Sighting Question- Irons

[rost495]

Curious. I'm a good enough shot. Especially with irons as I compete with them. But aperture rear and post front. I dont' find much if any variance between sitting, standing and prone, maybe 1/4 to 1/2 moa.

We recently ran about 15 rounds through my 1892, post front semi buckhorn rear. Was zero'd in plenty good to make me happy. Knew exactly where it shot. Came home without luck and decided tha since I shot it sitting, I'd shoot it prone as we hunt prone on the ground often enough... Now it hits 5-8 inches higher than it was from sitting. Still gives same group size. But now I'm wondering. I didn't have time or extra ammo to go back and shoot it sitting again so can't comment on that. Talking shooting around 40-50 yards.

But you are the folks with the experience with older lever guns and these types of sights. Can the position change cause something like that? I know head position can make a difference, but with ap sights you still center it all up and its relative.

Just curious.

Thanks, Jeff

[Pete44ru]

There's a pretty good chance that the butt is dropping as the rifle is fired from the prone position, unless extra/special care is taken to see that it doesn't - which would throw the POI higher than normal.

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[rost495]

Follow through is used as I always do, I don't see what happens just follow the rifle in recoil so I don't think the butt could be dropping. I'll just have to shoot it more.

[AJMD429]

I think some guns DO shoot differently from some positions, though with most of my guns and shooting I tend to shoot the guns from the same position - i.e. I'll almost always shoot a carbine length .44 Mag standing, and almost always shoot a 'varmint' gun off a rest.

I've seen many articles where the recommendation was to sight in in the 'field' position you'll actually use, then shoot a bit in the other positions so you know how they will affect point of impact.

Personally, the biggest difference I see in my own shooting is whether I have (and how I use) a sling. Too much sling tension seems to mess me up alot.

[meanc]

Yes, shooting from any position other than how you sighted it in can definitely affect point of impact. This goes for any firearm you're not well familiar with.

Different body angle and center of balance, angle/strength of wrist hold, angle/strength of forearm hold, butt stock placement, etc...

All of these are different between standing, sitting, prone, or bench.

So the best thing to do is practice shooting from the position you'll be hunting in the most to sight it in. Afterwards, practice shooting in the position you'll more than likely be using next and manipulating the body/hold to have the same POI

For me I usually shoot from a rest, be it a stump or blind window. Then I practice off hand standing for that quick follow up shot.

That's how I do it anyway.

[rost495]

Very interesting replies. As noted I shot competition a lot. Up to or over 10K rounds a year with irons. And from standing, sitting, some kneeling, and prone. With irons I never had big changes.

Evidently its either the sights or how I'm not used to them or a quirk of the old lever gun.

Thanks, I'll simply have to shoot it a bunch more I guess. New one for me. Have not and will not use a sling on this one.

Jeff