need help on sighting in, iron sights

jbinbi · Sep 2, 2011

did a search, can't find a thread, if this answer exists, pls refer me...

new mp15-22. first time out, shooting at 50 yds. 20 rds, not a hit!

another 10, 2 very low. this is from standing position.

move to 25 yd range (this is all outside. 25 yd range has no table).

hitting all shots bottom of target.

finally hitting close to center after turning back adjustment almost 2 whole turns! I am aiming like a pistol, the top of the front sight is at the bottom of the bullseye circle.

the range has a table at 3 ft at the 50 yd range. no bench or chair, so i have to be on my knees.

1. is it right that i would have to turn adjustment 2 whole revs?
2. am i aiming correctly, like a pistol or should i have the top of the front sight in the middle of the black , not the bottom?
3. should i sight this in at the table while being on my knees. I am worried that my shoulder is too low and therefore the gun is pointing up. there is no way to line up top of rear sight and top of front sight like a pistol.

many thanks for any advice.

Dragon88 · Sep 2, 2011

First off, shoot from the most stable position you can use. Seated at a bench is best.

Second, aim with the top of the front sight post in the middle of the target. Don't use a six o'clock hold.

Start close, about 10 yards. Get the shots centered, and about an inch low. Don't worry about how much you are turning, as long as you can get zeroed in the given mechanical range of the sights you are fine. Next, go to 25 yards and get your rounds grouping in the middle of the bullseye. Once you are good, you can stop here if 25 yards is your intended zero. If you want a 50 yards zero, move the target to 50 yards and make further adjustments at this range until your shots are centered on the bullseye. You should just be adjusting elevation at this point, the shots should stay pretty much centered for windage even if you move the target back and forth to various distances.

Center hold is shown on the left. Use that. Don't use six o'clock hold which is shown on the right.

Don't worry about your shoulder right now. Lining up the sights correctly and consistently, and placing your head and cheek in the same place for each shot is most important to work on.

Hobie1 · Sep 2, 2011

I'm very new to the sight pic. myself. Why center as to 6 o'clock? Heck I need optics for these ol' eyes.

Hobie

wharvey · Sep 2, 2011

A 6 o'clock hold is ok for just shooting bullseye, helps the sights stand out better than a center hold but not much use for anything else. Never used it myself.

Dragon88 · Sep 2, 2011

Six o'clock hold is fine for target shooting. The center hold for ARs comes from military training. Troops are taught to hold Center of Mass on a target, to maximize the chances of a hit somewhere on the enemy's body.

jbinbi · Sep 2, 2011

thanks for all the tips. but should i be concerned that i needed 2 full revs of ht adjustment from what the factory set to get center of target at 25-50 yds.

AllAces · Sep 2, 2011

Sight Adjustment

Don't be overly concerned about how many turns to zero. Someone could have fittled with the sight adjustment after it left the factory. Get a good zero using the most steady position possible, then enjoy the shooting.

Dragon88 · Sep 2, 2011

jbinbi said:
thanks for all the tips. but should i be concerned that i needed 2 full revs of ht adjustment from what the factory set to get center of target at 25-50 yds.

Dragon88 said:
Don't worry about how much you are turning, as long as you can get zeroed in the given mechanical range of the sights you are fine.

The factory settings have no meaning or "zero". They just put the sights on the rifle however they come from the manufacturer and ship the gun.

Neumann · Sep 2, 2011

As noted, pistols for self-defense are generally set up for zero (dead-center) sighting. For bullseye shooting, it is much more consistent and accurate to aim at the 6:00 point, assuming the targets are the same size and distance. If you want a 6:00 hold with an SD pistol, you'll probably need to change the front sight height a couple of sizes.

I find it very hard to see black sights against the center of a dark or black target. A red insert is not much better. You would have the same problem in poor light in an SD situation. For SD, a three white dot system is a minimum requirement. A three dot tritium system is even better, and works equally well in near total darkness and daylight.

I've just installed a gold bead on a revolver intended for woods and hiking use. It promises to be very effective when there's any sort of top or side light. For pistols, I'll stick with tritium sights, but options for revolvers are limited. Fiber optic sights seem a little too trendy and fragile, but that's just me.

reelman · Sep 3, 2011

I find it more consistant to aim at the 6 O'clock postion on a spot target, just make sure that your bullets are also hitting at the 6 O'clock position.

PHXSHOOTER · Sep 3, 2011

To deal with lining up black sights on black targets or red bulls eyes I start with ordinary white out. For example I brush a small dab on the top of the front sight post. This helps me distinguish it from the rear sight and the black or red target center. Especially on my guns that do not have a rear aperture sight. You can experiment with it and find out if you want a dab on the rear sight too. I start with white out because it is not permanent. If I don’t like it I can scratch it off with my finger nail. If you like the result and want to keep it then replace the white out with white nail polish.

My old eyes need all the help they can get too.

tacticool22 · Sep 3, 2011

You can set your sights up any way you want. You can aim at the 6 O'clock position and have the bullets go into the bulls eye.
You could even have your sights 1 inch right and 1 inch low and have your bullets go to center. It does not matter.
It sure will mess with the next shooter tho.

Whatever sight picture works for you is the one you should use. That's why there are HUNDREDS of different sights on the market.

M Z · Sep 5, 2011

Watch your rear sight to see if it is moving with each click. Mine was bad and had to be replaced. I believe it is not designed to need more than one rotation for full range of shooting on at AR-15.

These rear sights are hit or miss. I've heard of others with elevation problems too.

fmj50 · Sep 5, 2011

better sight picture help too

Or for a faster & more accurate sight picture you could go this way.
Big Difference !

True Shot Technologies is coming out with this soon.

need help on sighting in, iron sights

jbinbi

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Dragon88

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Hobie1

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wharvey

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Dragon88

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jbinbi

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AllAces

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Dragon88

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Neumann

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reelman

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PHXSHOOTER

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tacticool22

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M Z

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fmj50

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