? on how to zero M1 Garand @ 100 yds

[HMdoc]

The range i go to is max out at 100 yds. How do i zero my M1 Garand (has NM rear sight)? Do i adjust the elevation knob until the 100 mark matches the mark on the receiver and then shoot and see where i hit? Keep on adjusting the knob until i hit bullseye then loosen the screw and adjust the mark to 100. Is this the right procedure or is there an easier way? Thanks.

 

[cracked butt]

This is how I do it.

Turn the rear sight down until it bottoms out.
Turn it back up 10 clicks- this should get you pretty close, though it varies from one rifle to another. Shoot and adjust until you are zeroed- move the rear sight in the direction the bullets need to go- move it up to move your shots up, and right to move your shots right etc.

Now turn your rear sight all the way back down and count the clicks. Wrie down the number of clicks, this will serve as a reference in the future. If you picked your rifle up and wanted to check its zero, you would turn the sight all the way down and count the clicks back up. If it was at 13 clicks from the bottom when you zeroed it, you would count 14 clicks up, then click it back down once to make sure the sight moved all of the way.

The Elevation drum can be set also, by loosening the screw and aligning the mark to your zeroed distance. I can't rememeber if M1s have a mark for 100 yards, but it will be 2 clicks down from the 200 yard setting.

 

[DMK]

I can't rememeber if M1s have a mark for 100 yards, but it will be 2 clicks down from the 200 yard setting.

I don't know if there were different sights, but my '43 SA just has a line two clicks under the 200 yard mark. It seems to only be marked with the range every 200y and a line every 100y between.

I did exactly what you guys said on mine. Bring the sight all the way down, move up a few clicks at a time until you zero the rifle. Then loosen the screw on the left side and calibrate the drum to your known distance.

Mine zeroed at 100 yards with 5 clicks up, but I'm shooting 150ish grain Austrailian, Portugese and South African 7.62x51.

 

[HMdoc]

Thanks for the replies. The marks that i have are even numbers so the 100 is also just a line. I will be shooting my reloads (168 Sierra HPBT IMR 4895). We'll see how it goes. Thanks again.

 

[30Cal]

The elevation knob is probably not calibrated. It will probably be pretty close between 8 and 14 clicks up off the bottom.

Ty

 

[homeka45]

Good question HMDoc, now I can go and get mine zeroed.

 

[HMdoc]

Thanks, homeka45. Let me know how many clicks you ended up with your M1. I'll probably not be able to check mine til Wed.

 

[landon74]

I thought it was like 11 clicks up from the lowest setting to zero at 100 yards with ball ammo...

 

[cracked butt]

I don't know if there were different sights, but my '43 SA just has a line two clicks under the 200 yard mark. It seems to only be marked with the range every 200y and a line every 100y between.

Yup, just looked at mine this morning, its a late 50's HRA and its just as you described as well.

 

[VG]

The number of clicks varies with the rifle. Mine have taken anywhere from six to 13 at 100 yards.

One thing to realize is that most service rifle shooters are zeroing at 100 yards with a six oclock hold - the bullet strike is several inches higher than the point of aim. If you were zeroing at 100 yards for hunting, you'd want the bullet strike at point of aim.

It's handy to adjust the site so that the 100 yard notch is correct. But when shooting in a match I always take it down and count the clicks up - even for 600 yards, which can be 40+.

 

[30Cal]

The number of clicks varies with the rifle.

Exactly. 1st off, check the rear sight tension before you shoot and you may save yourself a lot of tail chasing later on (raise the sight halfway up and press down with your thumb on the aperature. It should not fall easily. If it does, tighten the screw on the windage knob).

When you figure out what the zero is, count the number of clicks it takes to bottom the sight and write that number down (I stick a business card under the buttplate).

The Field Manual describes how to calibrate the elevation knob (see also FAQ at Fulton).