1903A3 Shooting High

[yoopercollector]

I bought a 1903A3 with a 2 groove barrel last winter. I tried PPU 150 grain bullets. I sighted it in at 25 yds but I couldn't get any kind of group on the target at 100 yds. I even had a keyhole at 25 yds, never had that happen before. I switched to Greek surplus M2 and it groups now but shoots about 13-14 inches high. The sight I have is approx. 3/16" tall. I don't see any letter on it. The rear sight is pushed down to the 2 mark. If I aim at the bottom edge of an SR1 target and put the top of the post at the very bottom of the peep (where I can just make it out) I can hit the black. Any idea how tall of a front sight I will need to find? Thanks

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[browningautorifle]

Sounds like your barrel is hooped. Key hole at 25 yds would be a real good indicator...

[yoopercollector]

I don't know what that means. I read somewhere 2 groove barrels don't shot boat tail bullets that well. I think that is what PPU's uses. The Greek M2 shot just fine, just high. The headspace is right, barrel gauges about 1, crown is good and the spent cases look fine also.

[vintage hunter]

hooped

I don't know what that means

That's Jim's way of saying your barrel could be well and truly f....uh..screwed.

To my knowledge PRVI/PPU 150gr .30 cal. bullets are flat based, both SP and FMJ. Perhaps you just got hold of a bad batch. It happens.
I've had no accuracy problems with BT's and 2 groovers as long as they were in good condition, but, strange things can happen when shooting BT's in a barrel with a wore throat regardless of how many grooves it has.

[browningautorifle]

Strange some would keyhole and others not. Unless the one type are smaller by a great deal, flat based and boat tail shouldn't make THAT much difference, diameter will...true though what VH says about the throat erosion. If they start cockeyed, they stay cockeyed. You say the barrel gauges "About 1"...muzzle, throat...?

[yoopercollector]

The muzzle measures one. Maybe I got a bad box of ammo. If I can find a taller front sight I'll take it back to the range. Only one shot keyholed, just never had that happen before. The Greek M2 seemed to group OK but it is hard to aim when you have to make the front post almost disappear below the bottom of the peep. I read where they make A-E sights, does many one know what letter a 3/16" tall post would be?

[vintage hunter]

I can't help with the height question but in the mean time if you want to continue with the accuracy evaluation you could just fold a piece of electrical or duct tape over the blade of the sight you have now to raise the height and trim until POI is where you want it. It's a Bubba fix but it works.

[Detroit-1]

Why would you sight with the top of the blade on the bottom of the peep? The top should be in the middle of the peep not the bottom.

[yoopercollector]

Did you read the post? The rifle shoots real high. I have to hold it at the bottom of the whole target to get near the bullseye. I have shot 1903's and Garands, I know how to shoot. I was asking about getting a taller front sight. I'll just order the tallest one I can find.

[browningautorifle]

And that's just the way to ask for help around here.