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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Herb on March 30, 2017, 02:30:32 AM

Title: Kit Carson Hawken Sighting In
Post by: Herb on March 30, 2017, 02:30:32 AM
Before putting the finish on my latest Hawken, a near exact copy of Kit Carson's rifle, I fired it for functioning and sighted it in.  I used Hornady .530 balls, 60 grains of Olde Eynsford 2F and pillow ticking- which tore.  Shot at 50 yards from bench.  The sights are Track's RS-KC-16 (for a 1" barrel, but mine is 1 1/8 to 1 tapered, 31 1/8" long).  I fired three shots then filed the front sight lower- and repeated twice.  Shots 6, 7, 8, and 9 were with .012 linen (crushed reading), which did not tear.  I filed the front sight lower after shot 7.  I had a damp patch on the seating jag so the barrel got wiped at each loading.
(https://preview.ibb.co/idnNJv/KCSightin.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cMRtQa)
I knew this would result in a low sight, but that is how the original is.  The sight is now .150 tall.  It is Track's FS-TC-CB-81, which is .275 tall above the barrel flat.
(https://preview.ibb.co/kJH05a/KCFront_Sight.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cCAL5a)
The rear sight is Track's RS-KC-16, I think a close copy of the original, but the top of the notch is only .215 tall.  This means a low front sight, but that is like the original.  That is why I make my own rear sights for Bridger and the previous Carson rifle I made, and why I had this one left over.
(https://preview.ibb.co/nJtwdv/RS_KC_16.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b7a9yv)
So now on to the finishing, and I plan to shoot this in Jim's Peep Shoot at Easter.
Title: Re: Kit Carson Hawken Sighting In
Post by: RobertS on March 30, 2017, 05:48:44 AM
Very nice, look forward to seeing it finished
Title: Re: Kit Carson Hawken Sighting In
Post by: Herb on March 30, 2017, 06:57:43 AM
I forgot to say that these photos were posted using the new photo upload feature.  It is easy, I like it.