Sporterized 1903 with Lyman Sights has issue with zero

[figaro]

I have a sporterized 1903 with a Lyman 57S 03A3 sight that I inherited. The front sight is Lyman but I don't know the model number. It was shooting high and to the left (3" left, 4" high at 50 yards). When I tried to zero the rifle I was able to zero for windage but was stuck about 2" high at 50 yards because the rear sight would not adjust any lower. I've included pictures of both the rear and front sights. The top of the front sight is about 1-1/8" from the center of the barrel. Is anybody familiar with this rifle and these sights? It looks like the top piece on the front sight could be changed but I wouldn't know what part number it would be or where to get it. I contacted Lyman but they said they no longer make these sights and they were antique and obsolete.

Front sight left view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ilOdlZwxuj1RcPgDjbobERu_s6XM5z9E


Front sight right view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-uSsQxrRizm5uWkYaRRz1T9usUW6BNEq


Rear Sight rear view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CMn9PxJ1QA2UAFP5GYubKPln7lIB-HK8


Rear Sight front view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kqX6kPR5XHSk1Qvx0Ii3kfKNVUTmV52d


Rear sight top view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PElk-dREVur3Sal-QCFJ1PuB5-KkGnVH


Rear sight side view
Lyman Rear Sight side.jpg

 

[Matt-CZ]

Looks to me that the front sight is just a standard 3/8" dovetail, but you could measure to find out. If that is the case, you can just buy any brand dovetail front sight and it should fit into the Lyman ramp.

As far as running out of elevation, it's hard to say why. It's possible whoever bought it didn't intend to shoot at such close ranges and the rear never could get low enough for that range. The easiest way to deal with this would be to buy a taller front post. Someplace like Williams will have a variety of 3/8" dovetail front posts in different heights. Maybe someone else could tell you how to calculate what height would be good, I'm not sure how to do that.

Here's just a random 3/8" dovetail front sight from Williams as an example. WILLIAMS GOLD BEAD Front Dovetail Sights - Medium - 1/16" - Williams Gun Sight

 

[mac1911]

I have a sporterized 1903 with a Lyman 57S 03A3 sight that I inherited. The front sight is Lyman but I don't know the model number. It was shooting high and to the left (3" left, 4" high at 50 yards). When I tried to zero the rifle I was able to zero for windage but was stuck about 2" high at 50 yards because the rear sight would not adjust any lower. I've included pictures of both the rear and front sights. The top of the front sight is about 1-1/8" from the center of the barrel. Is anybody familiar with this rifle and these sights? It looks like the top piece on the front sight could be changed but I wouldn't know what part number it would be or where to get it. I contacted Lyman but they said they no longer make these sights and they were antique and obsolete.

Front sight left view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ilOdlZwxuj1RcPgDjbobERu_s6XM5z9E


Front sight right view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-uSsQxrRizm5uWkYaRRz1T9usUW6BNEq


Rear Sight rear view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CMn9PxJ1QA2UAFP5GYubKPln7lIB-HK8


Rear Sight front view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kqX6kPR5XHSk1Qvx0Ii3kfKNVUTmV52d


Rear sight top view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PElk-dREVur3Sal-QCFJ1PuB5-KkGnVH


Rear sight side view
Lyman Rear Sight side.jpg

You will need a taller front sight to get your 50 yard zero to be point of aim point of impact.

Is the rifle a 1903 or a 1903a3 ?
The front sight is most likely a lyman 18E or .640 slip on ramp sight.
I cant tell looking at picks on my phone.
Either way there where generally 2 front sights one for long ranges and one for shorter ranges.

 

[mac1911]

Looks to me that the front sight is just a standard 3/8" dovetail, but you could measure to find out. If that is the case, you can just buy any brand dovetail front sight and it should fit into the Lyman ramp.

As far as running out of elevation, it's hard to say why. It's possible whoever bought it didn't intend to shoot at such close ranges and the rear never could get low enough for that range. The easiest way to deal with this would be to buy a taller front post. Someplace like Williams will have a variety of 3/8" dovetail front posts in different heights. Maybe someone else could tell you how to calculate what height would be good, I'm not sure how to do that.

Here's just a random 3/8" dovetail front sight from Williams as an example. WILLIAMS GOLD BEAD Front Dovetail Sights - Medium - 1/16" - Williams Gun Sight

Sight height calculation
Error or correction you want X sight radius / distance in inches
For GI sights 1903a3 should be close with target sight but measure
Ex
1.5” needed correction X sight radius 27.75” = 41.625” / Divided by range in Inches 1800” (50 yards) = .023125”
Of needed sight height change to correct your zero.
Or .007” roughly changes point of impact 1” at 100 yards.

Or think in minutes 4” at 50 yards
1 min is .01047” per yard. 1 min at 50 yards .5235” 4”/.5235=7.64moa

7.64 x .007 or .053” change roughly



In your case OP you want to bring your impact down so FRONT sight must come up.

To change bullet impact direction
Rear is same same
Front is opposite opposite

So OP measure your sight radius, use your correction you think you want/need and you will know how much taller your front sight needs to be to zero out to your needs at 50 yards.
Im tired but 4” high of point of aim somds like a 200 yard 6 oclock hold zero?

 

[mac1911]

I have a sporterized 1903 with a Lyman 57S 03A3 sight that I inherited. The front sight is Lyman but I don't know the model number. It was shooting high and to the left (3" left, 4" high at 50 yards). When I tried to zero the rifle I was able to zero for windage but was stuck about 2" high at 50 yards because the rear sight would not adjust any lower. I've included pictures of both the rear and front sights. The top of the front sight is about 1-1/8" from the center of the barrel. Is anybody familiar with this rifle and these sights? It looks like the top piece on the front sight could be changed but I wouldn't know what part number it would be or where to get it. I contacted Lyman but they said they no longer make these sights and they were antique and obsolete.

Front sight left view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ilOdlZwxuj1RcPgDjbobERu_s6XM5z9E


Front sight right view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-uSsQxrRizm5uWkYaRRz1T9usUW6BNEq


Rear Sight rear view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CMn9PxJ1QA2UAFP5GYubKPln7lIB-HK8


Rear Sight front view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kqX6kPR5XHSk1Qvx0Ii3kfKNVUTmV52d


Rear sight top view

View: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PElk-dREVur3Sal-QCFJ1PuB5-KkGnVH


Rear sight side view
Lyman Rear Sight side.jpg

Looking at the rear sight elevation scale either it was never zeroed or some one centered the scale in the adjustment slot?
No paint marks for zero either. So im guessing this rifle was never really zeroed for anything in particular or they knew the zeros. Could have been zeroed for cast loads or light loads that needed more elevation?

Also looking a larger pics front sight looks pinned. This is good . You can pull that ramp off and get the proper lyman 17 front sight. These are a bit harder to find

It will take a little math but you can also get the 3/8 dove tail globe sights in the correct height for a 50 yard zero
I love aperture target sights
Front Sights, globe - Track of the Wolf

 

[PatMcD]

Brownells. Williams front sight inserts. Measure from the top of your dovetail to the top of the front sight bead. Order one or two sizes taller.

 

[PATRON]

Try Gunpartscorp they might have it.