Pedersoli Kentuckey sight picture

[Mr Mortimer]

I have a 32 cal Pedersoli Kentuckey flintlock. Lots of fun. Likes 30 grains 3f behind PRB. Also has Pedersoli's sights. These consist of a tall front post and a "v" rear. The rear site picture is of a very shallow trough (1 /16 in. Deep) with a sharp "v" in the middle. If I put the post in the v, it shoots 6 inches low at 25 yards. If I hold the post centred and even with the very top, it shoots right on. I know the front sight can be shortened, but it will be maybe 1/8 inch tall. Am I missing something?
You would think that after 50 years shooting I'd know how to aim a rifle....

 

[Art Caputo]

IMO, the most accurate sight picture for open sights is to center the front post in the V with the top flat of the post even with the top flat of the rear sight(top of the V). I personally like to place that horizontal line(and post top) of the sights directly in my point of aim on game. I generally like a 6 o’clock(bottom) hold on circular targets.

 

[TreeMan]

Mr Mortimer it sounds like you have a perfect setup then. Every rifle I have has had the sights filed or adjusted to shoot just as yours is doing.

 

[hanshi]

I think your rifle is already sighted in, in this case.

 

[Mr Mortimer]

Wish I could draw. I'm not clear enough, I guess. Post lined up in the little v is what I should see. I see the post waaay high. Need to take almost all of the post off to get this. Is this normal? A shotgun bead would be about right. Maybe adjustable sights? Just wondering if there was a "Kentuckey hold" I've never heard of.

 

[Mr Mortimer]

Maybe I should add that I can almost see the top flat on the barrel when lined up.

 

[Phil Coffins]

A level sight picture with the point of impact at the very tip of the front sight allows you to Aim at any shape or size target. A six o’clock hold is only useful if you shoot only one size target. At the matches I go to the size and shape of the targets vary a lot. A 4” black may be followed by a shape of a animal. Suit your self.

 

[user 48679]

I would suggest aiming with the top of the front sight even with the top of the rear sight, and not buried in the "V" notch of the rear sight.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

IMO, the most accurate sight picture for open sights is to center the front post in the V with the top flat of the post even with the top flat of the rear sight(top of the V).

Yes, the sight picture is often the same and just a matter of where one "holds" on the target. These can change depending on the range, where one might "lollipop" at 25 yards, and then when out around 50 yards one might "center mass" hold.

LD

 

[rafterob]

First off, do you have a good sight of the front blade in the rear V? If not file the V to give you a good view. Then you should go through the load/sight development. Sounds like you may have already developed the load. Once you have your best grouping load determined, then you sight the rifle in. Some sight in at 25, some at 50 yards. I am a 25 yard guy. If you are only ever shooting targets, you may want to use the 6 o'clock hold (Lollipop). But if you are hunting, shooting silhouettes or other objects I suggest the center hold. If you are shooting low with your sights in the position illustrated above, then you need to file down the front sight. Remember to file a little at a time because it's a lot harder to add sight back on than to take it off. You mention that the front barrel flat is almost at the rear sight when it is right on. When you look at pictures of old rifles, that is exactly how many of them are. A very short front sight right on the barrel flat.

 

[Mr Mortimer]

Thank you all very much. I need to file or replace the front sight as it is way too tall. Mostly I shoot targets but hunting occurs sometimes as well. This gun is my bp replacement for a 22 we don't talk about here. 25 yds is what I plan on, but I should try 50 yards and see if there is much dfference. 30 grains of 3f gives a report similar to my 22, so I'm guessing velocities are similar. I prefer a bead front sight, and although maybe not "period", might suit the shooter more. Again, thanks for all the help.

 

[smo]

You can replace the sights if you don’t like them... unless you plan on shooting in some competition’s..
Look up Marbles Sights on the web.
They should have something that you’ll like.

There is also a chart on the website that will give you the correct height needed for your front sight .....

I used it and it was dead on with my .54 ...

 

[Mr Mortimer]

Don't know if anyone is still following this thread, but a change of patch lube fixed the problem. Don't remember what I used first. When those patches ran out I switched to olive oil. Italian rifle likes olive oil. Shoots elevation right on the sites but 6 inches to the right. Easy fix with a brass punch and a hammer.
Hammer fixes everything, right?

 

[user 48679]

 

[Art Caputo]

Don't know if anyone is still following this thread, but a change of patch lube fixed the problem. Don't remember what I used first. When those patches ran out I switched to olive oil. Italian rifle likes olive oil. Shoots elevation right on the sites but 6 inches to the right. Easy fix with a brass punch and a hammer.
Hammer fixes everything, right?

Sure does. Tap the rear sight to the left.