Help me fix my .303s

[Dougan]

Personally I reckon getting the front sight right (as Saddler questioned) is half the battle - I had a similar problem with my M96 Mauser ...over the course of 3 or 4 range days I filed the front sight (I bought a replacement so as not to spoil the original) down until it was perfectly zeroed for elevation at 200 at it's lowest setting, and used an improvised tool to adjust the windage to zero...it's not really something a gunsmith can do for you; you just need several windless range days at short range and a bit of patience.

If the rear sight isn't windage adjustable then you will have to aim off; even once it's perfectly zeroed...I've had to aim at the edge of the target frame before at 600 with the Mauser due to the wind - With the windage on the SMLE, if you're not fussed about shooting it 'as original', you can put an adjustable rear sight on (assuming your's is a model without an adjustable rear sight)...it's very easy; just pop the pin out at the base of the sight, insert the replacement, and pop the pin back in...

Edit: Just thought I better point out that the point of aim will change with different loads and/or factory ammo...I had decided on a load to stick with before going through the process...

[bradaz11]

I usually struggle with how i should be aiming with my smle. foresight in centre of the rear v, level with the top, or the bottom. then do i put the foresight to the bull, or below it. I only shoot at 100 yrds atm, i had some s&b 180gr that grouped lovely, but i can't seem to get my 174ppu reloads to group atm. but that might be due to powder amount. but still, always struggled to get the group where i wanted it

[Dougan]

I usually struggle with how i should be aiming with my smle. foresight in centre of the rear v, level with the top, or the bottom. then do i put the foresight to the bull, or below it

Personally I aim it with the top of the foresight level with the top of the rear sight; that way you can see a little day light and know it's in the center - On my SMLE sight there is a narrow line down the back of the V-sight, so I first make sure the front sight is in line with this (the day light either side helps with this), then make sure it's level with the top of the V, then keep it like that while moving on to the point of aim.

I've set my zero to shoot at this ('sand/sky tin-hat') target at 200 yards; purely because it's what they use at the Trafalgar meeting.

4fttinhat.gif (24.02 KiB) Viewed 713 times

My point of aim is about 3/4 inches bellow center so that I can still see light color against the sights, and keep them in line...

...if I've only got a round target to practice on then I raise the rear sight a bit...then it usually only takes a few shots to find the point of aim below the black.

[Sixshot6]

This is gonna sound weird but when did they get the idea to actually move the rear sight to the rear and away from the middle of gun? AK's and VZ's still did that in the 50's though. To me it should have been obvious, but then steering wheels on cars...................

[bradaz11]

I usually struggle with how i should be aiming with my smle. foresight in centre of the rear v, level with the top, or the bottom. then do i put the foresight to the bull, or below it

Personally I aim it with the top of the foresight level with the top of the rear sight; that way you can see a little day light and know it's in the center - On my SMLE sight there is a narrow line down the back of the V-sight, so I first make sure the front sight is in line with this (the day light either side helps with this), then make sure it's level with the top of the V, then keep it like that while moving on to the point of aim.

I've set my zero to shoot at this ('sand/sky tin-hat') target at 200 yards; purely because it's what they use at the Trafalgar meeting.


My point of aim is about 3/4 inches bellow center so that I can still see light color against the sights, and keep them in line...

...if I've only got a round target to practice on then I raise the rear sight a bit...then it usually only takes a few shots to find the point of aim below the black.

is that 3 or 4 inches, or 3/4 of an inch?

thank you, thats very informative

[Dougan]

Don't underestimate the 'rear v sight' Sixshot - Shooting from the bag I can hit as many 5" bulls-eyes (though maybe not as many Vs) with my M96 at 200 yards as others do with modern scoped and podded .308s...

...and a lot of folk shoot excellent scores in Gallery Rifle with them too...

[Dougan]

I usually struggle with how i should be aiming with my smle. foresight in centre of the rear v, level with the top, or the bottom. then do i put the foresight to the bull, or below it

Personally I aim it with the top of the foresight level with the top of the rear sight; that way you can see a little day light and know it's in the center - On my SMLE sight there is a narrow line down the back of the V-sight, so I first make sure the front sight is in line with this (the day light either side helps with this), then make sure it's level with the top of the V, then keep it like that while moving on to the point of aim.

I've set my zero to shoot at this ('sand/sky tin-hat') target at 200 yards; purely because it's what they use at the Trafalgar meeting.


My point of aim is about 3/4 inches bellow center so that I can still see light color against the sights, and keep them in line...

...if I've only got a round target to practice on then I raise the rear sight a bit...then it usually only takes a few shots to find the point of aim below the black.

is that 3 or 4 inches, or 3/4 of an inch?

thank you, thats very informative

Ooops...that's 3 or 4 inches - Basically as little a 'slither' of white as you eyes can focus on (though your main focus should be on the front sight)...if you get too close to the black you get visual distortion that makes it difficult to tell if your on the black or below it...for me I need a gap of about 4 inches to make it clear...

[Sixshot6]

Don't underestimate the 'rear v sight' Sixshot - Shooting from the bag I can hit as many 5" bulls-eyes (though maybe not as many Vs) with my M96 at 200 yards as others do with modern scoped and podded .308s...

...and a lot of folk shoot excellent scores in Gallery Rifle with them too...

I understand that and I appreciate your mention of how to line up a rear sight. Basically, get it just slightly above the V? I remember seeing a vid about glock sights and the analogy of drop the line into the bucket was used. I just wanted to know historically when someone put up their hand and said, "hey, lets try this".

[Dougan]

Don't underestimate the 'rear v sight' Sixshot - Shooting from the bag I can hit as many 5" bulls-eyes (though maybe not as many Vs) with my M96 at 200 yards as others do with modern scoped and podded .308s...

...and a lot of folk shoot excellent scores in Gallery Rifle with them too...

I understand that and I appreciate your mention of how to line up a rear sight. Basically, get it just slightly above the V? I remember seeing a vid about glock sights and the analogy of drop the line into the bucket was used.

For target shooting, I prefer perfectly level.

[Sixshot6]

Don't underestimate the 'rear v sight' Sixshot - Shooting from the bag I can hit as many 5" bulls-eyes (though maybe not as many Vs) with my M96 at 200 yards as others do with modern scoped and podded .308s...

...and a lot of folk shoot excellent scores in Gallery Rifle with them too...

I understand that and I appreciate your mention of how to line up a rear sight. Basically, get it just slightly above the V? I remember seeing a vid about glock sights and the analogy of drop the line into the bucket was used.

For target shooting, I prefer perfectly level.

Perfect level, that's all I needed to know. Don't need it now but it comes in handy. My dad has two no 4's. One largely stock and the other fitted with peep hole sights. He's actually getting better results these days with the largely stock one but that's just one of those things.