Pattern 14- Hand loads and sighting in

[Catch22]

I got a chance to take the ol' Pattern 14 to the range today and give some of my hand loads a shot. Using a 180 gr. Spitzer pushed by 45 gr. of H4350 and I'm happy as a clam. 100 yards and about a 1" group, minus a flyer. Far better than the 174 gr. FMJ PPU factory loads I was shooting with it as comparison, which put about a 4" group.

So, here's my debacle and where I thought I'd try to see if someone can give me some insight. I'm dead on bull with the rear sight set at the 300 yard mark. I realize that there's no 100 yard mark, but I'd like to see about getting it sighted in as much as possible.

With that in mind, if I start looking at a replacement front sight, how much difference should I have between actual hits at 100 yards vs. the 200 yard mark. I'm about 2-3" low at the 200 setting now, but 300 puts me dead on.

I need to order some more 180 gr., as I was just using some loose ones I bought with a lot of bullets and brass. I've got some 150 gr. to use for the Enfields (have a No 1 Mk II and No 4 Mk I, as well), Arisaka, and maybe some Mosin reloads, so I'll also put them through at the range at some point to see how they perform.

Tanks in advance!

FWIW, a 1916 dated Remington that's been through refurb. Sits in an Eddystone Fatboy stock. Officially one of, if not the favorite in the collection. However, the 2/17 dated Winchester M1917 is right there with it.

Information

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[emmagee1917]

Use a set of calipers and measure the distance from the top of your rear sight to the top of your slide at the 200 yd setting . Measure the same for the 300 yard setting . Doesn't matter exactly where you measure from as long as it is the same both times and repeatable , it's the difference between them we're after . The difference is how far the sights move to get the changes you see on the target for that rifle . From that you can break the ratio down to an amount of movement per thousandth change . This change will occur no matter which sight is altered . The only difference is the direction of movement is reversed . Ie , raising the rear sight raises the grouping , lowering the front sight by the same amount amount will have the same effect on the target .
HTH , Chris

[CINDERS]

I would have a toddle off to a range with targets that register the hits (Electronics) load test at 100 - 200 to find A) the "Best" consistent grouping load at 100 and B) Where my sight has to be to obtain the hits at 200 thats what I do with all my 303's each one is a different animal in its preference and we cannot repeat the trajectory of the Mk VII round with modern reloads I would say the same possibly goes for WWI ~II 30/06 rounds and todays reloaded ammo.
It may be the group for the load may not be centered so you can shift the POI moving the front sight and there you have it all done no measuring with calipers just plain and simple Oh and an excell spread sheet with all the dope on it load, COAL, primer, powder, case, sight settings at each chosen range. and so on all else will have to be figured on the day.
Fair bit of work but once done its done and you do not have to do anything to the rifle in the way of mods just have a range card with you. The 4 rifles I use as shooters have cards from 100 ~600 M all with 6 o'clock holds Have fun I did