Adjusting Garand sights

IronCanadian

IronCanadian

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I picked up a Garand about a month and a half ago and finally got it out to the range today.

When I got it, it had a scope mounted, which I replaced with a peep sight. So the trip to the range was a complete unknown since I didn't know how well the rifle shot and I had to adjust the sighting.

I loaded up some hand loads using IMR-4895 in groups of 10 using 46gr, 46.5gr, 47gr, 47.5gr and 48gr.

I set the target up 50yrds out and took my first shot. It landed about 4" high and 4" left, second shot was touching the first, third ended up about an inch higher than the first two and I continued on through all of the hand loads and everyone of them shot the same approximately 4" left and 4" high.

I'm pretty happy that the rifle shoots consistently, at least then I've got a chance.

What I would like to know is what is the best way to deal with it shooting to the left (for this round of firing I left the windage adjustment on the sight dead center and there was zero wind at the range).

Do I adjust the front sight until I get is shooting center horizontally or should I use the windage adjustment to compensate (I'd rather not have to have it cranked way left to get it shooting straight).

Thanks for your input.

Hits on the top left target are from sighting on the middle target.
Hits on the middle target are from aiming at the bottom right target.
Hits in the top right are from a .30-30 I had out for the first time and can be ignored.

1htohu.jpg
 
By design the rear sight allows a one inch 100 yd adjustment for each click. If you want to move the POI 4 inches right @ 50 yds that theoretically means adding 8 clicks of right windage. You can leave the rear sight at it's mechanical zero (center line on the base aligned with center line on the receiver) and move the front sight to the left slightly to move the POI to the right. There is ample room on the front sight platform of the gas cyl to allow this, but it is a "by guess and by golly move" which needs to be confirmed by shooting (don't forget to re-tighten the front sight screw before shooting).

You might want to make a "coarse" windage adjustment with the front sight, see where it shoots, and then bring it into zero by adjusting the rear sight. I've found it best to zero them at 100 yds after first getting near the desired POI with an initial mechanical zero @ 25 yds. Normally an initial elevation setting of 8-12 clicks from the bottom will get you pretty close for elevation @100 yds. It's surprising how often a mechanical zero with front sight centered by eyeball, rear sight base on the center line, and aperture 8-12 clicks off the bottom will get you close to the actual zero. The Garand rear sight is one of the best ever put on a military rifle.
 
Thanks purple,

I'll try the front sight adjustment @ 25yrds as you suggest.

Just for clarification, you mention moving the front sight left to move the POI right. Shouldn't that be front sight right to bring the POI right?
 
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