windage adjustment on tangent sights

[Mungo]

Have just taken possession of a fine old Sako Finnbear in. 270.

Very pleased to see that it still has what appear to be the origonal iron sights.

I'm not terribly familiar with iron sights - these look like a fairly simple sort of tangent sight.

Does anyone know if/how it's possible to adjust them for windage (elevation is pretty easy, but I just can't see how to do the windage).

Thanks.

 

[Kalahari]

I think you are expected to learn to aim off. Sarcasm aside, lateral adjustment is often done by drifting either the front or rear sight over so that in windless conditions it shoots to point of aim. Don't actually know the rifle but am so old brought up on iron sights.

David.

 

[Muir]

I'm an old guy too. If the front sight is centered, drift the rear sight in the direction you want the bullet to go. Off center front sights are so..... unsightly.~Muir

 

[Southern]

The L61R came with a variety of iron sights, especially the rear.
As Muir said, move the rear sight in the direction you want the bullets to move.

If you can post a photo of the sight, I can tell you exactly how to adjust it. I am sitting here, inletting the walnut stock for an L61R in .375 H&H, at this moment.

The L61R is a great rifle. Hang onto it.

WARNING! You will soon want a .375 H&H, or a Vixen in .222, as a gun safe companion.

 

[Kalahari]

I'm an old guy too. If the front sight is centered, drift the rear sight in the direction you want the bullet to go. Off center front sights are so..... unsightly.~Muir

I agree with this. Just sometimes I have seen rifles where the adjustment is meant to be in the front sight. I hope the correction would be minimal and not too much ugly stick would need to be applied.

David.

 

[Mungo]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I more or less understand the basic principles - learned to shoot with iron sights.

But I just can't find anything on these that looks as if it would adjust either front or rear sights laterally.

It would be fun to give it a go with the irons!

 

[Kalahari]

Can you post pictures of the front and rear sights so we can have a look before attempting to confuse you more.

David.

 

[Mungo]

Pictures...

View attachment 54613

View attachment 54613

 

[Mungo]

View attachment 54632

 

[Mungo]

View attachment 54633

 

[Kalahari]

From the pictures it looks as if the front sight is the one that moves, don't go solely on my opinion though. I am sure both Muir and Southern amongst others have real experience of this rifle.

Best wishes,

David.

 

[Southern]

Tangent sights came on the early models. It raises by pressing in two buttons on the side and pushing them forward or back; a wedge under the sight raises it. There are elevation markings on top. This is just like some military Mausers, such as the Turkish Mauser.

The first generation had square buttons. The next one had round buttons. Both of them adjust windage by loosening two screws on top which secure the rear blade with the notch. Don't loosen them much - just enough to gently tap them over about 100th of an inch at a time. It will help to put a piece of Scotch tape across the blade and the tangent, then cut it, so you can see how much you move the sight. You can mark on the tape with a pen. Tighten the screws, and shoot. No Loctite !!!. A laser bore sighter is a big help to get you close.

Here is my 1st year L61R out of the stock, then another one in the stock, then the later AIII with the same Williams sight as the Winchester Model 70 of the late 1960s.

 

[hybridfiat]

Are these the screws you meant? They loosen from underneath I take it.

 

[Southern]

Yes, you have the round button sight, with the screws on the bottom, like the picture of mine on the right with the scope and black background.

The one of mine out of the stock is what I call Generation 1, with the screws on top.

 

[Kalahari]

I just knew someone would be along. Great site for knowledge this.

David.

 

[Mungo]

Great - thanks Southern. Much appreciated.

So: just to make sure I completely understand: those two little screws at the rear of the tangent, just in front of the notch, can be loosened from underneath. That then allows you to move the notch?

It is a cracking old rifle, and seems to shoot perfectly well, given my mediocre ability!

However, I'm not wild about the varnish job on the stock, and am thinking about stripping it an re-oiling it. Any thoughts?

 

[rick6point5]

This is an A111 example from 1981 with the Redfield 3-9X40 purchased same day still on it!!! it is showing no adjustment on hooded foresight but screw adjustment on rear sight both vertically & horizontally, it is surprisingly easy to get respectable groups with the iron sights & a joy to carry & use with no scope or mod.

 

[Southern]

Right, Mungo - loosen those two screws from underneath.
They may be Allen head, and easy to get to, but most of these sights will flip up all the way to 90 degrees, so you can get to them.

I love the glossy varnish on my Sakos, but I love all sorts of finishes. My Sako .308 has a satin varnish that looks like oil, so I have a mix of stuff. That varnish is well done, and part of its era, like the blue, the sights, and the Redfield scope on rick's L61R... like the chrome bumpers on a 1968 Mercedes.

 

[bewsher500]

the rear sight can move but am pretty sure is not designed to do so as a method of adjustment
the sight is the same width and the two pieces holding it it
any adjustment will mean one edge sticks out wont it?

front sight is designed to be adjusted, thats why they cut the male dovetail of the sight shorter than the female groove, so it can be adjusted within the range of the female groove

it will be marginal at best and won't look "unsightly" !!! (see what I did there!?)

 

[Mungo]

So Paddy said the same - that I should concentrate on the front sight.

How would you do that?

Also, having looked at the front sight carefully, there is a goove where the hood must once have sat. It would be nice to replace that. Any ideas where I could get one?