need help with 1858 front sight.

[silent sniper]

my 1858 has a bead front sight that is in a dovetail. the dove tail base is attached to the barrel. anyway my problem is that the dove tail is a tiny bit to big so the front sight slides left and right in the grove.
my second problem is that while i love the bead front sight,it is to tall so my 1858 at 20 yards with 25 grains FFF shoots 4 inchs low. How do i fix my 2 problems ? thanks SS

 

[Wolfgang4570]

ss,

I'm no expert but if the dovetail is too big then
I would use a small punch to dimple the base metal so that it would not move easily. Then after getting it ajusted for the windage you want with your load peen the edge of the dovetail over to secure the sight in place. As far as it shooting low, fine file and take a very small amount of metal off and shoot. Keep filing small amounts off and test firing until you get the elevation where you want it. Hope this helps.

Best,

Schützenkette

 

[buford87]

If you can take an accuratr measurment of the height of your current front sight you can then use the front sight replacement chart in a brownells catalog to find out how much taller your front sight needs to be then you can order a replacement front sight which should move your POI to where you want it..........................watch yer top knot.

 

[59sharps]

yep to that.
also one you get it where you want it mark it remove it take a pcs of silver sodier hammer it flat and thin enough so you can get it between the sight and barrel when you slide the sight back into place and heat it it will then stay where you put it.
sight correction
X = (cxS)/R
X= sight adjustment.
C = point of impact correction desired at target.
S = sight radius (from the edge of rear sight to front sight measured on the side the shooter sees.
R = range to target (in inches)
all dim in inches
1" change 7" rad. 25 yrds. woul be (1x7)/((25x3)x12) = sight change .0078"
this works for windage and elevation.
OH yea. go slow and easy w/ the file its a lot easyer to take more off than it is to put it back on

 

[TANSTAAFL]

One can peen or stake the female dove tail to get a tighter fit for the male insert.

As to the shooting low, in my experience, most common problem with the 58 Remmies is shooting high.

If I understand right, you say it is a dove tail based bead sight? Not sure what the measurements are for the dove tail, but can you just get another bead sight that is a little shorter in height? (unlike the rear sight, raising or lowering the front sight has an opposite effect)