My USMC Sight vs Standard Sight Range Comparison - Picture Heavy

[pmclaine]

Note - What follows is neither scientific nor performed by anyone with great ability or knowledge. It is one boys odyssey to find out what works better for him. This may be interesting to some of you.

I took my #10 sighted 03A1 to the range with 200 rounds of KA 73 ammo to test whether I had better target results with a repro set of #10 sights or the narrow blade small aperature standard Springfield sights. I had a theory that the USMC sights were excellent for combat applications but that the narrow sights would be better suited to range use.

I first took ten shots cold bore with HXP 78 to foul and heat the bore. These ten shots were fired with the USMC sights.



Than I used a standard 100 yard target modified to include 4 additional bulls so I could fire four sight groups of five followed by thirty at the center bull.

This was the target fired on with the USMC sights.



Than I changed the sights to a WWI base/leaf and a narrow blade front to fire a similar series of shots.

This was the target fired using the Standard 03 sights.



I think there was marked improvement with the standard sights even despite the fact that the WWI sight was loose with about a unit of windage play left/right and it rocked fore and aft on its base. I than fired 50 (45 shots offhand) at a mansize target and than 50 (off the bench) at a 100 yard target.





USMC sight picture



Standard sight picture



I used the two sights to the left. The new Perry Point sight would not fit the barrel base.



This is the rifle





Until I have to use this 1903 in battle I will stick with the standard sights. I didnt want to make any changes to the barrel base to tighten up the WWI sight so I took the #10 plate out of the original base and replaced it with one marked 4 but apparently reamed out larger (+5). Many of the parts to experiment with this rifle were provided on this and the CMP site, thank you all for your help.

[Phil McGrath]

Just wondering what vintage your 03 is? Korean 30.06 isn't known for its accuracy but is this case it seems too have faired well. Have you tried any handloads?

[pmclaine]

The 03 is sn1393412 with an 8-31 barrel date. The barrel and receiver may be original to each other. The stock is a Springfield C stock and the bolt is a WL-3.

The KA did pretty good I think, any problems are operator induced. I have seen a few references to KA being good ammo but the fact it is corrosive makes it undesireable to some.(PS also has those that praise it as well as those that will tell you it will blow your gun up). Ive shot HXP through the rifle mostly with the USMC sights. I'm looking forward to the next HXP session in its new configuration.

Handloads, I have been looking at a Dillon catalog for the last 13 months and drooling. I need to build a well lit, clean, comfortable reloading space before I take that plunge.

[carym2a]

Is that the name of that far right hand sight "Perry point sight" ? I have one and havent any info on it , never seen another one till now.

[pmclaine]

Here it is in package. Perry Point Corporation is the manufacturer.



I have learned it is a WWII replacement. It is built differently than the pre war sight (Slide cap is only screwed and pinned, no dovetail cut, the battle sight is merely a notch in the slide cap rather than a milled job of the early model). It seems like a perfectly serviceable sight. It would not fit on my barrel stud without doing some metal work so I have not had a chance to try it. Its back in its original packaging as a neat little souvenir piece.

[PhillipM]

And here I thought the sights like the one on the right were all Onieda's. It is interesting the package says the sight is for an A1 and A3! I wonder how that mistake happened.

Ray-vin has some neat downloadable goodies, including a reloading cabinet I may build myself.

[pmclaine]

I also wondered how you use it for an A3. There was no duct tape in the package.

That is a nicely contained cabinet and would make sense for me with a 2 and 3 year old bolting around the house but it seems claustrophobic. I am going to build the bench from the old NRMA (I think those are the initials) plans. I bought a 2 inch thick maple butcher block bench top now I'm just saving for the other lumber to build the frame and cabinets. It will be a combo reloading bench gun maintenance work surface. Buying ammo and gun stuff keeps depleting my bench savings account.

[carym2a]

Here it is in package. Perry Point Corporation is the manufacturer.



I have learned it is a WWII replacement. It is built differently than the pre war sight (Slide cap is only screwed and pinned, no dovetail cut, the battle sight is merely a notch in the slide cap rather than a milled job of the early model). It seems like a perfectly serviceable sight. It would not fit on my barrel stud without doing some metal work so I have not had a chance to try it. Its back in its original packaging as a neat little souvenir piece.

Thank you, thats what I have on an 03A1 and I will most likey put the right SA 1930 rearsight on it.
Cary