High power rifle comp shooting iron sights?

[au_prospector]

Hello,

I am wondering what consists of competition shooting with a Govt issue 1903 Springfield rifle? I have one with the older flip up style sight, not the aperture style sights of older models.

Using this iron sight leaf down, there is a notch. I believe this is referred to as the battle sight. I went to the range recently (had not shot this rifle in a while) and started at 50 yards, got a 1.5 inch group shooting 10 rounds which was 4 inches high from my POA. Went to 100 yards and got a 2.5 inch group shooting 10 rounds that was about 8 inches high from my POA. I was using Remington 150 grain CORE LOKT ammo.

1) Am I on the right track accuracy wise? I know I can do better with practice.

2) Are there iron sight divisions for competition? Or am I at a disadvantage not using a scope? I will NOT mount a scope on this rifle. I THINK this battle sight I am using is supposed to be zeroed at 500 yards. There is a lower peep sight that is shorter range, say 200 yards but I have not tried it yet. The peep is very small.

Guys, these are questions of inexperience. I am bouncing this stuff off of you before I show up at a competition with my iron military sight stock rifle. I think it shoots nice and straight, but maybe I am naive. There is a club nearby that does 200/300/500 yard shoots.

 

[Jim Watson]

The small peep is your precision shooting sight, ignore the various notches. Loosen the knob and adust the slider til the line across the peep is at the range graduation you are shooting at. Depending on ammunition and wear, you may have to fiddle with it to get an accurate zero for your shooting, but it is readily adjustable.

The big knob in the base winds the whole sight assembly left and right for windage adjustment. The graduations are "points of windage" equal to 4 minutes of angle, therefore about 4 inches PER HUNDRED YARDS OF RANGE. One point = 4" at 100 yds, 8" at 200, etc.

Most service rifle matches are based on iron sights. The 1903 is too long out of date to be in the service rifle division vs M14s and M16s but many clubs shoot period rifle matches. And even if they don't, you will certainly be made welcome.

 

[wanderinwalker]

As stated above, most Highpower shooting is based around iron sighted rifles. Scopes aren't necessarily disallowed in most events (excepting Service Rifle and CMP events), there are just so few shooters in that category normally to make it a non-event. (At my local highpower matches, I've only ever seen 1 shooter shooting a scoped rifle over the course.)

Take your 03, some good shooting ammo and go show up at a match. Most Highpower shooters, match directors and clubs will welcome you and show you the ropes. Do you have stripper clips for loading the rifle for rapid fire? You may wish to find some, as that is one item that may be difficult to beg, borrow or steal on the line.

Follow this link for pictures of the CMP National matches in Ohio from this year. You won't see a scoped rifle outside of the vintage sniper match. And they're shooting 200, 300 and 600 yards with their iron sighted rifles.

 

[mm1ut1]

You might try the vintage rifle matches first. Check the local gun clubs to see what's in your area. Gunboards.com is a very good source of information on vintage military rifles, loads, matches, et cet.
CMP Springfield match at Camp Perry is a blast, too !