Just got a M1903 A3 help with sights

I am new to this forum and a new owner of a M1903 A3. After careful cleaning I went out to the range for the first time with this rifle. It shots well, but is consistently high at 100 yards.

I am attaching some pics.

I have the rear sight moved forward as far as it goes, The front sight seems correct.

To get close to target center, I have to hold 8" below the bulls eye. I am shooting ammo I got from CMP.

Am I doing something wrong?

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

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No, you're not doing anything wrong. There were several different heights made for the front sight blade. You would want a taller blade to bring your impact down.

Not sure what happened to my pics, let me try again...


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Yep, needs to order a taller front sight blade. Joe Poyer's book states: "Front sight blades were manufactured in the following heights: 0.537, 0.522, 0.507, 0.492 and 0.477. Extra high front sight blades were available and marked A, B and C." Here's more discussion about this very thing. CMP may have them... 1903A3: Picking Fr Sight Blade Height - CMP Forums

Thanks Champ & Jim!

I ordered an A blade from Amherst Depot.

I assume this just gets pinned into place.

Yes one small pin. Takes a pretty small punch to get them out.

The pin may be hard to get out. Be sure you support under the the front sight before you start driving it. I set the barrel on a piece of plywood, and use door shims under the blade - keeps everything steady and pin easily pushes into the soft pine shim and doesn't get lost. Soak it in penetrating oil if you can't get it started. Use a 1/32 nail set punch to get it started if it's stuck.

When I was trained to fire with the M1 rifle we were taught to use a 6 o'clock hold. With a 6 o[clock hold your group would be slightly low of center. I am assuming the lines
on your target are 1" apart. The 03A3 was a battle rifle designed to shoot at targets up to 500 yards away with aimed fire or at even longer ranges in volley fire.