Arisaka question

[longrifleman]

I picked up a type 99, early war production in fair shape and am in the process of getting it shooting. I don't think the front sight had been moved since it left the factory; I had to take it to the 20 ton shop press to get it to move. The action screws were almost as tight but finally came loose. It was still coated with some grease under the wood.

I ordered 100 pcs primed brass from Grafs and loaded up some 180 gr Sierras and got the windage adjusted. The original military load I've seen used 175 gr @ 2400fps so I started with a load that should have been very close to that but the load shot about 8" high at 100 yds with the battle sight.

I loaded up a couple rounds as light as the chart listed and tried the 100 yd peep and the group was about 1' high. Spread was slightly less than 2", so accuracy seems to be very acceptable.

Does anyone have any experience with a load that matches the calibration on the sights? Numrich lists replacement sights so making a taller front sight isn't a big deal but I'd rather work the load first.

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Your rifle is shooting exactly where it is designed to shoot with your 175 gr @ 2400fps load.

Most military bolt guns of the period would shoot several inches high at the 100 (yard or meter) setting.

This is called a battle sight zero, and is intended to let a solder aim at the enemies mid-section and hit him somewhere in the torso, no matter what the actual range is.

About all you can do about it is replace the front sight with a taller one, and then file it down to zero it with the rear sight settings.


rcmodel

 

[longrifleman]

re: battle sight zero

The arisaka has a flip up ladder sight. When it is down there is a larger peep that is the typical battle sight. Flip it up and the calibration goes from 100 to 2100 yds. May be 2200 yds, the rifle isn't available to check at this computer.

The battle sight was closer to POA than the 100 yd peep on the flipup sight. The battle sight would probably be good on man size targets to at least 300 yds, from the way it printed. I would like to get the smaller peep on the ladder to print to POA.

I'm not sure if the sights are calibrated in meters or yds. At 100 it won't matter for what I will do with it. Not sure I've ever seen anything to confirm either. I'm still learning about arisakas. I was never all that interested in them, but this one was too cheap and in too good condition to pass up.

 

[rcmodel]

I know what kind of rear sight it has.

But a taller front sight is the only way you can zero it to the ladder sight because the ladder sight also is a "Battle-Sight" zero, or shooting high, when on the markings.

The same applies to most mil-sup bolt guns of that era.

Or did I already say that once before?


rcmodel

 

[KI.W.]

Off topic; I like Arisaka 38 (6,5x50). I have two with rebarreled. One .308 Win with heavy barrell & tight chamber. And one 9,3x57. Scope mounts are Redfield 742 Remington-modell.