M65-3 sight regulation question

[SLT223]

Just picked up a 3" 65-3 last weekend and noticed it shot several inches above POA with warm 158gr .38's @ about 10 yards. At what range and velocity are these fixed sights regulated?

I fully realize this post is meaningless without pictures. That will be corrected this evening

 

[Hapworth]

Subject of some dispute. Consensus has been regulated POA/POI with 158 grain, yet thus far no one that I've seen (myself included, since I've passed along the same info) has produced anything official confirming 158 grain for fixed sight K-frames...it's just kind of...accepted without evidence.

Your issue may be the revolver and related to the sights. It could be a different issue with the revolver. It could be the load you're using. It could be how you shoot.

Best bet is to get best quality rounds in varied grain, .357 and .38, fire from a rest in single action, and have a friend or two at hand to compare with.

For what it's worth, I have a .357-rated J-frame that is noticeably more accurate with 158 grain .357 than the identical load in .38.

 

[SLT223]

Thank you, but 158gr what? I stated "warm" .38's because I'm moving 158's around 900fps. Since with that load POI is too high per POA at 10 yards, I'm guessing I need something much faster if I want POI to = POA @ 10 yards. It's not just a bullet weight, but also a velocity. It's all about how long the bullet is in the barrel, and how much recoil it's producing. I can keep playing with this, and eventually I'll figure it out. I'm just hoping someone can get me within grenade distance for a starting point, since I'm way off.

 

[AZretired]

My advice would be shoot some 158 grain Magnums and see where they hit. I believe the 65 is regulated to those. Mine hits dead on with 158 reloads at about 1100 fps regular 38 +p 158 do hit a little high. (More time in the barrel, more affected by recoil)

 

[Andyd]

SLT223,

you have already realized the importance of photos in a thread and I want to brighten things up here.

Enclosed is a photo of a S&W M10-10 that one of my sons shot at 10 yards with his reloads. 158 gr LRN, 4.2 gr of Bullseye, light crimp. There should not be a big difference in between barrel lengths but I found powders making differences.

His elevation was good, windage a bit off but that could just be the trigger finger position due to a change in grips.

 

[DocGlock]

Might be worth trying a round lighter than 158gr. I believe the "general" rule is lighter will impact lower and heavier will impact higher.

 

[SLT223]

So it looks like 158gr 900~1000 fps gets it done very close to POA=POI @ 10 yards.

Load is Maxam CSB1 powder (very similar the Hodgdon Universal), 6grs, under Xtreme 158gr plated.

Not my best shooting. This was done double action, 30 feet.







Yeah, I'd carry this Model 65

Edit to mention:
I picked up this piece two weeks ago for less than $300, it's like new, and I have the original grips...

 

[Martya]

I thought there was a rule about admitting to thievery....

Fantastic catch!!

 

[Magster]

That's a great buy. Congrats to you. Great revolver by the way.