Lever action shooting high

OP - is there a chance that the rifle is being supported differently - for example, in one case magazine tube against a hard surface versus other case where barrel not touching anything? - I had read that sometimes a shot will "bounce away" if the barrel rested against hard surface like tree branch or pile of boards on table - but no idea if it will bounce 18 inches at 50 paces - nor if it will do so consistently??

I had this thought as well, which is why I tried shooting it both offhand and off a bag in all manner of variations, which made no difference at all.


I have fired many rifles, many sighting systems, and what you describe is outside my experience, for results.

So have I, which is why I made the thread, I'm utterly baffled. The logical next step probably is to bring tons of ammo, and press into service anyone who shows up. I'll have to do it soon, on cold days I always seem to have the range to myself.
 
Other idea ... Both-eyes-open vs one-eye-open? Target-focus vs front-sight-post-focus? Combined with other factors (head cant, eye dominance, mental picture formation) that could account for a perceived deviation between POA and POI. But not 36 MOA deviation I'd doubt?

I'll put it on the list of things to try, though it's one of those things I'd hope wouldn't work - because it shouldn't. If it did it would annoy me.
 
Used to be, when I would shoot my brother's 94 it would shoot 6-7" low for me. I tend to get a death-grip on the forend, and this is the only explanation I can think of for the change in poi.
I came here to say the same thing. Sounds to me like the OP is pulling down the forend and magazine tube into the rest which is throwing the shots high.
 
I came here to say the same thing. Sounds to me like the OP is pulling down the forend and magazine tube into the rest which is throwing the shots high.

One of the things I tried was to rest the forend on a bag and not touch the handguard at all. No change. I'd actually be impressed at how consistently it shoots regardless of the situation if it wasn't hitting so far off the mark.
 
Did anything recommended work? My understanding of an aperture sight is a circle you look through at rear buckhorn position. Your previous picture show a buckhorn with post rear sight. Aperture sights (William's for example) allow you to look through the circle and place front bead on target allowing you to focus on target more as your eye should center the front bead automatically. If your father and you are placing both rear and front sights identically then it is definitely how your holding the firearm and your follow thru. Any difference in your grip will induce torque to the forearm thereby throwing off the shot exactly the same each shot compared to your fathers technique. If you are shooting a true aperture sight then your not centering the front post/bead in center of aperture. This is an aperture sight picture. hope this helps. Cheers
 

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I have a peculiar problem. Ive had 2 lever action rifles (a henry, and now a rossi) that shoot ridiculously high: nearly a foot and a half from point of aim at 50y.

I've tried different ammo types, I've tried different positions (strong grip on handguard, soft grip on handguard, no grip on handguard resting on a bag, etc.) And the result is exactly the same: A consistently tight group, perfect windage, but 18" high.

I'm pretty experienced with using irons, just about every rifle I've ever owned has had fixed irons or BUIS that are zeroed without issue at double the range. I know how to use buckhorns, but these particular rifles have rear apertures.

Heres's the kicker: When I hand these rifles off to my father, a novice shooter, the rounds hit point of aim. I shoot irons with handgun, semiautos and bolt actions no problem, so what am I doing wrong?

Your father is putting the target above the front sight blade (correct) and you are covering the target with the sight blade (incorrect). That would be my guess.

If you don't want to change the way you line up your sights, put a taller front sight on your rifle, or take the elevator out of your rear sight.

Just realized this post is quite old, so I expect you've read all this already in the responses you've already received (which I'm too lazy to read through - haha)

Good luck - hope you can sort it out.
 
Did anything recommended work? My understanding of an aperture sight is a circle you look through at rear buckhorn position. Your previous picture show a buckhorn with post rear sight. Aperture sights (William's for example) allow you to look through the circle and place front bead on target allowing you to focus on target more as your eye should center the front bead automatically. If your father and you are placing both rear and front sights identically then it is definitely how your holding the firearm and your follow thru. Any difference in your grip will induce torque to the forearm thereby throwing off the shot exactly the same each shot compared to your fathers technique. If you are shooting a true aperture sight then your not centering the front post/bead in center of aperture. This is an aperture sight picture. hope this helps. Cheers

I didn't post any pictures.

Basically I'm operating on the asumption I'm doing everything right after all, made a tall front sight out of tape, then snipped the height until I got a solid, consistent zero. Then I measured that height and purchased an appropriately tall front sight blade. Because of the postie strike I only got it recently and havent gotten out to the range yet for a confirmation.
 
I didn't post any pictures.

Basically I'm operating on the asumption I'm doing everything right after all, made a tall front sight out of tape, then snipped the height until I got a solid, consistent zero. Then I measured that height and purchased an appropriately tall front sight blade. Because of the postie strike I only got it recently and havent gotten out to the range yet for a confirmation.
Good & simple solution fer sure. (y)
 
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