Swedish Mauser Model 96 - Front Site

[ping]

I am trying to get my newly acquired mauser on target at 200 yards. It is in super condition and all numbers match. The rifle came with a +.5 and it was shooting very high at 200. At 200 with an SR target i had to hold at very bottom of target and it would hit at top of target. Soo - i ordered a +2.0 and still have to hold at the very bottom of the paper target and it hits right in the 9 and 10 ring perfectly almost everytime. I want to do a 6 oclock like i do with my other rifles. so i ordered a +3.5 which is supposed to put you right on at 200 yards with that 6 oclock hold. Problem is the new +3.5 wont fit. The other sights i got all were beveled and slid right in. This one is not and of course wont fit. Has anyone had this problem and where can i get a sight that fits. Maybe i should leave my +2.0 alone and just use the point of aim i am using. it works i just like 6 oclock hold.

Rifle is surprisingly accurate. Hard to be it is over 100 years old and shots right with other new military rifles. cool.

 

[nathan]

Mine too have the original low sight post. It hits 9 inches high at 100 yds and grouped an amazingly 1.5 inch with surplus ammo. i ordered a high 3.5 post from Samcoglobal i havent had the guts to bugger up the original since . For now i may just leave it alone and aim at 6 oclock . Since they are zeroes at 300 meters, the bullet could still be arching high most be around 11 inches at 170 yds then dropping from thereon.

BTW how high was your bullet hitting at 200 yds from your point of aim? Is it still 8 inches high ?

 

[ping]

At 200 yards with i believe 140gr sierra hpbt it is hitting a good 12 inches + high. so if i shoot at the very bottom of the SR it hits right in the black. i got my 3.5 from samco in miami. i am not going to screw up my front sight piece to accommodate this site. grrrr. dont understand why it is not made like the 2.0. strange ya know.

 

[NCsmitty]

Can you address the +3.5 base with a dremel or file to fit the sight base? Just match up to the ones that are beveled.

Here's a link to Numrich Arms, and the parts list which contains a bunch of replacement front sights, if you're interested.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=11932


NCsmitty

 

[nathan]

The best is just leave it alone and learn to aim low. If its a deer shot, wait for that broadside . Aim on the very bottom edge, behind the front legs or brisket part and squeeze. It should not miss .

 

[R.W.Dale]

When I handloaded for a Swedish ag42 and a couple of m96's I found they would print very high at muzzle velocities much under 2650 fps w 140 g bullets. But once I got to that 2600+ fps threshold the poi would move down dramatically

posted via mobile device.

 

[HEAVY METAL 1]

The BEST thing to do is as poster NCSmitty above suggested-file the sight, not the dovetail, to fit. If you find that the 3.5 makes you hit too low then file the top of the sight down until you achieve appropriate POA/POI. If you file the base too much and the fit gets sloppy you can cut small strips of pop can and wedge them under the base to take up the slop.

The suggestion of aiming low/under on a deer sits uneasy with me. I know what you mean poster, but it leaves too much to chance IMHO.

 

[Owen Sparks]

These rifles were originaly regulated to 156 grain bullets.

Bought my third one yesterday.

 

[303tom]

Basically they were sighted in at 300 meters.........

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=11948

 

[Claude Clay]

try a 'box' of swede factory ammo. PP is good also.
these guns are actually zeroed at 300 meters
read up on 'point blank' and than that distance becomes sensible in war.

a friends range is 225 yards and i down my charge by 200 fps to get bullseye.
then at my range its a little high. but shoot for the group and than draw the
bull around it.

 

[Float Pilot]

I compete with 4 of my Swede Mausers. I have installed taller front sight blades on two of them which are used at 100 and 200 yards. Brownells sells them and you can find them over on the Swedish Military Rifle collectors site as well. At Gun Boards.

My M/96 rifle needed a very tall front sight which I honed down to be dead on at 100 yards with the most accurate hand-load for that particular rifle.
I have mine set so that I HOLD 6 O'CLOCK UNDER THE BLACK SECTION of an NRA 100 yard target.

SEE PHOTOS

While the m/94 carbines and m/96 rifles were originally set up for the 156 grain round nose bullet, things changed in 1941 with the issuing of the 139 grain boat-tail bullet. (Why the sights on the Husqvarna m/38s have a T on them since they were set for the 139 grain boat-tail, from day one)
Over they years rifles were modified for the newer bullets. But since both types of ammo were in use, a metal plate or yellow sticker was placed on the side of the butt-stock to tell you the different settings for the old or new ammo, depending on which way your rifles was sighted.

That 3.5 sight should have been beveled, so it is just goofed up or for another rifle.
If the highest sight will not be high enough there are also a couple tricks you can do with the rear sight that will let you bring down your groups a little.

 

[ping]

Thanks for all the input. I only shoot targets so dont have to worry about where on the deer to aim. I did look again on my target and i am actually 18 high. As far as on the range i could change my POA but i really would like it to be 6 oclock. I actually got 2 of th +3.4 thinking i had gotten a defective one. The people in Miami sent me another at no charge but when i got it the piece was exactly as the other with no bevel. i guess i can mess with it and try to file the 3.5 on the edges but it will be real difficult. i might try brownells and see if they have them like recommended. Yep, understand that these were setup for battle 300yards etc. Just want to get mine at 200 with 6 oclock.

is there anything you can do to the rear sights with out messing up anything. someone indicated something. it is a great rifle no doubt. i am surprised it shoots right with my garand and 1903A3.

 

[NCsmitty]

You could always go the Mojo sight route, for a complete makeover that's reversible.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/82...ont-and-rear-set-swedish-mauser-96-steel-blue


NCsmitty