If you don’t have eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can use an indirect viewing method, which does not involve looking directly at the Sun. One way is to use a pinhole projector, which has a small opening (for example, a hole punched in an index card) and projects an image of the Sun onto a nearby surface. With the Sun at your back, you can then safely view the projected image. Do NOT look at the Sun through the pinhole!

You will, absolutely, positively, have to fine-tune the rifle so that the reticle and bullet's point of impact are at the same place. Working behind the gun counter at several gun stores, I always took a few minutes to bore sight a customer's rifle/scope combo and was amazed by the number of people who thought the gun was ready for the field. The aforementioned factors and the error induced by the shooter usually account for a couple of inches at 100 yards. My rifles are usually within 3 or so inches, but never have I been perfectly zeroed after bore sighting.

Taurus has redesigned this sporting pistol for performance. Joseph Von Benedikt is with Jorge Spat to learn all about it.

Most collimators use an expanding or caliber-specific arbor--I've also heard it called a spud--that fits snuggly into the bore and onto which the collimator is affixed. Looking through the scope, a grid or reticle should greet the eye. It is just a matter of adjusting the windage and elevation so the scope's reticle aligns with the collimator's reticle or the center of the grid. The scope and the bore are then aligned, but keep in mind that the two axes are parallel or converge at some point that may or may not coincide with the bullet's trajectory exactly where needed. Quite a few factors, including the scope's height above the bore and miniscule alignment errors, prevent the bore sighting from being perfect every time.

Pinholeeclipse viewer

Do not forget to toss a collimator or bore-sighting device in your luggage before the next big hunting expedition. It can be a huge help if the baggage apes happen to drop your rifle case from a great height and knock the scope around. Before your trip, attach a collimator to the zeroed rifle and make a note of where the crosshairs fall on the grid. In fact, make a note card and put it in your rifle case. Once in camp, attach the collimator and cross-check it with your notes. If the scope has been jarred off zero, that should be indicated on the grid. Move the reticle back to the correct position and fire a few shots to confirm your zero. Laser devices can obviously be used the same way, just be sure your marked target is exactly the same distance in camp as it was on the range.

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Do NOT use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. Those require different types of solar filters. When viewing a partial or annular eclipse through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes equipped with proper solar filters, you do not need to wear eclipse glasses. (The solar filters do the same job as the eclipse glasses to protect your eyes.)

There are other solutions to the problem, most notably centering a laser-emitting device in the bore and moving the scope's reticle to the laser's point of impact on a distant target. Some companies use dummy cartridges, others use an arbor with an attached laser. I have used both and found them to be very handy, but the system still must be double-checked like a collimator. The only downside is the necessity of a downrange target--most require at least 25 yards--and picking up the laser. That can be tough on bright, sunny days. Recommended Advertisement

Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

Eclipse viewertemplate

Joseph Von Benedikt visits with Aaron Oelger from Hodgdon about the unprecedented demand on the shooting supply industry.

How to makeeclipse viewerwith cereal box

NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery.

By J. Guthrie A collimator is a simple device that uses a reflective surface and lenses to replicate a target at infinity.

There are all kinds of collimators, which, by definition, is a device that narrows a beam of particles or waves. Oncologists use them to focus radiation waves onto cancer cells; industry uses collimators to focus lasers. When applied to the shooting world, collimators use a bit of optical trickery to replicate a distant target without introducing parallax to the equation. The device allows one to calibrate a riflescope so it is aligned with the axis of the bore. In short, a collimator creates a target 100 yards away using just the length of a rifle barrel, a reflective surface, and a few lenses, and it gets the scope and barrel pointed in the same direction without ever firing a shot.

A collimator does not require a trip downrange, which is nice when the firing line is full and you have to time your trips downrange with everyone else. Both collimators and arbor/cartridge-mounted lasers are more accurate than the old tried-and-true method of peering down the bore, and they work on action types that do not allow a clear line of sight down the barrel.

NASA diyeclipse viewer

When watching a partial or annular solar eclipse directly with your eyes, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers.

This isn't your grandpa's muzzleloading system. Federal has created a safer, easier and more reliable way to shoot a muzzleloader.

Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line.

Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.

Even during a partial or annular eclipse, or during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the Sun will still be very bright. If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.

I carry a lot of gear to the shooting range, so much, in fact, that I have to requisition my parent's minivan just to carry it all. Some of it is snivel gear, some of it superfluous, but there are a few items I simply cannot live without. A collimator is one of those have-to-have items for me, or any other shooter who likes to save time, trouble, and ammunition.

There are all kinds of collimators, which, by definition, is a device that narrows a beam of particles or waves. Oncologists use them to focus radiation waves onto cancer cells; industry uses collimators to focus lasers. When applied to the shooting world, collimators use a bit of optical trickery to replicate a distant target without introducing parallax to the equation. The device allows one to calibrate a riflescope so it is aligned with the axis of the bore. In short, a collimator creates a target 100 yards away using just the length of a rifle barrel, a reflective surface, and a few lenses, and it gets the scope and barrel pointed in the same direction without ever firing a shot.

Do not forget to toss a collimator or bore-sighting device in your luggage before the next big hunting expedition. It can be a huge help if the baggage apes happen to drop your rifle case from a great height and knock the scope around. Before your trip, attach a collimator to the zeroed rifle and make a note of where the crosshairs fall on the grid. In fact, make a note card and put it in your rifle case. Once in camp, attach the collimator and cross-check it with your notes. If the scope has been jarred off zero, that should be indicated on the grid. Move the reticle back to the correct position and fire a few shots to confirm your zero. Laser devices can obviously be used the same way, just be sure your marked target is exactly the same distance in camp as it was on the range.

Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.

Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.

Printableeclipse viewer

Collimators and laser bore-sighting devices are relatively inexpensive. Caliber-specific cartridges usually run $50 to $70, and multi-caliber kits go for $40 on up. Leupold makes a pretty cool magnetic collimator that works on most every barrel; it runs $70. With premium ammo running $40 or $50 a box, it is pretty easy to see how a collimator can pay for itself in just a few range sessions. And on top of that, it will save some time and a little bit of your sanity.

You will, absolutely, positively, have to fine-tune the rifle so that the reticle and bullet's point of impact are at the same place. Working behind the gun counter at several gun stores, I always took a few minutes to bore sight a customer's rifle/scope combo and was amazed by the number of people who thought the gun was ready for the field. The aforementioned factors and the error induced by the shooter usually account for a couple of inches at 100 yards. My rifles are usually within 3 or so inches, but never have I been perfectly zeroed after bore sighting.

Ever fire a 100-yard sighting shot at an 11x17-inch target and completely miss it? We probably all have. After that, we're reduced to firing at the left edge, right edge, top, and bottom until we get a shot on paper in order to adjust the scope. The thought of wasting precious ammo keeps me up at night, and a collimator will get that first shot close to center almost every time. It also saves you the agony of trying to pick out the most recent bullet hole from the thousands of other holes in the target board around the just-missed target.

Joseph Von Benedikt is with Rafe Nielsen of Browning to take a look at a new X-Bolt series rifle. Lighter and tougher and more precise than ever, it's the perfect back country hunting rifle.

Solareclipse viewerbox

There are other solutions to the problem, most notably centering a laser-emitting device in the bore and moving the scope's reticle to the laser's point of impact on a distant target. Some companies use dummy cartridges, others use an arbor with an attached laser. I have used both and found them to be very handy, but the system still must be double-checked like a collimator. The only downside is the necessity of a downrange target--most require at least 25 yards--and picking up the laser. That can be tough on bright, sunny days.

Please take a few minutes to complete this anonymous survey by Southwick Associates. Your input will help improve products and services for firearm owners. All responses are confidential.

During the partial phases of a solar eclipse, this will project a crescent Sun onto a white sheet of paper taped to the inside of the box. Look into the box through another hole cut into the box to see the projected image.

Cereal boxeclipse viewerNASA

Ever fire a 100-yard sighting shot at an 11x17-inch target and completely miss it? We probably all have. After that, we're reduced to firing at the left edge, right edge, top, and bottom until we get a shot on paper in order to adjust the scope. The thought of wasting precious ammo keeps me up at night, and a collimator will get that first shot close to center almost every time. It also saves you the agony of trying to pick out the most recent bullet hole from the thousands of other holes in the target board around the just-missed target. Advertisement ×

Collimators and laser bore-sighting devices are relatively inexpensive. Caliber-specific cartridges usually run $50 to $70, and multi-caliber kits go for $40 on up. Leupold makes a pretty cool magnetic collimator that works on most every barrel; it runs $70. With premium ammo running $40 or $50 a box, it is pretty easy to see how a collimator can pay for itself in just a few range sessions. And on top of that, it will save some time and a little bit of your sanity.

Most collimators use an expanding or caliber-specific arbor--I've also heard it called a spud--that fits snuggly into the bore and onto which the collimator is affixed. Looking through the scope, a grid or reticle should greet the eye. It is just a matter of adjusting the windage and elevation so the scope's reticle aligns with the collimator's reticle or the center of the grid. The scope and the bore are then aligned, but keep in mind that the two axes are parallel or converge at some point that may or may not coincide with the bullet's trajectory exactly where needed. Quite a few factors, including the scope's height above the bore and miniscule alignment errors, prevent the bore sighting from being perfect every time.

Eclipse viewertube

I carry a lot of gear to the shooting range, so much, in fact, that I have to requisition my parent's minivan just to carry it all. Some of it is snivel gear, some of it superfluous, but there are a few items I simply cannot live without. A collimator is one of those have-to-have items for me, or any other shooter who likes to save time, trouble, and ammunition.

Partial or annular solar eclipses are different from total solar eclipses – there is no period of totality when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's bright face. Therefore, during partial or annular solar eclipses, it is never safe to look directly at the eclipse without proper eye protection.

A collimator does not require a trip downrange, which is nice when the firing line is full and you have to time your trips downrange with everyone else. Both collimators and arbor/cartridge-mounted lasers are more accurate than the old tried-and-true method of peering down the bore, and they work on action types that do not allow a clear line of sight down the barrel.

You can make your own eclipse projector using a cardboard box, a white sheet of paper, tape, scissors, and aluminum foil. With the Sun behind you, sunlight will stream through a pinhole punched into aluminum foil taped over a hole in one side of the box.

Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.

Did you know?The way to safely view an annular eclipse and a total solar eclipse is different. Learn how to view the 2023 annular solar eclipse here and the 2024 total solar eclipse here.

Mikey Hartman, Lt. Col. (Ret.) of Israeli Defense Forces, joins David Fortier for an exclusive interview for Shotgun News.

Walther's new Performance Duty Pistol is ready for both concealed carry and conventional service situations. Available in different sizes and red dot ready, it'll fit your needs, whatever they are.

Learn the difference between revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what makes them different. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/1G7xXag

The Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. Joseph Von Benedikt shows his custom 500 and how well it shoots. Make sure to watch till the end. Who knew wild turkey's were so stupid!?