Rifleman Q&A: ’03 Springfield Sight Settings

This “Questions & Answers” was featured in the December 2004 issue of American Rifleman. At time of publication, "Questions & Answers" was compiled by Staff, Ballistics Editor William C. Davis, Jr., and Contributing Editors: David Andrews, Hugh C. Birnbaum, Bruce N. Canfield, O. Reid Coffield, Charles Q. Cutshaw, Charles M. Fagg, Angus Laidlaw, Evan P. Marshall, Charles E. Petty, Robert B. Pomeranz, O.D., Jon R. Sundra, Jim Supica, A.W.F. Taylerson, John M. Taylor and John Treakle.

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Q. Recently, I purchased an M1903 Springfield from the CMP. I have a question as to how the Model 1905 ladder sight is supposed to be used. What is the correct procedure to use the battle sight or ladder with notch or peep?

A. The “battle” setting for the M1905 sight is for the leaf to be completely folded forward, which equates to 441 yards. Distances above and below this range are obtained by raising the leaf and adjusting it to the proper graduations on the sight leaf. The M1905 sight is also capable of windage adjustments by means of the knurled thumbscrew which allows it to be adjusted transversely.

—Bruce N. Canfield