My Ruger Safari Magnum in 500 Jeffery is almost complete. It should be ready next week. I was speaking with Jim Dubell who is doing the work and we were discussing replacing the factory front sight with something better. I'm not sure what would be the best way to go for this set up. On my 458 Lott RSM the gold bead is awful small. Any suggestions would be welcomed on a good front sight setup using the factory ruger front sight base.

Thanks

Brad

I'd replace the factory insert with a Patridge post insert, from Brownells.

Night Sight for Masterpiece Banded Ramp

http://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/

You will likely get a lot of opinions on this, but I prefer a fiber optic front bead from NECG.

I don't own a Ruger, but NECG carry a fiber optic bead designed to fit the Ruger ramp.

The fiber optic beads are the most readily visible front sights I have seen or tried.

MR is correct....my son "inherited" my RSM in 375 and I had put a NECG red fiber optic front sight on it for my older eyes....but his younger eyes loved it. It's REAL simple to install....and comes in 3 heights if I recall correctly. Nothing could be better in a low light DG scenario....let alone in bright light conditions.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

I second the NECG fiber optic sight. I put one on my Rigby and it is very easy to see yet small enough for some finer shot placment. I just pulled the original off, measured it and ordered thr same height. Never had to adjust the sights with my buffalo loads from the original.

MR is correct on a couple of points--You will get a lot of opinions on this, and the NECG Fiber optic is fantastic.
I also like the partridge post for my ghost ring sights--but the fiber optic works good also with that setup (I don't have a photo of the fiber optic front sights I have-but I do the others)


Currently I like this flip up big ivory bead from NECG and Brownells--along with the NECG rear sight.


But this is very much subject to ones eyes and what works for them. For me when I get to the 50 yd mark it had better be a big big target for me--I can't see as good as I used to. 25 yds I am in good shape!

Michael

Another vote for the fiber optic front bead.

I would vote for the NECG sourdough bead (patridge). I haven't hunted with the one I put on my Ruger RSM 416 rigby, but I sure like the square sight picture. I worry about durability of the fiber optics, having seen them fly off handguns (though NECG's quality is great).

I've had two break due to rough handling but even when a section breaks out of the middle, they still work. The fiber is crimped pretty hard and that little piece at either end won't budge. As far as the whole assembly, it attaches the same way as the rest of NECG inserts and won't fly off. The Williams and Tru-Glo front sights are dovetail inserts and have a third "grommet" in the middle of the fiber that provides better protection than the NECG. I wish NECG would adopt the same design.

quote:

Originally posted by tiggertate:
I've had two break due to rough handling but even when a section breaks out of the middle, they still work. The fiber is crimped pretty hard and that little piece at either end won't budge. As far as the whole assembly, it attaches the same way as the rest of NECG inserts and won't fly off. The Williams and Tru-Glo front sights are dovetail inserts and have a third "grommet" in the middle of the fiber that provides better protection than the NECG. I wish NECG would adopt the same design.

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. I really like the fiber optic sights . I have the red on my 9.3 , But they are very fragil . Good news tho when you break one installing it , they seem to do well with super glue .... ....
. The nice big snow white round beads that come on the Ruger 375 Alaskan are great , but it only took a month to break it off . ..However. that became an improvement as I then filed the sight on a slope top toward the muzzle and ended up with a slightly finer bead , not much finer ..But instead of the round ball which can throw off the shot in angled sunlight , it is a flat plane that stays looking round .... . I wish Recknagle would make a front sight hood for Rugers .....
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. I positively know theirs would look alot nicer than what I will build

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:
You will likely get a lot of opinions on this, but I prefer a fiber optic front bead from NECG.

I don't own a Ruger, but NECG carry a fiber optic bead designed to fit the Ruger ramp.

The fiber optic beads are the most readily visible front sights I have seen or tried.

+1 on NECG red fiber optic, your eye will tend to focus on the brightest object. It makes it easier to focus on in a hurry.

John

Minus one on the plastic fiberoptic sights.
Too fragile.
They also dull or melt away if exposed to some solvents, like the Wicked Witch of the West did with a bucket of water.

Keep plenty of spares and be able to replace them in the field, if you must.

+1 on these:

Nice photos from michael458:





Yep, I like these best, what I been doin' lately, one or the other, and I like either a peep or a flat-top-square-notch rear sight with the gold patridge. A shallow V rear is allowed with the NECG H&H moon bead, or a peep.

I agree on the flip up HH style sight. Necg carries them. I tried the fiber optics and had the insert fall out while in Africa. I have the HH on several rifles and find them very accurate well into twilight.
Frank

Is the silver-coloured banded ramp actual stainless steel or coated with something? If, sts., where can one obtain these?

Anybody?

Dewey

No it is not stainless. I forget the coating, but I have it done to all the stainless B&M rifles so it matches better. So far it has been as durable as stainless. Brian at SSK sends it out, not sure who to.

Michael