30-30 and 30-40

[csaaphill]

Hey went out yesterday and sighted in my hunting rifle which after a few shots finally got some groupings, and one almost dead center.
But my question is:
I took my old 30/30 and 30/40 out as well, hadn't fired for a long time so wanted to shoot them.
Both are open iron sites, and too sure on how to adjust them if I was to try.
The thing is they both seemed to shoot way over the target I had set. I was out at about 100 yards give or take a few since it wasn't at a range just in the mountains.
I even tryed aiming way low of the paper plate I had and still way over or under not quite sure.
I then finally took each at about 20 yards just to have a hit.
these are old iron open sights dovetail or heart shaped not sure.
30-30 only seems to have two small screws on a plate that is connected to the main plate. So guessing it's either missing something or if I was to losen those screws would I want to raisthe small plate then or what?
30-40 does seem to have a better adjustment but still not sure on what to do on it if I was to.
These are/were my dad guns and only shot them a few times as a kid so don't know much on how to adjust them. any help would be appreciated.

[mustanggt]

Pictures would help. I've not owned a 30-30 but I have a military Krag rifle.

[Payne]

I bought an 1894 30/30 a while back. Pretty old one, from about 1905. Took it out last year and shot it for the first time and had the same issue. I ended up lowering the back sight (which sounds like yours) as low as it would go and still would not fix the problem, shooting about 6inches high and cannot adjust the sight anymore... Wonder if we are having the same issue...?

[Bofire]

  not trying to be a butt, but, are you using the sights correctly? bury the bead in he notch and aim at the bottom of the target.
Carl

[pcal]

I bought an 1894 30/30 a while back. Pretty old one, from about 1905. Took it out last year and shot it for the first time and had the same issue. I ended up lowering the back sight (which sounds like yours) as low as it would go and still would not fix the problem, shooting about 6inches high and cannot adjust the sight anymore... Wonder if we are having the same issue...?

       I used open sights that were supplied with production rifles , most are horrible. I replaced everyone of them with peep sights.Do yourself a favor and see if you can get a  Williams peep sight and put the large aperture in it and you will hit the bulls eye at 300 yrds and further if you can see it. I used a spot of white paint on the front bead to pick it up in low light, too. Most of these peeps are now hard to find but if you are to have any hope of hitting game at longer ranges with these old guns, you are going to go to the peep or get a scope.

[Payne]

Well, for me. I know I was using my sights right...

I might look into the peep sight.

[csaaphill]

not trying to be a butt, but, are you using the sights correctly? bury the bead in he notch and aim at the bottom of the target.
Carl

yes on both as stated in my question I aimed at the bottom of the target so ya.
might be pulling the trigger but dont' know why when my .270 kiks a whole lot more than the 30-30 does.
30-40 kiks hard though but still ya holding the beed in the notch and aiming to the bottom.
pics none sorry but the 30-30 is a buffalo bill cody commeritive. The 30-40 is a 1895 winchester.
no not looking to sell they were my dads and want to keep them. 

[csaaphill]

I bought an 1894 30/30 a while back. Pretty old one, from about 1905. Took it out last year and shot it for the first time and had the same issue. I ended up lowering the back sight (which sounds like yours) as low as it would go and still would not fix the problem, shooting about 6inches high and cannot adjust the sight anymore... Wonder if we are having the same issue...?

could be both seem to be about as far back as they can go.
The only one that might not be is the 30-40 will have to relook but know it's pretty far back.
only thing is i dont hunt with them just keep because they were my dads. 30-30 i used ot hunt with though when I first started at 14. 30-40 have thought many times taking out elk hunting.
Never do though because I am a much better shot with .270

[csaaphill]

thanks though all

[Payne]

I'd kinda like to do a whitetail hunt one day with an old lever action... Not sure if I want tamper with mine and add a peep sight, but I am sure that this would fix it.

[csaaphill]

ya sounds good you should try it.
i used to hunt with the 30/30 all the time neve killed anything with it.
I might just add some whit paint or a red dot on my sites to see if that helps, or take into a gunsmith and see what he can do.

[Payne]

If you take it to the gun smith and find something out let me know!