Adjusting Sights? and Cleaning from Prone?

[.22-5-40]

Hello, I have an original Remington rolling block sporter in .40-70 Str.  There is a match every fall..a 300yd. prone for any rifle using cast..thought I would try this one.   The rifle has a spirit level windgage front...how in the heck do you crawl up a 32" brl. & see sight graduations on the FRONT of sight base when on your tummy?  I was thinking of one of them extendable mirrors..But will have to remember which way to turn sight stem!  How about swabing bore?  Wrist rest and/or X sticks allowed..do you set brl. on these to clean?  Hope to use Swiss so should have less of a fouling problem?  Sorry about all the questions..I have only fired off bench.  Thanks!

[Nobade]

Gotta get your spotter/coach to adjust the sight. Or stand up. As for wiping the bore, it depends on the rules of your match. Do they allow wiping between shots? Is there time allowed to do so? And of course not only by shooting Swiss, but lube and air conditions during shooting will dictate to you if you need to wipe or not.

BTW, I like your handle.

[.22-5-40]

Hello, nobade.  I understand the match is very laid back..adverstisment said prone SLOW fire.  I think majority will be shooting smokeless..wiping shouldn't be an issue.  I guess I could rest brl. on wrist rest or X sticks for swabbing.  I have read some posts that say some shooters just guestimate how much to turn...must remember which way to turn that screw!  Thanks again.

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

Prior preparation prevents  #@$$-poor performance!

[.22-5-40]

Hello, I guess to answer Sir Charles comment about prior preparation:  The fact is I just purchased the original Mid-Range last Sunday...And while I know how to operate a windgage front..have never done so in prone..only off bench.  I do know how to clean a B.P. rifle..only never tried from prone.  I know I have my work cut out for me as I have been away from black for about 20 years..and will be using Swiss..If I can find any in my area.  Match is in Sept. & with work schedule..I hope I have enough free time to prepare.  That is the reason I asked you experts..So I wouldn't have to re-invent the wheel  so to speak....NOT because I am too lazy to find things out for myself.  Thank you.

[.22-5-40]

Well, last weekend, I had some spare time, so I thought I would find out just how to work this windgage front from prone position.  Rifle set up on floor in cleaning vise, Me, behind rifle, in prone position.  I must say, those old time gunmakers knew what they were about!  By turning sight adjustment screw clockwise..as if threading screw to left..sight moves right, and by turning in counter clock wise..as if unscrewing towards right..sight moves left.  Therefore, if bullet impact is off to left of center, by turning screw C.W., as if turning screw in direction of shot hole..sight moves to right..just remember to move screw in direction of bullet impact & sight will be moved in correct direction.  I think with practice, i can estimate how much of a fraction of a turn to make without having to see graduations on sight front.

[John Boy]

I think with practice, i can estimate how much of a fraction of a turn to make without having to see graduations on sight front.

No Thuer, you have to KNOW the MOA's adjustment is for each graduation of the sight.  Then based on the distance your shot placement is at a given distance, just move the sight.  Example, most of my rear verniers, one line = 4 MOA @ 100yds.  My others are 2 MOA @ 100yds