carry case, so extra caution is necessary.
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How to Buy the Best Laser Bore Sights
1. Laser
Laser is the main technology used to drive bore sights' core functions. When powered up, the bore sight produces a laser beam, typically of red or green color, to indicate the point where your firearm is aiming.
The choice of laser color depends on your preferences as both red and green lasers perform almost the same, depending on the time of day and distance from the target.
Speaking of distance, lasers have sighting ranges, which roughly translates to how far the beam can travel. The standard range is 15 - 100 yards, but models such as Laserlyte MBS-1 have a superior night range of up to 500 yards.
Ensure that your choice of laser bore sight is a low-powered one, which produces less than 5mW of output power.
Read More: The Best Green Laser Rifle Sight
2. Battery
Since laser bore sights are compact units, they use smaller batteries than the standard AA or AAA. The most common batteries powering the sights include AG3, 123A, AG5, 393, and LR44.
A bore sight can use up to 6 of these batteries, depending on performance and related features. You’ll be pleased to know that most bore sights come with a set of the required batteries already included.
Ensure, however, that you check the battery life of the bore sight you choose. The longer the better.
3. Versatility
Versatile tools and accessories are always welcome. And there’s a lot of versatility laser bore sights offers, especially in their support for multiple firearm calibers.
While some bore sights are compatible with a single caliber only, others such as Laserlyte MBS-1 and SiteLite SL-100 are compatible with multiple rifles.
But Wheeler Professional Laser is, perhaps, the most versatile laser bore sight you can buy today given that its unique magnetic connection supports attachment of the unit to virtually any caliber of rifle or handgun.
4. Budget
When shopping for a laser bore sight, your budget is a key determiner of the model you ultimately settle for.
These firearm accessories come with different price tags, and premium ones can go for over $100. But you don’t have to buy an expensive one if it is not necessary.
Many budget laser bore sights, such as the CVLife Cal 223 Rem , offer excellent performance for pocket-friendly prices.
How Do You Use A Laser Bore Sight?
Here’s how you can get the best out of your laser bore sight:
1. Unscrew the bore sight’s rear cap to insert the batteries that will power the unit. Turning the cap counterclockwise should get it open.
2. Load the batteries by positioning the bore sight on a flat surface, with the laser end pointing downwards.
3. In the sight’s rear opening, insert the batteries, one after the other, with the positive (+) side facing upwards.
4. Proceed to gently press the cap downwards and then turn in a clockwise motion for tightening. You’ll notice that the laser is now on.
5. Insert the bore sight in the rifle’s chamber and then close the bolt to secure the component firmly in the bore.
6. The laser will project a red or green dot, which will indicate the point your firearm is aimed at. You can line up the sight based on the desired range (e.g. 25 yards). Lining up backup sights is also a good practice.
7. Remove the bore sight from the rifle’s barrel and unscrew the back cap to remove the batteries, an action that also turns off the unit, in most models.
Conclusion
From our laser bore sight review, it’s evident that these firearm accessories are highly useful and reliable in firearm sighting and zeroing.
If you’re looking for the best of them all, choose MidTen Cal 223 Rem , a laser bore sight designed for all .223 caliber rifles and one that’s rated highly by shooting professionals and enthusiasts.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can’t go wrong with CVLife Cal 223 Rem , a high-performance bore sight for the .223 Remington rifle cartridge.
And if you want a universal laser bore sight that will fit all your handguns and rifles, the premium Wheeler Professional Laser is the one for you.