Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Shooting impressions

With the make-over done it was time for some shooting (Savage 1899A, .303 Savage, Lyman tang sight, front sight featuring a brass "bead").

Clearly, the rather shapeless front sight, without clear, crisp edges, was going to be a challenge.

Managed a 3-shot, 3" group at 50 meters, 5" high, before trying a few shots at 100 meters. Discounting a few errant shots (really errant), a five-shot group measured 2" top to bottom, but 6" left to right, 4+" high.

I guess in the ideal world I would get about a 100 yard zero, on the other hand, if I remember to aim low, things are still within the vital zone of a deer. A square post up front sure is easier to use.

With some practice, I would not be surprised if I could get something like a 3" group at a 100 big steps.

If I were to develop a desire to get a 100 meter zero, what are my options? Taller front sight? It appears that if I were to file down the stem of the peep sight I could screw down the actual peep by about an additional millimeter... but maybe a taller front would be easier.

Look at the bottom of the stem of the tang sight. It might (should) have a 1/16" diameter pin sticking down. If so, grind/file it until the stem drops down far enough for you to be on target. That pin is there for that very purpose- once it's 'adjusted' you can pop the stem in and out and by bottoming it onto the pin you are automatically zeroed.

Failing that, your only recourse is a taller front sight.

The bottom of the stem is about 1/8" wide, and slightly conical for about 1/32" leading to a slightly wider stem body. It is also hollow (about a 1/16" hole in the bottom). It looks like the actual peep could drop possible 1/16" deeper into the sight body, if I were to file at the bottom. Of coure it would be essential to decide on a load first. :-)