sight opinions

[Kurt]

I was zeroing my 54 caliber @ 50yds and I have the front sight filed down to less than 1/8 inch, .112, and using a 6 o'clock hold on this black bull I shot this group with 60 and 80 grains of 2F. Should I file more, be satisfied, or buy a higher rear sight? Windage to be adjusted right. Thanks. I will admit too that I could just make out that black bull at 50 yards.

[bluenoser]

How much too low is it and what is the distance between your sights?
Have you found your accuracy load?

[Kurt]

bluenoser,   My sight picture was with the top of the front sight just at the bottom of the black bull(otherwise I wouldn't have been able to see it.). The distance between the front and rear sight is 27&5/8 inches. As to an accuracy load, it would have to be between 60 and 80 grains of powder because I am not going to use more than 80 grains. I shoot paper and PA whitetails at not more than 75 yards so I don't need more velocity or recoil. The 60-grain group measures 1&3/4", the 80-grain 1&5/8"CtoC. With this type of sight and my eyes, I don't think I could get a better group. If I put an aperture on it I might but I am not going to do that with this rifle. Thanks.

[Daryl]

Appears to me, you need a slightly higher rear sight. It's almost zeroed at that range right now, only 1" or so low to the centre of your group which is on the 8/9 line. I would not personally go lower than the current 1/8" front sight height.

Taylor and I figured, for this 50yard target (March Postal) we'd have to use a larger sighting bullseye & position it correctly so the group is over the centre of the "targets" bull.
For me, I'll likely use my 200yard sight and position my 'spotter' target appropriately. He could do that same if he uses his 1853 Lang Rifle in 16 bore & use either the 100yard or 150yard leaf.

[smylee grouch]

Shoot some more 80 gr loads ( two 5 shot groups ) to verify your point of impact. Sometimes the sun can play tricks on you.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Kurt, I agree with you.  I cannot hit something I cannot see.  So I need a larger aiming point for 50 yard shooting, something in the area of 4" in diameter.  I also need to aim at the middle of the bull...aiming at 6 o'clock has never worked for me - ever.  Our Postal Matches need to be contests of shooting, not vision.

[J.M.Browning]

If this was in my Wheel House I would hold hi a tad & be very satisfied with the group as is .

[recurve]

to regulating a sight

       A=BxC/D
     
        A correction to sight

       B inches between sights (rear/front)

       C how many inches off aim point/bullseye

       
       D distance to target in inches  (900inches =25yrds)

[recurve]

  I would bench shoot the rifle to get my load and adjust sights after getting the best load at the most likely  distance you would shoot/hunt


I shot the 2 high after working up the best load for this rifle then used the above to find the correction then I filed the rear sight to hit aim point at 100yrds
 
   if low file front (or get taller rear sight ) if high file rear (or get taller front sight)

[Kurt]

Recurve, is that an aperture sight I see on your rifle? I have them on 3 rifles and they help a lot!

J.M.B. I am thinking that, because I don't want to put another rear sight on because I think if I order one up I better get another front too and, well, work.

D. Taylor S, I thought up this idea for a target, a 6" bull with a 2" white strip running vertically through the middle. I could see the bull and have a reference for windage. (?)

smylee, That would be my hunting load and the most important one.  I suspect a drift right on the rear is needed. Thanks

Daryl, you confirm my thinking on the front sight and the rear. Thanks.

[recurve]

 yup I use peeps to work up my loads then take them off to shoot at the clubs  MR hawk on the other site makes a flipup that may help you I coe witness my peeps to the open sights this causes you to mount the gun the same every time to get the right sight pitcher



here is 100 yrd  with open sights from my new gain twist rifle

 

[bluenoser]

I asked how much too low it is because I don't know the distance between the rings on the target.  If you are hitting 1" low at 50 yards, you would need to lower the front sight or raise the rear sight about .015".  That wouldn't leave much of a front sight.  As smylee suggested, it would be best to shoot a few more groups - and in different lighting conditions before deciding what sight corrections are in order.

[Kurt]

That sounds like good advice. I will shoot some more groups and consider getting a higher rear sight. Thank you.

Thank you to all.

[alacran]

The good news is that the barrel's runout was indexed vertically. I agree with every one about the front sight. It would be too low for me out here in the West. However, if you look at original rifles from the East the front sights are barely higher than the barrel flat. I have shot a rifle with such sights, your eyesight better be good.
Your best bet is to get a taller rear sight. But you may want to experiment by adding a .061 piece to the top of the sight or a piece of sheet metal to the back of the sight that will make the sight .061 of an inch taller. You can epoxy it or super glue it.
The center of your group is about two inches lower than the targets center.  2x27.6/900=.061

[recurve]

 target shot at 50yrds =1800 inches(900 is 25yrds)

                                                                               .0305

[bluenoser]

Perhaps I was mistaken when I assumed the OP wanted the hit to be at point of aim.

[Kurt]

As advised I will shoot some more groups, but I also ordered both a higher rear sight and a new front sight today. I would like to sit that bullseye on top of the front sight and hit it in the center. Or perhaps I should say, make the rifle capable of it. I have enjoyed reading the advice. Kurt

[Daryl]

How is that going to work on different sized bulls and at different ranges? It doesn't work well, unless you only every shoot at one range and use one target.
Where are you going to hold on a 6" bull, 8" bull, 3" bull, 25 yards, 35 yards - 65 yards?
This is why we sight our guns to shoot onto the top of the blade, or centre of the bead. Then, you raise or lower the bead/blade for other ranges as the need arises.
It's all about practice and getting to know your rifle.

[alacran]

Whoops, I read 50 yards and calculated for 25. I should get a job with the BLS lol.

[Kurt]

Daryl, I do not shoot any competitions as there are none around where I am and at my age and with my eyesight it would not be practical. As I posted, I shoot deer, hopefully at 50 yards, and paper seldom beyond seventy-five yards. I do most of my shooting alone, so I post targets that are easy for me to see and attempt to group my shots

Here is a target I can see well at 50 yards. It is 7 inches in diameter and I used a 6 o'clock hold or "sitting the bull on the top of the front sight", allowing me to see my sight against the white. This hold demonstrates your concern that my shots would not be centered in the bull, and they are not but that is not important for what I am trying to do.

 If I were to have a deer broadside and follow up the front leg up to just above where the Humerus bone attaches to the radius bone to the area of the heart, I could set the top of the front sight there and shoot expecting to hit the heart. Or you could, but it would be my intention. I might be able to do the same with the Scapula. Or you could. I must pick or make my paper target bullseyes to suit my eyes. I do see your point, however.

[Jeff Murray]

If you are having trouble seeing the center of the bullseye you might try using paper plates with a cross taped on them with blue masking tape.  The cross lets you see if you are high/low or right/left when actually pulling the trigger.  Mark the plates with the load and distance and you can use them to help find the most accurate load and then move it to center.  Sometimes a black bullseye will obscure your front sight, depending on light.  The blue tape gives you contrast with a silver or iron front sight.

[bluenoser]

If that is the same gun, it appears your sights are bang on for point of aim.

[Kurt]

The group at the bottom of the 7" bull is a flintlock TC Renegade 50 caliber with an aperture sight. At 50 yards the front sight appears as wide as the bull. If I'm remembering correctly.

I am going to try an inverted T, made with 2" wide tape, with the intersection as the target center. If the Monthly Postal Match ever uses that I may participate.

Great advice here and discussion!

[recurve]

 I like a bright color target or center contrast so I can see the front sight clearly.  I use bright Color duct tape tringle or square to match the  width  of the front sight.   I rase  the sight till just touches the sides of the tringle  it's very repeatable

[Daryl]

I find with my eyes, that this target is a good one for a variety of ranges.
Page 10, # 10142. www.targetz.com
It allows for a centre hold, or a 6 o'clock hold on a ring, the centre black or outside black.