M39 shooting high-way high

[Calfed]

I've got a "B" barrel M39 that I've developed a great load for--about 1 MOA with iron sights.

After a bit of tinkering with the sights, I shot this sighter target last Friday in preparation for a Military silhouette match on Saturday (100 yards with my handloads).


On Saturday, my son and I shot the military silhouette match. My M39 was shooting sweetly, but high--real high. My handloads, 44.5 grains of 4064 with a .3105" Hornady 174 grain FMJBT were going over the top of the chickens @ 200 meters, even with the rear sight bottomed out at the 1.5 setting. In order to hit the chickens, I had to aim about 12" below the chickens--hardly ideal ( I missed 5). By contrast, I got 9/10 turkeys @ 385 meters, because with the rear sight set at 200, I was on target.

I realize that I either need to develop a load that will allow me to actually aim at the chickens, or get a higher front sight post. I'm happy with the load, so that leaves getting a higher front sight post. I took a picture of my current front sight post and noted some numbers at the top--either "73" or "78".


Can anyone tell me what these numbers mean in terms of front sight height? Given that the rifle, with my handload seems to be shooting 14 to 16" high @ 150 yards, can anyone tell me what number front sight would put me in the ball park to get my rifle/load on target? Does anyone know of a source for tall M39 front sights?

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