Fixed Sights

[Floyd Little]

I have recently acquired a Hawken Rifle, rear buckhorn fixed sight, fixed front blade, 50 Cal, I use a .490 ball with .015 patch, with 65 Gr of 3F powder. At 50 yards it shoots low, about 3 inches or so. The solution is. (1) more powder, (2) file down front blade, (3) change out rear buckhorn for a little taller, (4) change sight picture to have more blade in the upper part of the buckhorn. Recommendations please, thanks, Floyd

 

[BrownBear]

I'd file that front sight a little at a time until it's hitting where you want at your sight-in range.

 

[Cowboy]

I'd file that front sight a little at a time until it's hitting where you want at your sight-in range.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Artificer]

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

OK, to your questions:

(1) more powder,

Actually, this can cause the group to be LOWER because of higher velocity of the PRB's. Also, it could enlarge your group, if you already have a tight group with the load you have.

(2) file down front blade,

BINGO!! As Brown Bear already mentioned.

(3) change out rear buckhorn for a little taller,

This would work, but may be more difficult to find a taller buckhorn and is more costly than (2)

(4) change sight picture to have more blade in the upper part of the buckhorn.

This would also work, but it is better to zero/adjust your sights so it hits correctly at one range. IOW, if the rifle is for hunting, it may be best to zero the group One or Two Inches High at 50 yards so it only hits one or two inches low at 100 yards, if your PRB's hit like that. Now, you have to actually shoot the rifle at different ranges to find out what the drop of the bullets are at the farthest range you will shoot to do something like this. The idea is that the Balls will hit a little high at short range and only a little low at long range, but still all in the kill zone of a deer.

Gus

 

[nkbj]

Get your load for life decided upon and file down the front sight to suit.

 

[nhmoose]

I'd file that front sight a little at a time until it's hitting where you want at your sight-in range.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[azmntman]

:metoo:

 

[Floyd Little]

Thanks for the advice, I do appreciate the quick response, and thanks for the BD wishes!!
Floyd

 

[stubshaft]

Get your load for life decided upon and file down the front sight to suit.

This should be the best grouping, hardest hitting load you have.

 

[Zonie]

To move the point of impact 3 inches at 50 yards, you only have to remove about 1/32" from the height of the front sight.

 

[hanshi]

:hatsoff: :metoo:

 

[BillinOregon]

Floyd, that Hawken ought to be good for 90 to 100 grains of FFg. If you can find an accurate load in this neighborhood, then adjust sights to shoot it well. If you are not interested in hunting, but just target work, stick with the mild 65-grain loads -- assuming they are grouping well -- and do as the others suggest.

 

[joe sebia]

Another vote for filing front sight but please make sure you are content with your load.

Word of advice. Use some duck tape or masking tape around sight prior to breaking out file. You will be glad you did. Take 2 strokes off,shoot 3x and repeat til POI is where you want it. Can't put metal back on.

Good luck