AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Mike Lyons on September 30, 2019, 01:06:42 AM

Title: Sighting tip
Post by: Mike Lyons on September 30, 2019, 01:06:42 AM

I’m sure the experienced  guys don’t even think about this but for us new guys,  I learned something that could be helpful. I was having a hard time sighting in a 50 caliber with store bought front and rear sights. It got to the point I put it in the corner and considered scavenging it for parts.  I’ve tried several lubes, patch’s with different thicknesses, wiping before every shot etc. So,  today I opened up the square in the rear sight and made a front sight out of a walking liberty silver doller.  It’s a honkin thick front sight.  Did it ever work!  I’m still shooting a bit low, but the groups are where they need to be.  So,  if your pattern is all over the place,  fiddle with your sights before you throw the old girl in the corner.   

(https://i.ibb.co/Wcm0CwY/348-DEA5-A-B858-458-F-9-F90-CA967-A9-C2622.jpg) (https://ibb.co/p3YQq89)

upload image (https://imgbb.com/upload)

Title: Re: Sighting tip
Post by: Fyrstyk on September 30, 2019, 01:11:39 AM

Good advice.  A wider slot in the rear sight and a fat front site show up better, and for some it is just the thing for good groups,

Title: Re: Sighting tip
Post by: Dave Marsh on September 30, 2019, 01:14:32 AM

I just did that on one of my guns and boy does that help.

Dave

Title: Re: Sighting tip
Post by: Mike Brooks on September 30, 2019, 03:51:24 PM

Welcome to old age. It only gets worse from where you're at now.

Title: Re: Sighting tip
Post by: hudson on September 30, 2019, 05:11:33 PM

Have used this trick for several years now, it certainly helps. My last build I opened it up to a bit over 1/8 inch.

Title: Re: Sighting tip
Post by: Mike Lyons on September 30, 2019, 06:12:46 PM

Quote from: hudson on September 30, 2019, 05:11:33 PM

Have used this trick for several years now, it certainly helps. My last build I opened it up to a bit over 1/8 inch.

I was using a very fine swiss file that was very narrow.  I tried a hacksaw blade and now I'm using the little square needle file that you can purchase everywhere. With the wide front sight, it gives me just a little light on both sides of the front sight.  Seems to be doing the trick.  An odd part of all of this learning experience is that if I use my glasses while shooting, I get inconsistent results.  If I use clear or yellow safety glasses, I get consistent results. I have an astigmatism so maybe that has something to do with using my glasses. 

Title: Re: Sighting tip
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on September 30, 2019, 07:04:22 PM

The courser sights will also diminish the fuzziness, and trying in vain to determine when the front sight is level with the top of the rear one.