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January 5, 2016
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I have a ’73 32-20, as well as a ’73 44wcf. Also have a ’92 rifle in 38-40. All of these antique guns shoot high, even with special-ordered lower-powered ammo designed for the old rifles. The ’92 rifle can be compensated by removing the elevator ramp, and even then, it’s still a little high. The other 2 shoot too high for that, and I can see some evidence of bullet tumbling on paper with the 44. I don’t re-load, either. Bores look good in all 3 of them. I also have a Springfield Trapdoor Carbine that does it. It’s 45-70. Is this normal? Thanks!
December 1, 2012
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In the case of my oldies, including 1886’s, 1892’s and 1894’s made around the turn of the Century, when this happens it is almost always due to a previous owner having filed down the front sight too far down. Most of the time dropping the projectile velocity (I shoot my own reloads only) has only helped a little. I’ve had to resort to replacing the front sights with original, period authentic, taller front sights and have solved the problem that way.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
January 5, 2016
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Thanks! I never thought of that, but you could have a good, valid point there. I don’t know why anyone would do such a thing, as it seems that they would incur the problem on themselves, but you never know.
January 30, 2017
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I just noticed this post. I agree with a taller front sight is a place to start and may just take care of the problem. Another reason many do not know or understand is a heavier bullet or slower speed load can cause a firearm to actually shoot higher. This will not be always true but to rule it out you have to compare different bullets weights and speed. The reason for what I bring up is because the bullet is in the barrel for a longer time and recoil and barrel raise as more affect. Which equals to the barrel being slightly higher when the bullet exits and that can place the bullet higher into the target.
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