What is the purpose of using a collimator during the boresighting process?

The purpose of using a collimator during the boresighting process is to aid in precise alignment of sights. A collimator is a device that aligns the line of sight of the weapon with the barrel, ensuring that the sights are set to point where the bullet will actually strike the target. This adjustment is crucial for accuracy, as it allows the shooter to zero in the sights effectively without always having to fire rounds downrange.

The collimator works by projecting a beam or aiming point that can be aligned with the barrel of the firearm. By looking through the collimator, the shooter can adjust the sights so that when aiming at a specific target, the bullets will consistently hit that point. This process greatly reduces the need for extensive live-fire adjustments and helps save ammunition while improving shooting precision.

Using a collimator does not involve measuring bullet velocity, enhancing ammunition performance, or adjusting trigger sensitivity. These tasks are unrelated to the alignment function of the collator, further reinforcing its specialized role in optimizing sight accuracy during the boresighting process.