a question...

[geo]

was shooting my original model '65 with .512" flatnose lubed conical of 315 gr. weight with 30 gr. pyrodex and magnum large rifle primers. at 50 yds. it shot 8 " high and at 100 yds. (the longest range i can shoot) it shot 14" high. this was using the original sights and using the v-notch rear sight (raising the ladder sight put the rounds somewheres really high) on a rifle rest. this leads me to believe the carbine is sighted in at 200 yds. (?). the first mark on the ladder sight is 300 yds. this seems to me to be a long range especially given those miserable battle sights. anyone else have a similar experience or have some thoughts to share? thanks in advance. geo.

[Colt Fanning]

I had a similar experience shooting an original M65.  I had to raise the front sight almost 1/8 in to get the rifle to shoot at poa.  Apparently armisport blindly copyed the height of the original front sight because a friend of mine who shoots a 44 Russian has the same problem with the gun shooting way high.

[Trailrider]

Howdy, Pards,

Most U.S. (and probably other countries' as well) military BP big-bore rifles and carbines were sighted in around 320-365 yds.  With common BP velocities, this did indeed put the impact point at 100 yds about 14-18" above the point of aim.  The reason for this has to do with the "danger space" calculated for an enemy soldier standing and on horseback.  Target practice was NOT a common occurance in the U.S. military until the mid- late-1880's, and most ranges went further out than we commonly see today.

For 100 yd shooting, you have two options:  The easiest is to stick up two 8" dia. round black bullseye targets one above the other.  Aim at the bottom of the lower target, and you should hit the upper part of the upper target.  You could also make some rectangular targets about 20" high made from black poster board.

The alternative is to make a higher front sight.  Many military rifle, but by no means all have a front sight blade pinned to a slotted base, making this an easier task.

Hope this is of some help, Pard!  Ride easy, but stay alert! Godspeed to those in harm's way in the defense of Freedom! God Bless America!