Zeroing the M1 Garand Service Rifle

Sight Adjustment

NOTE: To initially establish your zero, first set the windage so that with windage index line on the rear sight base aligns with the center line of the windage guage on the receiver. This is mechanical zero.

(a) Iron sights (M1 rifle): The rear sight can be adjusted to correct for a wind that is strong enough to blow a bullet off its course, or simply to change the strike of the bullet to another spot on the target. The strike of the bullet can be made higher or lower (elevation) or can be moved to the right or to the left (windage). The elevation and windage knobs make audible clicks when they are turned, and each click changes the strike of the bullet approximately one inch on the target for every 100 yards of range. For example, 2 clicks of either elevation or windage will move the strike of the bullet approximately four inches on a target at a range of 200 yards. Windage can be adjusted 16 clicks to the right or to the left of center index, and elevation can be adjusted from 0 to 72 clicks.

(b) Zero and Battle-Sight for M1: Every rifle has certain characteristics that make the individual piece fire a little high, a little low, a little to the right or the left. To be able to get consistent hits, the rear sight must be zeroed for the various ranges, and the sight setting recorded. The data for the rifle's zero is easily kept in the accessory compartment of the stock for ready reference. To move the mean point of impact up, raise the rear sight. To move the mean point of impact to the right, move the sight to the right, and so on. Several rounds should be fired from a bench or sandbag rest from various ranges to find and confirm the zero settings. The battle sight setting is the 300-yard zero, less two clicks. When two click are subtracted from the zero elevation, it causes the rifle to be zeroed in at the point of aim. In other words, the location of the shot group is moved from the center of the bull's eye to the lower edge. With this sight setting, a rifleman can hit his point of aim at 300 yards and can engage man-sized targets at ranges from 0-400 yards by aiming at the center of mass.

(I) To calibrate the rear sight to the battle sight setting you:

• Run the aperture all the way down and loosen the screw in the center of the elevating knob until you can turn the knob forward.
• Turn the elevating knob forward until the 300-yard index line is opposite the index line on the receiver.
• Turn the elevating knob forward from this point to the number of click equal to the 300-yard zero in elevation, less two clicks.
• Hold the elevating knob in position with your left hand and tighten the center screw, then run the aperture all the way up and tighten the screw.
• Check your setting by turning the elevating knob back until the 300-yard index line is opposite the index line on the receiver, then turn it as far forward as you can, counting the clicks. The number of clicks you can turn the elevating knob forward should be equal to your battle sight setting.

(II) To set the battle sight zero on the older type sight (with the locking nut) you:

• Set the 300-yard zero in elevation less two click. Lock the rear sight at this point by tightening the locking nut.
• Loosen the screw in the center of the elevating knob and turn the knob until the battle sight index line is opposite the index line on the receiver.
• Tighten the screw in the center of the elevating knob.
• Check the settings as described in (I) above.

.30-'06 M1 Rifle, M2 ball

The above information was copied from "The Fighting Garand Owner's Manual", Edited by Nolan Wilson - Chapter II, Description & Operation - Section 7.

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