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I recently bought a Model 75 Sporter with open leaf rear sights. It is a pretty gun, serial # 70744, which (I think) indicates a DOM of 1950. It came with a 5-round mag, but I also have a Model 69 with 4 extra mags and they interchange as I understand it.
My dilemma concerns sighting in the iron sights. By carefully tapping the rear sight base, I have the windage hitting pretty much center of target, using Remington Thunderbolt ammo. However, I’m shooting about 1.5″ high. The rear sight blade has been moved back as far as it will go, and still I’m shooting too high with a 6 o’clock hold on the target at 25 yards. I see about 4 options:
1. Put the front sight bead at the bottom of the notch in the sight leaf.
2. just hold low on the target
3. Take the 75 to a gunsmith and have him replace or alter the rear sight blade so the rifle shoots lower.
4. Try different .22 ammo to see if a brand that groups well, wil shoot to a lower POI.
Or, other suggestions? The rifle is accurate and I want to keep it original; I don’t intend to scope it. Thanks for any help!
Farmboy said
1. Put the front sight bead at the bottom of the notch in the sight leaf.
Well, what’s wrong with doing that, if your eyesight is good enough to see it? The simplest solution, obviously, if you insist on retaining those primitive open sights. But a much better solution is to buy this or another like it, a factory option on 75s: https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-swap-meet/for-sale-lyman-57-es-reciever-sight/
The receiver sight would no doubt be a better (more accurate) option but it would require drilling holes which I’ve always disliked; this is a nice looking gun.
Also, I’ve never used a receiver sight and don’t know how to use it—shameful, but true. Thank you for the reply.
Farmboy said
The receiver sight would no doubt be a better (more accurate) option but it would require drilling holes which I’ve always disliked; this is a nice looking gun.Also, I’ve never used a receiver sight and don’t know how to use it—shameful, but true. Thank you for the reply.
Isn’t the rcvr of your 75 already drilled & tapped for the two screws needed? I thought they all were. Learning how to use a rcvr sight takes a lot of practice–like falling off a log.
clarence said
Farmboy said
The receiver sight would no doubt be a better (more accurate) option but it would require drilling holes which I’ve always disliked; this is a nice looking gun.
Also, I’ve never used a receiver sight and don’t know how to use it—shameful, but true. Thank you for the reply.
Isn’t the rcvr of your 75 already drilled & tapped for the two screws needed? I thought they all were. Learning how to use a rcvr sight takes a lot of practice–like falling off a log.
Still may require cutting of the stock unless he would use a type 3 Lyman. Better to change the front sight to a lower one. I have one exactly like his and it would be a sacrilege to modify it. Just change the front sight. Mine is late enough to have the grooves, but it is minty and I need not shoot it. Big Larry
Larry, if he is shooting high, he needs a TALLER front sight to lower the POI.
Tim
A change in ammo would be a quick and easy way to check to see what the rifle shoots best. 22 ammo accuracy varies a lot from bullet weight to velocity changes. Hi velosity ammo will definately shoot higher than standard velosity ammo. If you look at Winchester’s sight pictures in their catalogs, you will see they show a six o’clock hold for target shooting. Just a thought. RDB
tim tomlinson said
Larry, if he is shooting high, he needs a TALLER front sight to lower the POI.
Sorry. I was thinking about my Springfield M2 22 shooting low. DUH !!! Big Larry
Hey, Larry, not a problem. Been there, done that, also have a T-shirt! Tim
Thanks to all–I have a supply of Federal Gold Medal .22 Target, CCI Standard Velocity, and CCI Green Tag ammo. We’ll try it tomorrow and see what, if any difference it makes. I hope a taller sight for the 75 is easy to locate, if it comes to that.
UPDATE: I did try various 40 grain .22 target loads I had. Not much difference; still shot too high. So today I took the 75 to our local gunsmith, a knowledgeable guy. He first suggested replacing the sight elevator blade, but did not have a lower one on hand. I asked him to install a taller front sight which he will do in the next few days. Looking forward to shooting the rifle. I’d appreciate any suggestions on where to find an appropriate sling for it. Any ideas? Thanks.
Farmboy said
I’d appreciate any suggestions on where to find an appropriate sling for it. Any ideas? Thanks.
Dozens of these on ebay from diff sellers. I’ve bought several, & there’s no better value I’ve seen; very good quality leather. Or you could buy a US made Turner for 3 times this price.
Farmboy said
UPDATE: I did try various 40 grain .22 target loads I had. Not much difference; still shot too high. So today I took the 75 to our local gunsmith, a knowledgeable guy. He first suggested replacing the sight elevator blade, but did not have a lower one on hand. I asked him to install a taller front sight which he will do in the next few days. Looking forward to shooting the rifle. I’d appreciate any suggestions on where to find an appropriate sling for it. Any ideas? Thanks.
Walking around a Reno Gun Show, I spotted a nice M75 Sporter on a table. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I offered the seller $50 for the sling. He took it. You never know. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
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Farmboy said
Thanks to all–I have a supply of Federal Gold Medal .22 Target, CCI Standard Velocity, and CCI Green Tag ammo. We’ll try it tomorrow and see what, if any difference it makes. I hope a taller sight for the 75 is easy to locate, if it comes to that.
Farmboy-
How did the Federal GM shoot for you? I saw some recently but have no experience with it. I have an assortment of modern replacement front sights that fit in standard dovetails…been a rough day, is the 75’s front sight dovetailed?
Mike
Did it occur to you to just remove the rear sight elevator completely? I know you said you had aleady, but was curious. RDB
Clarence–thanks for the tip on the sling(s)–there are several to choose from, Imsee.
Roger– completely removing the elevator didn’t occur to me but it would have been worth a try. The gunsmith told me he would set the sights to where I have a decent range to sight in, which will be helpful as I shoot the higher velocity stuff.
Thanks to all who replied.
November 7, 2015
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Farmboy said
Clarence–thanks for the tip on the sling(s)–there are several to choose from, Imsee.
Roger– completely removing the elevator didn’t occur to me but it would have been worth a try. The gunsmith told me he would set the sights to where I have a decent range to sight in, which will be helpful as I shoot the higher velocity stuff.
Thanks to all who replied.
I think you’ll find the HB 75 is very fond of standard velocity ammo but your Sporter could very well like the faster stuff. Standard velocity works very well in my Sporter but it’s not finicky.
Mike
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