Hi... and a question on zeroing.

[BorisDaBastid]

First of, I'd like to say "hi". I've been lurking w/out reg'ing for a few months now, and I've been quite impressed with the level of knowledge and friendliness I've seen on these boards. I'd like to thank Oleg Volk, though he doesn't know me from Adam, for directing me to these boards.

I've got a quick question. Are (sight mechanics depending) the procedures for zeroing the iron sights on a civ/milsurp rifle the same or nearly the same compared to what I'm used to as an Infantryman? I just recently (this past June) bought my first rifle ever, and I was wondering if I could "borrow" a stack of m16 300M zero targets and get my M91/38 on point with them. Are targets like that caliber dependent? Why is there a M4 side on the back of the M16 side?

As some of you may know, they don't teach us ballistics in the infantry, they just teach us to shoot at the bastard that's shooting at us. Any advice would be appreciated, but I'll not get to shoot my rifle again until sometime 2009, assuming I survive my next deployment.

cheers and thanks!

 

[Fast Frank]

Well, yes and no.

If you compare a Ruger .22 to an M16, it's different.

The M16 is zeroed with the front sight. moving the bullet impact up requires moving the sight down.

The .22 rifle is zeroed with the rear sight. Moving the impact point up requires moving the sight up.

Other than that, it's all the same.

 

[BorisDaBastid]

I'm talkin 7.62x54R here. Can I expect 300M accuracy if I use 'borrowed' targets? Or, am I going to have to do some crazy math to get my mosin on point?

 

[RecoilRob]

First off, welcome to THR and Thank You for your service to our Country!

The M-16 has a longer barrel than the M-4 and thusly generates more velocity...hence the different targets for a 300M zero. Seeing as the sights are WAY above the bore on the M-16/4, using a sight-in target at less than the desired zero distance involves the bullet rising to the Point Of Aim. At close range (should be printed on the targets...we used 1000"in the Marine Corps an eon ago) the bullet is rising to strike the POA. It will continue to rise for a ways then decend back to POA at the 300M zero. Anywhere inbetween gives you a 'Minute of Man' hit with a center body hold.

The Mosin has sights that are very low to the bore...comparatively. So, the M-16 targets aren't going to be all that accurate if used the same way. Also, the 7.62X54R is ballistically very different so, yes, the targets ARE caliber and weapon dependant.

But, the 91/30 should hit pretty close to the sight graduations without fiddling and you will be able to hit fine....at close range. Hitting things at long range will require shooting and adjusting as the different ammo's available will play hell with the trajectory out at 300M.

Good luck on your deployment and be safe!