Which statement best defines sight alignment in rifle shooting?

• A. Sight alignment is the correct relationship between front and rear sights.
• B. Sight alignment is the target distance.
• C. Sight alignment is the width of the barrel.
• D. Sight alignment is the color of the sights.

Answer: (A)

Sight alignment is the correct relationship between the front and rear sights as you view them through the aiming eye. With iron sights, the goal is to have the front sight centered in the rear sight notch or aperture, and the top surfaces of the sights on a common plane so the line of sight runs along the bore toward the target. When this alignment is right, the bullet tends to go where you’re aiming at the moment you break the trigger because the sights are pointing in the intended direction.

This concept is about how the two sights relate to each other, not about how far away the target is, the width of the barrel, or the color of the sights. Those factors can affect visibility or hold, but they don’t define the alignment between the front and rear sights.