Mosin Nagant sighting problems

[sharpshooter94]

I posted this before the crash so I'll have another go.
My Nagant is shooting high at 100 and 200 yards both with the 100 yard sight setting. I think you need a taller front sight but I thought you guys might have some ideas. I shoot 203 grain soft point bullets from steel cases. The ammo is from Wolf(imported from Russia). I don't know if the ammo is the problem or what...

[snake river rufus]

That bullet is heavier than the battle sights were made for. mTry a bullet in the 170 gr range. Heavier bullets often hit high because they are in the barrrel for a longer length of time. Hence the muzzle is higher in it's recoil "flip" and the bullet leaves the barrel when pointed higher in relation to the target.

[sharpshooter94]

thanks for the idea snake. The only problem is that the local Gander mountain only sells 203 gr. pills! Granted I haven't checked at the other gun shops. I could always order online if I needed ammo of the right weight.

[Badger]

sharpshooter94,

What model Mosin are you shooting? How high is your gun shooting at 100 yards? Carbines and rifles have different sight radiuses and require different height front sights to make point of aim the same as point of impact. I suggest you try Russian or Eastern European 148 grain 7.62x54R Ball or some of that 180 or 190 grain Ball with the copper washed cases I saw at our last gun show in March.

Badger

[sharpshooter94]

my nagant is an m1891/30. It shoots about 4 inches high at 100 yards and 7-8 at 200yards both with the 100 yard setting.

[Badger]

sharpshooter94,

Thanks for the info. If your 91/30 is only 4 inches high at 100 yards, I suggest you try lighter Ball loads such as the 148 and 190 grain types I mentioned earlier.

If you stay with that 200 grain load that is 4 inches high, why not try to "pull down" the front sight a bit in the rear sight notch to get point of aim=point of impact at 100 yards?

Badger

[Smokey]

I have one of these rifles but have not had time to fire it as yet. While doing some research on it I found the factory sights were set for 300 yard zeroes. I believe I have that right. I bought this and a Mauser at the sametime. Both are set for long zeroes.

There are some excellent web sites available on these rifles.
7.62x54r.net is a good one.

[Badger]

Smokey,

Some Mausers and other rifles from WWI, like the M1903 Springfield and P-17 had long battle sight zeroes of 300 or 400 yards. Others like the MkIII .303 had a "100" yard setting that meant 100 yards.

The WWII military rifles usually had a 100 to 2,000 yard settings. Different height front sights can be used to get a rifle that has a 100-yard setting to shoot where it looks.

Badger

[Gil]

The local gunsmith sells a lot of higher replacement front sight blades for military rifles. That lowers the point of impact and allows for a bit of filing to get the right point of impact at 100 yards. All the best...
Gil

[vashper]

Well, but not "yards" - meters.
And, yes - 148 gran's (9.7 gramm) bullets (L or LPS) are standard for Mosin 91\30. 200-gran's (13 gramm, full jacketed named D) shoots higher on short distances.

[Badger]

vashper,

Welcome back my friend. I see this is your first post on the new Forum. How are things in Russia? Be well


Badger

[vashper]

I'm glad to see you in good health too :) it's a pity that old forum is ruin, there were very interesting posts.

Things in Russia? Like here, there and everywhere - crisis :) Our oligarchs run into debt to britain's banks and sold gas and oil from now on future :)

Today - 9th of May - Victory Day, it's the main holiday in every family. Good weather, warm and fast spring, bird cherry trees are flowering.

And literally today I saw Mosin 44 in souvenir shop (seek gift to my friend). It was without nipple and mainspring and with saw cut bajonet - for decoration. Military surplus market is limited :(

It was pitifully, so I bouth screwdriver Black&Decker with bits :)

[tincan]

The local gunsmith sells a lot of higher replacement front sight blades for military rifles. That lowers the point of impact and allows for a bit of filing to get the right point of impact at 100 yards. All the best...
Gil

-have to agree:

Seems to me if one is limited to a particular brand/load of ammo (or not, really), finding a zero by adjusting the front sight is the way to go; certainly cheaper and ultimately controllable by the shooter.

$00.02