Diamond Dave Anthony Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I was at Cabelas today checking out a Springfield Trapdoor infantry rifle. I was puzzled by the rear sight. It was constructed with an offset on the ladder such that the longer the range you set the rear sight for (sliding it up the ladder), the more it would drift the rear sight to the left. Is there something about the blackpowder .45-70 cartridge that makes the bullet drift right at increasing ranges? The sight definitely wasn't broken, it was designed this way. I have a feeling the answer is going to make me look dumb...
Goody, SASS #26190 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 It has to do with the rotation of the bulletr. Here is one explanation. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100928071648AAurR47
Diamond Dave Anthony Posted March 10, 2011 Author Posted March 10, 2011 Dang, Goody, you're fast! That explanation makes perfect sense. I guess I never noticed that offset on more modern military guns (like the '03 mentioned) because it's not as pronounced with faster, smaller smokeless rounds.
Goody, SASS #26190 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Sometimes that's a good thing, other times.....
The Shoer 27979 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 was it a buffington (sp) rear site. I have an original trapdoor that does not have the buffington sights it is just a straight ladder and it does not shift left or right when I raise it up
Brasspounder, SASS #9076 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I've got an original 1873 model 45-70 Gov't caliber Springfield rifle... It has a ramp/ladder rear sight (may not be original to the rifle) but it does NOT shift left to right or right to left as you raise it by itself. You can adjust it for windage, but it has to be manually done. The thing will shoot amazingly accurately WAAAAY out there... Bp
The Shoer 27979 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I've got an original 1873 model 45-70 Gov't caliber Springfield rifle... It has a ramp/ladder rear sight (may not be original to the rifle) but it does NOT shift left to right or right to left as you raise it by itself. You can adjust it for windage, but it has to be manually done. The thing will shoot amazingly accurately WAAAAY out there... Bp Brasspounder said it better then i did, I have gotten 5 inch groups at 526 yards with my trapdoor
Diamond Dave Anthony Posted March 10, 2011 Author Posted March 10, 2011 was it a buffington (sp) rear site. I have an original trapdoor that does not have the buffington sights it is just a straight ladder and it does not shift left or right when I raise it up I had no idea what a Buffington sight is. I had to Google it, and darn if that isn't what I saw: Buffington sights. Note how they "skew" left.
The Shoer 27979 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 the buffington sights where used on the '84 model rifles Those ladder sight in about the middle of the pages is what I have on my trapdoor
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