sights off

captainrock39 · February 28, 2013, 01:48 PM

I built a .54 muzzleloader I have to hold the rifle at 9 oclock 12 inches out to hit bulleye at 50yards what do I need to do to fix this. I used a shooting bench when shooting.

Pahoo · February 28, 2013, 02:09 PM

Not sure what kit you bought but sounds like one of the SideLocks. You have not mentioned whether or not you have an adjustable rear sight but either way, unless I'm missing something, you need to move you rear sight, to the right, pointing down range. ....

Oh yes, start out with a lighter charge and work it up. ..

Be Safe !!!

mykeal · February 28, 2013, 03:21 PM

I don't know why you assumed he need to move the rear sight to the right. He didn't specify what direction, left or right, he had to hold. That's kind of important.

Assuming he shot at least a 3 shot group using the center of the bull as the Point of Aim (POA), if the Point Of Impact (POI, that is, the center of the 3 shot group) is to the left of the POA, he needs to move the rear sight to the right (in the direction he wants the POI to move). Of course, if the POI is to the right of the bull, he needs to move the rear sight to the left. If the rear sight is not adjustable but the front sight is (in a dovetail, for instance), the front sight is moved the opposite way. That is, to the left if the POI is to the left of the POA or to the right if the POI is to the right of the POA.

If he is basing his statement on one round, then the above is of no help.

noelf2 · February 28, 2013, 04:10 PM

He did specify direction. If you picture a clock with a 24" diameter set 50 yards away, he has to aim on the edge of the clock, at 9 oclock, to hit the bull. Kind of backwards, but I think I get it.

So if you aim at the bull, you would be hitting 3 oclock, 12" out to the right. You need to move your rear sight to the left. If your rear sight is fixed, you need to move the front sight to the right. If the front sight is fixed, you already know what to do, and that's called kentucky windage. As Pahoo said, you may get it better by adjusting the load (powder, ball, patch, etc.). Have fun, good luck!

Doc Hoy · February 28, 2013, 05:22 PM

The front sight is dovetailed.

That means it could be off. The rear sight is screwed to the barrel IIRC. If I am wrong about this, please forgive.

I'd make sure the front sight was right before adjusting the rear sight. Might just be misadjusting the rear to make up for a problem up on the foc'sle.

mykeal · February 28, 2013, 05:25 PM

Yep. You're right. My bad.

Guess I better get rid of this damn digital watch....

kwhi43 · February 28, 2013, 05:28 PM

Some people shouldn't be allowed out of the house!

Pahoo · February 28, 2013, 05:43 PM

Quote:

I don't know why you assumed he need to move the rear sight to the right

You are correct that with the given information or lack of it, I had to interpret what is going on. I assumed that this was based on a group of shots, he had good form and cheek-weld and has some experience, after all, he is building a kit. Let's just say that I gave him credit for what he was doing. Also wanted to make sure he was starting out with a reasonable load to remove that factor. ....

Going to have to watch your future postings as well. ....

Be Safe !!!

mykeal · February 28, 2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Some people shouldn't be allowed out of the house!

You really don't think SWMBO is going to shovel the walk, do you?

captainrock39 · February 28, 2013, 07:33 PM

ok I am aiming at bulleye its 12 inches to right using 68 grains of 3f the front and rear sights are dove tail cut in green mountain barrell percussion if it matters not exactly a kit used a blue print.

kwhi43 · February 28, 2013, 08:34 PM

Tap the rear sight to the left about 1/8 inch. You will be very close. Or tap the
Front sight to the right about the same 1/8 inch. Or move both about 1/16 of
A inch. Probably look better that way. 1/16 to the left for rear and 1/16 to the
Right for the front. Let me know how this works. This is my wife's idea anyway.

noelf2 · February 28, 2013, 10:09 PM

I'd increase powder charge to at least 80 grain fffg. 68 is a bit light IMHO.

maillemaker · March 1, 2013, 06:34 PM

Do not alter your sights until you have determined the optimal bullet and powder for your gun.

Black powder arms are not like cartridge guns. They have to be tuned to find the optimal bullet and charge that gives you the best group.

Once you have found the best group, then you can adjust your sights.

Steve

Sure Shot Mc Gee · March 1, 2013, 08:48 PM

Hope to offer a little clarity.
When aiming your gun directly at the targets bullseye.

You move your Rear sight in the same direction you want your gun to shoot.
(You want your gun to shoot left you move your Rear sight to the left to correct)

You move your Front sight in the opposite direction you want your gun to shoot.
(If you want your gun to shoot to the left. You move your Front sight to the right to correct.)

If your unable to get enough movement from your Rear sight to correct. Re-center the Rear sight. Bump your Front sightly a little off center (in the direction earlier stated.) Not much just a little. Then make adjustments to the Rear sight again.
Keep this routine up until its sight picture is corrected.

Keep in mind your Front sight doubles the movement made by your Rear sight. So a little movement to your Front sight (does make) a big difference in sight correction.

Changing your powder charges either increases your projectiles arch or can also reduces the projectiles arch as well.

More powder used the less arch. (Your rifles projectile will impact on its target >lower.)

Less powder used the higher the arch. (Your rifles projectile will impact its target >higher.)

I hope this info helps sighting a firearm in >a simple task to do.

Fingers McGee · March 2, 2013, 12:35 PM

Very concise explanation Sure Shot.

Fingers (Show Me MO Smoke) McGee

RonR6 · March 2, 2013, 12:42 PM

Show us a pic straight down the barrel. Did you shoot a 3 shot group. What barrel twist1/72. Are you shooting a.530 patched ball or something else?? It could be as simple as a quick adjustment of a badly centered sight.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · March 2, 2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Fingers McGee

Thank you, for the compliment Sir._

S/S

shortwave · March 4, 2013, 01:49 AM

Yes, well spoken S/S.

captainrock39 · March 4, 2013, 04:41 PM

Ok thats for the info I will take it to the range and adjust accordingly, more info its 1 in 66 twist

February 28, 2013, 01:48 PM	#1
captainrock39 Member Join Date: January 21, 2013 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 51	sights off I built a .54 muzzleloader I have to hold the rifle at 9 oclock 12 inches out to hit bulleye at 50yards what do I need to do to fix this. I used a shooting bench when shooting.

February 28, 2013, 02:09 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Rear to the right ??? Not sure what kit you bought but sounds like one of the SideLocks. You have not mentioned whether or not you have an adjustable rear sight but either way, unless I'm missing something, you need to move you rear sight, to the right, pointing down range. .... Oh yes, start out with a lighter charge and work it up. .. Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

February 28, 2013, 04:10 PM	#4
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	He did specify direction. If you picture a clock with a 24" diameter set 50 yards away, he has to aim on the edge of the clock, at 9 oclock, to hit the bull. Kind of backwards, but I think I get it. So if you aim at the bull, you would be hitting 3 oclock, 12" out to the right. You need to move your rear sight to the left. If your rear sight is fixed, you need to move the front sight to the right. If the front sight is fixed, you already know what to do, and that's called kentucky windage. As Pahoo said, you may get it better by adjusting the load (powder, ball, patch, etc.). Have fun, good luck! __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither. Last edited by noelf2; February 28, 2013 at 04:17 PM.

February 28, 2013, 05:22 PM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	IIRC The front sight is dovetailed. That means it could be off. The rear sight is screwed to the barrel IIRC. If I am wrong about this, please forgive. I'd make sure the front sight was right before adjusting the rear sight. Might just be misadjusting the rear to make up for a problem up on the foc'sle. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

February 28, 2013, 10:09 PM	#12
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	I'd increase powder charge to at least 80 grain fffg. 68 is a bit light IMHO. __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

February 28, 2013, 03:21 PM	#3
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	I don't know why you assumed he need to move the rear sight to the right. He didn't specify what direction, left or right, he had to hold. That's kind of important. Assuming he shot at least a 3 shot group using the center of the bull as the Point of Aim (POA), if the Point Of Impact (POI, that is, the center of the 3 shot group) is to the left of the POA, he needs to move the rear sight to the right (in the direction he wants the POI to move). Of course, if the POI is to the right of the bull, he needs to move the rear sight to the left. If the rear sight is not adjustable but the front sight is (in a dovetail, for instance), the front sight is moved the opposite way. That is, to the left if the POI is to the left of the POA or to the right if the POI is to the right of the POA. If he is basing his statement on one round, then the above is of no help.

February 28, 2013, 05:25 PM	#6
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Yep. You're right. My bad. Guess I better get rid of this damn digital watch....

February 28, 2013, 05:28 PM	#7
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Some people shouldn't be allowed out of the house!

February 28, 2013, 07:33 PM	#10
captainrock39 Member Join Date: January 21, 2013 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 51	ok I am aiming at bulleye its 12 inches to right using 68 grains of 3f the front and rear sights are dove tail cut in green mountain barrell percussion if it matters not exactly a kit used a blue print.

February 28, 2013, 08:34 PM	#11
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Tap the rear sight to the left about 1/8 inch. You will be very close. Or tap the Front sight to the right about the same 1/8 inch. Or move both about 1/16 of A inch. Probably look better that way. 1/16 to the left for rear and 1/16 to the Right for the front. Let me know how this works. This is my wife's idea anyway.

March 1, 2013, 06:34 PM	#13
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	Do not alter your sights until you have determined the optimal bullet and powder for your gun. Black powder arms are not like cartridge guns. They have to be tuned to find the optimal bullet and charge that gives you the best group. Once you have found the best group, then you can adjust your sights. Steve

March 1, 2013, 08:48 PM	#14
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Hope to offer a little clarity. When aiming your gun directly at the targets bullseye. You move your Rear sight in the same direction you want your gun to shoot. (You want your gun to shoot left you move your Rear sight to the left to correct) You move your Front sight in the opposite direction you want your gun to shoot. (If you want your gun to shoot to the left. You move your Front sight to the right to correct.) If your unable to get enough movement from your Rear sight to correct. Re-center the Rear sight. Bump your Front sightly a little off center (in the direction earlier stated.) Not much just a little. Then make adjustments to the Rear sight again. Keep this routine up until its sight picture is corrected. Keep in mind your Front sight doubles the movement made by your Rear sight. So a little movement to your Front sight (does make) a big difference in sight correction. Changing your powder charges either increases your projectiles arch or can also reduces the projectiles arch as well. More powder used the less arch. (Your rifles projectile will impact on its target >lower.) Less powder used the higher the arch. (Your rifles projectile will impact its target >higher.) I hope this info helps sighting a firearm in >a simple task to do. Last edited by Sure Shot Mc Gee; March 1, 2013 at 09:27 PM. Reason: tweak a little

March 2, 2013, 12:35 PM	#15
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	Very concise explanation Sure Shot. Fingers (Show Me MO Smoke) McGee __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

March 2, 2013, 12:42 PM	#16
RonR6 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Location: South Eastern PA Posts: 108	Show us a pic straight down the barrel. Did you shoot a 3 shot group. What barrel twist1/72. Are you shooting a.530 patched ball or something else?? It could be as simple as a quick adjustment of a badly centered sight. Last edited by RonR6; March 2, 2013 at 12:49 PM.

March 4, 2013, 01:49 AM	#18
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Yes, well spoken S/S.

March 4, 2013, 04:41 PM	#19
captainrock39 Member Join Date: January 21, 2013 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 51	Ok thats for the info I will take it to the range and adjust accordingly, more info its 1 in 66 twist