1898 Krag: Ersatz sight micrometer

[drnewcomb]

One of my local clubs (Pascagoula, MS) now has electronic targets and is holding occasional informal practice sessions at 600 yds with the new system. The first thing I noticed in shooting on an electronic target is my complete loss of any feeling of sympathy for that poor sod in the pits. No feeling that I had to shoot small and snappy to minimize his workload. This started me thinking, "Why not blow the cobwebs out of the 1898 Krag and bring it to a practice session?"

Looking at the Buffington-pattern 1901 rear sight gave me pause. How was I going to reliably adjust that thing? I don't own a Pope 1901 sight micrometer and don't want to spend $200-$300 to folks want for one. A caliper works but only on the bench. It would be too unwieldy in prone position.

Has anyone ever used a taper gauge to set a Buffington rear sight on a Krag or '03 Springfield? How'd that go? I've ordered a 15 mm taper gauge, which should give me enough elevation for 600 yds. I don't think I'll try the Krag at 1000. Bullets would be subsonic at that range.