Revolver shooting high

[shaggy430]

I have a Taurus Tracker .44 Mag that shoots 240 grain bullets about 8"-10" high at 25 yards. It shoots about that high at 50 yards also. I've adjusted the rear sight as far as it will go, but it still shoots high. I plan to use this for hunting this fall so I'd like to get it hitting dead on.

Does anyone know if Taurus makes a taller front sight or if there is an aftermarket front sight that will fit? Any other suggestions to make it shoot lower?

 

[GRIZ22]

I take it you lowered the rear sight as far as it will go? That's the adjustment you should be doing. Just asking to eliminate that cause.

 

[Kliegl]

A faster, lighter bullet should shoot lower.

If you like the 240 grain size for 44, and most do, I'd call Taurus and ask
if they can put a lower sight on it or what they recommend.

 

[shaggy430]

Yes, the rear sight is adjusted as far as it will go.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

A quick fix is to put a dab of epoxy on the front sight and color it with nail polish or model airplane dope. That will raise the sight a bit and give you more visability.

Assuming you have a 6" barrel, you will need to raise the front sight around 1/8" or less, so it's easily doable with epoxy.

 

[BCRider]

There's no way around it then. You need a taller front sight.

It's odd that the rear isn't able to lower enough to achieve your adjustment. You may want to totally disassemble the rear sight to see if a shaving or a burr under the rear sight is holding it too high. Or, if you don't mind the wait, box it up and return it for warranty.

 

[CraigC]

You're in trouble. It's typically when you run mousefart loads or heavyweight bullets that you run into this problem. Shooting high with full-steam 240's doesn't give you anywhere to go. For a given velocity, heavier bullets tend to print higher. For a given bullet weight, slower velocities tend to print higher. You need a taller front sight.

 

[Pyro]

The only firearms I own that shoot POA is my .22 rifle and my .32 revolver.
I say keep shooting them till you get to know where the bullet is gonna go regardless of where you aim, saved me the trouble of trying to "fix" every rifle and handgun I own.

 

[GLOOB]

Pyro, I wonder if it's your shooting style or just bad luck. Every fixed sight gun I have ever owned has shot right on point.

If it were a fixed sight gun, I might be able to live with it. But how in the world would anyone settle for an adjustable sight revolver that can't even get within 6" high at 25 yards, using the lightest fastest ammo, already?

 

[gamestalker]

FYI, they make other front and rear sights for that Tracker. I would replace the rear blade first as that is an inexpensive modification. I have a Taurus 608 and replaced the rear blade for around $15-$20. I can't remember exactly what the expense was, but do remember it was not much.

 

[CraigC]

I say keep shooting them till you get to know where the bullet is gonna go regardless of where you aim, saved me the trouble of trying to "fix" every rifle and handgun I own.

That may be okay if you don't shoot much and/or only own a few guns but if you own a bunch and take your shooting seriously, you need to be zeroed.

 

[gamestalker]

CraigC is right. Trying to compensate your aim point isn't an answer. Often times when a handgun is shooting high or low at distances out to 25 yds. or more, it is the shooter not the gun. 25 yds. is a long distance off hand if your not a very accomplished shooter with handguns. I have almost 5 decades of shooting under my belt and couldn't possibly sight my handgun in accurately at 25 yds. much less 50 yds. without a good shooting rest. During hunting season I see a lot of this, and it usually involves the shooter using a soda can or paper plate at 50 yds. with a high powered rifle off hand, and results in them missing every deer that comes along. Sights and optics are on the chopping block far too often, and long before a clear determination has been made from a proper shooting rest.
The only reason I've addressed the sight in method, is you never stated the method you used to sight it in. Earlier on in this post someone asked if you adjusted the rear sight all the way down, and you replied yes, it is adjusted as far as it will go, but you didn't specify all the way down.
I always start from a close range, say 20', and work my way out until I've reached my limit with that weapon, that's likely going to be 40 - 50 yds. with open sights on a handgun for the average person.
Another possible and common issue is how you pull the trigger. When depressing the trigger the firearm is pulled down, and often to the right or left, depending on how you hold it, how much the gun weights, and the trigger weight and travel.

 

[SwampWolf]

Every fixed sight gun I have ever owned has shot right on point.

Either you haven't owned too many or I've owned too many. I'm not saying it's common for a fixed sight gun to not shoot to the poa but I am saying it's not that uncommon. Currently two of my fixed sight revolvers are a long way from being "zeroed": a Colt Cobra that shoots way high and a Ruger Vaquero that has a windage problem.

I also agree with CraigC: "Kentucky windage" is not a long term answer for addressing poa with poi issues. Unless I want a fixed sighted handgun (like my Cobra) for when I'm carrying in the pocket or in some other area where a snagged sight could keep a self-defense gun from being speedily deployed or for when I want to keep the gun historically correct in terms of a traditional appearance (like my Vaquero), I prefer adjustable sights on most of my handguns.

 

[shaggy430]

I called Taurus and their customer service department was very helpful. I explained that the gun was shooting high and the rear sight was adjusted down as far as it would go. They said if I would like I can ship the gun back and they will swap the sights, test fire, and return the gun to me at their expense. They said it would take about 3 weeks. I think I am going to go that route. Thanks for the replies. I'll post when I receive the gun back.