1. Round notch and gold/silver bead; 2. Square notch and post; 3. V-notch and bead; 4. V-notch and post; 5. Williams "fire-sights" or similar; 6. Peep-sight and post; 7. Peep-sight and bead; 8. Some other type.
Curiously,
Fritz
Posts: 846 | Location: Sweden | Registered: 19 April 2001
I have used the v and ivory bead on my muzzleloader a u and gold bead on my 30-30. I have had good service out of these over the years. Last year I picked up a set of fire sights for my wifes muzzleloader and I love them. They are the answer to old tired eyes.
For target shooting, front globe and rear aperture. Never tried this until I shot a biathlon rifle so equipped last weekend. (Unfortunately, I don't live in MT/WY/ID or NY/VT/NH so there is little chance of me competing in biathlon.)
For hunting, #6, front post and rear peep.
Posts: 1246 | Location: Northern Virginia, USA | Registered: 02 June 2001
The answer prabaly depends on age of the shooter (actually of his eyes), and what types have been tried. I used to shoot them all, but at almost 60 my "near point" is moving down the barrel as happens to us all.
Choice #6, the front post and rear aperture for both target and hunting.
For hunting the ghost ring aperture is both fast and accurate. You look through the larger aperture so that it "grays out". We older eyed guys can use this sight when we can no longer focus on the rear open sight.
I use a smaller aperture for target rifles.
I have recently bought a 12-ga turkey shotgun with red and green fiber optic sights. I have not had the chance to shot much with them yet, so the jury is still out. They look really good so far. Is this silicon sight counted as an iron sight?
jim dodd
------------------ "if you are to busy to hunt, you are too busy."
Posts: 4166 | Location: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: 14 November 2001
quote:Originally posted by HunterJim: I have recently bought a 12-ga turkey shotgun with red and green fiber optic sights. I have not had the chance to shot much with them yet, so the jury is still out. They look really good so far. Is this silicon sight counted as an iron sight?
jim dodd
Jim,
I think that this is one of the better uses for silicone. This answer could count under #5. If I can get some of this type - "Firesights" or yours - I�ll make a try. It seems to be an interesting devolepment of the irons.
Best regards,
Fritz
Posts: 846 | Location: Sweden | Registered: 19 April 2001
2. A shallow V with a post that is sighted with the post even with the top of the V such as a pistol sight picture would look..this is very fast and good for older eyes.
On my Rem 660, I use a Williams FP 600 receiver sight (loose the screw-in apature), and have been using a fire sight on a shorty ramp. The fire sights are quite fragile though, breaking the "bead" much too easily.
This combo is very quick and accurate for short range shooting.
Posts: 115 | Location: Maine USA | Registered: 26 January 2002
I like the fine milled-steel open sights that New England Custom Guns imports into the USA from EAW of Germany.
I have a set on my Echols-built custom Model 70 in .375 H&H. The rear sight is fixed, non-folding, skeletonized, adjustable for windage only, shallow "V" in its configuration, and with a reflective Tritium insert below the "V".
The front sight also has a Tritium dot and is adjustable for elevation only. The ramp is finely machined and unobtrusive, the front sight hood locks securely in place, and has a series of milled openings for the purpose of light gathering.
This is by far and away the slickest open sight setup I've ever used, and it's rock solid since it's of milled-steel construction and because Echols screwed and soldered these sights to the barrel. Since the rear sight is skeletonized, a minimal about of the target is covered (read obscured) by the sights.
John Frazier, 0.100" or 3/32" or thereabouts, the bigger the better, as long as it doesn't affect the balance of the gun. A post that caused muzzle heaviness might be too big.
------------------ Happiness is a warm double and a bloody spear, but a 375 or a 416 will do just fine! RAB
Posts: 28032 | Location: KY | Registered: 09 December 2001
quote:Originally posted by Tombo21: Scopes are for sissies.
++++ I'm not sure if you are joking here or not. Your sarcasm may be missed by me.
Telescopic sights are for hunters who do not like to take chances on wounding an animal, or causing unecessary suffering. The light gathering characteristics of a scope ensure proper shot placement in low light conditions, as well as ensure good bullet placement in perfect light at medium to long ranges.
Iron sights are for use where a scope is not practical, ie heavy cover, tall grass and extremely close quarters......Or as a back up when a scope fails.
To say "scopes are for sissies" is an ignorant statement.
------------------ Quick, Clean and Painless.
Posts: 1123 | Location: California | Registered: 03 January 2002
#8 I guess, When hunting, I substitute crosswires for the front post - which is possible for many common front globes.
This has a one or two advantages over a post. Often the post is blurred out in low light because of ground shadows. But a set of crosswires will usually have 2 or more of the 4 segments visible and it is possible to bracket your target effectively - even in low light. Also, they can be thinner without risk of breaking or bending. This makes them easier to use at longer ranges, though it is not necessarily a major issue.
If I have to shoot barrel sights, I want a partridge style set up. Square wide notch with flat topped post. Wide notches let you see more of the lower portion of the target and help center things up a bit better.
Brent
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002
Funny you should mention that, on my last double rifle that Rick Stickley built and I stocked, Rick did just that at my request..He had two down on the 1/4 rib and a dovetail with ball and spring cut lenth wise wherein you could slip the ghost ring in or out...It worked so well with the New England partridge sight that I never used the flip ups..it was the best sight I ever had on a double and at a $100 cost. It also had a blank to fill the dovetail when the peep was not in use.
