How to Sight In Lever Guns ~ And Lots of Other Rifles, Too! 

So glad that many years ago I watched your video on the 30-30. I am the proud owner of a 1956 model 94 thanks to you and your advice. No clunky 3-9 scope. No heavy sling. Just a handy little rifle that prints 3 inches at 100 yards with good old 170 grain loads from the hardware store. I even wear wool out there because of you! Thank you so much gunblue. I can’t tell you how much headache and money you’ve saved me over the years.

That’s was awesome! I’m a detail oriented guy, in scope mounting, hand loading, etc… knowing what turn values are and so is so important. I’ve never considered actually doing the math on open sight ramps… Thanks Blue! Don’t go anywhere, I have way tooo much to learn from you! I’m 50 years old and most of my friends like I’m a genius at all this, no sir. You show me that regularly. Always learning! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

I’m a man in my 50’s soaking up your vast knowledge like a school boy! Thank you sir!

I'm as old as you are and have been shooting for over fifty years, but I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I can always learn something and your videos are both entertaining and informative. Please keep them coming.

I hit the like button before the video starts. He’s that good !

I used the M94 Winchester when when I was young. I killed rattlers at almost muzzle range to 50-75 yards for deer, coyotes and to about 150 yards on running jack rabbits. I love the lever gun and it is perfect for what it’s designed for. Thanks for your excellent video. It takes me back.

Coincidentally, two days ago, I went through this exercise with an open sighted Savage 99F in 250Sav that I intend to take on a Wyoming muley hunt in two weeks. It was printing a bit higher than I wanted, so I adjusted the elevator one notch down, which made it too low. Funny thing is, I moved it back to it's original setting, and that now has it printing exactly where I want, splitting the difference between the original setting, (which it is back to now), and the adjusted setting. After watching this video, I went and measured the difference between the original setting and the adjusted setting, and it measured 4.35" ! I'm at a loss to explain why returning back to the original setting split the difference, though. Great video. Thanks again.

I bought a Henry .22 LR with buckhorn sights and all it took was one smack and one increase on the elevator at 50 yds and it was done! Squirrels beware! I enjoy your knowledge and wisdom at 31 years old and replay your videos learning something new every time. God bless and keep them coming!

Always good to see Benny alert & healthy . A trick I learned when it comes to iron sights point of impact changes is FORS . Moving the Front Opposite , Rear Same .

Good explanation on that topic. I have a Winchester '94 30-30, always loved the lever action rifles. Simple, versatile and will put meat in the freezer. Appreciate the video 👍🏻

Good info. Thanks. Two of my rifles are a Winchester '94 in 30-30 and an 1873 in 45LC. Love the lever-action rifles.

Excellent, clear, mathematical explanation. Much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to compute this and then sharing it.

You, sir, are like a professor. I’m gonna have to watch this again and take notes. Excellent stuff.

Terrific. Thank you. The racking of a lever sounds good.

I'm taking my 92 rossi 45 colt out tomorrow

Man, you know your stuff “Old Timer”! Lol I’m almost 50 & have 2 grandkids, so I’m not too far from being an “Old Timer”, myself. Nah,, Seriously you bring a nice sensibility, maturity & practicality to a lot of people that have never been taught how to use iron sights, let alone a scope. I grew up in the 70’s & 80”s & guns were a way of life for me & my family. You remind me of all the great men I knew growing up that was born back in ‘Ought-Eight”, or 1912, such as my maternal grandparents were, that gave all us young people a good example of how to guide our lives and “rifles”, the right way! Thank Sir for your time, effort & knowledge learned and shared! Thank you from a “young”, old timer!! Have a good day Sir! All my respect, Southwest “The Ozarks”, Missouri (all my life)!

I have an early 1980’s era JM 30-30 Marlin I’ve been tinkering with and these types of calculations have been invaluable. I fear I may have to get a tang rear sight to handle the variety of loads I use with it, but it works pretty well.

150 yards is 1 1/2 football fields. That's a really long shot for hunting deer in the Catskills. Like military sniper stuff for us.

Thank you sir. There were some very simple tips that I had not figured out. I have a passed down 94 that's 2-4" left at 50 currently, and I was focused on front sight adjustments only. Glad you focused on adding the rear sight adjustment as part of the windage options.

As my eyes have aged, and being corrected with glasses, I have taken to placing a patch of electrical tape in the upper left corner of my right lens, with a 1/16" hole punched in the middle of the patch. I trimmed the tape to match the radius of my frames so it lays flat on the lens. After a couple minutes, I no longer even "see" it in front of my right eye because it is off to the side so far. But, when I aim the rifle, and adjust my natural head position to line up the sights, the hole is right where I need it. Just like a peep mounted on the wrist behind the hammer. What this does is act like a peep sight that is located very near my focal correction distance from my aiming eye. The rear sight and the front sight appear clear as a pin, with the corrective lens doing the job at the target. It's like being 20 years old again. On the other issue: I'm glad I reloaded about 1000 rounds of .30 WCF and .300 Savage before the SHTF.

Your video came out the day before I am zeroing in my 1894 Winchester. Perfect timing

An understanding of MOA is essential to sighting in a rifle. You did a pretty good job explaining it. Another essential is calling the shot. I see folks on the range who, from poor trigger control or inconsistent sight alignment shoot off mark but nevertheless make a sight adjustment. So before making any adjustment the shooter should practice calling shots dry firing until able to call on mark.

In the heavy woodlands of Ohio and Pennsylvania where, as you stated, typical shots are 30 to 100 yards I prefer my 45-70 Marlin. The rounds are very easy to load and I choose bullets from 300 to 405 grains and a moderate powder load. Recoil is moderate, feeling more like a push as compared to a 30-30. with a well placed shot, deer seem to drop more quickly as compared to the 30-30. I have never had to track down an anilmal I shot with shot with a 45-70 (yet!). Although the trajectories are not as flat I still get point blank shots out to 75 yards and only need to come up a couple inches at 100 (so that is like nothing considering the accuracy of these guns). Also, in Ohio only rifles with straight wall cartridges are permitted.

Nice to see Benny sitting there by your side

I never thought of round count in the magazine changing harmonics. Good call. I dont consider my 30-30 a long range rifle any way, its just a handy little guy. Great video, with lots of good info and math to back it up!

Thanks it was great hearing you speak on this topic. I do prefer the ole iron sights, its what I’ve hunted with for decades. Just cant get acquisition fast enough with a scope, fine for target shooting. Think its got to do with my astigmatism? And decades of hunting with irons. Give Benny a pat, Blessings you &yours

Growing up in the firearm purgatory of California I never had these kinds of talks with family. We had that same brass swivel lamp so this feels just like sitting and listening to Dad or Grandpa talk about how to be responsible with guns.

I have a JM stamped Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum, thanks for the video!

Awesome job explaining the lever action sights.

My first long(ish) gun just arrived, a Henry Big Boy X, and I'm ready to go sight it in. Your methodical approach to the sighting process helps me a lot!

Always meant to get a lever action. Finally got one. Off to range tomorrow. Masking tape, hammer and brass rod. All new to me. Used one before but never owned one. One of the other things this video taught me was I had to load, can't get the ammo I want locally, I mustn't be too critical. Thinking don't even bother ladder testing if it shoots OK. Thanks for all the videos.

Another great video,,,,keep em coming,,,i love em,,,,,,and hello from british columbia canada,,,,,also,,,,,dont hear many people talking about winchester model 88 lever,,,,i just aquired 1,,,,,1 inch----1 1/4 groups 100 yards

Always love Gun Blue in the fall!

I'm copying the below from your Savage 99 video in hopes you might see it. Thank you for all you do! I've gotten to this video late in my 'obsession' with your content the last couple of weeks. I thought I knew some stuff about guns, ammo and the sporting world until I ran across your channel. %^). This particular video gives rise to a suggestion I have for a vein of content you might want to provide on your channel. That would be a discourse on the generations and permutations of the great American Gun and Ammo companies...and the European as well. I guess we shouldn't exclude the Japanese either. This fascinates me and it is a huge area of interest to me and perhaps many others. It is also very concerning. Luckily for us all there are millions of enthusiasts in the West and that keeps material development and innovation going. Competition is presently still functioning well, or so it seems. What is really going on 'behind the scenes' however is the large question I have? I think I see some odd consolidation of different companies and this give rise to wonderment on my part as well as concern. A case in point is highlighted by Winchester and their recent ( to me ) offering in their Model 70 guns. Who is really making them? How have they been able to achieve such a wonderful 'renaissance' in the design and quality of these guns? And most of all ... who and by what genius did they generate this accomplishment? Is Fabrique Nationale involved? Is FN a French Company or is it a truly international company now? I could list a bunch of questions regarding several prominent companies here but I'm sure I don't have to as you yourself could come up with them better than I could. I won't bring in the 'political' aspect of this subject although this could be a scary component and you might want to include something here if you take up my suggestion. And of course this pandemic has thrown everything up in the air and much more than just a monkey wrench in the gears of world commerce. Probably such a massive unknowable that it's not worth opining on.

Your directions are easy to understand and follow. Thank you, for another excellent video.

Of all the gun videos on RU-vid, I’ve never seen one of this subject. Thanks.

I've been a teacher for 37 years myself which mostly qualifies me as being a good student. I can dig on some good teaching. Thanks!

Benny was on full alert when you worked the action. 😂

I use levar guns and love them. Thank You for the great video.

I put peep sights on 2 of mine. And scopes on 2 more. Old style like this on several .22's i gave to sons. Buckhorn less usefult past 30 yds in 70's. Good video.

I didn't know this. Coincidentally, I am soon to purchase a 26" barrel Win. Model 94 in 30-30. My initial zero will be at 25 yards then 50 yards. The current price of ammo does not necessitate a 100 yard zero at this time. I can appreciate your math approach. For me it is important to know the numbers and how they relate to point of impact. I never did like to waste ammunition. Thank you Benny.

I scoured RU-vid for years looking for this information! Dozens and dozens of combos to get this explanation, to no avail. I gasped out loud when I saw your video! Thanks for the excellent information, you are a great resource. PS - Aren't the ammo prices crazy? Luckily I reload for 30.30.

Good timing. I shot my first lever gun this morning. Win model 94 in 38-55 using my hand loads. Very different than LR bench. I’m hooked on black powder (substitute). Very cool experience; a lot of fun. Your audio is much better..

Very good sir. Had get a taller sight for my marlin. The guy at Skinner Sites took real good care of me.

I really like how you use science and common sense. My 94 was a tack driver out of the box. 50 cent pieces at 25 yards without fail. The rifle is as accurate as I am Or maybe more so. Haven't touched the sights since I bought it.....50years ago. Great information though if I need to adjust some day. Might get dropped or something unforeseen. Thanks GunBlue490.

So good to hear from you!! Thanks my friend!!

Thank you sir for the very valuable information and lesson! Never disappointed when I see you have a new video out there!

You are one very smart man and a gifted teacher. Good thing I don’t live close otherwise I’d be picking your brain constantly. Thanks for explaining this!

Pistols or rifles, remember the acronym FORS…. Front-Opposite, Rear -Same.. Thoroughly enjoy all of your insights whether they apply to my interests or not.

I have a 336 made in 1980 and the rear sights are pretty basic, however this rifle is a tack driver. Good video

When young I was a very good shot with "elevators". Now I need no less than a 4 x 12 magnification scope. Loves shooting rifles. Nice video. Thanks.

Thank you...once again you knocked it out of the park.!

Another outstanding video…love the explanation. You sir are an awesome teacher, thanks for the work you put into your videos👍

I was just given my uncles BLR in 308, yesterday, it was made in 1990.

Very clearly and simply explained! Thank you for this posting!!

At least he’s saying it’s only 150 yard gun. Paul Harrell did a video “Don’t Underestimate The 30-30”. Many hunters have harvested whitetail deer well over 200 yards with 150 grain loads. Nothing wrong using the lighter bullets on deer. The 170 grain Remington Corelokt was always my choice until I watched a friend drop a 6 point buck with his 150 grain 30-30 Winchester Power Point at 190 yards. It was like lightning hit it.

35 Remington has been a top woodland shooter for a century and was a favorite for my T/C Contender in 200 - 300 meter iron silhouette or bull target. Love your devotion to the 32 Winchester Special by the way and want to own a new '94 replica in that chambering from Japan. I appreciate working with simple open wing sites. This provides hunters an easy and convenient system easily adjusted for big game animals taken within 150 yards. Very thorough as you always are, while keeping things simple...I'm glad I live in the mid-west $59.95 for a box of Federal Gold Premium 215 grain Berger loads for my match rifle. Yet, hunting ammunition is priced as much in many locations throughout the country! Although I've accumulated reloads in 190 grain Matchking, I couldn't resist such a deal; curious to determined the differance at 850 yards. (7.25 m.o a.) I believe you stated the cost of that 35 Remington CorLokt ammo was also $59.95!

Great video thanks for sharing

These Marlins are my absolute favourite rifles for work and play here in the Northwest Territories. Some might call them crude, but they always work. Was glad to learn some calculations from you. Thanks for that! I need some front sights for a few that shoot too high, even with the rear fully lowered, a fine bead and long distance shots. My .45-70 thinks it's a 600 yard rifle! LOL. To be fair, it hits the steel pig at 320 yards, so I'm not complaining. Also, .35 Remington is on my wishlist. Take care!

Thank you, I learned a lot. I've always just idiot hacked it spending ammo until its right making notes. Not a great option at the moment.

Thanks, for sharing your knowledge. I’m picking up a 1907 Winchester model ‘94 in a few days. It shows its age but still shoots. This video is a good refresher on how to sight it in (and my 1976 model ‘94 as well). Thanks!

Wow! I had thought that I would never shoot iron sights again until I had both cataracts done. Each step seems to be close to a mil. Sounds about right.

My favorite rifle to take on pack trips is my Marlin 336 in 35 Remington modified with the Skinner LO-Pro peep sight. The older I get the worse my eyesight gets, but the ease and intuitiveness of a peep sight makes it easy to get on target fast at self defense ranges which is why I usually take it camping. I have since moved to Montana and am now in North West Rockies. Where I target shoot, I see Grizzly bears, and there are also wolves and mountain lions. I feel a 35 Remington even with standard factory ammunition is more than enough at its effective range. Its funny if you listen to internet lore on whats needed for 'bear country' you'll need hand grenades and a 50 cal....ask the locals that live in Grizzly country that have actual experience you might be surprised at the calibers that have done the deed often enough that are called, 'a reliable choice if you do your part' haha

Mr Gunblue490 Loving the lever guns. I bought a wonderful 32 Winchester after watching one of your views. But I can't find 32 Winchester Special . Hopefully they make it again. The Ammo problem has affected hunting rounds. Thank you for all you do. May lessons learned

Lever guns are hard on scopes. If I get another one I’ll put a micro red dot on it. Both of my Winchesters had a problem of the rear elevators flying out under recoil. 😂

Recently purchased my first lever gun, a Henry big boy in .45 colt. To match a Ruger Blackhawk in the same caliber. I’ve heard you mention being on the forefront of the “hot loaded” magnum .45 colt craze but can’t find a dedicated video. I would very much enjoy to hear your knowledge on the subject. Another great video, thank you.

Thanks. I have a 1949 win 30-30 bought new by my dad, that shoots 6 inches to the right @ 100 yds. (I am a lefty my dad was was a right hander) I like the idea of the tape to do my windage. I have learned to shoot it anyway. My Dad left us last year. I treasure the piece.

Hello, I have recently run across your channel and I am enthralled. I have watched at least a couple dozen of your videos in the last 3 or 4 days. You do an excellent job sir and I enthusiastically applaud your inclusion of spiritual content. I have a couple suggestions of things I'd like to see on your channel. 1. Perhaps you could give us the benefit of any 'inside' knowledge you might have on the ammo shortage. 2. Perhaps you might be willing to do a video on 'straight pull' bolt actions and the rifles that incorporate such. I am presently intrigued by Savage's entrants into this venue. Thank you for what you do. I try to let some adds run if they aren't too long. You deserve remuneration for your excellent work.

My 1967 24in Octagon Winchester in 30/30 With a Williams Peep sight shooting my hand rolled gas checked 150 gr Lead Bullet . Hasbeen my go-to Rifle for more years then I can remember. She is Zeroed at 2.5 inches high at 25 Yards and deadly out to about 200 Yards . Mostly deer taken from 30 to 80 yards . My longest kill was 190.5 Yards years ago when my eyes was young . God bless

Thank you , very valuable information. Much appreciated.

Love lever guns. Thank you!!

Excellent video. I needed to adjust my sights on a .30-30 M94win after having a fiber optic front sight installed. I chose to adjust the rear sight as it was more durable. The rifle was shooting about 5 inches to the right. I only had to move the rear sight a hair to bring it back dead center. The adjustment was not noticeable to the naked eye. I used a sticker and pencil to mark the position of the rear sight before making the change. Thank you

Hopefully now that Ruger is taking over Marlin, quality lever guns will come back to the market. It was hit or miss with Remington. I got a decent 1895 cba but I have seen and heard horror stories. Great stuff as usuaal. I learn something every episode.

Way to much Blue, most people don't even know how to move the elevator or how to adjust windage...........lol. Love ure channel & all ure great knowledge..........!

Good presentation sir. I wouldn't be able to add a single thing to improve it. And that says a whole lot. More importantly, you have reminded me of several things I had forgotten. Valuable information for one and all. Keep up the good work. 👍

I’ve got same exact rifle 1970 35 Remington. With Lyman peep 👀 site, absolutely great 100 yards an in. Great 👍 videos as always Sir👍❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Thanks again 👍

Mr. Gun Blue. My buddy and I have a disagreement on “bullet rise”. One side says bullets do or can rise above the line of fire “bore axis”. and the other side says bullets cannot rise above the bore axis and that projectiles when fired are a descending arc. That the descending arc merely passes through the line of sight twice. Are there any Physics involved that can make a projectile defy gravity? Considering a projectile that is semi-conical with a rate of spin of around 1 in 20 that is traveling over 1000 fps. Your intellect and teaching abilities are admired. David

I put a Williams peep sight on my 336 about 40 years ago. Never regretted it in the least.

I'm glad you don't use scopes on your lever guns. That would be an abomination.

I grew up with Dad's Marlin 39A with a Lyman receiver sight and a Merit adjustable peep. I highly recommend it.

I have an identical rifle, also chambered in 35 Remington, though not as nice as yours. I mounted a Skinner rear peep sight with protective wings on the receiver. It makes it much easier for me to aim with my own aging eyes.

the words " reality and realistic" are words you dont hear anymore , pretty much anywhere. Well said ! Now we need a lesson of the buck horn sighting system

Great info... But wait! Somebody just stole your tractor!

Excellent information. Thank you!

I to like watching blues vids, being from south Texas I have a few lever Winchesters and a 1895 marlin early 70s manufacturer date 4570 , I carry a just post 64 dirty thirty, it's smother than my year 41 dirty thirty, my usual back seat gun on ranch is a 22 or 22mag. I've dropped everything you can with both. If I go serious hunting 308,or 3006,I've tried everything, came to the conclusion those two rounds will drop anything just as good as bigger mags,and old 721 06 can air mail as far as I want to go.but yes I drug around a lever gun as a kid in the south Texas brush and laid over many coyotes close and afar.

Thank you for sharing.

Great info here , Someone is driving your tractor back there

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

Geez just love the sound of mechanical parts, dig out the ole hunting gear, time and season for the great frolic in the woods of the hunt! Blowing of the horn. Dogs are excited seeing what were up too! As women mentality prepare the room in the freezer and ponder new recipes. Hunting season has once again arrived. God blessing my Children.

That was a ton of valuable information. Amazing.

Thanks!! Outstanding.

Great, I was wondering what those meant, but like you just said… current ammo costs aren’t going to afford me the ability to play around with .35 rem a whole lot.

your guns are all pristine. do a video about black pitted rusted bores such as ak, mauser, mosin, sks

You’re a smart man Gunblue.

I put a peep site on my 'japchester' 1895 45/70 and that helped my old eyes a lot. I sold the gun though. Couldn't take the kick.

Funny how I like to get a decade of the rosary during the rut. 😊

my old remington 511 in the second to lowest notch is just rite. with the 36 grain federal bulk ammo its on at 25 and 75 yards and about half an inch high at 50 yards. at 100 about 5 inches low. works nice for me. as you say everything is a bit different so check it out at the range. one thing I do is put a little loctite green on the dovetails after I am finished monkeying around.

I’m getting the itch to shoot my guns which have been sitting for 2 years .

Beautiful gun