Front sight for K98

[Terc]

Hi. I took my new/old Mauser out to the range for the first time today only to discover that it shot way way high. I pushed the rear sight back as far as it could go (this was a 100 yd range) and still had to aim way below the target to even get it on the paper. The range officer even helped me with this, so hopefully this wasn't shooter error.

My question is this: can anyone recommend a place to pick up a new front sight for a K98? I'm sure I can google it, but I though I'd ask the knowledgeable group that haunts this board first. Like I said, this range only went out to 100 yards. I have no idea at what distance it would become more accurate with the rear sight in its lowest position. If I thought I was only gonna shoot at 300 yards I might decide to live with it, but I think I should look into getting a new front sight. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[dirtyjim]

you can swap the k98 blade out with a zv-24 blade or one of the taller aftermarket replacement front sight blades. brownells, midway, numrich & tenesse gunparts all should have replacement sight blades.
another tip is to solder a piece of copper wire to the top of the sight blade to give you a taller front sight

 

[Mauserguy]

Before swapping out any parts, what exactly is "shooting way high"? These guns were designed to shoot one particular type of ammo, so it may be possible that you are just hitting where the gun should hit with that type of ammo. Please elaborate.
Mauserguy

 

[Terc]

It's Yugo 8mm ammo. I bought it (along with the Mauser itself) from Classic Arms.

 

[elmerfudd]

My experience is that they shoot about 6" high at 100 yards. IMO, it's just a design flaw. I just live with it. Mine's not a tackdriver anyway, so I just aim at the base of the target when I want to hit the bull and it works fine. What the Germans were thinking, was that the average soldier could aim center mass on a human torso and make a hit all the way out to 400 yards without having to adjust the sights.

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

My k98 also shoots really high with surplus ammo. I can't hit a target under 50 yards because I have to aim so low. I aim about 2 ft low at 100 yrds. What I have found is the commercial ammo shoots to the point of aim at 100 yrds. Ive tried prvi partisan and wolf gold 196grn soft points.

 

[Mauserguy]

Generally, heavier bullets will shoot higher than lighter bullets. Machine gun ammo may use heavier bullets than rigle ammo. Commercial ammo may be loaded very light and shoot low. If the rifle shoots consistently six inches hight with your favorite ammo, I would not worry about it. You should just use a six o'clock hold. If you are using some non-standard loads, and you probably are, then you will never hit dead on.
Mauserguy

 

[DWARREN123]

The basic zero for these rifles is 250 to 300 meters not 100 hundred yards and that is why they shoot high at 100 yards. Changing the front site will also change the POI at other ranges. The rear bottom of the rear site can be reduced so when it sits on the site base it will shoot to 100 yards and not affect other ranges.

 

[Chipperman]

Maybe this one was one that was "sabotaged" by the slave laborers.
What year was it made?

 

[Terc]

It was made in 1943. I want to thank everyone for their excellent replies. I think I'm gonna leave it the way it is for now; until I get a chance to shoot it at 200 or 300 yards and try commercial ammo.