help No4 MK1 shooting low at 100Y

[armenjs]

hi ,
Took the Enfield No4MKI 1944 Manuf code M 47 = BSA-controlled company in Shirley, last week first time to the angeles shooting range and noticed,it is hitting low five inches at 100 yards, using the micrometer rear sight (200-1300yards). Finally after nine shoots started hitting the iron place at 100yards I look at the rear sight it was set on 500 yards! Im using ppu 303 FMG BT 174GR Any one had this issue?, The rear sights seems ok the front sight is drifted way to the left centerd. Came like that.
here are some pictures.

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[Maxwell Smart]

Yes, I have had the same experience. Most of my Lee Enfields shoot low with modern ammunition to varying degrees.

Not really a problem; you just have to remember what actual sight setting you need to use for each particular range with that particular type of cartridge loading. You have the battle half-way won already by actually putting in some range time.

If you run out of elevation adjustment on the rear sight, situation is fairly easy to correct by changing out the foresight blade for one of a different (lower) height.

[armenjs]

To make it more interesting, came back, and insert a laser bore sight to see how low is the barrel in conjunction with the receiver. at the lowest setting at 200yards on the rear sight, i couldn't see the red laser dot on the wall ten feet away. As I increased the elevation the laser dot start the come back up. I hope the barrel is not bent.

[Peter Laidler]

Nice pictures Armenjs but if you want answers, you'll have to ask a question. Do you want to know about zeroing your errant rifle (simple answer there) ........ or what?

[armenjs]

Do you want to know about zeroing your errant rifle (simple answer there) ........ or what?

Yes, Why should it shoot so low at 100yards, I like to know how go about fixing the issue so the rear sight is showing correct distance to the target. If there is a way, or like what Maxwell said might the the ammunition.
Thanks.

[Peter Laidler]

Go out and buy 50 rounds of the ammo that was made to be fired in your rifle. Nothing else will give you - or us - the answer. . When you've got it, set the sights to the range at which you are shooting. Fire two warmers into the bank and then a group of 5 at the point of aim. Then come back and tell us where the mean point of aim of your shots is falling.

At least 20 people here will give you the answer. But the rifle is made to shoot a certain ammo and the sights are calibrated for the rifle and the ammo.

[Maxwell Smart]

Armenjs, the range markings on your (and mine) No 4 rear sight are made to suit the ballistics of the military Mark VII ball (174 grain, flat based bullet). The likelihood of modern commercial ammunition matching this trajectory EXACTLY is unlikely; so that even if your rifle is "zeroed" for your modern ammunition, each sight setting will be unable to correspond PRECISELY to actual point of impact at each shooting distance.

Forum members will be able to give advice as to how to adjust your sights to get as close as possible to "correct" yardage settings.
As Peter says above, the first step in this process is to obtain formation at a range session, using one type of ammuntion.

The data needed to do the maths for sight adjustment are 1) target range, 2) actual sight setting, 3) distance and direction that point of impact differs from point of aim, 4) sight radius of your rifle. Point 4 is a standard length if your rifle is original, as it seems to be. Can you see any numeric markings on the base of your foresight blade? This gives the "size" of the blade.

Other things handy to know are type of backsight (yours looks to be the standard 1300 yd type), and if you're are using a centre hold or "6 o'clock" hold for your sight picture when you aim at the target.
Sight picture is important - if a previous user has zeroed the rifle to suit one method, and you use the other, this will give a difference of about 6 or 7 inches at 100 yards.

Anyway, see how you go.

[us019255]

then a group of 5 at the point of aim.

Are you using American 6 O'clock hold on the Bull?

When shooting various Enfields at 200 yds. using a 6 O'Clock hold, DCM targets (12" bull) my starting point was to set the slide to 400 yds. I couldn't figure the problem until I realized I was shooting American hold with a British rifle! I found an illustration of a British target which was actually the top half of a bull. They sighted in to point of impact.

[armenjs]

Are you using American 6 O'clock hold on the Bull?

When shooting various Enfields at 200 yds. using a 6 O'Clock hold, DCM targets (12" bull) my starting point was to set the slide to 400 yds. I couldn't figure the problem until I realized I was shooting American hold with a British rifle! I found an illustration of a British target which was actually the top half of a bull. They sighted in to point of impact.

Yes sir. 6 clock

[HILLBILLY-06]

Are you using American 6 O'clock hold on the Bull?

When shooting various Enfields at 200 yds. using a 6 O'Clock hold, DCM targets (12" bull) my starting point was to set the slide to 400 yds. I couldn't figure the problem until I realized I was shooting American hold with a British rifle! I found an illustration of a British target which was actually the top half of a bull. They sighted in to point of impact.

I never heard that one brought out into the open before. That in itself, is a single bit of important information to have. Wish I would have known that 10 years ago, or even 20 years ago. We all been aiming at the wrong edge of our targets with them things. We are taught the 6'oclock hold for all our service rifles over here, sometimes even a "flat tire hold" if you need to. But rarely do we aim at the upper portion of our targets around here. Thats great, and thanks for letting us know. I knew there was a reason for it, I just didn't know what it was.