How to Make Adjustments to the Front Sight on Rifles

If you do not use a scope, the sights on your rifle are important in helping you aim and hit your targets. Your rifle contains two sights, the front and rear sights. Rifle sights vary in type. Several sight types include U-type, V-type and and O-shaped front sights. Sights are adjusted by using a tool called a brass drift, which is similar to a hole punch. It will take you about about 20 to 30 minutes to adjust your rifle's front sights.

Things You'll Need

  • Shooting range
  • Target
  • Binoculars
  • Brass drift
  • Hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Go to a shooting range and set up a target approximately 100 yards from where you will be shooting, if you are sighting a high-caliber rifle. If sighting a .22 rifle, the distance should be approximately 50 yards.

    • 2

      Position yourself comfortably, load your rifle, aim and fire three or four rounds at the target.

    • 3

      Examine the spread of shot on the target. If the shots appear to have gone high or low, this means the elevation needs to be adjusted. If the shots appear to be too far to the left or the right, it means the windage needs to be adjusted.

    • 4

      Adjust the elevation on your rifle's front sights. Do this by inserting the brass drift into the small slot on the side of the rifle's sights. If your shots appear too low, raise the elevation by gently tapping the sights forward. Tap the front sights backward if your shots are going to high.

    • 5

      Tap the sights either to the left or to the right with the brass drift and hammer to correct the sighting if your shots are going too far in either direction.

    • 6

      Fire another couple rounds and then check out the spread pattern through your binoculars. Adjust the sights a little more if the shots appear off.